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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Library Board - 08/05/2014 Library Board Meeting Minutes August 5, 2014 Members Present: John Keys,Julia Stafford, Brian Solarek, Sue Donahoe, Margareta Fratila, Dr. Stuart Elovitz, and Diana Broyles; members absent: Rachel Buck and Natalie Rogen Staff Present: Laura Garcia, Library Director and Sylvia Sanchez, Secretary Call to Order: John Keys called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. Approval of Minutes Motion for approval of the July minutes was made by Sue Donahoe and seconded by Dr. Stuart Elovitz. Motion passed unanimously. Director's Report Mrs. Garcia reported that the Texas State Library and Archives commission awarded the library three grants: Texas Reads ($3,000), Impact ($8,373) and Special Project Grants ($37,226). The grants will need to be appropriated and programming will begin in a few months. Mrs. Garcia stated that Dorothea Castanon, McDonald Library Branch Manager, did an outstanding job writing these grants. Another grant in the amount of$125,000 was awarded by the Ed Rachal Foundation to the Friends of CCPL, these funds will be used for the purchase of a mobile planetarium and for programming. Mrs. Garcia distributed the Coming in September flyer advertising new operating hours, automated phone service, Food for Fines drive, checking out print magazines, and pre-loaded Kindle eReaders. Vending machines will be available at La Retama Central Library within the next few weeks. The Harte Library may be another vending machine location. Starting in October all locations will have scanners available for public use. The Summer Read Club program was very successful with 320 programs and an attendance of 13,907. A once a week after school program will begin in September at La Retama Library, this is an effort to re-introduce programming for children. The library is partnering with the librarian from Evans Elementary to promote this service. Mrs. Garcia reported that a request for a full-time Library Assistant position, for the Harte Library,will be part of the City budget presentation being made to the Council. Friends of Library None. New Business Julia Stafford stated that Sylvia Sanchez will be added as an administrator to the Friends Facebook account to allow for the posting of library programming in a timely fashion. Margareta Fratila stated that she visited the library in McAllen and was very impressed with their automation system, Market Days at the library and book sales. She stated that several of the places she visited knew about the library services. Mr. Keys suggested that each library set up a Twitter account to help promote library services. Mrs. Garcia reported that each library has its own Facebook account but the library does not have designated staff for Twitter. Mrs. Donahoe suggested that perhaps grant monies could be used for writing programs for teens and adults. Mrs. Garcia reported that a group of school and public librarians are working on having a Teen Book Festival next year and perhaps a Flash or Nano fiction session suggested by Mrs. Donahoe could be hosted at that event. A motion was made by Sue Donahoe and seconded by Margareta Fratila to excuse John Keys,Julia Stafford and Dr. Stuart Elovitz from July's meeting; Rachel Buck and Natalie Rogen are excused from August's meeting. Motion passed unanimously. Public Comment Dr. Hatcher Chalkley suggested that clarification be sought on the correct way to interpret regulations between entities such as Friends, other volunteer organizations, the Library Board and City staff. He added that there is little in the local paper about library events. He suggested the Board keep this in mind when working on publicity for the library as he feels many of the individuals the library is trying to reach for support are newspaper readers. Meeting adjourned at 11:24 a.m.