Item 4DLibrary Board Report
Wednesday, July 28, 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 July meeting on July 28, 2004. 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 Month and indicated the following:
The Summer Reading Club was quite successful for us this year. Mr. McGeath indicated that
his target was anywhere from 800 to 900 members of the Club. We have ended up with
approximately 1025, which is just shy of a 100% increase (536 attendees last year). Children
that become Summer Reading Club members read a certain number of books or hours and
receive prizes and recognition for their accomplishment. We offered many more programs
for the youth this summer, but were disappointed with the turnout — we will work to improve
for next year. Checkouts of materials continue to be very strong with a 50% increase
projected for July over last year for the same period. Traffic is also up in the 30% range. We
will be just shy of a major milestone this year at the end of July and that is 100,000
checkouts. We will be about 3,000 shy, but will have August and September remaining (we
now average close to 10,000 per month). We will clearly shatter that mark which was Mr.
McGeath's target when he came on board last September. Jesse Ephraim the library's Adult
Services Librarian has taught a series of classes on Microsoft FrontPage under the co-
sponsorship of the Library and Economic Development. Jesse will begin teaching classes on
all the Microsoft Office products (Powerpoint, Excel, Outlook, Access, Word, etc...) as the
Library and Human Resources work together to provide training for City Staff. Having
Library staff teach the classes saves the city, since we would no longer have to hire
instructors.
Elizabeth Beamon our Storyteller visited the Board and spoke about how we decide what
materials are used in our Storytimes and what the tricks of the trade are regarding
Storytelling.
FOSL (Friends of the Southlake Library) are donating a 42" flat plasma monitor to the
Library this fall. It will be used for advertising and display and also be used when teaching
computer classes in the Library.
The final tally for Volunteer hours that the Library consumed in June was 680 hours — that
would be about 3 volunteers per hour open on average.
Issues before the Board: Resulting from Angelique York's (the Library Board Chair's)
resignation, since moving to Grapevine, we are electing Chair and Vice Chair for the Library
Board. Lori Burr was added to the Board and this will be her first meeting with us. C.D.
Peebles and Peggy Firestone were renamed to the Board. New and renewed members will
take the oath and sign the code of ethics.
Upcoming Meetings: The Library Boards August meeting will include an update of the
library's 10 year Strategic Plan in which we are accomplishing the goals indicated. We will
have the Orientation for Board Members during the August meeting as well. Nancy Roper
Library Board Report
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
The Southlake Library Board respectfully submits this written report in an effort to maintain
communication flow between the Board and City Council.
will give a presentation regarding the effort that is necessary to order, catalog and process
materials coming to the library.
If you should have any questions please contact Kerry McGeath, Library Administrator at
817.481.8378.