Library Advisory Board Minutes - 09/23/2003LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
September 23, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Andrea Williams, Chair
Gracie Gregg
Patsy Klein
Ruth Jones
Irene Lambert
Dr. James Semoe
Shirley Harris
Dr. Philip Voegel
Linda Donart
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
Arthur Bea Williams, City Council Liaison
Matt Benoit, Assistant City Manager
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator
RECEIVED IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date
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MEMBERS ABSENT:
Ms. Andrea Williams called the meeting to order at 4:15 P.M. A quorum was present and the
minutes of the May 27 meeting were approved as submitted. Councilor Arthur Bea Williams administered
the oath of office to new members Linda Donart and Dr. Phillip Voegel, and returning member Gracie
Gregg.
Ms. Williams called on Ms. Hughes for the Librarian's Report. Ms. Hughes said that the summer
reading clubs were very successful this year. Prizes were earned by children, young adults and adults. The
special programs subsidized by the North Texas Regional Library System were very well attended. Ms.
Hughes discussed the continuing staff overload caused by the needs of students with limited school library
access. She said that while the public library naturally welcomed use by all citizens, current staffing
couldn't provide adequate service in a timely manner. Long lines at both Circulation and Reference Desks
have become an increasing problem with door counts averaging 900 to 1000 per day. Ms. Hughes
announced that she has been elected Chair of the Administration Roundtable, a division of the Texas
Library Association and has been appointed to the Texas State Library and Archive Commission's strategic
planning committee on State Library Systems. She said that although the decision had been made to close
the Genealogy department on Saturday afternoons due to a decline in the use of that department compared
to increasing business in the main area, genealogists may still use the materials from the collection by
asking a reference librarian to retrieve them for use downstairs. All genealogy specific databases are
available on computers in the main area of the library. In addition, Genealogy is now open on Monday
afternoons. Ms. Hughes reported that as of September 1, the City would no longer dismiss charges on those
receiving citations for unlawfully detaining library materials. The fine will increase to $250 including the
court fees.
Ms. Hughes passed out copies of a new Internet access policy dealing with reckless display of
pornographic images in the public area. Reference staff sends a pop -up message to the terminal stating that
this is an inappropriate use of library computers. If the customer does not exit the site, his/her computer
session is ended. At the second offense, the cardholder's Internet privileges are terminated until he /she
meets with the Administrator who will explain that another violation of the reckless display provision of the
Texas Penal Code will result in permanent loss of Internet access privileges. She said that so far she has
only had to counsel two cardholders.
After a short discussion of the approved budget, Ms. Hughes reminded the Board that it is time to
review the Library policies for additions, deletions, and corrections. She recommended that the members
begin looking over the policy manual and place it on either the December or January agenda. In October
she has scheduled Andrew Jelen to report on the "one community, one book" program from a workshop he
attended during the last TLA conference. Then the Board will need time to discuss if they wish to
implement the project, and if so, how they wish to proceed.
Under Other Business, Ms Andrea Williams asked about the new Learn-A -Test database. Ms.
Hughes replied that it would not actually come on line until September 30. However, various staff members
had tested it before the subscription was purchased. A variety of tests are offered, including ASVAB, GED,
GRE, SAT, and several career specific tests, such as hairdresser license. Users may take the test, get the
results and determine what areas need additional study. Since people have to pay a testing center to take
some of these tests, the new database will help them prepare and pass on the first attempt.
Ms. Gregg gave the Friends of the Library report. She said that the increase in business has been
very beneficial for the Bookstore. They have been having record sales. The money from the sales goes to
support Library needs. The Friends are considering another meet the author program. They will investigate
the market for the program before scheduling, since the often - dismal attendance in the past has been
embarrassing.
Ms Williams announced the next meeting would be October 28, 2003. Ms. Williams adjourned
the meeting at 5:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator