Brownsville Public Library System Advisory Board
Regular MeetingBrownsville, TX · May 9, 2022
Minutes
Brownsville Public Library
System Advisory Board
Monday May 9, 2022 Minutes Hybrid
Present
Board: Rubi Gonzalez, Alma Knopp, George E. Olivo, Cynthia Lizardi-Burtlette, Rachel
Ayala, Chris Pineda.
Guests: Brenda Trevino, Josephine Balboa, Maribel De Leon, Cassandra Mendez, Lisa
Rodriguez, Courtney Taylor, Bertha Gomez, Lazaro Castro, Katie Hernandez
1) Call Meeting to Order – Meeting was called to order at 5:32pm.
2) Discussion and Action of Approval of Minutes – Mr. Olivo motioned for approval.
Mrs. Knopp seconded. All voted aye, and minutes are approved.
3) Citizen Comment – No Comments
4) Parks & Recreation Presentation By: Laura Halbrook – Ms. Halbrook was unable to
attend the meeting due to a conflicting meeting.
5) Member Appointments for Vacant Position – Ms. De Leon informed the board that the
library will be going before commission on June 7th to have the vacant position filled. She
notified the board regarding deadlines for applications and document submissions.
6) Library Marquee – Ms. Trevino informed the board that the marquee at the Southmost
Branch Library has finally been erected but we are waiting on PUB to get the power to go
the new marquee. Ms. Ayala asked if she knew how long that was going to take. Ms.
Trevino answered that PUB has stated that it may take a few weeks since they have a large
workload and are doing workorders in order of oldest to newest.
7) Library Report –
a. Youth Services
i. Día de Los Niño’s – Mrs. Katie Hernandez stated that library had local
author Gina Hesterberg go to both the Main and Southmost libraries and
do a reading of her book, “Music, Music, You Can Too!” The kids who
joined the event got to play some great games involving music.
ii. Muffins with Mom – In celebration of Mother’s Day the library hosted
“Muffins with Mom” on May 4th. This allowed kids to come in for story
time, do some crafts, have a photo opportunity with a decorated
background, and of course have muffins with their moms. The Southmost
branch will hold a similar event on Tuesday the 17th.
iii. Comic Book Day – The library had a visit from Spiderman, and kids were
able to take pictures with him. They were also given comic books and
craft to do. Children and adults were able to participate in a trivia game
and cosplay contest to win some prizes.
b. Adult Services
i. Mother’s Day Program – Ms. Betha Gomez stated that the library invited
moms to come to the library to do a craft with their kid(s) and to receive a
gift from us to them. The gift bags included some hand lotion, a candle,
and sweets. About 17 adults and 10 children attended the event at the
Main Branch, and 30 adults and 22 children at the Southmost Branch.
c. MakerSpace Services
i. Renovation – Mr. Lazaro Castro began explaining that 3D printing
continues to rise in number of requests. Renovations at the Southmost
Branch Library have begun. Windows have been added so the public can
view into the room.
ii. Open Position – The search for a new MakerSpace Advisor is still on
going. Since Mr. Castro is the only Advisor currently, he rotates his time
between libraries to assist with all requests.
iii. Grants – Mr. Castro is working closely with Ms. Taylor, Library Services
Coordinator on a technology grant that will allow the library to further
their MakerSpace program if awarded. The application for this grant has
been submitted.
d. Outreach
i. Disability Book Week – Ms. Courtney Taylor explained how the library
participated in its first Disability Book Week, where they had a story time
to include ASL and sensory inclusion crafts at both branches. The book
read was “What Happened to You” by James Catchpole and had a turnout
of 54 participants.
ii. Career Expo – This outreach was in Harlingen, and we were able to reach
out to over 800 students regarding library services.
iii. Día De Los Niño’s – The Library joined ROCA at Market Square for Día
de Los Niños. They were able to share information about library services
with the community and hand out some cute giveaways.
iv. Harmony Science Academy – Ms. Kayla Trevino and Mrs. Katie
Hernandez joined Harmony on April 19th to do story time at their school,
celebrating Drop Everything and Read (DEAR). They were presented with
participation certificates.
8) Adjournment – Ms. Knopp made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Ayala
seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 6:27 pm.
Agenda
STATE OF TEXAS§
COUNTY OF CAMERON§
CITY OF BROWNSVILLE§
6
NOTICE OF A REGUALR MEETING
OF THE BROWNSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM ADVISORY BOARD
Purpose: To work hand in hand with library staff by setting goals, objectives, suggesting programing and services
for the Brownsville Public Library System with the community in mind.
May 09, 2022 5:30 PM Hybrid
Pursuant to Chapter 551, Title 5 of the Texas Government Code, the Texas Open Meetings Act, NOTICE IS
HEREBY GIVEN that a meeting of the Advisory Board of the Brownsville Public Library System will
conduct a Regular Meeting on Monday May 09, 2022, at 5:30p.m., at the Main Branch Library located at
2600 Central Blvd. Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas, 78520 and virtually, in accordance with Article III,
Section 1, Ordinance 91-1245 of the City of Brownsville.
Meeting will be a hybrid meeting and members of the public wishing to participate virtually in the
meeting can do so by logging on at:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4788285934?pwd=Q0hVVVlkamc1OFpkZEtLUEx2ZjB6UT09
Meeting Number: 478 828 5934
Password: library
Or
Join by phone
1-346-248-7799 (Houston)
Meeting ID: 478 828 5934
Passcode: 6725223
Pursuant to Section 551.127, Texas Government Code, one or more Commissioners or employees may attend
this meeting remotely using videoconferencing technology. The video and audio feed of the videoconferencing
equipment can be viewed and heard by the public at the address posted above as the location of the meeting.
A recording of the meeting will be made and will be available to the public in accordance with the Open
Meetings Act.
1.) Call Meeting to Order
2.) Discussion and Action of Approval of Minutes
3.) Citizen Comment: Please note the public comment period is designated for hearing concerns
regarding Brownsville Public Library System business. There is a three (3) minute time limit per
speaker. No formal action can be taken. For the record, the speaker must identify by name before
B.P.L.S.A.B | Agenda 05/09/2022
speaking. Please sign up for public comment with Maribel De Leon at
Maribel.DeLeon@brownsvilletx.gov before 12:00 PM Monday, May 9, 2022.
4.) Parks & Recreation Presentation By: Laura Halbrook
5.) Member Appointments for Vacant Position
6.) Library Marque
7.) Library Report
a. Youth Services
i. Día De Los Niño’s
ii. Comic Book Day
b. Adult Services
i. Mother’s Day Program
c. MakerSpace Services
i. Renovation
ii. Open Position
iii. Grants
d. Outreach
i. Disability Book Week
ii. Career Expo
iii. Día De Los Niño’s
iv. Harmony Science Academy
8.) Adjournment
NOTE: The City of Brownsville does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission of, access
to, treatment of, or employment in its programs, activities, or public meetings. Any individuals with a
disability in need of an accommodation are encouraged to contact the Organizational Development &
Human Resources Department at 956-548-6037 (Voice of Relay TX) by Monday, May 9, 2022, no later
than 10:00 a.m. to make proper arrangements.
By: Rubi Gonzalez
Board Chairperson
I certify that a copy of the May 9, 2022, Agenda of items to be considered by the Brownsville Public
Library System Advisory Board was posted on the Bulletin Area at City Hall-Federal Building on May 6,
2022.
Laure Morgan
City Secretary
B.P.L.S.A.B | Agenda 05/09/2022
Get email alerts for Brownsville
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.