Brownsville Public Library System Advisory Board

Brownsville Public Library Board Meeting Minutes November 9, 2020 Present: Juan J. Guerra Merrill Hammons Rose Marie Lehmann Shannon Pensa Roberto M. Rosas Juliana A. Sosa Mary Trevino Leonel Rodriguez Brenda Trevino Nurith Golonsky, City Commissioner Elizabeth Walker, Assistant City Manager Marina Zolezzi, Assistant to the City Manager 1. The Brownsville Public Library Board meeting was called to order at the Southmost Branch Library by Mr. Merrill Hammons at 5:30 pm. 2. The July 27, 2020 Brownsville Public Library Board Meeting Minutes were approved. 3. There were no public comments. 4. Library Services during COVID-19 – Ms. Brenda Trevino, Southmost Branch Library Manager gave a report on the library activities. Curbside & digital services were provided which included café-to-go, wireless check out of print materials, digital library cards, access to digital resources, distribution center for masks and plastic face shields, make and take crafts, Trick or Treat gift bags for Halloween, virtual programs such as Instagram story time, instructional and tutorial videos and virtual assistance including Check Out a Librarian, a one on one interaction with patrons to assist them. 5. Discussion and Action on the Library System Analysis Report – Mr. Guerra passed out copies of an analysis report that was done to compare the Brownsville Library System in three areas. a) The Brownsville Library System in comparison to similar size systems. b) The Southmost Branch Library in comparison to similar size libraries. c) The Southmost Branch Library in comparison to Cameron County libraries including the Central Branch Library. The comparisons were based on the 2018 statistics which were the most recent available. Mr. Guerra suggested that the report be studied for approval at the next meeting. The item was tabled. 6. Discussion and Action on Southmost Layout and Décor – Mr. Leonel Rodriguez, Librarian, gave a power point presentation on the changes that had been made to the Southmost Branch Library. Among the items covered were the Friends of the Library Bookstore, the ceiling and light fixtures modifications, the Readers Mark Café, the circulation area, multi-purpose room, internet resources room, the North wall- Children’s Department, the South Wall-audio/video, DVD collection, the West wall and the Entry Way. The collection was rearranged to better serve the public. Mr. Guerra suggested a grand opening at an appropriate time in the future. No action was taken. 7. Discussion and Action on establishment of Community Task Force - Mr. Guerra suggested the establishment of the task force to advise the library staff regarding the library system. The task force could include members of the community such as teachers, parents, students, Library Board Members & city commissioners. He asked for suggestions for the next Library Board meeting. 8. Discussion of the reorganization of the Library Department – Mr. Guerra reviewed the changes that had taken place with the dissolution of the Public Information Services and the retirement of Mr. Jerry Hedgecock. Computer Services, the Brownsville TV channel, Digital and Graphic Production were assigned to other departments. Mr. Guerra was assigned as Library Director of the Central and Southmost Branch Libraries. 9. Other Business – Mrs. Mary Trevino inquired about the request she had made to place benches outside the Central Branch Library. Due to the COVID-19 closure of the library, no action has taken place. 10. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:08 pm. A tour of the Southmost Branch Library took place after adjournment.