Library Advisory Board Minutes - 03/20/2018LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
March 20, 2018
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Kim Acuña
Suhua Huang
Roylene Quintero
Emily Reeves
Kay Story
Jana Hausburg, Library Administrator
Jim Dockery, Deputy City Manager
Bobby Whiteley, Council Liaison
MEMBERS ABSENT
Amy Bobrowitz
Kimberley Latham
Jim Sernoe
Carolyn Watt-Sutherland
Ms. Hausburg acted as chair in the absence of Carolyn Watt-Sutherland. Meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m
Minutes were approved with a comment by Ms. Story about the “Run, Hide, Fight” active shooter video sent to
the board along with last month’s minutes. She asked where the exits were in the library. There is one at the
north in the far back (behind Java Island); and two doors to the east accessible only by staff with a key, in
addition to the entrance/exit at the front (south) of the library.
Librarian’s report
Ms. Hausburg shared that she is currently involved in compiling data for the Texas Public Library annual report
for local fiscal year 2017. The report has to be submitted by March 31st. Data from this report is used for the
creation of a composite report on the public libraries of the United States and for state-to-state comparisons by
the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The report is also used to accredit Texas public libraries.
Ms. Hausburg announced that the Arts Alliance has donated $500 in prize money to award winners for the WFPL
Art Contest: $200 for First Place; $100 for Second Place; $50 for four Honorable Mentions. The board revisited
the issue of judging entries from the competition. Members were willing to do so if given a rubric by the Arts
Alliance so they would be more informed when making their choices. Ms. Hausburg will check into acquiring a
rubric.
The library has also secured an artist, Audra Lambert, to paint a mural inside the library as part of the Centennial
celebration. She will also paint a mascot, currently being decided upon by library staff. Once a mascot is chosen,
the children of the City of Wichita Falls will be asked to name it.
Progress has been made on hiring a replacement for Kathy Vossler, the Assistant Administrator, Information,
who vacated the position to serve as Director of the Haywood County Library System in western North Carolina.
Out of a pool of 10 candidates, 4 were selected for phone interviews, and three are being interviewed in person
this week.
Another position, that of Librarian I, is being vacated by Stacy Johnson, who is leaving for Huntsville, Texas, for a
tenure-track faculty librarian position at the Newton G resham Library at Sam Houston State. Her last day is
March 22.
Ms. Hausburg shared a report from the Youth Services department regarding spring break activities, which
focused on the goal of providing quality STEM learning experiences for students:
“We offered our science of spring break programming, which examined Chemistry topics each day.
We began with the Science of Ice Cream and had 9 students in attendance. Tuesday was the Science of Slime,
with 12 in attendance. Wednesday was the science of Fizz. The 11 attendees explored what causes carbonation
in many different forms. We wrapped up Thursday with the science of bubbles, guest presenter Kathy Quashnock
(retired MSU chemistry teacher), and 6 student participants. As a connection to this, we are also continuing with
Engineering concepts with the Engineers Society from MSU. They have built catapults and mazes on
Monday afternoons for the past two weeks (with 12 participants each time), and they will be building pneumatic
lifts next week.”
Ms. Hausburg then reviewed upcoming programs for the rest of the month, such as a Geronimo Stilton party,
the ongoing Oral History project, Stitch Meet-Up, and more. She encouraged the board to sign up for the
library’s monthly newsletter, which is an easy way to keep track of things going on at the library.
Mr. Dockery asked about the meeting time for next month, which will again be at 4:30 on April 17th. The board
expressed an interest in keeping the meetings at 4:30 instead of the 5 p.m. time. Ms. Hausburg said this could
be voted on at the next meeting as she would add it to the agenda.
Ms. Reeves reminded the board that it goes on hiatus during the months of June, July and August.
There being no new business, meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Next meeting is April 17, 2018 at 4:30 p.m.