2016-04-14 PEARLAND LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTESPEARLAND LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
CITY OF PEARLAND
Regular Meeting
Thursday, April 14 2016 — 7:00 p.m.
Pearland Library — 3522 Liberty Drive
281-652-1677
In attendance: Catherine O'Brien (recorder), Andrew Fearn David Thrash, Lisa Loranc, Crystal Carbone,
Dale Pillow, Roshanda Cayette-Contreras, Geoff Tonini, and Tammy McLain
Guests Margaret Dill, Mary Kate Ward, and Carol Krenzke
Absent: George Geiby
I. Call to Order
Dale Pillow called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
II. Consent Agenda
Decision point Crystal Carbone made a motion and Tammy McLain seconded the motion to remove
B. Treasurer's Report, C Library System Director's report, and E Brazoria County Library System
board representative report from the Consent Agenda. The motion carried.
III. Matters Removed from the Consent Agenda
B Treasurer Geoff Tonini reported that there is $5,796.03 in the account and proposed to roll it over
for the next three months.
C. David Thrash reported that Stephanie Williamson will start next week as the children's
coordinator. They had a few candidates for the children's director. They've had a few candidates
but they will be reposting the position. The qualifications include Master's in Library Science and
experience. They are looking for someone who likes kids and children services. They are also going
to repost the library director position.
The September date for construction is on track with an update to the library board at the July
meeting.
The bandwidth increase is slow but is happening with two vendors already in place. Westside is
using hotspots. They are working fine. There is a problem with Wi-Fi when too many are connected
at once.
Adult Ed -Distance Learning. Adults are trying to access afterhours. There was a brief discussion
about open areas in the parking lot, providing more hotspots. The libraries are looking at hotspot
Wi-Fi to patrons, but there is an ongoing cost.
E. Roshanda reported that the author s dinner did not pan out for this year because the fairgrounds
were unavailable. The next author's dinner will be March 23, 2017 Tom Abrahams is being
considered as the speaker. The foundation donated $600 for a bicycle gift for the summer reading
program. The foundation would like to create more visibility throughout the county. There are
things they believe they can do to support all of the libraries There was a brief discussion of the
location of the author's dinner. Other suggestions included the Nolan Ryan Center at Alvin
Community College and the KC Hall in Pearland. David shared the results of the focus groups with
Roshanda.
Action item: Roshanda will share the results with the library board.
Decision point: Crystal made a motion to accept all reports. Geoff seconded the motion. The
motion carried.
IV. New Business
1. Budget Report. The board reviewed the proposed budget. The budget for purchasing books is
unchanged. Per Mary Kate, fuel prices for utilities increased. The current budget is being spent
down.
2. By-laws. A subcommittee comprised of members of the board reviewed the by-laws from the
Public Library Advisory Board Handbook and used them to revise the Pearland Library Board By -
Laws.
Recommendations for additional revisions:
• Change wording from "at least quarterly" to "at least three (3) times per year...." (Article III,
Section 1).
Action item: Dale will pose a question to Darrin Coker re: virtual meetings (Article III, Section 4).
• The committee recommended keeping this article and revising section 1 to read "The Library
Board is not authorized to accept funds" (Article VI, Section 1).
• Add "with regard to Pearland libraries" Article VI (b). ,2 t*,
Action item: Dale will make revisions and send the by-laws to the citysecretaryd
Y
Discussion:
There was a discussion re: role of library board in comparison to parks and recreation board.
The parks and recreation board receives input from citizens re: the parks and policies, but not
budget. Awareness of items that come before city council and commissioner's court should go
out to the board —that is, improved communication. There was a discussion about an annual
meeting among Pearland, Alvin, Freeport, Lake Jackson, and the Brazoria County library boards
to cross pollinate ideas.
Decision point: Crystal made a motion to accept the by-laws as revised, and Geoff seconded the
motion. The motion carried.
3. Pearland Renovation Project Update. Per Mary Kate, the door is not in the plans, but it is
possible to change the speed of the door. Andrew said that the staff will discuss it. The board
asked that they look at a door that will have to be opened manually, but is ADA compliant. The
board will receive at update on the renovation project at the July meeting.
4. Friends Reports. There was no Westside Friends Library report, but Carol extended her thanks
to the board for allowing her to attend the meetings. Margaret reported that the Pearland
Friends group considered adding a basic statement in the brochure, putting it online, and
developing a bookmark with information. There was a discussion about placing information on
the Pearland Library page. Andrew reported that there is a link on the library page, from which
the application can be downloaded. Carol recommend using PayPal link, like the one on the
Westside Friends' page. She said the Westside Friends' page is in need of updates. Westside is
printer more brochures and include them in the welcome package with new library cards.
Suggestion: have a meeting between the Friends groups.
V. Board Issues for Future Library Board Agendas
• The use of funds if and when they are available
• Hotspots
• Items for the library
• Even split of funds between the Friends organizations
VI. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.