Library Advisory Board Minutes - 01/18/2011LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
January 18, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT:
'Donna Jane McGough
Jennifer Andrews
Amy Bobrowitz
Jean Hall
Carrie Ann Taylor
Julie Carter
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jack Murphy, Director of Parks & Recreation
Lesley Daly, Library Administrator
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Jeff Tillman
Cari Guidry
Arthur Bea Williams
A quorum was present and the meeting was called to order at 4:18 pm.
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Librarian's report:
Staff Update: Ms. Daly reported that Erin Warzala commenced city employment effective January 10, 2011. Ms. Warzala moved to
Wichita Falls from Illinois and has appeared to settle in very well. There were a lot of qualified candidates applying for the Youth
Services Librarian position from all over the country. Two rounds of interviews were required, and Ms. Warzala impressed the panel
with her story time delivery during the second round as well as with her in -depth knowledge of current library technologies. Since
most of the interviewees were from out of state, the panel conducted the second round of interviews using Skype, which enabled
participants to `meet' each other visually as well as audibly.
The library currently has a part -time vacancy for a page: Rachel Russell's last day with the city was December 30, and the position has
just been posted on the city website. Ms. Daly is hopeful that this can be filled by mid - February: although circulation has eased
somewhat after the holidays, there are still large numbers of materials needing to be sorted and shelved on a daily basis.
Arno Leer: Staff are about to embark on a quick clean -up cataloging project in order to get the Amo Leer books out on to the shelves.
The library plans to really focus on the new materials during May, and already has programming and celebrations lined up throughout
the month. Ms. Daly reassured the board that although there has been printed mention of a civil action suit in the local paper that
named the Priddy Trust and all libraries participating in the Arno Leer program, that she had contacted the Foundation and has been
cold that this is a legal formality that the Priddy Foundation had to take up in order to proceed with the planned dissolution and
assimilation of the Trust at the close of 2010.
New Business: It has been very apparent to library staff that the most popular Christmas gifts for 2010 were electronic book readers.
Ms. Daly reported that there had been many inquiries made pre and post Christmas regarding the library's downloadable audio and
electronic books, and that during the first week of January, Overdrive, the company from which the library purchases the vast majority
of its holdings, actually had its website crash due to overwhelming demand. The consortium that the library belongs to is now also
looking to increase the numbers of titles suitable for children as quickly as possible: initially, it was assumed that this format would
hold appeal primarily for adults, but it has become apparent that as many as children as adults received electronic book readers as
gifts, so the libraries are attempting to catch up with demand.
Friends: The Friends of the Library enjoyed a successful year in the bookstore and raised slightly more money in 2010 than in 2009.
The group is currently holding a silent auction for books showcased in the library display cases. The titles originally came from the
Prothro collection and vary widely in content. Minimum starting bid is $1 per item, with the auction closing on January 31.
The Friends are also looking to bring back the Dr. Seuss celebration , and have already set a date of March 26. They are currently
seeking sponsors and partners to help produce the event, and most board members signaled a definite interest in volunteering in some
way.
Old Business: Ms. Daly announced that the Food for Fines campaign was a great success. During the two weeks of fine forgiveness,
the library collected 605 cans, or 5751b of food to donate to the local Food Bank. Many patrons commented on the timeliness of the
event and the library received extremely positive feedback. This program required minimal staff time, and it is hoped that this can be
repeated at some point in 2011.
Literary Pumpkin contest: There was general consensus that this would be a good project for the board to undertake in collaboration
with the Friends of the Library and library staff during the fall. There was a lively preliminary discussion as to how to organize and
promote the event and agreement to continue planning and preparation at subsequent board meetings.
There being no further business, the meeting was awned at 5:10 pm.
Next meeting: February 15, 2011, 4:15 pm f
my Bobr�wilz', Chair