Library Advisory Board Minutes - 09/24/2002LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
September 24, 2002
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dr. James Snowden, Chair
Andrea Williams
Dr. James Sernoe
Ruth Jones
Gracie Gregg
Patsy Klein
Irene Lambert
Shirley Harris
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
Arthur Bea Williams, Council Liaison
Matthew Benoit, Assistant City Manager
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator
RECEIVED IN i
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE l
Date- -a�✓o
By _ Time
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Jim Brackett
Dr. Snowden called the meeting to order at 4:20 P.M. Ms. Hughes introduced Sean Stewart,
Cataloging Librarian I. Sean joined the staff in August, moving here from South Carolina. He earned his
Master's Degree from the University of South Carolina. Ms. Hughes said that the Technical Services
supervisors are delighted with Sean's work. Ms. Hughes then introduced Anita Sanders. Ms. Sanders is
the Director of the Bowie Public Library and is currently working her practicum hours here to satisfy the
requirement for the Master of Library and Information Science Degree from TWU. Dr. Snowden declared
a quorum to be present. The minutes of the May 28, 2002 meeting were approved as submitted.
Dr. Snowden called on Ms. Hughes for the Librarian's Report. Ms. Hughes said that the summer
had been unusually busy with record numbers attending programs and participating in the summer
reading clubs. The newspaper was especially supportive of the children's special program, printing
pictures of various events, which help boost attendance. She said that the new time -out software
purchased with the TIF grant funds has enabled extension of the Computer Lab open hours to almost full
Library hours because it does not require a full -time staff member in attendance. The Lab is still closed
on Thursdays to accommodate the Library's Internet classes. The staff received intermediate and
advanced training in Word, Front Page, Excel, and Lotus Notes from ExecuTrain of Dallas. Training was
conducted on site in the Computer Lab and paid for with TIF and Lone Star Libraries grant funds. Most
of the professional staff met with the MSU librarians for a very helpful exchange of information regarding
what each institution has to offer, possible cooperative efforts to benefit the community, and concerns that
affect both types of libraries. Ms. Hughes announced that the first major upgrade of the new Horizon
software would be November 6'" and 7'b. On those days there will be no computer access in or to the
Library, no operation requiring the computer will be possible. Ms. Hughes has asked permission to close
for two days during the upgrade.
Under New Business the Board Members welcomed returning appointees, Shirley Harris, Patsy
Klein, and Dr. Jim Sernoe. Councilor Williams administered the Oath of Office. Under the topic of
Advocacy, Ms Hughes explained that the next budget year promises to be a tight one for the State. Two
programs that benefit the library are in jeopardy, Telecommunication Infrastructure Fund and Lone Star
Libraries. She presented the members with a copy of a letter composed by the North Texas Regional
Library System Library Advocacy Committee, which she chairs. Committee members are asking that area
librarians encourage their citizens to contact their State officials about reauthorizing TIF. TIF grants are
available to school systems, colleges and universities, public health units, and public libraries. She said
that Wichita Falls applicants have received $2,886,312 in T1F grants. The $13,000,000 Texas Electric
Library, an on -line compendium of more than 60 databases is fimded by TIF. If the public library had to
subscribe to just those most heavily used by local citizens, the price tag to the city would be over $290,000.
Ms. Hughes also talked to the Board about some presentations for future meetings to give members a
better grasp of what goes on behind the scenes at the Library.
Ms. Gregg reported that the Friends bookstore is in need of volunteers. Mrs. Mary Jo Scott, who
was the coordinator of the book sale activities for the Friends for several years recently passed away from
cancer. She is sorely missed. The Friends are not currently planning any programs, but have been in
contact with some possible presenters for future programs. The Friends funded supplies for the summer
youth Make -It- And - Take -It programs and are considering funding incentives for a new year round
reading club.
Ms. Harris queried whether the possibility of establishing a branch library in one of the
abandoned fire stations was still being considered. Mr. Benoit said he would check into the matter and
report back.
The next meeting of the Library Advisory Board will be October 22, 2002 in the Conference
Room at 4:15 PM. The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator