Library Advisory Board Minutes - 10/26/1999LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
October 26, 1999
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jim Snowden, Chair
Jim Bracket
Patsy Klein
Ruth Jones
Valda Jones
Andrea Williams
Jim Sernoe
Shirley Harris
Irene Lambert
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
Arthur Bea Williams, Council Liaison
Beverly Kouri, President of Friends of the Library
Robert Powers, Assistant City Manager
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Dr. Snowden called the meeting to order at 4:17 P.M. Ms. Hughes introduced Becky Morrison,
Assistant Administrator/Information Services. Ms. Morrison said that she was hired in 1989 as the
Reference/InterLibrary Loan Librarian. At that time the library offered very little in the way of reference
service. The library was not automated, and all reference was done through books and periodicals. She
said that many of the reference questions were referred to MSU's library due to lack of the tools necessary
to answer the questions. Over the years the library has moved from hard copy only research to full
research capability including the Internet and a large variety of on -line databases of information available
for public access. Ms. Morrison and one reference librarian are involved in cataloging new materials as
time permits, to help reduce the backlog. She said that staff shortages have caused her to be heavily
involved in the reference desk duty, leaving little time for planning, materials selection, or many
supervisory duties. Ms. Morrison said her department is responsible for selecting, ordering, handling,
storing and disposing of all reference materials and periodicals. She also orders materials for the Arts and
Entertainment section of the Adult collection and helps with selection for the children's department. Ms.
Morrison conducts the book discussion group, acts as alternate liaison to the Friends of the Library,
creates signs and displays to publicize various parts of the collection, and coordinates all of the summer
reading programs. She designed and executed the Library's web page, and attempts to keep it current.
She and her staff oversee the public copiers and microform reader - printers. She and Ms. Hughes are
responsible for weeding old and/or unused materials from the entire collection. Ms. Morrison conducts
many of the adult and young adult tours. She schedules use of the study rooms and proctors examinations
on request. Her department does all of its own shelving since the pages are barely able to keep up with
circulating materials. Ms. Morrison is also responsible for participating in the interviewing of applicants,
training and scheduling of Information Service personnel, and evaluating their performance. She is a
permanent member of the committee to consider challenged materials. The Board expressed appreciation
of Ms. Morrison's hard work and surprise at the number of duties she encompasses.
Dr. Snowden declared a quorum to be present. The minutes of the September 1999 meeting were
approved with one spelling correction on the agenda. He then called on Ms. Hughes for the Librarian's
report.
Ms. Hughes said that the Library was getting ready to install PAC for Windows. This is an
upgrade to the Library automation software that will allow all of the public access terminals to access the
numerous databases to which the library subscribes or has available through membership in the State
Library system. PAC for windows is not a text -based program, but a windows -based program that is more
familiar to the majority of computer users. Kids Cat will also be loaded in which picture icons help
children find information in the library catalog. Right now the major hold -up is locking down the amount
of access to the Internet through the public catalog terminals. The staff is considering a variety of options
and policies concerning Internet use at the public access terminals. The newly installed on -line ordering
software is working very well, and allows the staff to set definitive parameters for desired areas. Reviews
and annotations are provided.
Dr. Snowden welcomed Ms. Beverly Kouri, the new president of the Friends of the Library and
Friends liaison, to the Library Board.
Dr. Snowden called for New Business, there being none, he called for Old Business. Dr.
Snowden reported that he had sent a letter to Mr. Berzina regarding the Board's interest in the future of
some of the soon to be vacant fire stations. The Board then turned its attention to the Library's Mission
Statement. After much discussion, the Board reached a consensus regarding the intent and wording of the
Mission Statement. Ms. Hughes agreed to type it up and send out for the members to review. The draft
would be discussed at the next meeting.
Ms. Kouri reported that the Friends of the Library Bookstore is doing very well, and produced
much needed funding for the Friend's and for the Library donation account. The Friends voted to spend
$1400 for a one -year subscription to Bibliostat Connect for the Library to use. This is the software that
the State Library is using to collect and collate the annual reports from system member libraries across the
state. By using this information, the staff can determine current trends in services, personnel, hours of
operation, etc. The Friends are continuing with their "Meet the Author" series. The next speaker will be
Jim Hoggard. The Friends have produced a business card sized magnet with the hours of operation and
phone number on it and are giving them to customers. The response has been very positive, since many
had trouble remembering the days and times the store was open.
Dr. Snowden had to leave during the Friends report due to a prior commitment. Ms. Valda Jones
reminded the Members that the next meeting would be the combined holiday meeting on Tuesday,
December 14`h, at 4:15 P.M in the Library Conference Room. She adjourned the meeting at 5:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator