Library Advisory Board Minutes - 05/23/2000LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
May 23, 2000
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jim Snowden, Chair
Jim Bracket
Andrea Williams
Valda Jones
Shirley Harris
Jim Sernoe
Ruth Jones
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator
Joan Jones, Friends of the Library Liaison
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Irene Lambert
Patsy Klein
Dr. Snowden called the meeting to order at 4:20 P.M. Ms. Hughes introduced Danuta Przybylak,
Reference Librarian. Ms. Przybylak told the Board that she spends much of her time helping patrons find
answers to questions or materials they need. She is also responsible for maintaining the periodical files,
receiving them, claiming issues from publisher that are lost in the mail, labeling them with the date of
issue, inserting the security strips, and weeding old issues. She keeps the microfilm and fiche files in
order, receives, weeds hard copy, enters use counts and shelves, replacing worn or damaged protective
packaging as necessary. Ms. Przybylak creates the monthly book focus displays, choosing a theme and
books to fit the theme, creating banners, lists and bookmarks to highlight the items. She refills the
Display Island as the books are checked out. She participates in selection of materials ordering items in
the areas of computers, business, economics, medicine, technology, languages, religion, awards and prizes
literature, and other areas as requested She inputs daily statistics for in -house use of materials and
reference questions. Ms. Przybylak acts as Librarian-In- Charge one night per week. In her spare time she
shelves reference materials and puts books back in order on the shelves. She explained to the Board that
she is originally from Poland, but lived in Canada for several years before moving to Wichita Falls.
English is actually her third language, and she occasionally has some trouble understanding the local
dialect. Ms. Hughes said that Ms. Przybylak is rapidly becoming more proficient in "Texanese."
Dr. Snowden declared a quorum to be present. The minutes of the April 2000 meeting were
approved. He called on Ms. Hughes for the Librarian's report.
Ms. Hughes said that the statistics for April still reflect last year's rush to get a card to sign a
petition. There was also a diminution in the door count since Parks held the Concert on the Lawn series
upstairs last year. Many of the attendees entered the library to use the restroom or just look around since
they were in the building. Tours suffered also since some had been scheduled to fall just before or just
after the concert.
Under New Business, Ms.Andrea Williams reported that in a reference meeting at MSU Library,
the subject of TEXShare cards had been raised Under the TEXShare agreements, cardholders of any
member may request a TEXShare card which in turn may be used at any other TEXShare library, i.e., a
cardholder from Wichita Falls Public Library could request a TEXShare card and could then use MSU's
library. She asked if any such requests had been received. Ms. Hughes replied that a few requests had
been received, but to date, Wichita Falls Public Library had received no instructions from the Texas State
Library and Archives Commission as to the procedures for issuing TEXShare cards or any supply of the
cards. Ms. Hughes said that she understood that all of the reciprocal agreements had yet to be worked out.
She had heard that actual implementation of the TEXShare card program could be as much as two years
away.
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date Cc c=
By Time
Also under new business, Mr. Bracket passed out copies of the Letter of Appreciation from the
Mayor and Council, recognizing the efforts of the Library Advisory Board in planning and supporting
excellence in information service for the community. Dr. Snowden thanked the Board Members who were
able to appear at the Council Meeting for the recognition.
Under Old Business, Ms. Hughes reported that she had included the handicap door openers as an
above line item in next year's budget request. She said that the Library will do some preliminary
surveying during the summer months using the instrument developed by the Board and staff. The results
will be tabulated with a view to correcting any problems with the questions before a citywide survey is
attempted in the fall. Ms. Hughes also said that the vacancies are slowly being filled.
Ms. Joan Jones reported that the Friends wished to acknowledge the generous donations made by
the Library Advisory Board Members in remembrance of Beverly Kouri. The Friends have recently
purchased shopping baskets that patrons can carry through the Library to hold their selections. Ms.
Hughes commented that the baskets have been very popular. Ms. Jones said that the Friends had received
the remainders from the Literacy Council book sale and had added them to the stock in the Bookstore.
Special prices are being offered through early June on most items.
Dr. Snowden reminded the Members that traditionally the Board had recessed during the
summer months due to the difficulty of getting a quorum present. He asked if that would remain the
choice for this summer, with the proviso that Ms. Hughes could call a special meeting if necessary. In
view of the unanimous agreement, he then announced the next meeting to be Tuesday, September 26,
2000, at 4:15 P.M in the Library Conference Room. He thanked Ms. Valda Jones for her years of service
and asked her to consider returning to the Board in the future. He adjourned the meeting at 4:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator