Library Advisory Board Minutes - 10/28/2003LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
October 28, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Andrea Williams, Chair
Gracie Gregg
Dr. Philip Voegel
Ruth Jones
Irene Lambert
Dr. James Semoe
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
Arthur Bea Williams, City Council Liaison
Matt Benoit, Assistant City Manager
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator
RECEIM IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date l l - C,)S- D 3
By RL Time ( 5AIVI
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Patsy Klein
Shirley Harris
Linda Donart
Ms. Andrea Williams called the meeting to order at 4:15 P.M. A quorum was present.
Due to a schedule problem, Ms. Williams announced a change in Agenda order and called on
Andrew Jelen, Adult Services /Genealogy Librarian to report on the "One Book, One Community"
workshop he attended in Houston. Mr. Jelen handed out a summary sheet of the Houston and Victoria
programs. He said that both libraries had recommended an eleven -month planning period. During this
phase, a committee of interested community partners is formed to plan programs, to seek funding for
advertisement, programs, and purchase of additional copies, and to select the book for the community to
read. He said that works chosen should be popular reading materials, but could be either fiction or
nonfiction. Mr. Jelen said that the title selected is usually one that is appealing to both adults and high
school students. Activities to be planned include a City Proclamation, advertising, book discussion groups,
and a speaker —such as the author of the book, or an actor if the work has been made into a film. He shared
some examples of the promotional materials from Houston and Victoria. Board Members agreed that the
project was worthwhile and something they wished to pursue as beneficial to both the Library and the
community. Ms. Hughes asked that the Members bring ideas about possible community partners, funding
contacts, and names of possible committee members to the next meeting.
Ms. Williams then returned to the original Agenda order. The minutes of the September 23, 2003
meeting were approved with a correction as to the time of adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at
4:50, rather than 5:50. Ms. Williams called on Ms. Hughes for the Librarian's Report. Ms. Hughes said
that the increase in Library use led to an unforeseen supply problem. The Library is currently out of library
cards. The circulation staff is using a temporary work - around devised by Ms. Britain, Assistant
Administrator/Technology. The new cards have been ordered and will hopefully be shipped soon. Ms.
Hughes said that the school system's computer network continues to experience major problems. Students
and teachers without home access to the Internet are using the Library to do research for assignments. Mr.
Jelen was invited to a Kirby Junior High faculty meeting to demonstrate the TexShare databases.
Unfortunately the Internet was down, but he has been invited to return once the problems are fixed.
Ms. Hughes announced that to provide better service on the busiest evenings, the staff has
instituted a 10 to 7 shift. She will be working the shift on Mondays, so she won't be available before 10 on
Mondays beginning November 10.
Ms. Gregg gave the Friends of the Library report. She said that the Bookstore continues to
experience brisk sales, particularly on the first Saturday of the month, when the half price sale is held.
Ms Williams said that due to the difficulty in gathering a quorum during the holiday season, the
Library Advisory Board had traditionally held a combined November - December meeting. The Members
agreed to hold the next meeting of the Library Advisory Board on December 9, 2003. Ms. Williams
adjourned the meeting at 5:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator