HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Library Board - 03/10/2009 RECEIVED
Minutes AUG I y
Library Board Meeting 2009
March 10,2009
CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE
MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT:
Michael Flores Herb Canales, Library Director
Dr. Roel Carmona Sylvia Sanchez, Recording Secretary
Barbara Head
James Martin
Lucy McCracken
Natalie Rogen
Larry Jordan
Dr. Stuart Elovitz
Sue Stanford
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Andrea Naismith
CALL TO ORDER
Michael Flores called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion for approval of the minutes of November 11, 2008 was made by Natalie Rogen and
seconded by Dr. Roel Carmona. Motion passed unanimously. Motion for approval of minutes
of February 10, 2009 was made by Natalie Rogen and seconded by Barbara Head with the
following correction—City Council appointed Barbara Head to the Library Board. Motion
passed unanimously.
Introduction of new Board members
Mr. Flores introduced Dr. Stuart Elovitz and Lawrence Jordan.
Friends of the Library
Mrs. Rogen stated that board members are working on membership renewals; there are
approximately 100 previous members that have not renewed. Renewal letteys will be mailed out
next week. Details on the Library's 100th Anniversary is still being discussed, it will most likely
be in conjunction with La Retama's Anniversary. The tentative date for the celebration is early
a September 2009.
71-1-1 Director's Report
L Mr. Canales stated that Corpus Christi ISD will also celebrate their 100th Anniversary this year.
There will be further discussions to include Corpus Christi ISD in the library's anniversary
Qevent.
CO Staff is currently working on changing the website. Mr. Canales stated that a consistent
complaint from library patrons is the speed of the library's network. Mr. Canales presented the
following Technology Update:
• Internet Bandwidth — there are over 150 computers for public use in all the facilities. The
city is negotiating to upgrade with a new intemet service provider; the upgrade will go from
1.5 megabits per second to 13 megabits per second. The library's automated system will be
upgraded. It will be running by the end of March; the new version should take less
bandwidth.
• Age of PC's - The report was distributed showing the total of library computers, location for
the public computers, and operating system installed on each computer; there are
approximately 100 computers that are over 6 years old.
• PC Virtualization —there is a server that takes some of the work load of the individual work
stations. This is similar to "dumb terminals" — which the age of the computer does not
matter. MIS Department located at City Hall will work with library staff to determine if this
process will work; preliminary testing will be done with the Harte Library.
• Library Website - The TexShare Databases is being utilized by several students, which is
funded by the State of Texas. It gives students access to periodicals and other information.
There are approximately 20 to 30 million hits on the library's website on an annual basis.
There are over 11,000 historical pictures of Corpus Christi and surrounding areas. The Birds
of North America On-line is another database; patrons have access by entering their card
number. This database is produced by Cornell University; there is scientific data, text, audio
and video information.
• Joint Project - CCISD have a large amount of enrollment and student information from the
early 1900s. Library staff would like to add the data in the website that will be scanned by
CCISD staff.
Library staff will launch a restructured website in approximately two months. There are several
technology updates that staff will be working in stages.
Old Business
Michael Flores suggested that board members schedule a meeting with Mayor Henry Garret and/or
address the City Council to recommend that city staff move forward as quickly as possible on the
Greenwood Project.
Motion was made by Lucy McCracken and seconded by James Martin to recommend to City
Council for left over funds from the 2004 Library Bond Project transfer to the Greenwood Project
and to move on the project as expeditious as possible. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Canales
stated that staff will work on the letter and call the city secretary office to schedule a meeting.
Board members agreed to have the next scheduled meeting at Greenwood Library and have staff
comment on what necessities they would like to include on the project.
Lucy McCracken requested to be excused from being absent from the January and February
meeting due to medical reasons. Motion was made by James Martin and seconded by Dr. Elovitz
to excuse Lucy McCracken. Motioned passed unanimously.
Public Comment
Mr. Bazaman, resident at 733 Meadowbrook, stated that he has experienced the frustration with the
speed of the computer and added that he is glad to hear staff and board members are working to
solve the problem.
Motion was made for meeting adjournment at 2:02 p.m.
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