1993-06-15 PEARLAND LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTESt, �Z e
Pearland Library Board
Minutes of Meeting, June 15, 1993
7:30 P.M.
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The meeting was called to order by Rosalie Olah. Other members present were: Steve Brown,
Bettye Alexander, Joy Colson, Bill Todd, Dave Beckman, Penny Woodward, Vicki Prebilsky,
Nancy Sallee, and Dede Williams. The minutes from the September 22, 1992 meeting were read
and corrected as follows: the amount the city can finance toward the new library project should
read $2,000.00.
New members Penny Woodward and Bill Todd were welcomed. Rosalie remains as the chairman
of the board and Vicki Prebilsky was appointed as secretary to replace Judy Demecs, who rotated
off the board.
The Treasurer, Nancy Sallee, reported a beginning balance of $316.73; expenditures of $38.00 for
dues; and a balance of $278.73.
Dede passed out a copy of the Library Code to each member along with the May report. A total
of 1420 kids have already signed up for the summer reading club and have checked out 18,000
books so far. The Junior Volunteer Program, organized by Sherry Reed, has 20 volunteers, aged
11-14, handling the summer reading table. There is also a student -helper from the school
work -experience program.
An update on the building program was presented. The City Council authorized expenditures to
hire a library consultant. Len Radoff was hired and he has presented a two -option report to Dede.
Copies were distributed to the board. City Manager Paul Grohman gave the go-ahead to draw up
plans for library expansion by Mr. Miller. Joy Colson reported that the City Council did not show
much enthusiasm for the library expansion. Other issues are taking precedence (roads, sewage
system, annexation, etc.) They did, however, show interest in a new facility on the west side of
Pearland. The council will need to authorize the plan from Mr. Miller. The Library board will
send a letter to the Council along with the evaluation from Mr. Radoff. It might be a good idea
for the patrons of the Library to lobby the city council to raise interest.
Dede asked for capital outlay in her budget to purchase additional shelving. Since expenses are
low she expects this to be available.
Steve reported on our book usage and replacement. Despite much higher usage we still purchase
the same amount of books per year that we did seven to eight years ago (about 25,000 per year).
Around 800-900 per month are discarded because they are worn out, and we don't replace as
many as we need. Our turnover rate is very high compared to state figures. He is asking for
budget increases.
In April, Commissioner's Court funded us for automation. Since we loan 1.2 million books per
year on paper, automation will greatly reduce staff time spent on paperwork. It will take some
time to locate and install the system. Bids will be taken in late fall and hopefully installation will
begin next spring. Each book will have to be bar-coded with the author, title and library branch.
The new library expansion will include an area for automation.
Steve and Dede gave an overview of the support of the city and county. The city provides the
facility and utilities and pays for the McNaughton Plan, which is a book leasing program for new
books and best sellers. The county pays for the staff and other books and materials. Books are
also borrowed from many sources including universities and other libraries.
Nancy complimented the staff on their friendliness. She reported that a new volunteer "shopped
around" local libraries and chose ours to work in because of our staIP
A discussion was held on overdue and lost books. We have a deliberate maximum fine of $1.00
because we don't want it to be easier to just keep the book. We send three notices. Itis not
really a crime to borrow a book and not return it since the county does not have a code against it.
It could possibly be considered a theft of service and thus a civil suit could be filed.
Friendswood is expanding their library and Houston is building a new branch on Beamer at
Scarsdale. We are negotiating to have a reciprocal lending agreement with both of them.
Bettye made a motion to put petitions in the Library for citizens to sign for library expansion.
Penny seconded the motion and it passed. It was noted that the expansion will not raise taxes
because it should be covered in the existing bonds. We especially need to expand the children's
section. It was also decided to have fact sheets available for the public and to put an article in the
local newspaper.
Steve suggested that we take the reports and our recommendations to the city council, ask to be
on the agenda, and answer any questions they might have.
Respectfully submitted,
-U
Vicki Prebilsky, SecretAry Rosalie Olah, Chairman