Library Advisory Board Minutes - 09/25/2007LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
September 25, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Alison Reynolds
Jim Semoe
Jeff Tillman
Dr. Richard Sutton
Nell Lister
Teresa Wilcox
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dorothy Roberts -Burns, City Council Representative
Lesley Daly, Library Administrator
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Ellen Williams
Stephen Dodge
Joe Clement
A quorum was present and the meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm.
Alison Reynolds agreed to act as Chair for 2007/8, and Dr. Richard Sutton agreed to act as Vice Chair.
Minutes from May 22, 2007 were approved.
Librarian's report:
Ms. Daly reported that the library is (unfortunately) again short- staffed: Johnnie Gardner successfully completed her
six -month probationary period as the head of programming, but regretfully submitted her resignation shortly thereafter
in order to take care of her ailing elderly mother. Don Adair has since been promoted to that position from Librarian I:
Reference, and the library hopes to fill his position in the near future. Eric Terry, the Youth Services Manager, tendered
his resignation in August to take a position with Arlington Public Library (TX) as the Youth Librarian at the East
Branch. Mr. Terry will certainly leave some big shoes to fill: he has introduced several new programs and ideas to the
Youth department, and has been a valued member of staff since 2001.
Ms. Daly discussed some Summer Reading statistics (attached), which indicate the growing popularity of the Summer
Reading program over the past few yeras. Door counts for the Summer Reading months for the same time period were
also provided, with the notation made that this year's May totals far exceed any previous numbers.
Ms. Daly also provided board members copies of the Library's 2000 Community Survey and the resulting data. At the
time of the survey, it was apparent that most people responding to the survey were satisfied with the collection of
materials, service, and hours of operation. However, location and Sunday operating hours were two topics of interest as
evidenced in both responses and comments. The library is looking to publish another survey in the near future, with the
specific idea of trying to determine why people are not regular users of library services. Ms. Daly asked that board
members consider the phrasing of the questions and what additional queries might be included in another survey.
Old Business :
Ms. Reynolds asked what (if anything) had been the result of the board and library staff members visiting the vacant site
of Grace Church, and the informal discussions of library branch services. Ms. Daly indicated that there seems to be
some interest among current City Council members in addressing library branches in the fixture. Ms. Roberts -Burns
explained that any such discussion would need to take place in strategic planning sessions and that a majority agreement
would have to be met in order for such discussion to proceed any further. The Council will hold its next major planning
session in the early Spring of 2008.
Other Business:
With Andrea Williams and Irene Lambert both rotating off the Advisory Board, they also leave vacancies to fill as the
Board representative and back -up for the North Texas Regional Library System ( NTRLS). Current commitments for a
lay representative include attending (and possibly voting at) at least one of two System Assembly meetings during a
calendar year, plus attending at least one regional meeting. NTRLS does not require any representative to be an active
board member, and Ms. Lambert has indicated that she would be happy to continue to represent WFPL at NTRLS
gatherings if that was agreeable to the current Advisory Board. This proposition met with general agreement and thanks
to Ms. Lambert.
Friends' Report:
Ms. Lister reported that the Friends of the Library have enjoyed a successful year. They have again been able to help
provide the library with incentives and prizes for the Summer Reading program, and are currently researching the cost
of purchasing an electric cart to replace the current, well -worn edition. Book donations would still be much
appreciated!
Next meeting:
The date of the next Advisory Board meeting will be October 23, 2007 at 4:15 pm in the Library Conference Room.
There being no further items for discussion, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 pm.
NL
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