Min - Library Board - 2015 - 05/05 - RegularALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 5, 2015
Present:
Devida Widmer, Board Chair
Board Members Present:
Richard Ackerman
Kimberly Hinton
Linda Kapocsi
Diane Knaack
Rekha Mathai
Michelle Perry
City Staff Present:
Jeff Timbs, Director
' GUEST:
Council Member, Joey Herald, Library Board Liaison
Call to Order and Announce a Ouorum is Present
With a quorum of Board Members present, the Regular Meeting of the Allen Public Library was called to
order by Board Chair, Devita Widmer at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, in the Allen Public Library
Board Room, 300 North Allen Drive, Allen, Texas.
1. Approve Minutes of the February 3, 2015, Regular Meeting.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Richard Ackerman and seconded by Diane Knaack, the Board voted
seven (7) for and none (0) opposed to approve the February 3, 2015 minutes. The motion
carried.
2. Reports on Friends of the Library, Friends of the Library Endowment Fund, and ALLen Reads
Activities.
The Friends' annual meeting took place on April 30. Susan Jackson was re-elected as
president. Nils, Hill was elected secretary, replacing Julie Denis. Shirley Cusick was
awarded Lifetime Friend, Robin Screen was named Outstanding Friend, and Alison
McCullough was recognized as Volunteer of the Year. Following the meeting, the Friends
dedicated a puppet theater in memory of former Allen public Library librarian Cindy
Robinson.
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' MAY 5, 2015 PAGE 2
For the 2015 ALLen Reads wrap-up event, author Christina Baker Kline presented an
historical program on the Orphan Train Movement in the Civic Auditorium on April 9 and
broadcast live on ACTV. Several attendees indicated they had family members who were on
the orphan trains. The program was preceded by a well -attended VIP donor reception.
3. Report on Courtyard Landscaping.
The dead and dying crepe myrtles and hollies have been removed to clear the courtyard for
planting a variety of heat and drought -tolerant plants to serve as examples of what citizens
can accomplish in their home landscapes. The project will be a partnership with the City's
Community Services and Parks and Recreation departments, the Texas A&M AgriLife
extension service, and the Collin County Master Gardeners.
4. Discuss and Complete the Annual Board Evaluation Form.
Chairperson Widmer led the discussion aided by the Board Evaluation Form provided by
City Secretary Shelley George. Linda Kapocsi announced her resignation effective tonight.
The City Council will declare a vacancy and 611 the opening as part of the annual
appointment process. Kimberly Hinton, Rekha Mathai, and Michelle Perry, whose terms
expire September 30, 2015, indicated they plan to apply for reappointment.
' Board members agreed that the ideal Board member, like the current membership,
enthusiastically supports the Library and literacy, regularly uses Library services, and is
knowledgeable about Allen's demographic characteristics and community needs. The Board
would like to see more corporate experience represented with the possibility of some
corporate support for the Library.
Outside of Library Board meetings, members attend City functions, publicly support the
Library, participate in Friends' activities, and are active in other events and organizations,
including the Junior League of Collin County, school PTA's and preschool programs,
Summer Special Olympics, school athletics, and the Center for Brain Health.
Chairperson Widmer will forward the completed form to City Secretary George.
5. Review and Discuss January, February, and March 2015 Library Statistics.
January: Total items checked out increased almost 8% over last January, program attendance
and reference requests were each up 33%, and visits increase almost 5%.
February: Total items checked out were up 3%, and reference requests increased 13%.
Visits increased only .5% and program attendance was down, due in part to the inclement
winter weather, which kept many patrons at home on those days and also led to program
cancellations.
' March: Total items checked out were up 9% and reference requests 26%. Visits increased
only 1.6%, although still over 30,000, and program attendance was down. The family
movies shown during Spring Break Week this year did not have the same popularity as the
Frozen Sing -Along in March 2014.
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From October 2014 through April 2015, circulation was up 6.5%, program attendance 7%,
reference requests 27%, and visits 7.5%, all in comparison to the corresponding period in the
previous fiscal yew.
6. FY 2015 Budget Planning Update.
The Library has submitted its proposed 2015-2016 and revised 2014-2015 budgets to the
City Finance Department. Staff will meet with the City Manager and Finance on May 26,
and the City Manager will make recommendations to the City Council for the overall
proposed City budget. The Council will discuss the budget at its annual budget workshop in
August then approve the budget in September to take effect October 1.
7. Updates on Library Marketing Activities.
The Youth Services staff will be visiting many of the Allen schools in May to promote the
Summer Reading Club. During the Summer, there will be regular Facebook updates about
Library programs and activities and possibly some contests.
g. Update on Library Website Design.
' The new City website redesign is scheduled to go live in July 2015. The Library section of
the website will have a different look than it does now and will have some differences from
the overall City website.
9. Discuss Items for Future Board Meeting Agendas.
At the next Board meeting, members will elect a new secretary to replace Linda Kapocsi,
discuss hosting a reception for the "re -opening" of the courtyard, and receive a visual
demonstration of the new Library website.
10. Items of Interest. (Board announcements regarding local, civic and charitable events, meetings,
fundraisers, and awards.)
a) May 24-25 - Library Closed for Memorial Day.
b) May 26 — City Council Reception in the City Hall Rotunda, 6:00 p.m.
c) June 13 — Day of the Child Celebration Kicks Off Summer Reading Club.
d) July 3-5 — Library Closed for Independence Day.
e) August 2 — Summer Reading Club Ends.
f) August 4 — Next Scheduled Board Member, 6:30 p.m.
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MAY 5, 2015
PAGE
11. Adjourn.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Rekha Mathai and seconded by Richardson Ackerman, the Board
voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed to adjourn the board meeting at 7:29 p.m.
These minutes approved on the 4m day of August, 2015.
APPROVED:
I
ATTEST:
SECRETARY