2024-01-24 LB MinutesQCITY OF
SOUTH LAKE
SOUTHLAKE LIBRARY BOARD MEETING: January 24,202
LOCATION: 1400 Main St., Southlake, Texas
Southlake Town Hall
TIME: 6:00 p.m.
SOUTHLAKE LIBRARY BOARD PRESENT: Will Doby, Lori Burr, Natan Ton -That, and
Christina Taggart.
SOUTHLAKE LIBRARY BOARD ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Cynthia Pfledderer, Deputy Director of Library Services
OTHERS PRESENT: None.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Will Doby called the meeting to order at 6:29 p.m.
2. CONSENT
A. APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR SOUTHLAKE LIBRARY
BOARD MEETING HELD October 25, 2023
APPROVED
A motion was made to approve the minutes from the October 25, 2023, Southlake
Library Board meeting.
Motion:
Doby
Second:
Burr
Ayes:
Taggart, and Ton -that
Nays:
None
Abstain:
None
Vote:
4-0
Motion Carried.
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity ♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork
Minutes of the January 24, 2024, Southlake Library Board Meeting
Page 2 of 4
3. DISCUSSION
A. Board By -Laws Update
Cynthia presented to the Board the updated by-laws that were discussed at the
previous Board meeting, and that now includes ordinance update of 1228B. This
includes the removal of language regarding unexcused absences for Board
members for scheduled Board meetings. The language now stipulates two
consecutive absences, but there is no language on what is excused and what is
not. These written by-laws also layout officers and terms of office. Members shall
not serve for more than three consecutive two-year terms unless they've served
as chair of the board. City Council will appoint the Board chair annually, and the
Board will elect a vice -chair by majority vote at the first available meeting after
Council appointment. Board did inquire as to the process of making
amendments. Board was assured that they have power to make amendments to
by-laws but must have them approved by City Council. Motion to approve the by-
laws as written.
Motion:
Burr
Second:
Ton -that
Ayes:
Doby and Taggart
Nays:
None
Abstain:
None
Vote:
4-0
Motion carried.
B. Employee Engagement Survey
City undertakes employee engagement survey every other year to gage the
employee's satisfaction in working for the City. The overall engagement index for
the library from this survey is at 4.65 out of 5, which puts the library in the 981h
percentile of the government industry in Gallup. The survey went over a variety of
categories, but the topic of focus was the commitment to employee training and
developing library staff of all levels as professionals. Staff were also given
opportunities to train together as a team, to `learn to speak the same language'.
This included training in communication styles. On the "How do I grow" category,
the library's rating is at 4.79, which is an increase of .26 points from the last
survey two years ago. Library staff report feeling engaged and heard and are
given opportunity to grow. The library has leaned into using Udemy trainings now
that they are available as part of library databases. All staff are given training
opportunities, including readers advisory, so that all staff are knowledgeable in
how to use our library tools to best assist customers.
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity ♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork
Minutes of the January 24, 2024, Southlake Library Board Meeting
Page 3 of 4
C. Books for Sarah Lacy
Local teen Sarah Lacy tragically passed away in January of 2020 when crossing
Southlake Boulevard. To honor her life, Southlake community member Ann
Buckley reached out to the library to find a way to celebrate Sarah's love for
reading by establishing a collection in her name. This initiative was overseen with
understanding and sensitivity by the Library's Youth Librarian, Stacy Wells. With
the help of Ms. Buckley, Stacy helped to curate an Amazon wish -list for
community members to then purchase books for the Library in Sarah's name.
The family was then able to add specially designed and made name plates in
each book in a private event organized by Ms. Wells. As part of this collection,
Stacy worked with Sarah's family and CISD art teacher, Emily Trammel, on the
creation of a growth chart mural for the children's department. This design has
been approved by the Arts Council and is set to be presented to City Council for
final approval.
4. LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Report presented focused on first quarter comparison from this year to last. Print
circulation is up 2%, which is roughly 1,100 book circulations more than last
year's first quarter. Digital circulation is down 48%. This is tied directly to the loss
of the EBSCO databases, when Texas State Library switched contracts to Gale
Databases. Southlake has been using EBSCO through the Texas State Library
for roughly twenty years, and was typically well used by patrons, with usage
ranging from a few hundred to over 10,000 depending on the month. Customers
do not seem to be interested in the offerings from Gale, which is a service we've
always had, but was not utilized by customers on a regular basis. This is usage
that was lost for the library, but the numbers do not count towards our official
statistics reported to Texas State Library, since the service is used through them.
cloudLibrary usage is down, but Libby up dramatically. City Librarian Pffedderer
is looking to request the addition of a discovery layer to the catalog system for
FY25. The discovery layer system being looked at is Aspen Discovery. The
discovery layer would integrate our e-materials into our catalog and would be a
one stop sign -in portal for customers to see all library material offerings. An
additional option with EBSCO would offer the return of the EBSCO databases
and integration of those databases into the catalog. First year cost would be
about $40,000, and then $20,000 every year after that. Patron computer usage is
up, and study rooms saw an increase of 50%. Adult programming is up 3%, but
youth programming numbers went down. This is due to the late holiday break for
the schools this year, which led to youth programs falling in January rather than
December. Volunteer hours and ILL usage numbers are down. The usage of
Kanopy was questioned by Library Board and whether the cost was worth it for
the price. City Librarian let Board know that the application is relatively
inexpensive, but that we subscribe in order to obtain Kanopy Kids, which has
better usage numbers.
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity ♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork
Minutes of the January 24, 2024, Southlake Library Board Meeting
Page 4 of 4
5. LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHLAKE UPDATE
Lori Burr presented the final numbers for the Winter Funopoly Challenge. A total
of 103 kids participated, with over 1600 books read. About 65 kids won prizes,
with the most popular prize being the Amazon gift cards, and the second most
popular the Librarian of the Day. Feedback regarding the challenge from library
staff is that the kids really enjoyed it.
Children's author James Ponti will visit the Library on July 10th to conduct two
writing workshops for about 25 kids per class. Stacy may do a youth book club
with one of his books as a lead -up to the workshops.
6. NEW BUSINESS
Lori Burr shared with the Board that she spoke with City Council regarding open
positions on the Board. Council felt that the applicants were not suitable and would
not add value to the Board. They do, however, understand the hardship the
vacancies put on the Board, and have no issue with appointing new members in
this calendar year.
PUBLIC FORUM
The public forum opened at 7:08 p.m. asking anyone wishing to speak to come
forward. There being no public comments from public in attendance, the forum
was closed at 7:08 p.m.
8. ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting will be scheduled for March 20, 2024.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10p.m, with Will Doby moved to adjourn.
Will Doby, h it Cyn hia Pfledderer, City Librarian
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity ♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork