Library Advisory Board Minutes - 09/19/2017LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
Sept. 19, 2017
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Kym Acuna James Ball
Carolyn Watt-Sutherland Jim Sernoe
Kimberley Latham Suhua Huang
Emily Reeves Kay Story
Amy Bobrowitz
Ex-Officio Members Present:
Jim Dockery, Dept. City Manager
Jana Hausburg, Library Administrator
Guest: Kathy Vossler, Assistant Library Administrator, Information Services
Librarian’s report
Ms. Hausburg asked for introductions from the Board, and gave background information about her library
career.
Mr. Dockery introduced himself and stated he will be representing the City in the absence of Jack Murphy, who
retired at the end of August.
Summer Reading
Ms. Vossler provided an update on the Summer Reading program:
Participants: 146 Adults, 84 Teens, and 457 Children registered for the reading component of the program.
Total Attendance for Summer Programs:
Maker Mondays: 166
Movie Mondays: 114
LEGO Club: 533
Snacks (provided by the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank): 413
Story Time: 527
Teen Tuesday: 191
Wednesday Performers: 2233
Crafts: 601
Tales for Tails: 392
Stitch Meet-Up on Saturday, August 19th, had 22 attendees. The first Stitch Meet-Up was held in June and had
12 attendees. Due to the increasing popularity and general interest, it has been decided that the group will
now meet monthly. Upcoming meetings are September 30th and October 21st.
Curiosity Day on Saturday, September 16th was a huge success, with approximately 170 people attending
programming for all ages. Families were invited to learn about the three basic needs for survival: food, shelter,
and water, while engaging in hands-on activities with the Texas Master Gardeners and Midwestern State
engineering students. Participants explored what they would need to grow food, make a water filter, and build a
shelter. Younger children were invited to go on a fun space walk and visit space-themed craft stations where
they made rocket art, discovered the phases of the moon, created moon rocks, painted planets, and charted the
stars.
These programs meet the WFPL mission statement of addressing the community’s recreational needs.
Changes in the Library
Ms. Hausburg discussed her focus on tying the library’s actions to the City’s Mission, Vision, and Values
statements, as well as the library’s Mission statement. She reviewed changes she and the library staff have
implemented since July 26th. These include:
Creation of a combined Service Desk – Reference and Circulation staff now occupy one desk for
improved accessibility to library users.
Redistribution of Self-Check machines: one to the Youth Dept., another near the Large Print collection,
and a third to the back of the library. These actions increase access.
Reconfiguring the public computer area: This action promotes open visibility.
Library team leaders are utilizing One-on-Ones: a powerful management tool for building stronger
teams by establishing rapport, helping uncover issues before they become problematic, and building
productive working relationships with direct reports. Strong teams are more likely to provide good
service to internal and external customers. When a staff member knows their teammates can be relied
upon as back up, they will be more confident and enthusiastic in delivering extraordinary customer
service.
Reclassification: The Technical Services/Cataloging departments reclassified our collection of graphic
novels. These were all moved to a new collection and given new call numbers. The call number was
either the character in the graphic novels, for example, BATMAN or HITGIRL; or the first word of the title
of the graphic novel, for example, 300 or CONTRACT. Shelving graphic novels by character or title is a
regular request we receive from library users. This action meets the City’s mission statement on
responsive service delivery.
Other
Carolyn Watt-Sutherland volunteered to serve as Chair of the Library Advisory Board.
Ms. Vossler spoke about attending a training in Austin, TX called Get Involved Collaborative: A Trained
Volunteer Initiative. She was able to attend due to our library (one of 200 Texas libraries) being selected in April
(as part of a competitive grant application process) to receive a 3-year Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grant
from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has
partnered with the state libraries of Idaho, Arizona, and California to provide training and resources to assist
public libraries in the recruitment, management, and retention of skilled volunteers. As part of this grant, TSLAC
provided a free VolunteerMatch Premium account to the Wichita Falls Public Library for three years ($99
annually). Additionally, Kathy Vossler was one of 40 Texas librarians selected to attend the Get Involved
Collaborative Bootcamp for volunteer managers on September 12-13, 2017, in Austin.
Due to three part-time page positions being cut for FY17, the recruitment and retention of skilled volunteers is
more important than ever before. This action meets the City’s value statements for Excellence and Innovation.
Upcoming events
SEPTEMBER
Saturday September 23rd
BuJo for Teens 12:00-2:00 Room of Requirement
Teens grade 6 and up are invited to come learn the basics of bullet journaling. $2 fee to buy your journal, all
other materials provided. Call 767-0868 x4243 or come by the Youth Desk to register.
BuJo for Adults 12-2pm Conference Room
Interested in bullet journaling but not sure where to start? Already a bullet journaler who wants to share ideas
and get inspired? Come to the library for a Bullet Journal Set-up Tutorial! Bring your own supplies or pay $2 to
reserve a journal. Call 940-767-0868 x4234 or stop by the Adult Information Desk to register.
Tuesday September 26th
National Voter Registration Day Voter Registration Drive
Are YOU registered to vote? If you're unsure how to register or where to check, come to your local library today
from (), where the League of Women Voters will be helping citizens register and check their status online. Don't
miss this opportunity to register before the deadline! Make sure your voice will be heard this November!
OCTOBER
October 3
Adult Book Discussions: Chapter Chat & Between the Lines
Chapter Chat: 10am Conference Room – Still Life with Bread Crumbs
Between the Lines: 6:45pm Conference Room – Commonwealth
October 14
Teen Book Talk: 11am Room of Requirement 20 Books in 20 Minutes: Come hear about your librarian’s favorite
books that came out this summer. Food and free books for all.
ACT Math Prep: 12pm Room of Requirement Take a practice test for the Math section of the ACT and get some
practical tips and tricks to improve your score. Our instructor is a veteran teacher with years of math teaching
experience at all levels.
October 18
Adult Book Discussion: Unruly Women 6:30-7:30pm Conference Room Discussing books by, for, and about
women and women’s rights. Choose a book to read on your own and then rave (or rant) to the group. First-
timers welcome!
October 21
Stitch Meet-up: 10am-1pm in the RofR Fiber artists of every variety unite! Come meet fellow knitters,
crocheters, cross stitchers, [insert fabric craft here]. Bring your current projects or start a new one (limited
supplies available). Discuss problem stitches, talk inspiration, meet new friends, and have fun! Beg inners and
new comers welcome! Coffee from Odd Duck Roastery and snacks provided by the library.
October 24
Amo Leer/I Love to Read Dia de los Muertos with Bilingual Storyteller Solina Marquis 5:30 -7:30pm Room 205
Nachos will be served at 5:30 - Program begins at 6. Enjoy storytelling, the Zavala dancers, crafts, free books,
and piñatas!
October 28
Fall Painting Class: Adults & Teens - 11am-2pm Room of Requirement Enjoy a painting class with Marsha
Reeves of Virtually Red. Paint a fall themed pumpkin (or Jack-o-Lantern for Halloween!). A $5 registration fee
covers all supplies! Registration must be done in person at the Service Desk (spots cannot be reserved over the
phone). Cash Only! Ages 12 and up. Registration closes Oct. 25.
“Dig Up Your Ancestors” with Librarian Andrew Jelen – 12-1pm Conference Room
Learn about Genealogy research and how to use library resources and online tools, such as Ancestry.com.
Ghost Stories: 12-1pm Activity Room Listen to scary stories around the “campfire.”
Ms. Hausburg took the group on a tour to highlight displays, collections, and changes.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 pm
Next meeting is Oct. 17, 2017 at 5:00 pm