2014-07-17 PEARLAND LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTESPEARLAND LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
CITY OF PEARLAND
Regular Meeting
Thursday, July 17, 2014 — 7:00 p.m.
Pearland Library — 3522 Liberty Drive, Pearland, Texas 77581
281-652-1677
I. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by Terry Ruiz at 7:03 p.m.
In attendance: Terry Ruiz (chair), Andrew Fearn, Crystal Carbone, Stephanie Carter, Margaret Dillie,
George Geiby , Catherine O'Brien (secretary), and David Thrash.
Absent: Geoff Tonini
II. PURPOSE OF THE MEETING:
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of the minutes of the April 16, 2014
regular meeting.
Terry entertained a motion to amend the agenda to include the minutes of the special meeting of 18
June 2014. Crystal seconded the motion. Motion carried. Crystal made a motion to accept the
minutes with correction (i.e., misspelled names). George seconded the motion. Motion carried and
the minutes were approved. There was a question regarding the logo on the June minutes but not on
the April minutes. Catherine explained that the request to add the logo came after the April meeting.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Treasurer's Report.
No treasurer's report.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Brazoria County Library System Director's Report.
David reported that the author dinner is October 30, and that the board needs to provide a basket. It
will be at the fairgrounds in Angleton, 6:30 — 9:00 p.m., with Joaquin Jackson as the guest speaker.
The theme is Western law.
David announced that all Brazoria County libraries are "cooling stations" this summer. It is for the
elderly or people without air conditioning. It is sponsored by HEB until the end of September.
Information is available on the website.
David announced that 221 people have enrolled in Gale courses. These are online courses that
include ESL, grammar, stocks & bonds, mathematics, etc. There are a total of 360 courses. They
receive 30 new courses per year. They are free to patrons with a library card. There is a need to "get
the word out" that these courses are available. The social media department is being beefed up. It
was mentioned that the Adult Literacy Center may benefit from this information.
There is a book drive July 14 -August I 1 in collaboration with United Way. They are looking for
books for 2 year olds to 5'h graders. The books can be dropped off at Pearland Westside and Lake
Jackson branches.
There is a job database available that is being used by 207 persons. The database has jobs that are
available to people who have been previously incarcerated and in need of work.
David reported that circulation is down at the branches, but this is attributed to the e -content, which is
up 114.5%. Libraries are looking to reinvent themselves, becoming a resource of unusual items (e.g.,
musical equipment, 3D printers, or garden equipment). There are discussions about looking at what
people can check out in a broader sense.
The county book sale is July 24-26 at the Angleton Library. Set up is Thursday morning, sales
Thursday evening through Saturday.
Everything is on target with the planning for the Westside Library expansion. They are considering
expanding the hours for the 2015 budget to accommodate Westside. Board members were
encouraged to talk to any and all commissioners.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Pearland Westside Branch Manager's Report.
Stephanie Carter (interim) reported that she has been at Pearland Westside for three weeks and after
three more weeks, she will be replaced by Sue Wheeler.
The air conditioning is out of commission. The landlord is locked in legal battle over who is
responsible for the repairs to damage that was caused by a power surge. The public areas have been
fixed but not the workers' area. Portable units have been brought in, but one of them began sparking
on Tuesday. This is creating book issues (mold, high humidity). Areas for programming is fine.
City workers are on top of it, but it's going to be a long process. The next council meeting is July 28.
A few staff positions are open with strong applicants. They have posted a shelver (paid) position,
needed in mornings (--9 a.m. — 1 p.m.). They have high school students after school, but days are an
issue.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Pearland Branch Librarian's Report.
Andrew reported that the painting is up, and that children furniture, the book unit, and chairs are in.
The parking lot stripping has been done. They have a 17 hour/week clerk who is leaving. They will
split a clerk between Pearland and Pearland Westside.
Baby bounce is every Monday @ 10:30 a.m. with stories and songs. They were getting more than 20
children, so they started a second program @ 3:30 p.m. every Wednesday.
He provided handouts:
Brazoria County Library System monthly statistics
City Library Monthly Performance Measures
Detail Budget Report (75% of year lapsed)
Budget Preparation Worksheet
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Brazoria County Library System Board
Representative Report.
Terry had nothing to report beyond David's report. She will update the committee via email following
the July 22 meeting.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Friends of the Pearland Westside Library Report.
Terry reported that they skipped the meeting last month. The meeting is this evening. The book sale
will be every P Friday beginning in August, in the afternoons (24 p.m.). They still have sufficient
funds. They want to talk to council about establishing a goal and working towards it. They are
looking at an open house with the city council members. The regular meeting is the 3`d Thursday of
each month, 7 p.m., Pearland Westside Library.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Pearland Community Friends of the Library Report.
Margaret Dillie reported that they have a 2"d book club. They are talking about baskets for the author
dinner. They are doing well with the book sales from the lobby shelves. They are trying to find other
options to interest people. As she said, "keep the ideas going and the fun flowing." They find people
who are willing to donate money and books, but not necessarily people who show up for meetings.
The meetings are held irregularly. Vicki Murray has been named treasurer, so four positions are now
filled.
They have talked about revising the pamphlet, but they settled on a bookmark instead.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Next meeting, October 16, 2014, 7 p.m., at Pearland Westside
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine O'Brien
coal/jy-