Minutes 12-05-12CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH
Boynton Beach City Library
Library Advisory Board Minutes
December 5, 2012
The Library Advisory Board meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by Chair Jeannie Taylor. All
board members were present with the exception of Valerie Pleasanton.
The approval of the minutes of October 24, 2012 meeting was tabled.
Correspondence
None
Chair's Report
Jeannie reminded the Board they have a role as library advocates in the community. We generally
talk about the library's value with elected officials and should also share with other community
organizations. The library is an anchor in the community and has something can give to the
community. Let us know if the library can participate in organizations.
Unfinished Business
Craig distributed the monthly Overdrive eBooks System report for October. There were 273
checkouts of 842 consortium wide. November we had 256 check outs of 929 consortium wide. 39
new patrons signed up for eBook system in October and 25 in November. We are still gaining new
patrons, which is a great sign. Our patrons use the eBook system the most out of all the participating
libraries.
Cheryl Fishman shared a homemade card send from a parent about how the library has inspired her
kids.
The Unique Management collection Services report was also distributed to the board. The collection
service results climbed 1%. Director Clark still believes the system is cost effective.
Staffing Update
There are three open positions. We are starting to interview tomorrow for the Librarian - Archivist
position. There is one part-time Library Aide position and one part-time Library Page position vacant.
The librarian is the most important position to fill and we have some really good candidates. There
were 14 applicants. We may have a decision by December 20 about who to hire. We only
advertised in Florida and locally. There was an article about the position in the Sun Sentinel and in
the Orlando Sentinel. We will be fully staffed once the three new people are on board. The Board
should thank the City Commission for upgrading the Archivist position. Also thank the Friends as they
gave $5,900 to upgrade the position.
New Business
NEH grant was approved last Thursday. We were awarded the $6,000 grant to purchase archival
storage to house the Woman's Club collection. We are very excited about this project.
Library Director's Report
We are going to contract with Freegal Music. Patrons will get 3 free download per week for free with
more than 3 millions songs to choose from and will get to keep the songs. John Callahan, Director of
the Palm Beach County Library system got pricing for our Library Cooperative of the Palm Beaches
consortium. We will pay $6,000 for the annual service. There is also an iPhone app and Android app
for Freegal where you can sign in with your library card number directly from your smart phone. We
will pay for this new service from our State Aid Grant. The Board was excited about the new service.
The library will redesign the library's website. We have a staff committee reviewing websites. The
next step will be to pull in three different vendors for ideas and pricing. There is $15,000 in State Aid
funds set aside for this project. The new website will have more graphics and will be more user
friendly.
We are also getting a free Mobile website through SEFLIN. This will give patrons easier access to the
Library's website.
November customer visits and circulation were both up. There was an increase in computer usage.
We started offering free public computer courses again. Registration is held at the reference desk.
We have a total of 62 Sunshine Library Cards. Adult Tutoring program is going very well. 25 learners
attended 165 hours of tutoring sessions. Homework Help served 103 students. There were 203 thirty
minute sessions that were held.
AmeriCorps program is a priceless program that we offer here and are lucky to have it.
News Media Coverage
There was one article in October. The Sun Sentinel did an article about South Florida. Craig was
interviewed about what today's libraries are doing and was quoted stating "Libraries are a main artery
in the community."
The new website could have an email alert list for patrons to sign up for. We can post press releases.
The entire Board likes the idea.
The Boynton Reads Book drive is being held. There are multiple locations to drop off books. The
library is participating in this program. We are collecting new books for up to the 3 grade level. If
anyone is interested in donating, the books will be given to Boynton Beach Title 1 schools for the kids
to take home.
The next Library Board meeting is January 23, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at
4:31 p.m.
Craig Clark, Library Director