HomeMy WebLinkAboutLIB 1996-03-21 Minutes
CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS
LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
March 21, 1996
CALLED TO ORDER:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Joyce Moody, Carol Benoit, Avis Crisp, Lynn Waller,
Kay Schmidt and Mary Shilcutt
(Absent: Polly Brinkley, Glenn Smith)
Larry Cunningham, Assistant City Manager
Steve Brown, Library Director
Brenda Lewis, Secretary
Chair Kay Schmidt at 7:00 p.m.
Minutes of January 18, 1996 were approved
as written.
BOARD PRESENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
Mrs. Schmidt welcomed new Library Director Steve Brown. Mr. Brown expressed
pleasure at joining the NRH staff. Following a beginning as a bookmobile driver, he
continued his education in library science. He worked in libraries in Austin, Houston,
and Brazoria County where he was assistant director and then director for the past
twelve years.
REPORT OF LIBRARY DIRECTOR: Steve Brown
In addition to the news included in themaileddirector.sreport.Mr. Brown shared
information on the following activities:
Due to lower than projected revenues, all city departments were asked to cut the
current budget by 1 %. The library accomplished this through changes in
personnel positions and salary savings.
Building maintenance, computer, and telecommunication requests for the next fiscal
budget year are to be submitted to city administration by March 22. Work on
other budget item requirements will continue through April.
As a result of Phase 2 of the lighting project, improvements have been made in the
quality and amount of light in the main library area. However, some areas in the
book stacks are very dark because of worsening electrical conditions of the
undercarpet wiring. Support Services plans to replace all undercarpet wiring
with underfloor wiring. Designs for rearranging shelving and computer equip-
ment are being considered as the placement of underfloor wiring will be
permanent.
The recent biennial Output Measures Survey reflected the changes in patterns of
library users. A summary of results was distributed, and Mr. Brown asked
members to review and call him with any questions or suggestions.
Circulation and reference statistics declined in February, adversely affected by bad
weather, traffic conditions, and a new BISD school schedule. Figures should
rebound in March.
An agreement with BISD to provide a supply of state approved core textbooks for the
library to create a homework collection for use in the library is in progress.
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CITY OF NORTH RICH LAND HILLS
LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
March 21, 1996
In the fall, the library will receive a $20,000 NTRLS grant to develop a business
reference and referral center. Staff will assess the current business section prior
to planning how most effectively to expend the grant funds.
Assistant Library Director Betty Russell is currently working with a group of city staff to
develop a World Wide Web home page to begin in May. She will also be
traveling to Portland, Oregon to attend the annual Public Library Association's
annual conference at the end of March.
Preliminary planning has begun with a consortium of nonprofit groups (local libraries,
schools, and hospitals) to apply for Texas State Library grant money for elec-
tronic access and cooperative resource sharing.
Extensive discussion followed on the request by a city council member to city adminis-
tration that the library extend hours on Wednesday nights. The consensus at this time
with current staffing is that extending hours would be operating under less than full-
service conditions. The recommendation was to request additional staffing in a
decision package item for the 1996/97 budget year.
Mr. Brown distributed and discussed the draft of the proposed goals and objectives for
the next fiscal budget. The program description for the administrative, public services,
and technical services divisions remain the same as last year. Goals emphasis have
been placed on the replacement of an outdated automation system, creation of a
collection development plan, continued weeding of obsolete items in the collection, and
the turnaround time for checked in materials to be reshelved. Mr. Brown welcomed
suggestions from members.
All board members were invited by Mr. Brown to telephone or stop by to visit with any
library concerns or questions.
Next meeting was scheduled for April 18, 1996. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Brenda Lewis
Approved:
Date:~/~/'1f? Board Chair: ~7 ~
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