Library Advisory Board Minutes - 02/20/2018LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
Feb. 20, 2018
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Suhua Huang
Carolyn Watt-Sutherland
Kimberley Latham
Kay Story
MEMBERS ABSENT
Jana Hausburg, Library Administrator
Jim Dockery, Deputy City Manager
Roylene Quintero
Kym Acuna
Roylene Quintero
Amy Bobrowitz
Emily Reeves
Jim Sernoe
Alan Martin, President, Friends of the Library
Bobby Whiteley, Council Liaison
Guest: Kathy Vossler, Assistant Administrator, Information
The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Mi nutes were approved. Those attending brought food to
donate toward February’s Food for Fines event. Attendees were encouraged to observe the table at the Service
Desk where a significant amount of food had already been donated.
Ms. Watt-Sutherland commented that she had emails to Mr. Whiteley and Mr. Dockery returned to her as
undeliverable, even though she had used the same email group that had been sent to her.
Librarian’s report
Ms. Vossler filled in for Ms. Hausburg, who was attending Leadership Wichita Falls training. Ms. Vossler
informed the group that she will be leaving the City of Wichita Falls as of Wednesday, February 22, to take a new
position as Director of the Haywood County Library System in western North Carolina. Ms. Vossler would have
been with the city ten years as of April 8, 2018. She explained that she was grateful to have held a variety of
positions with the library, including Reference Librarian and Youth Services Manager. Her proudest
accomplishments included the opportunity to train and mentor many librarians over the years, some of whom
have been able to move on to new opportunities at other libraries, and some of whom are still with the WFPL.
She also cited the Amo Leer program, established in 2010, and the grant funded program’s continued success
ever since. Additionally, she is proud of accepting a grant from the Texas State Library and IMLS to bring the
Family Place Libraries program to Wichita Falls. She also expressed her sincere gratefulness for Ms. Hausburg’s
leadership.
Handouts regarding the library’s Centennial Art Competition were distributed. The board was asked if they
would be willing to judge entries; while the assumption was made that the board would be amenable to this, the
subject will be brought up again at the next board meeting when more members are present. Discussion
included the possibility of inviting an art professor from MSU and Margie Reece from the Wichita Falls Alliance
for Arts and Culture to speak to the board about criteria and guidelines to follow when judging art. Ms. Latham
recommended the use of a scorecard of sorts to assist with fairly judging individual pieces.
Ms. Vossler highlighted Tuesday night’s Neighborhood Economics forum covering cash flow in Wichita Falls. This
is the second in a 4-part series presented by Dr. Agim Kukeli, Director, Bureau of Business and Government
Research at MSU.
Ms. Vossler reminded those present that the meeting times for the Library Advisory Board will move to 4:30
p.m. beginning in March so that Ms. Hausburg may attend. Regular meeting times will resume in September.
Ms. Vossler asked if there was any new business. Ms. Watt-Sutherland said she had seen a news story that
described libraries as soft targets for active shooters. She asked if the city had done any formal, preventive,
training to prepare employees for such events. Ms. Watt-Sutherland suggested that Mr. Whiteley also be
involved. Ms. Vossler said she would pass this inquiry on to Ms. Hausburg, who recently shared the following
article with library staff –
https://lj.libraryjournal.com/2018/02/public-services/guns-library-safety-security/
and the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VcSwejU2D0
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
Next meeting is March 20, 2018 at 4:30 p.m.