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08-01-22 LAB MinutesSCHERTZ PUBLIC LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING DATE: 8/1/2022 Members Present: Amy Bearce, Chris Bryan, Beverly Clarke, Linda Duvall, Dawn Figueras, Lee Murphey, Patti Paulson, Margaret Riley, Letticia Sever, Ruth Tienor, Melissa Uhlhorn, Joanne Ward, Laura Wilson City Administration/Council Members: Sarah Gonzalez, Brian James Visitors: None CALL TO ORDER: Patti Paulson called the meeting to order at 6:37. HEARING OF RESIDENTS: None INTRODUCTION OF NEW LIBRARY STAFF: Melissa Uhlhorn introduced Stephanie Barbosa who took over Natalie's position. Stephanie comes from the UTSA and other library systems. REGULAR AGENDA: 1. Minutes: Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes of the 61612022 meeting. - Margaret Riley moved to accept the 8/1/2022 minutes with corrections. - Laura Wilson seconded the motion. - Motion carried. The 8/1/2022 minutes were accepted with corrections. 2. Treasurer's Report: Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the May and June 2022 Treasurer's Reports - Joanne Ward moved to accept the May and June 2022 Treasurer's Reports as presented. - Letticia Sever seconded the motion. - The motion carried. The May and June 2022 Treasurer's Reports were accepted as presented. 3. Librarian's Report: Librarian will report on the following items Library usage and statistics - The number of visitors to the Library is about 70-75% of pre-Covid numbers. The number of programs offered helps to bring in more visitors and the number of programs offered has increased. - Circulation is almost back to pre-Covid numbers. - Some of the recent programs had good attendance: o Exotic petting zoo - 350-400 o Touch a Truck - about 400 In June, about 500 new cards were issued. For WIFI sessions, a visitor connected about every 46 minutes. Web page sessions - people going to the library website landing page were up. Mini golf on July 30 was a big hit. Library operation and other items of interest - A lot of employees will be taking vacation in the coming weeks. - Clients seem happy with the programs being offered, and most comments are complimentary. - With the return of students to school, there will not be as many programs in August. - Margaret Riley asked if there had been any recent book complaints. There were none, but there was a display complaint in June. 4. Bookstore Report: Committee reported on the following items: General Operation: - The bookstore could use more volunteers. - Beverly Clarke will be out of town for several weeks in August. - Ruth Tienor has been clearing out the vintage books. Now most have been on the shelves less than 5 years. - After discussion, the Book Sale will be held 9/23 and 9/24 with setup on 9/22. Price per bag will remain at $5. More bags will be needed for the sale. I. As per Dawn Figueras' suggestion during June LAB meeting, Melissa Uhlhorn presented 3 projects for LAB discussion about spending some of the investment funds for library projects. A. Project 1. Obtain hot spots for checkout. 25-30 hot spots could be set up for about $8000. 10 hot spots could be set up for about $1200. Both would be recurring costs. During Covid,100 hot spots were on loan free of cost from the SA library system. It was a hit service with a good record of usage and dependability (only 1 broke and 1 never worked). If a hot spot is not returned, the service can be shut off. The ideal number of hot spots would be about 50. B. Project 2. Purchase new audio/print book combinations for the Children's section to replace the CD/print book combinations currently available. The new audio/print book versions have a built-in player and are rechargeable. Two sources are Wonder Books and Vox Books. The new versions are about $45 each and a purchase of 100 was suggested. The current CD versions are not checked out very often as many don't have CD players now. The San Marcos library has about 200 Wonder Books and about 70% are usually checked out. C. Project 3. Purchase 4-6 more story walk books for about $3000 total. D. A discussion was had about a purchase of books for the Uvalde schools. However since Clemens High School had done a book drive and since the Uvalde district has been inundated with donations, it was decided to not pursue this idea at this time. E. Discussion about the project Ideas was conducted by LAB and City representatives. Pros and cons were discussed as well as amounts to be spent. Since this would be a budget adjustment during the fiscal year, the recommendations must be presented to City Budget staff and the City Council. To present the project expenditure proposals to the Budget staff and City Council, the following were suggested: a. Bring both old and new versions of the book systems to show the advantages of the new book system. b. Bring data of hot spot usage. F. The LAB suggested that projects 1. Hot spots and 2. New audio/print book versions would be most beneficial to the community served by the Library and should warrant extra LAB funding. The following were proposed: Funds from the LAB investment account to be spent as follows: 1. A new starter set of audio/print books (Wonder/Vox type) to be purchased with the current estimate of $5000 for approximately 100 books. 2. A starter set of about 10 hot spots for a recurring cost of approximately $1200 total ($600 per year each for the LAB and Council) for 3 years and then for the Council to pick up the total cost. - Letticia Sever made a motion to approve the LAB expenditure proposal as presented. - Ruth Tienor seconded the motion. - The motion carried. II. SOAR A. Lee Murphey shared ideas from another library. 1. Box filled with 8 books for books clubs. The box also included ideas for bites and sips for the club meeting. 2. Box filled with craft books and supplies i.e. a book on knitting with supplies needed. 3. Box filled with murder mystery books. B. The LAB was asked to share what they felt were the strengths of the Schertz Library. 1. Great staff. Melissa Uhlhorn shared that the library works to have the staff be strong with autonomy and a broad knowledge of the whole library and its programs. 2. Outreach. For example, dual language programs, SCUCISD connections, Senior Center connections including technology assistance, and opening off site entities. 3. Good selection and a variety of materials. 4. Positive image with people served. 5. Service to all age groups. 6. Children's programs 7. Social media and Schertz magazine presence. 8. Meeting community needs, i.e. meeting rooms. 9. Clean space with nice landscaping. C. The LAB was asked to share what they felt were opportunities for the Schertz Library. 1. Evening programs, i.e. book clubs. 2. Expansion of services with possible other sites. 3. Little Free Libraries around the service area that could be stocked with donated items. 4. Library Foundation - The Foundation needs to expand membership and sponsorships. The Foundation is a separate organization from LAB and the Library. A strong Foundation can lead to more grants for the Library. 5. Increase teen programming. Teen programs are some of the hardest to generate attendance and interest. There are teen programming specialists who focus on improving teen programs. D. The LAB began to discuss what they felt were aspirations for the Schertz Library. 1. Bookmobile. 5. Items by the Library Board Members: Briefing and discussion on the following items. Correspondence received by the Secretary: Thank you note from Carol Cyr. Other announcements by Library Board Members: None Call for items to be included on the next agenda: Finish SOAR ADJOURNMENT: Ruth Tienor moved to adjourn the meeting. Laura Wilson seconded the motion. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 pm. The next meeting will be 9/12/2022. Patti Paulson, Chair I Chris Bryan, Secretary