Library Advisory Board Minutes - 02/22/1999LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
February 22, 1999
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jim Bracket
Jim Semoe
Ruth Jones
Andrea Williams
Irene Lambert
Valda Jones, Acting Chair
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
Arthur Bea Williams, Council Liaison
Robert Powers, Assistant City Manager
Beverly Kouri, President of Friends of the Library
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator
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RECEIVED IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date
By! Time
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Jim Snowden, Chair
Shirley Harris
Ms. Jones called the meeting to order at 4:15 P.M. Ms. Hughes introduced Lana Homer,
Circulation Manager. Ms. Hughes explained that Ms. Homer's position was newly created when the
Library moved She is a para - professional, a supervisory position that does not require a Master's Degree
in Library Science. Ms. Horner said that one of her primary responsibilities is to schedule the coverage of
the Circulation Desk, taking into account the two shifts, various days ofl� responsibilities of Library
Assistants assigned to areas other than Circulation, illness, vacations, meals, etc. She presented a copy of
the spreadsheets she uses to schedule and track desk assignment rotation. She also schedules the part -
time pages who re- shelve returned materials, working around college class schedules that may change
every semester. Ms. Homer is also responsible for scheduling coverage of the Computer Laboratory. Ms.
Horner trains and monitors performance of all personnel who work in the Circulation Department. She
provides input concerning performance to the various department heads for staff evaluations. She said
that recently the Library hired two Library Assistants who work mainly evening shifts. This has eased the
scheduling complexity. Ms. Horner issues the tickets for "unlawfully detaining Library materials." She
explained that tickets are only issued as a final resort. The computer generates three overdue reminders at
one week overdue, 3 weeks overdue and 5 weeks overdue. The ticket is issued 7 days after the third
notice, which includes the message "Notice of Intent to Prosecute." Ms. Horner must also provide the
supporting documentation to the Prosecuting Attorney's office —list of unreturned materials, dates of
notices sent, and borrower's information, along with the written citation. Ms. Horner always checks the
shelves for the materials prior to issuing the ticket. Ms. Hughes explained that if the materials were
returned after the citation is issued, or they are paid for, Ms. Horner sends notification to the Prosecutor
indicating that the borrower's record has been cleared and the case may be dismissed "if it so please the
Court." The Library does not make that decision. In response to a query as to how many libraries have
such a procedure, Ms. Hughes said that most of the medium to large libraries, not only in Texas, but
nationally have some sort of legal mechanism for reclaiming overdue materials. Proposed legislation was
introduced in both of the last two sessions to make unlawfully detaining Library materials a State offense
with some rather hefty fines. Ms. Horner also tracks the fines and fees and makes the deposits. She keeps
running tallies on receipts from the various copiers, public printer, donations, gifts, Friends of the Library
book sale receipts, and Inter - library Loan fees. She services machines as necessary, and trains personnel
in the use and servicing of the various pieces of coin or card - operated equipment. She is responsible for
requesting supplies and publications for her department. She contacts borrowers who return materials
with damages or parts missing. If the parts are not returned within one month, she places the appropriate
charges on the borrower's record with explication and dates of contact. Ms. Jones remarked that Ms.
Homer must be a very busy lady. The Board expressed appreciation for Lana's hard work.
Ms. Jones declared a quorum to be present. The minutes of the January 2000 meeting were
approved as submitted. She then called on Ms. Hughes for the Librarian's report.
Ms. Hughes said that February had been a very busy month. She said that the cataloging backlog
was rapidly decreasing; however, one of the catalogers is scheduled for a kidney transplant in March, so it
will be necessary for the other librarians to continue to help for a few more months. She said that Phase II
of the Parks renovation has begun. Some of Parks and Recreation classes have been moved into the
Library meeting rooms. She stated that the staff long -range planning committee has been placed on hold
temporarily as the professional staff is currently focusing on the budget for the next fiscal year, compiling
the information necessary to project budgetary needs. Ms. Hughes also reported that the Texas Library
Association had notified her that she had been selected to receive the SIRS Intellectual Freedom Award
for the state of Texas for 2000. It was rather a surprise and quite an honor for Wichita Falls Public
Library.
No New Business was introduced.
Under Old Business, Ms. Hughes presented the Board's with a sample long -range plan from
another Library. She said that survey questions need to be developed to obtain the type of information that
will support the areas listed in the plan. She asked the members to read the plan and the draft Texas
Library standards. She and Ms. Morrison, Assistant Administrator/Information Services, have been
studying the new proposed state standards. The areas needing immediate attention in order to meet the
recommended standards were marked for the Board's consideration. Improvement in these areas should
be included in the plan. Ms. Hughes said that currently, the funds received from Texas Library System
membership are small. However, if the Direct Aid to Libraries, which passed the last legislative session is
funded in this session, she expects the standards to become linked to funding levels as well as population.
Ms. Hughes asked the Board Members to bring suggested questions for a customer satisfaction survey to
the next meeting.
Ms. Kouri reported from the Friends of the Library. The Friends remain in a solid financial
position at present and continue to be responsive to the program and service needs of the Library. They
recently agreed to provide bags of microwave popcorn for the Adult Summer Reading Club. David
Sinclair, Program Chair, presented an interesting program on professionally reviewing books for
periodicals. Ms. Kouri said that more active participation is needed by the membership to support
programs and activities of the Friends group. The book discussion group sponsored by the Friends has
been a very successful program with lively debates on the merits of a variety of books. She is going to
attend a workshop in Grand Prairie on the operation of Friends groups and hopes to come back with ideas
to promote more active participation. As usual, Ms. Kouri encouraged the Board Members to attend the
Friends meetings and shop in the bookstore.
Ms. Hughes asked the Board to read the article from Library Journal on e- books.
Wichita Falls Public Library has been offered a chance to participate in a pilot program receiving 1500 e-
books at a reduced price. The staff will be making a decision soon as to participation in the program.
This would the beginning of a digitized collection available through the Library.
Ms. Jones announced the next meeting to be Tuesday, March 28, 2000, at 4:15 P.M in the
Library Conference Room. She adjourned the meeting at 5:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator