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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - Library Board - 2008 - 06/03 - RegularALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY REGULAR MEETING NNE 3, 2008 Present: Donald Wing, Board Chair Board members: Donna Drews Various Mary Jane Hamilton Ruth Pringle Jo Long Julia Elmo City Staff: Jeff Timbs, Library Director Dale Lackey, Senior Administrative Assistant Tom Keener, Cultural Arts Coordinator Guests: None Call to Order and Announce a Quorum is Present With a quorum of the Board members present, the Regular Meeting of the Allen Public Library was called to order by Board Chair, Donald Wing, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday June 3, 2008 in the Board Room of the Allen Public Library, 300 North Allen Drive, Allen, Texas. Reeular Aeenda 1. Citizen's Comments. There were no Citizen Comments. 2. Approve Minutes of May 6, 2008 Regular Meeting. Motion: Upon A motion made by Board Member, Ruth Pringle, and a second by Board Member, Mary Jane Hamilton, the Board voted (6) for and none (0) opposed to approve the May 6, 2008 minutes. 3. Discuss the Annual Board Evaluation Form. The board discussed the Annual Evaluation Form and answered all of the questions. ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD REGULAR MEETING JUNE 3, 2008 PAGE 2 Answer: Uses Library, Reads, Supports Programs and Staff. Willing to learn, be an advocate of the Library 2. How extensive is the collective experience of the Board members in the Board's subject area? Answer: Wide range of experience among the Board members. 3. What knowledge or experience could be brought to the Board to improve it? Answer: Younger Board members. 4. Outside of Board activities, how active are the Board members within the commumtyv Answer: Very active. 5 Is the membership representative of Allen's citizens? Answer: Need more diversity such as Hispanic, Asian, Indian, and Chinese. 6. Are any members considering resignation? Answer: Yes, 3 Board members. Jo Long, Ruth Pringle and Julia Elms. Review Monthly Statistics and Suggestion Forms. The Library Board reviewed the Monthly Statistics and read all of the Suggestion Forms. Board member, Ruth Pringle mentioned the drop in new patrons. Library Director, Jeff Timbs told the board the reason for the drop in statistics versus last year is the schools were out earlier last year and this year it is a week later. Don Wing commented on whether patrons would stay close to home due to the gasoline prices and did we expect to be busier. Jeff told the board, he expected more people would use the library because they would be looking for less expensive forms of entertainment. Don Wing asked if the library had the Wil'i up and running. Jeff reported to the board that yes it was working but we are not advertising it to the public yet because the IT Department wanted to do some more testing around the building. There are some patrons already using it. One of our librarians has put together a brochure to hand out to the patrons on how to use the WtFi. Don Wing asked if there was any way to count the number of patrons actually using WiFi. Jeff said he didn't think there was a way to count them but would check with the IT Department to see if there was a way when patrons first log on they have to click on the City Policy screen to accept it. One of the suggestions was about guest cards which the library does have. Jeff told the board we do let patrons use a guest card at times but would prefer they get a library card if they live here. Guest cards are used for people that come in out of town and want to check their email or use the computer while they are here. Questions: 1. What would be the ideal characteristics for a Board Member? Answer: Uses Library, Reads, Supports Programs and Staff. Willing to learn, be an advocate of the Library 2. How extensive is the collective experience of the Board members in the Board's subject area? Answer: Wide range of experience among the Board members. 3. What knowledge or experience could be brought to the Board to improve it? Answer: Younger Board members. 4. Outside of Board activities, how active are the Board members within the commumtyv Answer: Very active. 5 Is the membership representative of Allen's citizens? Answer: Need more diversity such as Hispanic, Asian, Indian, and Chinese. 6. Are any members considering resignation? Answer: Yes, 3 Board members. Jo Long, Ruth Pringle and Julia Elms. Review Monthly Statistics and Suggestion Forms. The Library Board reviewed the Monthly Statistics and read all of the Suggestion Forms. Board member, Ruth Pringle mentioned the drop in new patrons. Library Director, Jeff Timbs told the board the reason for the drop in statistics versus last year is the schools were out earlier last year and this year it is a week later. Don Wing commented on whether patrons would stay close to home due to the gasoline prices and did we expect to be busier. Jeff told the board, he expected more people would use the library because they would be looking for less expensive forms of entertainment. Don Wing asked if the library had the Wil'i up and running. Jeff reported to the board that yes it was working but we are not advertising it to the public yet because the IT Department wanted to do some more testing around the building. There are some patrons already using it. One of our librarians has put together a brochure to hand out to the patrons on how to use the WtFi. Don Wing asked if there was any way to count the number of patrons actually using WiFi. Jeff said he didn't think there was a way to count them but would check with the IT Department to see if there was a way when patrons first log on they have to click on the City Policy screen to accept it. One of the suggestions was about guest cards which the library does have. Jeff told the board we do let patrons use a guest card at times but would prefer they get a library card if they live here. Guest cards are used for people that come in out of town and want to check their email or use the computer while they are here. ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD REGULAR MEETING JUNE 3, 2008 PAGE 3 1 5. Update on Summer Reading Program. Jeff updated the board on the Summer Reading Program. Registration starts Monday, June 9, 2008. The library has some good programs scheduled. This is the first year the State has done a teen reading program and the theme is "Game On" The teen librarian has planned games for different days during the week for the summer. Some will be outside and others such as board games will be done inside the library She has also asked for suggestions of other games the teens might like to play We will also have the children's programs, performers will be brought in, puppet shows performed, and Partners in Rhyme which has been very popular. Tom has done a story in the Allen Image about dogs. The library will have two dog shows to July and Miss In who is a licensed animal rehabilitator. The board was given a copy of the Children's Calendar for the summer. The teens also have a calendar on all of their events for the summer. Tom advertises these in the Allen Image, Allen Neighbors, the City Channel 16 and also the Web Page. 6. Items of Interest. Ruth Pringle reminded the board to be sure and write letters to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Don Wing gave an update on the Endowment Board. After the next meeting they are not going to meet again until the fall. They expect to have some type of announcement maybe in the summer. Donna Drews Various reported on the Allen Reads Committee and the books that were up for consideration. They are: Water for Elephants. Seed Folks. Pav it Forward, A Tree Grows to Brooklyn. 7. Calendar 8. July 1, 2008 — Library Board Meeting Motion: Upon A motion made by Board Member, Jo Long, and a second by Board Member, Donna Drews Various, the Board voted (6) for and none (0) opposed to adjourn the library board meeting at 8.40 PM. These minutes read and approved this Ist day of July, 2008. APPROVED: ATTEST: / ///f Donald Wing, Chairperson Ruth Pringle, S etary