Library Advisory Board Minutes - 01/16/2018LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
Jan. 16, 2018
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Kim Acuña
Emily Reeves
Jim Sernoe
Suhua Huang
Carolyn Watt-Sutherland
Kimberley Latham
MEMBERS ABSENT
Roylene Quintero
Kay Story
Ex-Officio Members Present:
Jana Hausburg, Library Administrator
Jim Dockery, Deputy City Manager
Alan Martin, President, Friends of the Library
Guest: Andrew Jelen
The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Minutes were approved. Ms. Watt-Sutherland promoted the
Food for Fines event in February and highlighted the library’s Rock the Falls reading challenge.
Librarian’s report
Ms. Hausburg introduced the Board to Andrew Jelen, Assistant Library Administrator, Collections. He informed
the group about the library’s 100 year anniversary, a year-long celebration of a Century of Service. Mr. Jelen
reviewed a tentative schedule of events, including an oral history project, a series of lectures, a time capsule, an
art competition, and a big birthday party on June 16th at the Kemp where it all began.
Mr. Sernoe asked if the board could assist. Mr. Jelen said definitely, once plans are finalized, we would be
looking for help.
The library’s efforts to create reading zones continue. Building Maintenance is currently painting the inside of
the library and making light repairs. Ms. Hausburg asked the board to take a look at Java Island, set up at what
was the old Reference desk. It is now being used for customers with laptops. Coffee and covered drinks will be
allowed. Library staff hope that it will be utilized in an attempt to promote the library as a “Third Place” –
“…places neither work, nor home, and are places where local communities gather to unwind and discuss a broad
range of topics (e.g., current political situations, increased prices in the local grocery store, or latest sports
results). These places allow for community life to unfold.” See link below for more information about third
places.
http://ci-journal.net/index.php/ciej/article/view/1048/1116
Ms. Hausburg highlighted the Food for Fines event in February and passed around a press release she will be
sharing with the newspaper. She also encouraged board members to participate in the Rock the Falls reading
challenge and share with their friends, family, and neighbors.
The library’s first forum on Neighborhood economics will be Tuesday, Jan. 23rd, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Please see
attached.)
Ms. Hausburg informed the group that she has been accepted into the Leadership Wichita Falls Class of 2018
program. LWF is a community orientation program which occurs each spring, dating back to 1979, in which forty
participants from area businesses come together to learn about the City and identify ways to be more involved.
Throughout the 16-week time frame, the leadership group is given opportunities to network and give back to
their community.
She asked about the possibility of changing the meeting times for the Library Advisory Board to 4:30 p.m. so that
she may attend. The board was in agreement. Regular meeting times will resume in September.
Alan Martin, President of the Friends of the Library, gave a report on his group’s recent activities, which include
a partnership with United Way to increase the number of Little Free Libraries in the area, shipping books to
South Texas to schools and libraries affected by the floods, distributing religious type books to area churches,
and shipping books worldwide to places such as Africa. The organization will be hosting a Dr. Seuss birthday
party in March.
Ms. Hausburg asked about the possibility of the Friends donating funds to replace a mobility scooter originally
purchased by them some years ago. It gets a lot of use and is starting to wear out. Mr. Martin said the Friends
could do that, possibly after the Dr. Seuss party.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
Next meeting is Feb. 20, 2018 at 4:30 p.m.