Mansfield Public Library Advisory Board

CITY OF MANSFIELD 104 South Wisteria Mansfield, TX 76063 mansfieldtexas.gov Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, January 9, 2019 6:15 PM Community Room Mansfield Public Library Advisory Board Mansfield Public Library Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 9, 2019 Board 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by President Bobby Quinten at 6:15 p.m. Board Members Present Suzonne Evans, Bobby Quinten, Cindy Kuster, Debra Collins, Cindy Gray, Shelley Daunis, Maggie Martin, and Richard Ajenikoko City and Library Staff Present Deputy City Manager Shelly Lanners, Adult Services Librarian Faria Matin, and Library Administrative Assistant Dorothy McGuinness Citizen Present Paula Highfill Board Member Absent Kelvin Stroy 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER MEETING A spelling error was noted and corrected to read “Stroy” instead of “Story” regarding the spelling of Kelvin’s last name. A motion to accept the November 14, 2018 minutes as corrected was made by Debra Collins. Seconded by Suzonne Evans. The minutes were unanimously approved. 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS Paula Highfill was welcomed by Pres. Quinten. 4. FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY UPDATE The new President is Shelley Daunis. Carol Ann Grantham is the new secretary and Bobby Quinten is the new 2nd Vice President and Chairperson of Mansfield READS! 2019. The book sale will be managed by a new Friends member, Shelle Mondon. The Friends have added a “special acquisitions” category for sets of materials that are being sold. It is located next to the other book sale shelves in the front of the library. The Friends of the Mansfield Public Library will be joining the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce. The READS! 2019 kick-off event for the book Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate will take place on March 14th at the Market Street Tap House. Friends will also be doing a photo contest and offering cash prizes to promote Mansfield READS!. 5. DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES REPORT Adult Services Librarian, Faria Matin reported for Director of Library Services Yolanda Botello who was unable to attend the meeting. The library is currently working on the annual report. A new part-time staff member has been hired. Maribel comes to the library with some previous library experience and is currently enrolled in library school. Patrons are now able to subscribe to various newsletters. These newsletters allow patrons to access the most current information and receive notices regarding program cancellations and closures. CITY OF MANSFIELD Page 1 Mansfield Public Library Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 9, 2019 Board The library is currently working on planning summer reading programs and activities. This year’s theme is “Universe of Stories”. 6. DISCUSSION WITH SHELLY LANNERS Deputy City Manager, Shelly Lanners, spoke to the library board regarding the current conditions that are surrounding the status and the growth of the library. The City of Mansfield has purchased the Mansfield Historical Museum from the Historical Society and is currently in the process of hiring a museum manager. The museum will be a part of the Mansfield Public Library and under the jurisdiction of Director of Library Services, Yolie Botello. Ms. Lanners offered her support for the Mansfield Reads program and complimented the library board, the library staff and the library friends for their hard work and support of the library. Where is the future of the library going? As an update for all Board members, Ms. Lanners provided the following timeline of past initiatives concerning the status and growth of the library: In 2004 a bond referendum to expand the existing facility was passed. In 2008 the recession led to a standstill and former priorities were set aside. Things improved in 2010 and Steve Standefer, former Library Director, commissioned a study to determine how to reconfigure the space with the addition of 4,000 sq. ft. In 2013, the city council looked into another bond election. A survey was conducted and a study conducted to see which facilities to expand. The survey went well but the needs were cost prohibitive so no bond election was held. Instead, the council decided to fund what they could without raising taxes. In 2015 the library board presented a needs assessment to the city council but no action was taken at that time. At present, the library staff has met with Shelly Lanners to review the current needs for the library. Director Yolanda Botello and Deputy City Manager Shelly Lanners will meet with Alan McGee, the original architect for the current library and several other city buildings. They will discuss the cost for either a library expansion or construction of a new library based on 2019 figures. Shelly Lanners pointed out that the city is working on a vast number of projects. The library is still on the city’s “list” of things that are needed but not currently funded, but still a part of the conversation. She said that Yolie has made an excellent argument in favor of expansion or new library construction. The budget process will be starting in a few weeks for the city staff. The city council will get involved at the end of April/May. Shelly Lanners recommends that the library staff and board members have a discussion on what is expected and needed in the library so that we are all talking about the same thing. She also recommends that we find out council’s vision of the library and how we can convey to them the value of additional library space. 7. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS President Bobby Quinton presented a copy of The Library Book as a gift to each of the board members and Shelly Lanners. The next Library Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for February 13, 2019. President Bobby Quinten invited the library staff for a brainstorming session to learn what they envision in a new library. CITY OF MANSFIELD Page 2 Mansfield Public Library Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 9, 2019 Board 8. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 7:41pm by President Quinten. CITY OF MANSFIELD Page 3 Mansfield Public Library Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 9, 2019 Board CERTIFICATION All meetings of the Mansfield Public Library Advisory Board and its committees are open to the public. I certify that this agenda was posted at the main entrance and on the web site of the Mansfield Public Library by 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 4, 2019, in accordance with City policy. __________________________________________ Yolanda Botello, MLS Director of Library Services CITY OF MANSFIELD Page 4