Library Advisory Board Minutes - 04/30/2002LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
April 30, 2002
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dr. James Snowden, Chair
Andrea Williams
Shirley Harris
Jim Brackett
Gracie Gregg
Patsy Klein
Ruth Jones
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
Arthur Bea Williams, Council Liaison
Matthew Benoit, Assistant City Manager
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator
RECEIVED IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date
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MEMBERS ABSENT:
Dr. James Sernoe
Irene Lambert
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Dr. Snowden called the meeting to order at 4:20 P.M. Ms. Hughes introduced Ms. Frances Day,
Reference Librarian I. Ms. Day explained her duties as Reference Librarian, and shared some of the
questions she has answered since joining the staff in February. Her husband, Dr. Richard Day was on the
Library Board and Mayor's Task Force during the planning and relocation of the Library and book
controversy.
Dr. Snowden declared a quorum to be present. The minutes of the March 26, 2002 meeting were
approved as submitted. Ms. Hughes presented the Librarian's Report. She attended the Texas Library
Association Conference in Dallas. As a member of the Program Planning Committee, she had extra
responsibilities during the conference, such as presiding over programs. She said that plans are finalized
for the Summer Reading Clubs. Ms. Hughes is currently concentrating on preparation of the Library's
budget for fiscal year 2002 -03. She asked if either Dr. Snowden or Ms. Andrea Williams could
accompany her to a special called assembly of the North Texas Regional Library System, this meeting is
important as the uncertain future of TIF grants will be discussed. She reported that she and Mr. Benoit
met with Jack Murphy, Glenn Jamison and Kathy Whetstone to discuss the parking problem in the south
lot. The Parks people were most cooperative. They will be reminding their users to utilize the north lot,
especially if they intend to make a long -term stay. The Library has ordered 1 hour parking signs to place
on 22 of the nearby spaces. Hopefully this will ease the problem of nearby parking availability for Library
users. Mr. Benoit and Mr. Murphy will be investigating the cost of additional lighting of the north
parking lot to address the safety issue.
Under New Business, Ms. Hughes reported that the cost of maintaining pay phones for public use
is continuing to increase. The Library currently pays $55 per month per phone. An increase of $20 per
month per phone has been predicted. She said Library Directors across the country are seeking
alternatives to the expensive equipment. Mr. Benoit recommended that the Library consider a separate
line with long distance service blocked. Councilor Williams agreed that it was important to provide
public phone access, especially for children needing rides and the indigent needing to contact various
agencies and medical facilities. Ms. Hughes said she would contact the IS department, which handles all
telephone contracts.
Under Old Business, the Board continued its consideration of Library Policies with the
Information Services Policy. Members asked for clarification concerning the prohibitions on delivery of
certain information types. Ms. Hughes explained that guidelines on what medical, legal, and tax
information may be delivered have been determined by either laws or case precedents. Councilor
Williams recommended that legal questions be referred to the County Law Librarian. Ms. Hughes replied
that they frequently are, but often the queries arise during evening or Saturday hours. Ms. Hughes said
that if the Reference Staff could not find the exact information needed, they would refer the patron to a
more likely source. Ms. Hughes said that response times on reference questions received by methods other
than in person are driven by her personal service philosophy — patrons who come to the Library are served
first, other queries are handled as quickly as available staff time permits. Ms. Hughes explained that she
did not bring the Interlibrary Loan Policy before the Board since it is governed by the rules of OCLC and
AMIGOS, the membership consortium and WAN through which most items are borrowed. The Board
voted to approve the Information Services Policy.
Ms. Gregg reported that the Friends purchased the large banner mounted over the Library
Entrance announcing National Library Week. The vinyl banner has no date and can be used annually.
Ms. Gregg said that the Friends were losing two of their most faithful bookstore volunteers. Mr. and Mrs.
Bowling are moving to be closer to their children. The Friends are seeking volunteers to work in the
bookstore on either regular or substitute basis, especially as summer vacation time approaches.
The next meeting of the Library Advisory Board will be May 28, 2002 in the Conference Room
at 4:15 PM. The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator