HomeMy WebLinkAboutLIB 2005-03-25 Minutes CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS
LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
March 24, 2005
BOARD PRESENT: Polly Brinkley, Mary Shilcutt, Kay Schmidt, Avis Crisp, Janet Ball,
Kathy Antropik Absent: Tammie Rust, Norma Lewis
STAFF PRESENT: Steve Brown, Library Director
Brenda Lewis, Administrative Secretary
CALLED TO ORDER: 7 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of February 17, 2005 were approved.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S REPORT — Steve Brown
The February monthly statistics continue the recent downward trend in circulation. With budget
restrictions, staff is unable to meet current material demands.
The planned replacement of the library's automation server did not go as smoothly as anticipated.
When several issues are resolved, we can go ahead with the software upgrades.
Budget preparation FY2005/06 is underway. Staff will submit requests to be included in the next
several weeks. The budget outlook is about the same as the last few years with contingency
plans for cuts if property and sales tax revenues are not adequate.
Samples from the recent "I Love My Library" contest entries included many positive comments on
library services. The staff received recognition on how friendly, helpful, knowledgeable
and caring they are.
STATUS REPORT ON ARCHITECT SELECTION PROCESS — Steve Brown
Fourteen firms submitted Statements of Qualifications by the deadline on March 4. The seven -
member selection committee, which included Board Member Kathy Antropik, met on Friday, March
11, to evaluate the submissions and attempt to narrow the field to a short list of three or four firms.
The Committee selected four firms to interview on April 22. The firms will be asked to prepare a site
plan, a schematic floor plan, and an elevation drawing for the interview session. Board members
browsed the qualification submissions of the four firms selected to interview. Mr. Brown will keep
members informed on the progress of the selection committee.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE — Steve Brown
Several items on the current Texas legislative agenda are of interest to libraries. The House
Appropriations Committee may restore partial funding for online databases for libraries. The
Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF), which was shifted to the general budget several years
ago, will be rewritten this year. It is possible the new bill will not dedicate these funds to schools,
libraries, and nonprofit hospitals. Continuation of the discount rates for T1 lines for schools and
libraries is included. Proposed legislation will undertake the creation and funding of library districts in
Texas. A few districts have been created with sales tax funding. The legislature is considering
allowing library districts funded by property taxes with approval of local elections.
Avis Crisp has been asked to meet with a group of city board members, city officials and community
representatives to consider hiring requirements for a new police chief. She will report at the next
meeting.
The next meeting was scheduled for April 21, 2005. This meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.
Brenda Lewis
The March 24, 2005 minutes were not presented to the Chair for signature.
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ATTEST: , �L, ` `A'A
Kelly Prest h, Administrative Secretary