2021-10-21 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Page 1 of 3 – 10/21/2021
PEARLAND LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF PEARLAND
Regular Meeting Thursday October 21, 2021 7PM
Tom Reid Library Conference Room
CALL TO ORDER
In attendance:
Crystal Carbone, Vanessa Dunn, Som Nair, , Amit Joshi, Kaitlyn Keever, Lisa Loranc, Jessica
Williams
Absent:
Guests:
Carry Capers, City of Pearland Parks & Recreation
Kevin Carter, City of Pearland Parks & Recreation
Carol Krenzke, Friends of Westside Library
Chair Crystal Carbone called the meeting to order at 7:03pm
CONSENT AGENDA:
Chair Crystal Carbone removed FY 2021 Budget from the consent agenda.
The consent agenda was approved as submitted, including approval of minutes from July
meeting.
Motion: Som Nair, Second: Amit Joshi, Motion carried.
MATTERS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
FY21 Budget Reports – City staff – Carry Capers presented FY21 Budget Reports describing
differences and purposes of each document. These budget reports will be part of City reporting
each quarter moving forward. January – begin budget process with libraries and request input
from Board. April/July Meetings – standing agenda item to present budget submission and any
amendments to board. October Meeting – presenting Council approved library budget.
Reduction in budgets from FY 21 to FY 22 reflect decrease in facility lease as the facility will be
moving to new building this fiscal year.
Motion: Vanessa Dunn Second: Amit Joshi, Motion carried.
Page 2 of 3 – 10/21/2021
NEW BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Updates from City of Pearland Staff
Appointing New Library City Staff Liaison
Carry Capers introduces Kevin Carter, Assistant Director for Pearland Parks & Recreation who
will serve as Library liaison moving forward.
Building Project Updates
Kevin Carter shared progress of West Pearland Library project in place of Robert Upton who is
away at a conference. Project is at 75% completion with recent completion of exterior building
panels. Interior buildout continues as planned. Exterior concrete patio work completed. Next
steps include installing interior millwork, trellis and amphitheater. Progress remains on target
for November time frame. Grand Opening ceremony will follow shortly after. Conversations will
begin within the next couple months throughout the City for planning. Parks & Communications
team will begin working together to plan this ceremony and will keep board involved in the
process.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Reports from branch Friends groups
Westside Friends Group – Carol presents on successful membership drive and fundraising
efforts for West Pearland Library and progress on possible contract in final stages at present.
Carol, Marsha and Crystal met to introduce to Jim Johnson with Chamber of Commerce –
sharing idea of industry related possible supporters such as Blue Ridge Land Fill, in addition to
advertising opportunities at other Chamber events. Adopt-a-Book program is also successful
fundraising program presently.
Carry shares Mayor would like to host City’s Talk of the Town event in January at West Pearland
Library in conjunction with Friends Group’s VIP Sneak Peek event. Carry will help connect.
Naming Rights Brochure and options were shared by Friends Groups to the Library Board, and
Brazoria County Library Director and Branch Librarians, receiving support from all groups. Upon
entering into a Naming Rights Contract, City staff will present before same parties for input in
preparation for presenting to Council.
Tom Reid Friends Group – Tom Reid Friends Group has moved to an online registration for
memberships. Within first week, the Friends Group has already secured one new member via
online platform.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Reports from Brazoria County Library System
Director’s Report
Lisa provided progress update on fulfillment of County Board representative, following the
resignation of Dena Hanks. At present, County Commissioner McAdams is vetting new member
Page 3 of 3 – 10/21/2021
and will be announced soon so this board may begin integrating this position as well. County
has adopted FY22 Library budget requests. Not all staffing position library requests were
granted for West Pearland Branch. Lisa presents on renovation projects at other county
branches including Sweeney and Freeport. Brazcon event is on the horizon, last Saturday in
January this year, and will take place at Brazosport, High School southern side of county. Event
is tracked to take place in person, along with resuming more programming, services and
outreach county wide.
Discussion was held about Commissioner’s appointment of new county board representative.
Due to slight restructuring and change in County bylaws, county representatives are appointed
by commissioners and county representatives are not voting members of this board.
Lisa also shares as a formality, City requested renaming of Westside branch to West Pearland
Library and county adopted that name. Will not go into effect until new location is open to
allow time for county to transition this name change.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Branch Librarians’ Reports
Westside Library – Jessica reports on upward trends at 75% in programming and visitors.
Partnerships with Pearland Parks & Recreation EduKatie series continues to be successful.
Tom Reid Library – Kaitlyn reports on normalizing operations and successful operations at Tom
Reid Library. High attendance and popular partnerships continue with Parks & Recreation.
Leaks have been repaired. Study rooms have been extremely popular at Tom Reid and patrons
are excited about addition of new study rooms with larger capacity in upcoming West Pearland
Library.
Carry offers lounge at Recreation Center & Natatorium as additional study space for over flow.
Slating for future meeting with parks team to bring this to fruition.
BOARD ISSUES FOR FUTURE LIBRARY BOARD AGENDAS
Texas Open Meetings Act Training
Annual Report Information Fulfillment
Onboarding New Board Members
Interest in New Board Roles
ADJOURNMENT
There was no further business presented, the meeting was adjourned at 7:51 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Crystal Carbone, Library Board Chair