HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Library Board - 12/03/2013 Minutes
Library Board Meeting
December 3, 2013
MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT:
John Keys Laura Garcia, Director
Rachel Buck Sylvia Sanchez, Secretary
Sue Donahoe
Margareta Fratila
Natalie Rogen
Roberta Sewell
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Dr. Stuart Elovitz
Roberta Sewell
Call to Order
Mr. John Keys called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m.
Approval of Minutes
Motion for approval of the minutes of November 5, 2013 was made by Sue Donahoe and seconded by
Rachel Buck, with the following changes: Ms. Buck stated that when running credit card readers a 3G or
above is required. Motion passed unanimously.
Friends of Library
Mrs. Rogen reported that Friends board approved the purchasing of the new computer. Alex Hatley,
Library Technology Manager, will assist on the purchase when he returns from vacation. Mrs. Rogen
stated that membership letters will be mailed out soon. The PayPal account has been setup. Mrs. Rogen
reported on how the Friends assist library. They sponsor several library children's programs, some of the
major children's programs are the Children's Book Festival and Summer Reading Program. The past few
years they have assisted with some adult and teen programs. Mrs. Garcia stated that the Friends have
made it possible for the library to accomplish much of their goals.
Director's Report
Mrs. Garcia reported that Sue Donahoe was instrumental in bringing the Voices of South Texas program
to Neyland Public Library on November 9. Ms. Donahoe stated that there were approximately 12 local
authors and three others that were scheduled to be at the program were unable to make it. All authors
sold at least one book and Mr. Salazar reported that 15 of his books were sold. This program can become
an annual event with the next program being set up in a separate meeting room were a panel of authors
who will be sitting in front of the audience which authors will have material information and present their
books. The authors' can speak on how they publish their material, major publish house and self-
published. How authors got started, what and how situations they encountered and how it was handled.
Ms. Donahoe added that invitations and or calls can be made to Texas Writers League, authors Ann
Majors and Rabbi Kenneth Rosman and other groups to participate in these events. Mrs. Garcia stated
that some genealogy programs can also be included to these events. Ms. Donahoe is also assisting staff
on getting information from the Texas Book Festival group which will help with other library programs.
Ms. Garcia reported that the Healthy Cooking Class program that was facilitated by David Nuss was well
attended. Mr.Nuss requested for staff to schedule small groups for each event because the children's
participation for each step is very important for them to learn the importance of healthy eating. Two
programs were scheduled at McDonald and another program will scheduled in 2014 to be held at La
Retama Central Library.
The following are other scheduled programs:
■ The annual AAUW Rare Book Sale and Silent Auction will beat Neyland Library,November 6
starting at 5:30 p.m. and end on December 17 at 5:30 p.m.
• Corpus Christi Ballet will present a selection from their version of The Nutcracker at McDonald
Library, December 7 at 12:30 p.m.
• The Annual Friends Meeting will be at Neyland Library, 2:00 p.m. on December 14, following the
meeting Dave Ehlert, a performer from Branson, MO,will do a theatrical performance of the life of
Abe Lincoln and Mark Twain(program is sponsored by the Friends of CCPL)
• Christmas Around the World program at the South Texas Art Museum, December 14, from 10 a.m. —
2 p.m. Jean Meadors, Hopkins Children's Librarian, will dress up as Mrs. Claus and Joshua Romero,
McDonald Children's Librarian, will dress up as one of Santa's elf. There will be reading Christmas
story to the children. The library was invited to the partnership program by the Corpus Christi Jr.
League.
• Sue Stanford's Memorial Children's Program will be held on Thursday, January 23, at 6 p.m. at
Neyland Library,Beauty and the Beast. Carranza Puppets from Houston Texas
sponsored by Friends of CCPL will doing the presentation.
Mrs. Garcia distributed the Library Business Plan to new board members; current board members
received their copy in August. Mrs. Garcia reported that one of the goals in the current business plan
(page 10 of Library Business Plan)is to promote literacy and community good will. To strategy that
library is taking to complete this goal is to develop framework for placing satellite collections throughout
the community. The satellites groups that the library will be working with are The Neighborhood Centers
of Corpus Christi, which has 4 location in Corpus Christi, and Nueces County Community Action Agency
which has 16 Head Start Centers in Corpus Christi. Mrs. Garcia added that age appropriate library
collections will be placed at each of these locations. Staff is working on putting materials together for
each location and each group will rotate the library materials that will be delivered to them among
themselves. Staff will select library materials from McDonald and Central Library.
Another goal for the library is introducing new services based on customer demands. Mrs. Garcia state
that she and some of the Branch Managers attended the 2013 District 4 Annual Meeting last month.
Library staff took pictures of the cafe's in the McAllen Library. Mrs. Garcia distributed pictures of cafes
in Edinburg, Brownsville, and McAllen Libraries. The 3 cafes that were presented are maintained&
operated by library staff. Mrs. Garcia reported that library staff is currently researching on the
possibilities of place a cafe in Central Library. The cafe can be placed toward the back area on the first
floor of the library. Mrs. Buck inquired if the library would consider outside vendors to operate the cafe.
Mrs. Garcia stated that there are several guidelines that the city must follow when contracting out with
vendors and that library staff is continuing researching the cost on equipment and redesigning the area.
She will report all findings to the board once research is completed.
Mrs. Garcia also reported other areas that have been established at McAllen Library-teen sections, RFID
services, a self-check of library materials, security cameras in various areas in the library and library
furniture in the children area.
Library will upgrade library software by purchasing the Talking Tech Itiva software. This is a phone
service that will allow library patrons to retrieve information on their library account. They will be able
to renew their items and get library information—library phone numbers, hours of operations and the
option to speak to library staff. The outbound services will be installed first because vendor is still in the
development stage on the inbound services. Talking Tech is the only software the will work with the
current library software. Ms. Buck stated that facebook account work well with the Teen services.
New Business
Mr. Keys introduced and welcomed Margareta Fratila, Julia Stafford and Brian Solarek to the
board. They were appointed by the City Council in November.
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Mrs. Fratila stated that if staff would like to send her program information she will be able to set
it out during her public access televised program. Mrs. Fratila explained that she will not be able
to promote organizations but non-profit flyers can be set out during the televised program.
Motion for Mr. Keys to appoint a committee to work on the library bylaws and articles was made
by Sue Donahoe and seconded by Natalie Rogen. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Keys
appointed Roberta Sewell and Margareta Fratila to the committee, they will work on the library
bylaws and articles and present to the board in January.
Motion for Mr. Keys to appoint a nominating committee to nominate library board officers was
made by Sue Donahoe and seconded by Natalie Rogen. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Keys
appointed Rachel Buck and Brian Solarek to the nominating committee.
Motion to excuse Roberta Sewell from today's meeting was made by Sue Donahoe and seconded
by Natalie. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Keys requested to add Library marketing and promotions in next month's agenda.
Public Comment
None
Meeting adjourned at 11:22 a.m.
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