HomeMy WebLinkAboutLIB 2009-02-19 MinutesMINUTES OF THE LIBRARY BOARD
OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS
HELD IN THE LIBRARY BOARD ROOM
LOCATED AT 9015 GRAND AVENUE
February 19, 2009
Present: Kay Schmidt Chair
Don Tipps Board Member
Mary Shilcutt Board Member
Mike Madar Board Member
Absent: David Nelson Vice-Chair
Avis Crisp Board Member
Jane Birkes Board Member
Kathy Antropik Alternate
Staff Present: Steve Brown Library Director
Kelly Preston Administrative Secretary
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kay Schmidt called the meeting to order February 19, 2009 at 6:05 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the January 19, 2009 meeting were approved as written.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Mr. Steve Brown updated the Board on the following:
The pattern of number of checkouts being substantially higher than the number of
renewals continues. Checkouts in January were up by 41.3% over the same time last
year. Overall circulation is up 16.7% from January last year: Number of holds is up by
79.1 %.
Steve, with assistance from Elizabeth Reining, Assistant to the City Manager,
demonstrated the TumbleBooksT"' at the City Council meeting on February 9, 2009.
Adult Services staff is evaluating Mango Languages, an online language learning tool
with a focus on conversational language. They currently offer 12 languages with 100
lessons in each language. There will be four more languages added next year. The cost
is $3,500 per year and is expected to increase next year. If the Library subscribes, use
will be unlimited and NRH library cardholders will be able to access the site from their
home computers.
The Film Festival on Saturdays continues to be a popular program. Attendance has been
a little lower for adult films. The library arranged a special one-time single showing
license for the film "Twilight", a popular teen vampire movie. The showing will be on the
same day it is released on DVD.
The new manager of the local Blockbuster on Boulevard 26 has expressed interest in
sponsoring the Film Festival and will meet with staff to discuss a partnership on February
20th.
The Texas Library Association Legislative Day Event will be held February 25th in Austin.
A grant application was submitted to the International City Manager's Association for the
purchase of a mobile computer station for use in the SCORE and SBDC office. Over 500
libraries applied for the grant.
Attendance has been high for the AARP Tax Help program.
The Census Bureau has been using the Board Room for hiring and testing potential
Census Field Representatives.
The end of the warranty period for the new library is approaching. The HVAC warranty
was reset to expire in July, 2010.
Circulation over the first four months of this year is up 11.6% and number of checkouts is
up 35.9% over the same period last year. Even though the loan period increased from
two weeks to three weeks, the number of visits to the library is up by 13.2%. The number
of reference questions asked is up 31.1 %. Program attendance is up 34.3%, and
number of holds is up 79.1 %.
DISCUSS AND CONSIDER ADOPTION OF 2009-2011 PLAN OF SERVICE
Item not discussed. This item will be discussed at the March 19, 2009 Library Board
Meeting.
LIBRARY MEMBER'S REPORT ON NORTH TEXAS CONFERENCE FOR LIBRARY
SUPPORTERS
Chair Kay Schmidt attended the First Annual North Texas Conference for Library
Supporter's in Fort Worth and shared information from the conference with the Board and
staff. Patrick Heath, President-elect of Texas Library Association and former mayor of
Boerne, Texas was the keynote speaker. Acronym Soup Library Style was presented by
NTRLS Executive Director, Adam Wright. Ms. Schmidt also attended a grant writing
seminar and a session on helping libraries create quality publications and business
letters.
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next meeting will be held on March 19, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Kay 'dt, Chair
ATTEST:
Kelly Preston, Administrative Secretary