Library Advisory Board Minutes - 10/24/2000LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
October 24, 2000
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dr. James Snowden, Chair
James Bracket
Andrea Williams
Gracie Gregg
Dr. James Semoe
Ruth Jones
Irene Lambert
Patsy Klein
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date I - 0 ( -c;;L000
BY QC-- Time S: 30QM
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Shirley Harris
Dr. Snowden called the meeting to order at 4:20 P.M. Ms. Hughes introduced Andrew Jelen,
Librarian I, Genealogy /Adult Services, who joined the staff in September 2000. Mr. Jelen told the Board
that he received his Master's Degree in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin in August and
found the Genealogy position posted on the Internet. Since Genealogy has been a hobby of his for some
time, he felt this was an excellent way to combine a personal interest with his chosen career. He will also be
developing some adult programs for the library. He asked the Board Members to please give him any ideas
for programs that might be of interest to the citizens of Wichita Falls. He said that beginning November 1
the hours of operation for the Genealogy Department would return to normal. Mr. Jelen also spends one
night per week and Mondays manning the Adult Information desk. He will be reestablishing contacts with
area genealogists and archivists, and attending workshops to expand his knowledge of both genealogy and
programming.
Dr. Snowden declared a quorum to be present. The minutes of the September 2000 meeting were
approved. Dr. Snowden called on Ms. Hughes for the Librarian's report.
Ms. Hughes said that the weeding and application of genre stickers to the adult fiction collection is
going much slower than anticipated due in part to a vacant Page position. Time scheduled for weeding was
being used to reshelve materials. She hopes that this third posting of the position will produce a new Page.
She reported on the TexPress Courier Committee meeting in Austin. The library paid $1000 to join the
courier group. All correspondence and interlibrary loan materials to participating libraries is sent by
courier. The delivery time is usually within 24 to 48 hours, depending on how far the library is from Dallas.
To recover the cost of using the courier instead of the US Mail, it is necessary to send 653 items annually
via the courier. From January 15 through August 31, the library sent 1641 items via courier, representing a
significant savings in postage, as well as faster service for patrons using interlibrary loan. She said that with
the onset of the new fiscal year, large orders for books have been sent to Baker and Taylor, the main book
vendor used by the Library. The library will continue to receive a 44.5% discount on the majority of
materials ordered from this vendor. She reported that the professional staff is looking at a variety of needs
to determine which were the most pressing and looking for possible grant funds.
Under New Business Ms. Ruth Jones shared her growing concern about the deteriorating condition
of the facility in terms cleanliness. She first noticed the problem during the summer and has been
monitoring the situation since. She visited with Ms. Hughes recently and toured the facility taking pictures
of areas needing attention. She was glad to see that some of the stains on the carpet had been cleaned
recently and some dusting had been done. She still felt that a more vigorous program of maintenance was
needed throughout the year to protect the taxpayer's investment. The Board voted to draft a letter to Mr.
Berzina and Councilor Williams voicing their concern. Ms. Hughes said that Robert Powers planned to set
up a meeting between the Building Maintenance supervisor, him, and Ms. Hughes in the near future.
Ms. Gregg reported that she was concerned about the parking problem at the library. She said that
she had noted that members of the Senior Zone are using the entire handicap and close parking, particularly
on Mondays and Wednesdays. The spaces are occupied from opening until early afternoon. Library patrons
are being forced to park far from the building and often have to carry heavy loads of books a considerable
distance. After several visits she checked the north parking lot that is designated for the Community Center
use and found it virtually empty. Ms. Hughes said that during construction the north entrance was
unavailable and many developed the habit of parking on the Library side of the building. She said she
would ask the Parks staff to remind people to use the north parking lot, but since it was a city facility, she
didn't think there was any way to enforce parking separation.
Under Old Business Mr. Bracket queried if the possibility of Library branches in the abandoned
fire stations was still before the Council. Ms. Hughes replied that the City was not ready at this time to
make any decisions concerning the future of those buildings. Dr. Snowden said that he had spoken to Mr.
Berzina and been told the same thing. Mr. Berzina said that he recognized the Board's concerns and would
keep them in mind for the appropriate time.
In the absence of David Sinclair, Friends of the Library liaison, Ms. Gregg presented the Board
with copies of his written report. The Friends held their annual volunteer recognition dinner. Larry
Lambert spoke on the importance of libraries through the ages. Special pins were awarded to volunteers
with two years of service. The next meeting of the Friends will be November 15`h in the Conference Room.
Dr. Snowden announced the next meeting to be Tuesday, December 12, 2000, at 4:15 P.M in the
Library Conference Room. He adjourned the meeting at 5:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
4,�, L,—,)
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator