HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Library Board - 02/04/2014 Library Board Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2014
Members Present: John Keys, Rachel Buck, Sue Donahoe, Natalie Rogen, Brian Solarek, Julia Stafford, and
Roberta Sewell; members absent: Dr. Stuart Elovitz, Margaret Fratila
Staff Present: Laura Garcia, Library Director and Norma Gonzalez, Public Service Manager
Call to Order
Mr. John Keys called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.
Approval of Minutes
Motion for approval of the January 7 minutes was made by Rachel Buck and seconded by Roberta Sewell, with
the following change: Mrs. Sewell was absent in December's meeting; Roberta Sewell was present in January's
meeting; Motion passed unanimously.
Friends of Library
Natalie Rogen reported that membership letters were mailed out in January. Payments have not been posted via
PayPal due to library website was down for a few days. Rachel Buck stated that she can assist with setting up
the Friends' Facebook page; however she is unable to maintain the page. Natalie Rogen stated that a Friends'
member may be able to maintain the page once it is setup.
Director's Report
Laura Garcia reported that staff is working with members of Friends board to design a Friends logo. The logo will
be placed on their stationary and the Summer Reading Bags which will be distributed this summer. Rachel Buck
suggested placing a QR Code on the bags, which will allow patrons to go directly to the Library's website or
Friend's Facebook page, by scanning the code using an electronic device.
A grant was submitted to Honda through the Library Foundation for a portable Planetarium. The library will
establish partnerships with local schools for all libraries and schools to utilize the planetarium. The cost of the
large size Planetarium is over $60,000 and the cost of the smaller size is $30,000. If the library is not awarded
the Honda grant it may be possible to apply for a Texas State Library grant. Brian Solarek stated that Boeing
might have similar science project grants available.
The first Sue Stanford memorial program at Neyland Library featured the Beauty and the Beast puppet show. It
was a huge success, with over 400 in attendance, despite the terrible weather.
Sue Donahoe is assisting staff with some program ideas. Some of these programs may be incorporated into the
Children's Book Festival. A grant proposal was submitted to cover a portion of the free for Lucas Miller the
singing zoologist Lucas Miller's fee.
The library is considering placing RFID and a new delivery van on the budget decision package. The van is used
to transfer materials between the libraries.
New Business
Roberta Sewell stated that due to the requirements from the City Secretary Department the Library Board Bylaws
and Articles were written to correspond with the City Board, Commission and Committee Orientation Manual. The
copy of the first draft that committee worked on were distributed to the board. Motion to work on new library
bylaws and articles was made by Roberta Sewell and second by Sue Donahue. Motion passed unanimously.
Laura Garcia explained the seven items that were highlighted in yellow and members discussed making a few
changes. Roberta Sewell suggested that a member of the Library Foundation be nominated to be in the library
board. Mrs. Garcia stated that she would meet with Mrs. Dinn, Foundation President, and report back to library
board. Mr. Keys requested that Library Board Bylaws and Articles remain on the agenda to allow board members
to further review the draft. The board could vote on the final version of the bylaws and articles in March or April.
Motion to excuse Dr. Elovitz from December's and January's meetings was made by Roberta Sewell and
seconded by Rachel Buck. Motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment
None.
Meeting adjourned at 11.35 a.m.
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