Minutes 06-22-11
CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH
Boynton Beach City Library
Library Advisory Board Minutes
Jun 22, 2011
The Library Advisory Board meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chair Jeannie Taylor. All board
members were present except for Laurie Sulzer and Barbara McGee. The minutes of the May 25, 2011
meeting were approved as corrected. The correction was to the next meeting date, which should have read
June 22, 2011.
Correspondence:
Barbara McGee called to say she would be absent due to illness.
Chair’s Report:
Jeannie reported she will be traveling to New Orleans for the American Library Association
conference and would report back at the next meeting. Library Director, Craig Clark and Assistant Director,
Anne Watts are also attending the conference. A tour of libraries damaged by flooding is planned.
Unfinished Business:
Anne reported on the Summer Reading Program. There has been extraordinary
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attendance at the programs. There are 645 children registered in the 7 grade and under group. Ninety two
high school aged (including those from program partner Boynton Beach High School) are enrolled. The most
active high school participants are those who also volunteer at the library. Regular book discussions are
being held for the older kids.
Craig reported that the City Attorney kicked back the proposed agreement with the Unique Management
Collection Agency for a wording change. The revised agreement will be submitted to City Commission on
nd
July 2 for final approval. Craig also reported that the new Nook lending program was operational. Three
Nooks are circulating with twelve people on the waiting list. The library hopes to receive a grant to buy
additional Nooks and titles to better service the large print reader population.
New Business:
Craig discussed the Read Together Palm Beach County program which is intended to
increase literacy in Palm Beach County. Five titles will be announced before Christmas for residents to vote
on. The most popular title will be announced in March.
Craig proposed a change to lending rules that would apply to patrons living in temporary shelters (ex.: The
Lord’s Place). Due to recent and ongoing issues with borrowed items not being returned, the proposed rule
would limit those patrons to two items at a time. After an objection by Valerie Pleasanton, citing
discriminatory lending practices, a discussion by the board led to the suggestion that Craig ask for a review
by the City Attorney of the proposed rules. Valerie emphasized that library resources are a critical necessity
for families living in the shelters and denying access to all residents based on infractions by some, could
jeopardize their financial recovery.
Craig also discussed participation in the Sunshine Library Card program which is a reciprocal agreement
among county, municipal and college libraries in Palm Beach County to allow reciprocal borrowing.
Library Director’s Report:
Craig distributed the Monthly Statistics Report for May. He noted that the 12%
decline in circulation for audiovisual materials was most likely due to a smaller circulation set as many
rented DVDs were returned to Baker & Taylor. He also announced dates of the city budget hearings and
encouraged board members to attend. If approved without changes, the cuts to the library budget may
require cuts to hours of operation and staff layoffs.
The next Library Board meeting is July 27, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Valerie Pleasanton, Secretary