Library Advisory Board Minutes - 12/14/1999k3-1LQ -Uq
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES PC- g (SP
December 14, 1999
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Jim Snowden, Chair Valda Jones
Jim Bracket Jim Sernoe
Patsy Klein
Ruth Jones
Andrea Williams
Shirley Harris
Irene Lambert
EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:
Arthur Bea Williams, Council Liaison
Beverly Kouri, President of Friends of the Library
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator
Dr. Snowden called the meeting to order at 4:20 P.M. Ms. Hughes introduced Lesley Daly,
Reference Librarian. Ms. Daly said that her Bachelor's Degree is from the University of Kent in England,
her native country. She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science. She
explained that her principle duty is that of information service. She answers multiple questions everyday
that range from directions to the pay phone to in -depth research on a variety of topics such as business,
medicine, and government. She is also responsible for selecting adult materials in the area of Literature,
all Young Adult materials, and award winners and best sellers for all ages. Since Ms. Daly's former
position in Florida involved extensive work with computer networks, she is acting as backup for the
System Administrator at the Library. She also troubleshoots the photocopiers, printers, microform
reader - printers and other equipment as necessary. Ms. Daly conducts tours and fills in for staff absences
in other departments on occasion. She said she enjoyed working with the public in multiple capacities.
Dr. Snowden asked how extensive the research would be if a student needed a term paper. Ms. Daly
explained that it is often difficult to persuade students to take over and finish the research themselves. It
is also sometimes difficult for the Librarian to back out and allow the student to take over.
Dr. Snowden declared a quorum to be present. The minutes of the October 1999 meeting were
approved as submitted. He then called on Ms. Hughes for the Librarian's report.
Ms. Hughes said that true to form, December has been a slow month with the school terms
ending and the holiday season beginning. The Librarians use this time to do cataloging backlog catch -up
and other projects which having been pending for want of time to do them. Ms. Hughes reported that
Jennifer Barrera, Inter - Library Loan Librarian had again received commendation from the Texas State
Library for excellence in processing both borrowing and lending inter - library loans. Ms. Hughes
commented that she had been appointed to the Courier Committee for TEXSHARE, and would be among
the first public librarians serving on TEXSHARE committees. TEXSHARE, a State supported resource -
sharing project, was extended to include public libraries during the last session of the Texas Legislature.
Ms. Hughes said that she had been nominated to attend the Tall Texans Institute, a weeklong leadership
seminar sponsored by Texas Library Association. Twenty-four librarians from across the state are selected
annually to attend the Institute. Ms. Hughes announced that Pat Doan, Youth Services Manager was
selected as a Hometown Hero for her dedication to making children into lifetime readers. The
management at Sikes Senter Mall expressed admiration for the participation of Library Board Members
Ruth Jones and Andrea Williams in the Halloween Happening for children. Since the staff is finally all
aboard and trained, the Library will be able to extend the hours of the Computer Lab. Beginning in
January, the Lab will be open from 9 to 8 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and from 1 to 5 on Saturday.
Under New Business Dr. Snowden asked Ms. Hughes what she envisioned the Board considering
in the New Year. Ms. Hughes replied that the Library is long overdue for a survey of citizen satisfaction.
The results could aid the Board and staff in making long -range plans, goals, and objectives for the next
three years. Dr. Snowden commented that some of MSU's political science students might be willing to
develop such a survey. Ms. Hughes said that the Times and Record News had printed the last survey in
the paper, an additional method of reaching more citizens.
Under old business, the Board considered the revised Library Mission Statement. During
discussion, the members decided to change the second goal to include facilities, such as branch libraries,
as well as materials and services to fulfil community information needs. A motion was made and
seconded to approve the amended revision of the Library Mission Statement. The motion carried
unanimously.
Ms. Kouri reported that the Friends of the Library. The November 18`' meeting included a talk
by Professor Jim Hoggard. He spoke on the art of storytelling and read excerpts from two of his books.
The next speaker will be Dr. Lynn Hoggard on February 17`h, who will talk about a book she has written
about Frank and Irina Pal, Wichita Falls ballet masters. She will also talk about her translation project.
The bookstore continues to do steady business and needs more donations to fill its shelves. No meeting is
scheduled for December because of the holiday season. The next regular meeting of the Friends will be
January 201h. Ms. Kouri encouraged the Board Members to attend the Friends meetings and shop in the
bookstore.
Dr. Snowden announced the next meeting to be Tuesday, January 25, 2000, at 4:15 P.M in the
Library Conference Room. He adjourned the meeting at 5:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator