2021-02-24 - LIBRARY MINUTES CITY OF
SOUTH LAKE
SOUTHLAKE LIBRARY BOARD MEETING: February 24, 2021
LOCATION: 1400 Main Street, Southlake, Texas
Southlake Town Hall —virtual meeting
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
SOUTHLAKE LIBRARY BOARD PRESENT: Rebecca Petty, Janet Theaker, Lori Burr,
William Doby, Beth Darr, Tracy Eaton
SOUTHLAKE LIBRARY BOARD ABSENT: Katherine Bennett
STAFF PRESENT: Cynthia Pfledderer, Deputy Director of Library Services
OTHERS PRESENT: None
1. CALL TO ORDER — Chair Lori Burr at 6:35 p.m.
2. CONSENT
A. APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR SOUTHLAKE LIBRARY
BOARD MEETING HELD January 27, 2021
APPROVED
A motion was made to approve the minutes, as amended with corrections, from the
January 27, 2021 Southlake Library Board meeting.
Motion: Doby
Second: Theaker
Ayes: Bennett, Burr, Theaker, Petty
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Vote: 4-0
Motion Carried.
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork
Minutes of the February 24, 2021 Southlake Library Board Meeting
Page 2 of 4
3. REPORTS
A. LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Cynthia Pfledderer reported the Library for January is staying steady at 12% decline in
print collection to what the Library had seen the previous year. March will be the first-
time mark to compare Covid-19 to Covid-19 affected year. The cold weather does not
encourage people to get out and January is typically slower. Statistics: digital collection
is up 19%. Digital resources are what patrons are turning to as an alternative to coming
in-person. eBooks and eAudio is up 53%, Bookflix down 43% but it is largely affected by
school usage. Flipster is down 17%. BrainFuse picked up from 172 to 299 users. School
principals were reached out to about the BrainFuse service, but none have replied to our
messages. Total circulation for the year is down 3%. Library cards being issued is down
24% for the year. Traffic has held steady at 48% down since Covid-19 started. Digital
traffic is up increasing 71% for the year. No questions. Computer usage: The Library will
receive all new computers on 2.25.2021. Computer usage is down for the year, but half
of computers are unavailable for social distancing spacing perimeters. Computer use has
been picking up though. Large meeting room is still unavailable for public use, but the
two small study rooms are available. Adult programming for January was Soup Month
with kits and take-home recipe cards, we had 235 engagements with the community.
Youth kits had 154 sent out. Story time engagements were a little under 100. The Library
has seen a decline with online story time engagement. When weather is better, the
Library will have opportunity for more outdoor options. Online story time will never be a
replacement for in-person story time. Chair Burr asked if story time count was over 4-
week time period and Cynthia confirmed it was, making count approximately 25/week.
Historically, 75-100 for in-person story time was normal. Cynthia shared that the Library
did approach the City leadership regarding offering socially distanced in-person learning
programs on the third floor for Spring Break and that was declined. The Library will have
outdoor learning events that were allowed by the City. The Library is hoping that Summer
Reading programs will be allowed to be held in-person, but there is a backup plan for
virtual. Volunteer hours are down 1%. Proctor exams are up 67%, but it is a declining
service as schools move away from it. Interlibrary loans are down 48%. Notarizing
documents is 26% down, but there is continuing demand for that service. There is a lot
of interest to bring back the coffee service, but for now it is not possible although there is
a desire to return to that courtesy.
4. DISCUSSION
A. ADULT PROGRAMMING
Question was raised whether the survey on programming has gone out to the public yet.
Cynthia replied that it will go out in March, but first she wanted to confer with the Board
regarding the survey. Survey will be sent out uniquely by itself instead of in the weekly
eblast. When looking at adult programming, the Library does not have just one individual
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity♦ Innovation • Accountability• Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork
Minutes of the February 24, 2021 Southlake Library Board Meeting
Page 3 of 4
assigned to it. In the past, programming was traditional in-person. Some classes that
were offered were art, cooking, film nights, health seminars with cooking classes being
the most popular. The film nights do well also. Adult programming is not something that
the Library spends as much time or money on in comparison with Youth programming
because adults in our community lead very busy lives. Adults in Southlake do not have
as much free time to explore interests. Programs we offer need to be carefully chosen.
About $5000 is allocated for adult programming. Community Services provides the
Library with additional funding. Some of the most popular programs have been events
that appeal to entire family. Digitally has been easier for adults to engage in on their own
time. There is a benefit to connecting to the community that way. Take home kits are
available when patrons come into the Library and they are on average $3-5/ kit. They are
more expensive than in-person programs. Cynthia proposed question to the Board what
their interests are and what they are looking for when it comes to programming for adults.
W. Doby mentioned resume help and career help for people in career transitions that his
church offers and that he thought it was good ongoing programming. Doby said learning
how to use Linked In was successful for him and that he thinks there is a demand for that
kind of programming. Doby said interview skills/workshops/mock interviews would be
helpful. Lori Burr said what to do with 401K would be a suggestion, as well as: technology
help, health, art. Cynthia shared only 28 people tuned in to view White Men in Black
Coats. Doby asked if the Library has ever offered a film school opportunity in which film
is viewed and there is a speaker to discuss it. Cynthia said the Library has when it offered
the Dior film with a speaker and that it is a very successful idea. Janet Theaker mentioned
her experience with that a film/speaker program and expressed high interest in that type
of program. Tracy Eaton suggested perhaps the Library offer a hybrid online and in-
person format with programming. Will Doby concurred that online classes are ideal for
busy adults. Beth Darr said living trust assistance and college planning both appeal to
her. Cynthia said it is difficult to find a speaker who is not trying to sell their services and
it is very expensive to have an expert come in. Beth Darr shared Dallas has an estate
planning council that might be helpful. Janet suggested classes about healthcare plans
to take the confusion out of how to choose a Medicare plan. Cynthia invited Board to
share programming ideas anytime they have one. Ancestry was mentioned as an idea
and Cynthia is going to research costs to use website. Book/ Reading podcast idea was
discussed if Library can get permissions.
B. NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAMS
Discussion was presented about Mayor's Alliance on Unity & Culture and how the Library
can support that program. The goal is for Arts, Sister Cities and History will continue
current partnership with the Library and that the Library will bring more culture to the City.
A quarterly reading list will promote diversity and culture and fresh voices. Celebrate
Southlake will have 4 selections this year. Social Media partnerships are a priority as well
with ideas like diversity story times. The Community Engagement Plan is a volunteer
group that the Mayor's Alliance and Library will be working with. It is in the early stages
of creation and planning.
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork
Minutes of the February 24, 2021 South lake Library Board Meeting
Page 4 of 4
5. NEW BUSINESS
Chair Burr asked it there was any new business to discuss, but no one came forth.
6. PUBLIC FORUM
Chair Burr opened public forum at 7:22 pm to ask anyone wishing to speak to come
forward. There being no public present, the forum was closed at 7:23 pm
7. ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting will be scheduled February 24, 2021. The meeting was adjourned.
Motion: Darr
Second: Eaton
Ayes: Petty, Theaker, Burr, Doby, Darr, Eaton
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Vote:
Motion Carried.
Attest:
B'�C-' q� • 111P-IiieCgUts2/1
Lori Burr, Chair Cynthia Pfledderer, City Librarian
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork