Item 4CLibrary Board Report
Tuesday, January 02, 2004
The Southlake Library Board respectfully submits this written report in an effort to maintain
communication flow between the Board and City Council.
The Southlake Library Board held their meeting on Wednesday, December 3, 2003. Below is a
summary of the issues addressed at the meeting.
Librarians Report — Library Administrator Kerry McGeath reviewed with the Board the
activity of the past two months. Circulation and the Traffic count have been increasing quite
nicely over the period discussed. Circulation had increased in November by close to 30 %,
while traffic increased about 10 %. Mr. McGeath continued by describing the increased web
presence of the Library, including a new Library Blog, and several databases available on the
web. The suggestion was made for the Library Board to be thinking about creating an inter -
local agreement with the Colleyville Public Library, and was met with a positive response.
The Board was also queried as to whether the would mind going to paperless board packets.
Board members all felt that it was a good idea.
Chair and Vice Chair were elected for the Library Board — Former Vice -Chair Angelique
York was named Chair and Jean Ann Hamm was elected Vice Chair.
Library Board votes to recommend revising the Library Computer Use Policy be presented to
City Council — Newly acquired Public Access Computer management software has rendered
the earlier process of controlling access to the computers obsolete. Customers will now only
be able to log onto a computer with a Southlake Public Library Card, and agreement to the
terms we indicate at log -in will be necessary to gain access to the computers. The resultant
process is much more efficient and effective for staff and the customer.
• Library Board votes to recommend revising the Library Internet Policy be presented to City
Council - The Internet Policy was strengthened a bit with verbiage detailing that the Library
is not a full service Internet provider, and that use of the Public Computers can be restricted
if necessary. We do not guarantee access to everything a person may want a computer for.
Library Board votes to recommend revising the Library Loan Lengths Policy regarding the
maximum limit of items allowed per checkout to City Council — Currently customers are
only allowed to check out six items at a time. The original reason for the Policy was related
to the small number of books we had when the Library opened to make sure we had some
materials on the shelf. Since we now have a collection of 38,000 items it is no longer
necessary, and has become a Customer Service issue for staff Staff suggested that the limit
be raised to 18 items per checkout per customer, which the Library Board agreed was a
reasonable number to be recommended for approval.
• Board Member Peggy Firestone indicated to staff and the Library Board money was
available for youth materials and programming — The groups include the Newcomers,
Greater Southlake Women's Society and Southlake Women's club. It was indicated that
requests should be submitted soon. Library staff had letters sent to each group within 3 days
of the meeting
Library Board Report
Tuesday, January 02, 2004
The Southlake Library Board respectfully submits this written report in an effort to maintain
communication flow between the Board and City Council.