HomeMy WebLinkAboutLIB 2008-10-02 MinutesMINUTES OF THE LIBRARY BOARD
OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS
HELD IN THE LIBRARY BOARD ROOM
LOCATED AT 6720 NORTHEAST LOOP 820
October 2, 2008
Present: Kay Schmidt
David Nelson
Mary Shilcutt
Don Tipps
Avis Crisp
Jane Birkes
Absent: Mike Madar
Kathy Antropik
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Alternate
Staff Members: Steve Brown Library Director
Kelly Preston Administrative Secretary
Jared Miller Assistant City Manager
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kay Schmidt called the meeting to order October 2, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the May 15, 2008 meeting were approved as written.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Mr. Steve Brown updated the Board on the following:
Summer Reading Club was successful with a record 1,769 participants. Collectively, the
participants read nearly 26, 000 hours during an eight week period. Mr. Brown
expressed his appreciation for the sponsors who provided rewards to the participants.
Total Circulation in August is up slightly, and the number of checkouts is 20% higher than
the same time last year. Renewals decreased after the loan periods were increased from
two to three weeks.
The monthly report now includes meeting room usage statistics. The quilt show,
presented by long time volunteer Mary Green, was a successful program with 42 people
in attendance. There were over 20 in attendance at the program presented by local
author Sarah Bird. The Reference Division is working to improve adult programming.
Attendance for Children's programming is high. The North Richland Hills Library won the
trophy for the 2008 Tarrant Libraries Chess Tournament.
Amanda, Reference Librarian was married in August, and her new name is Amanda
King.
The Library has been at full staff all through the summer. During the RFID tagging
project and the move to the new library, there were not many book orders, and staff is
now placing large book orders to bring the collection up to date. The Technical Services
staff has been under pressure with processing so many new books in a short period of
time.
New memberships are rising rapidly after weeding inactive accounts before the move to
the new library. There are now over 53,000 memberships. During the months of June,
July, and August, the average number of new library cards issued was 75 per day. The
average has leveled off to 35 new cards per day.
The number of items checked out at one time increased from 18,000 to 26,000, and
increased to over 28,000 (1 out of every 6 items) during the summer. More multiple
copies of best sellers are being purchased in order to keep more current and popular
items on the shelf.
Study rooms are well used, and the tables upstairs by the balcony are well used by study
groups. The corner where the soft blocks are located in the Children's area is well used
by children. A few of the blocks were removed because kids were stacking them too
high. There are occasional comments on the noise level around the children's area and
the periodicals area.
Hennen's American Public Library Rankings rated North Richland Hills number one in the
50,000 to 100,000 population category.
The Book Sale will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
LONG RANGE PLANNING DISCUSSION ON LIBRARY
FACILITIES AND COLLECTIONS
Relocation of the magazine area will be considered when the library expands into the
shell space. There have been occasional comments about the noise level that is
generated from the circulation area, lobby and cafe.
The new library was designed to maximize the space for people to read and compute.
Shelf capacity is limited, and several areas have full shelves now. The new Library was
designed with 48" wide isles capable of holding 16.7 Vol/SF, and the ADA requires a
minimum of 36" wide isles which are capable of holding 20 Vol/SF. Although there is
potential to narrow the isles, it would not be desirable for comfort level. Staff has been
concentrating on keeping the collection fresh, new and attractive rather than just growth
of the collection. In an effort to keep a more desirable collection for the community, items
that do not circulate often are candidates for weeding.
Adult Fiction is full, but Non-Fiction has room for growth. There is also room to grow in
the Children's section because there are so many books checked out at one time.
As the collection grows, expansion into the shell will depend on population growth, library
usage growth, and other city projects.
Mr. Brown did a presentation on the changing usage patterns in the Library from summer
2007 to summer 2008.
Juvenile Fiction usage increased 54%
Picture Books usage increased 32%
ABC Browsers usage increased 8%
Juvenile Non-Fiction usage increased 46.57%
Adult Fiction usage increased by 28%
Audio Books on CD usage increased 5%
Large Print Books usage increased 31
Adult Non-Fiction usage increased 22%
Paperback Book usage decreased after the merge of fiction and weeding, and Audio
Books on Tape usage decreased 22% mostly because of advances in technology.
Young Adult Book usage increased 17%
Young Adult Books on Disc usage decreased 32.6% due to their location.
Young Adult Books on Tape usage decreased 61.81 % mostly because of advances in
technology.
Spanish Language Materials usage increased 169%.
Vice Chair David Nelson asked if there are statistical reports on the ages and locations of
library users, and suggested that this information would be helpful in planning a south
library branch. Mr. Brown said a study would be conducted before planning a branch
library.
NEXT MEETING DATE
October 16, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
l
Kay S midt, Chair
ATTEST:
K Ily Pres on, Administrative Secretary