Minutes 06-26-13Unfinished Business:
CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH
Boynton Beach City Library
Library Advisory Board Minutes
June 26, 2013
The Library Advisory Board meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by Chair Jeannie Taylor. Board members
Valerie Pleasanton, Laurie Sulzer and Barbara Wineberg were absent. The Library Board minutes of the April
24, 2013 meeting were approved. The board minutes from May 22, 2013 were tabled.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Chair's Report: Jeannie addressed the City Commission meeting and provided them updated information about
the State Library Return on Investment (ROI) Study. She wanted to start getting commission attention for
budget hearings. Jeannie encourages all to attend the hearings, but she can't make it this time. She also
encourages board members to email City Commissioners about how the library is important and to keep the
library in front of their minds.
The Freegal Music Download program is becoming more popular each month. In May 2013, there were 334
songs downloaded. Craig stated the download are counted and included in monthly circulation numbers as
checkouts. Freegal has added thousands of record company catalogs to the system providing more choices for
library customers. Craig stated the program is gaining momentum.
Craig distributed the Overdrive e -books report for May. There was a 66% increase from last year. This May
there were 321 titles borrowed compared to last May's 193 checkouts. That is a great increase in popularity of
eBooks. Checkouts by the entire consortium totaled 1,280. Of those, 328 checkouts were BBCL placing our
library at number one in circulation.
The Unique Management Collection Services report was also distributed to the board. The collection service
results are up to 46.58 %. We are striving for 60% eventually. Craig stated the system still provide a good ROI.
Almost $53,000 worth of library materials had not been returned since this service was implemented. There
have not been many complaints at all. Unique Management is working and is a friendly company.
A staffing update was given by Craig: Cheryl moved on to another position the Palm Beach County Library
System at the Royal Palm Beach Branch. That position is posted now. As of today there were 23 applicants and
is open to applicants until July 4 There is still one vacant Library Page position. It was re- posted for one
week with 130 applicants applying. There is a full -time Library Associate position being posted after July 8
that will be open to city employees only.
New Business:
A temporary employee was hired for fill in at the Children's Desk. Her name is Pamela Edwards who has
varied children experience. She maintains discipline with compassion and is doing a great job helping Teresa,
James and Kristine. We had to cancel dance to your own beat and readers theater.
There are 352 younger kids and 202 teens registered for the Summer Reading Club. Prizes for the teens are an
mp3 player and a library card holder with ear buds for the younger kids. This year we are doing something
different. There is a combination of reading and attending programs, mostly science programs. We are trying to
give incentives to auditory learners. It is working well so far. There are some really good summer programs.
Valerie Pleasanton did one program on measurement and had mobs of kids there. She will be doing another
program.
On any given day there are 6 -8 AmeriCorps staff at the library doing training and tutoring. A Haitian family
with kids in kindergarten and 5 grade has been in Boynton Beach 3 -4 weeks. They speak no English and came
to the library for help. AmeriCorps is here until July 12 Kathy has been our homework helper and is a
professional dancer. She held a dancing class that incorporated counting and the alphabet. It was a great
program. Theme for younger kids this year is Archeology. The theme for teens is Technology. Kristine is
teaching technology classes to teens. All got lanyards by their request which holds school id and library cards.
Teen who complete the SRC can download Freegal music for free on their mp3 player.
AmeriCorps — Kathy has logged 1,875 hours this year and was only required to put in 1,200 hours. Literacy
Coalition opened their new building this week. AmeriCorps training will be held here at the library for two
weeks in August for the new recruits. We have applied for two full -time positions to begin in August. Kathy is
staying for a 2 year and we are delighted to have her. Kathy and Taradee are working on transition for August.
Taradee will be moving to North Carolina and will need to be replaced.
Participants will be tested this coming year to determine the effectiveness of the program. Two students got
jobs last month. Our niche is Haitian folks who can walk here and need help learning English. We are their
community connection. We will need classes in the morning and classes at night for this community. Please
review stories on AmeriCorps program in the monthly report.
The Library Board Meeting for August has been cancelled. The November and December meetings will be
merged and held on Wednesday, December 4, 2013. There will be no meetings in August or November.
Library Director's Report: Craig distributed the monthly report for May and noted that declines in some
patron numbers are due to the West Boynton and Lantana County Library branches being opened. Last year was
a false increase in numbers. Ms. Hoban inquired how numbers compared to 2 years ago. Craig will share those
statistics at the July meeting.
The Read Together Palm Beach County committee has convened for the 2014 program. Craig is serving on the
Committee again. The five books will be announced the 1' week of December. This will give the library time
to purchase all titles. Craig will keep you updated on the program.
You can still write a note to a solider to thank them for their service to our country. The notes are sent overseas
to help keep up a positive attitude.
There is a computer expert interested in volunteering to teach public computer training classes. He was referred
to HR for background check, etc. Hopefully we can set classes up for August. If we do get a Digital Services
Librarian in October we will have a teacher on staff. Kristine has been teaching some classes to teens including
Facebook and Pinterest.
The City's Information Technology Services Department is assisting us with developing the scope of services
for the redesign of the library website. We are working as a team to cover all aspects. There is a staff
committee that met and made recommendations of likes and dislikes for the new website.
Media Coverage — An article about Standford Stutsky and his optical art appeared in the newspaper. Please take
a look at the art on the 2 floor. Opening reception was well attended.
The next Library Board Meeting is July 24, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Craig Clark, for Valerie Pleasanton, Secretary
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