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WILLIAM T. COZBY PUBLIC LIBRARY
LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES
September 13, 2007
The William T. Cozby Public Library Advisory Board met in regular session on Thursday,
September 13, 2007 in the administrative board room at the William T. Cozby Public Library.
1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Tom Trahan at 7:35 p.m. Other
board members present were Meme Collins- Tabuena, Marcia Raines, Linda McCrary, Nancy
Tao and Morgan Griffin. Staff in attendance were Library Director, Kathy Edwards, Assistant
Library Director, Connie Moss, Access Services Librarian, Jane Darling and Sr. Administrative
Technician, Janet Lance.
2. APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES DATED August 9, 2007: Motion passed by
acclamation.
3. CITIZENS' APPEARANCES: None
4. LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
. Workload indicators: Circulation increased 9% and gate count increased 3%.
Internet use is up 9% including WiFi. Book circulation increased 13% and juvenile
circulation increased by 16%.
. Comments/Suggestions: Suggestions relating to the acquisition of new books,
movies and periodicals were given to Public Services staff for evaluation and follow-
up. This month received comments on increasing library hours, children in adult
area, increasing the times of online homework help, purchasing books in an series and
canvas tote bags for books. Staff responded to all comments and suggestions with
contact information. Discussion ensued on two suggestions.
08/16/07 - "There is a reason for a kids' area, for the kids. There is always a lot of kids in
the adult area playing, making noises, and just being rude. They need to be in kids' area".
Staff s reply to the suggestor: Thank you for taking the time to complete a "Compliments and
Suggestions Survey" at the library. We value citizens' input and incorporate their
suggestions where possible. You expressed concern regarding the library's noise level and
the presence of children in the" Adult Area".
Your suggestion was placed in the box on August 16 which falls within our busiest 1 0 weeks
of the year. Last year the Library hosted 276,365 citizen visits. The sheer number oflibrary
users, particularly children, during the summer reading program generates noise. In June and
July, we hosted 63,491 visitors, many of whom were young children.
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We also recognize that the library's barrel ceiling design amplifies and conducts sound.
There is no simple solution to that problem as we discovered during the Long Range
Planning Process in 2003. As a part of that process, the city hired an acoustical firm to make
recommendations, most of which were implemented but there is no simple way to totally
stop noise conduction. Unfortunately, there is no acoustical separation between the young
children's area and the rest of the library. The Young Adult section shares space with the
Fiction area and the computers in the center of the library are for all users.
The 2003 Long Range Plan recommended that the library be expanded to 40,000 to 50,000
square feet on a larger site with separate adult and children's areas. This recommendation was
not funded. The City has recently initiated the Coppe1l2030 long-range planning process to
look at future city facilities and services. We have clearly heard from our users that they
want additional space where the library can accommodate separate service areas for adults
and children. Should the City in the future decide to fund a new library on a larger lot, we
will definitely plan for separation between adults and children.
In the meantime, we recommend that if you need a quiet space, the Quiet Reading Room
provides users a quiet and pleasant area to read and study. Thanks again for taking the time
to complete the "Compliments and Suggestions Survey".
08/16/07 - "My suggestion is to increase the times of the online homework help to 11 :OOpm
instead of IO:OOpm. Students are not usually finished with homework by IO:OOpm,
especially high schoolers."
Unfortunately, coverage time for Live Homework Help will decrease December 1, 2007.
Currently, the State is supplementing a portion of this service but will not continue after
November 30th. Compound that with a significant increase in pricing and we are faced with a
double dilemma. Staff are negotiating with the vendor on a price for next year but in any
case, fewer hours will be offered in spite of the City increasing its contribution.
5. UPDATE ON NON-RESIDENCY CARDS: Jane Darling updated the board on the
process of implementing the non-resident cards. Jane passed out bookmarks with information on
the New Library Card Policies that is currently available to all library users both in the library
and on the library's web-pages & catalog. At the city council meeting on September 11, 2007
the city council approved a $40 fee for residents of non reciprocal & non comparable libraries.
6. LIBRARY BOARD CHAIR REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL: Doug Johnson
presented the board report to the city council on August 28, 2007. The report can be viewed by
going to the city's web site, www.ci.coppel1.tx.us.clickoninteractiveservices.click on video
room, click on August 28,2007.
7. LONE STAR LIBRARIES INPUT: Received notification that the library will receive
a grant of $16,372. Staff is looking at expanding the physical area assigned to the Young Adult
section which may include additional furnishings. Funds may also be used for adding books on
CD and large print books. This item will be on the October 2007 agenda for further input.
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8. INPUT FROM "RETIRING" BOARD MEMBERS/BOARD & COMMISSION
RECEPTION: Outgoing board members, Morgan Griffin and Linda McCrary shared their
experience and appreciation on being part of the library advisory board. The Board &
Commissions Reception for board members will be on Tuesday, September 25,2007.
9 ADJOURNMENT: Linda McCrary moved and Marcia Raines seconded to adjourn at
8:20 p.m. Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Lance
Sr. Administrative Technician
Approved as written 10/11/07
C :/minutes/September I3.DOC
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