Library Advisory Board Meetings

Library Advisory Board Meeting Tuesday, October 13, 2020 Boyce Ditto Public Library 2300 SE MLK Jr. Street Mineral Wells, TX 76067 Attending: Chairman Christiana Rodriguez-Lazo, Coralee Beasley, Jeri Calcote, Mary Alyce Buckner (BDPLFOL), Rachel Lively, Marilyn Rhodes, new board members Sherri Lee, Kendra Fowler and Brian Nierman; and Library Manager Louanne Noel-Post. Ms. Rodriguez-Lazo called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm. Minutes from the February meeting were unanimously approved. Board members introduced themselves. New board members are Sherri Lee, who is retired from the City of MW; Kendra Fowler, principal of Lamar Elementary; and Brian Nierman, pastor of First Christian Church who also drives a school bus for the district. Ms. Noel-Post explained the new light blue/dark blue upholstery on the chairs reflect the base color scheme the library is using for updates. She outlined plans for reconfiguration of several areas of the library that they have been working on during the quarantine. Recent grants will provide for a large computer and screen for video editing and books supporting careers and new businesses, as well as others on sustainability, self-survival skills, travel, and ESL and literacy materials. A new Young Adult area will feature youth-oriented furniture and a mural. The children’s area will have two computers for educational gaming and a STEAM area. The Boyce Ditto Library trust has been liquidated and the funds will soon be transferred to the library. Judy Caldwell has worked for several years to finalize this and Ms. Noel suggested honoring her in some way for her efforts. The board discussed possible ways to do this. The matter will be added to next month’s agenda for further discussion. Ms. Noel-Post discussed the library’s budget and staffing woes and said she expects both to be below capacity for at least two years. They have cut the library’s hours to 32 per week. She said it is very important for board members to think about what needs the library meets for them and to communicate that to the community. She wants examples to show the library is an essential service rather than just a quality of life asset. She’d like board members to give her that feedback each month. Board members expressed that raising the literacy and education level of citizens in the city is an important mission of the library. Ms. Noel-Post provided new board members with a copy of Start with Why leadership book and everyone with a copy of Ranganathan’s Relevant Rules, a column about libraries’ five laws of library science and how they help libraries stay relevant. She asked board members to take it home and read it. The board also has a copy of the current library manager’s report and the library’s Profile of Service, a report prepared by staff that lists the library’s services, collection highlights, statistics and staff so they can present this information to the community. Ms. Noel-Post said she feels the library is offering more services than other libraries while trying to balance health issues during the Covid-19 crisis. They offer patrons options, both curbside and inside, with good customer service, she said. During her Friends of the Library report, Ms. Buckner said they have not had a meeting since the quarantine started, but they hope to have one in December. Their number of members has dwindled and they need to recruit more. When people have called the library to donate books, her husband has collected them for the group’s next used book sale. They also have shelves in the foyer full of books people can have for a donation, which has been a very successful fundraiser. She also explained the group’s purpose and activities for new members. Meeting adjourned at 8:26 pm.