Library Advisory Board Minutes - 02/24/1998LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
February 24, 1998
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Al Sutko
Jim Snowden
Jim Bracket
Martha Allensworth
Dr. Richard Day
Valda Jones
Patsy Klein
Gloria Taylor
ALSO PRESENT:
Irene Lambert, Friends of the Library Liaison
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Jessie Stewart, Chairperson
The meeting was called to order at 4:20 P.M. by acting chair, Al Sutko. A quorum was present.
The minutes of the December meeting were approved as printed. No minutes were kept for the January
meeting, a tour of the new facility. Mr. Sutko called on Ms. Hughes for the Librarian's report.
Ms. Hughes said that the statistics were down for January. The staff feels that the confusion as to
whether the Library was still open and where it is was the main reason. Conflicting news reports
concerning the closure has created the problem. The Library receives numerous calls about this every
week. The furniture and shelving will be shipped in mid March. The pre-bid conference for relocation
is scheduled for Feb 26th. Several companies from all over the country as well as some locals have
indicated interest in bidding the project. She said that some interested parties had toured the Kemp
building; however, she has no information as to whether or not they intend to bid on the property. Ms.
Hughes reported that the Library had been notified that the Telecommunication Infrastructure Grant
(TIF) had been awarded to Wichita Falls in the amount of $46,000 to develop Internet access for the
public. Ms. Britain, Library System Manager and the City Information Systems Department personnel
wrote the grant. She said she had also been notified by phone that the Library is to receive the Gates
Foundation grant for $19,300. She has not received the official packet yet. It too is to improve Internet
and computer access for the public. Ms. Britain also wrote that grant. She announced that the official
dates for the move were-- closing May 9 at 5 PM and opening again June 8 at 9 AM. The new facility
will have expanded hours, opening at 9 rather than at 10 on weekdays. The dedication date will be June
28 from 2 to 4 PM. The new logo for the Library has been developed by Graphics 11, using the City logo
on the cover of a book.
Under new business, Ms. Hughes presented some Circulation Policy changes recommended by
staff. The staff proposes:
1. Raising the materials limits to 15 items on Adult cards and young Adult cards and 10 items on
juvenile cards
2. Videos, which now check out for 1 week, be raised to 3 weeks
3. Allow a second 1 week renewal on materials if there is no reserve on the item
4. Allow reserves to be placed on videos
5. Extend the grace period on materials to 5 days, including videos, and make it a true grace period
with fines starting after the grace period rather than backing up to start with first day overdue
6. Delete the rule forbidding another family member from checking out the materials when they are
returned
7. Remove the limit of 5 books per subject area
The staff will wait to implement most of the changes until the new facility opens. For now only the extra
renewal period and the reserves on videos will be put in place. The Library Advisory Board unanimously
voted to approve the changes to the Circulation Policy as recommended by the by the Staff.
Irene Lambert presented the Friends of the Library report. An Executive Board meeting has been
called for later in the week. The Friends must begin the paperwork to change their name, begin to help
plan the Dedication Day ceremonies, plan for the Book Sale Room, and other matters of business.
Ms. Hughes reported that the Altrusa Club donated $5,672 for the new Youth Services area.
There are two grants outstanding which are for the Youth Services area.
Mr. Sutko called for further business, there being none, he announced the next meeting to be
March 24, 1998 at 4:15 PM in the W. B. Hamilton Room. The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.
fly submitted,
Linda Hughes, Library Administrator