2021-05-26 - LIBRARY MINUTES 1m' CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
SOUTHLAKE LIBRARY BOARD MEETING: MAY 26, 2021
LOCATION: 1400 Main Street, Southlake, Texas
Southlake Town Hall — Exec. Conf. Room
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
SOUTHLAKE LIBRARY BOARD PRESENT: Rebecca Petty, Janet Theaker, Lori Burr,
William Doby, Katherine Bennett
SOUTHLAKE LIBRARY BOARD ABSENT: Tracy Eaton, Beth Darr
STAFF PRESENT: Jennifer Tucker
OTHERS PRESENT: none
1. CALL TO ORDER — Chair Lori Burr at 6:36 p.m.
2. CONSENT
A. APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR SOUTHLAKE LIBRARY
BOARD MEETING HELD APRIL 28, 2021
APPROVED
A motion was made to approve the minutes from the April 28, 2021 Southlake Library
Board meeting, as corrected.
Motion: Bennett
Second: Doby
Ayes: Burr, Theaker, Petty, Doby, Bennett
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Vote: 5-0
Motion Carried.
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork
A
Minutes of the May 26, 2021 Southlake Library Board Meeting
Page 2 of 3
3. REPORTS
A. LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Print circulation up from April 2020 compared to April 2021 is for 46%. Circulation is
mostly renewals. Digital circulation is down 50%. Bookflix and World Book usage has
been very high as it is promoted by not just the Library, but also schools. Flipster is
being advertised in weekly eblast and has been doing great. Library traffic is down from
March 2021. There was no Library traffic in April 2020 to compare to April 2021. In-
person programming is back. Study room use is up. Large meeting room is now open.
Doby asked if Library charges late fees and when did we stop. Question was answered
that it has been around two years since late fees were dropped. Library fees were not
effective, nor did they account for a large sum of money. They did not encourage books
patrons to return any sooner.
4. DISCUSSION
The Library's biggest 2022 key initiative is business recovery and service recovery since
Covid-19. Covid-19 had a negative impact that led to a reduction in library traffic. The
library is focused on restoring lost services, active outreach to the community and on
enhancing programs. The Library wants more outdoor, neighborhood and streaming
engagements. The Library partners Southlake Historical Society, Sister Cities, Apex and
MAUC to support their initiatives and cultural awareness. In 2022, the Library will do at
least one joint venture with each of those partners and possibly others. The Library hopes
to offer wellbeing training for the staff like the emotional intelligence training that was
already done. Board asked if City does these programs or is it each department. Question
was answered that the City does, but the Library supplements with unique training for
teambuilding and to strengthen our work culture. Question was asked by Board if curbside
will remain. The question was answered that yes it will, but the service will be evaluated
whether we will continue with two parking spots. Board asked if it is a burden for staff
and the question was answered that it is not. A mix of patrons use the service: old and
young, working, and retired. Virtual programs will continue to be offered as well for both
the ease of convenience for patrons as well as those social distancing. The recent
Deborah Paris Zoom event did very well and had over 30 participants thru Zoom. The
Library is working hard to find programs that appeal and cater to the comfort needs of
patrons. The Library is very excited for the return of in-person programs.
Supplemental budgets requests to the City have been made. Three are for personnel
requests to address the growing needs of the Library and two are reclassification
requests. One is adding a position. A librarian position is being requested to be
reclassified as a Library Manager position to support Cynthia. A second reclassification
is from a Library Clerk II to a Digital Services Coordinator. A quarter-time clerk is being
requested, but that may just be added quarter-time hours instead of a new staff member.
The Library is also asking for a $25,000 increase in materials budget. Compared to
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork
• Minutes of the May 26, 2021 Southlake Library Board Meeting
Page 3 of 3
benchmark cities there is a significant gap. We are asking for a budget increase to help
close that gap. The library purchased 18 new padded chairs last year. The library is
requesting for the remainder of the 20-year-old chairs to be replaced. There was a digital
library budget increase for $1,000 to address the increased cost after the contract
renewed. Staff training budget request has been made as well. Carpet replacement has
been asked since it has had 1.2 million visitors since it was last replaced. The Library is
also asking for budget increase for Polaris to be hosted externally so that Polaris can
coordinate with third party vendors.
Discussion began by Board about creating a Library non-profit fundraiser. The Board
agreed they were interested in looking into establishing one.
5. NEW BUSINESS
Chair Burr asked if anyone had any new business. No new business.
6. PUBLIC FORUM
Chair Burr opened public forum at 7:25 p.m. The forum was closed at 7:26 p.m.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting will be scheduled August 25, 2021. The meeting was adjourned.
Motion: Bennett
Second: Doby
Ayes: Bennett, Petty, Theaker, Burr, Doby
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Vote: 7-0
Motion Carried.
Attest:
Lori Burr, Chair Cy thia Pfleddere , City Librarian
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork