11-09-1998 (Library) Minutes RITA &TRUETT SMITH LIBRARY BOARD
BOARD MEETING
The Library Board of the city of Wylie met in special session on November 9, 1998 at the Library
at 7:00 p.m. The attendees were:
Jim Swartz
Geri Whitt
Debra Workman
Mary Conely
Shirley Burnett
Tom Proctor
Presentation
Dale Fleeger, Coordinator for the Northeast Texas Library System, spoke to the Library
Advisory Board about the important role they play in the community. PLANT (Public
Library Administrators of North Texas) published a Board manual. It is currently being
revised, and Dale used the Chapter One draft as a basis for his presentation. In addition,
he talked about Public Library Standards. There is currently a TLA committee working to
revise the Public Library Standards which are 25 years old. The committee wants the
standards to become a part of the law. Dale emphasized the importance of the role of the
Board in the community. One of the most important things that Boards do is participate in
Long Range Planning. There is a new book entitled Planning for Results that is a detailed
planning process that is done best with a consultant. Mignon commented that she would
like to use 4b funds to hire a consultant to do a detailed long range plan.
The role of the Library is still very important in today's society; however, its role is
changing because of new technology. Patrons are using CD-ROM resources and
the Internet rather than checking out materials. Most philosophers agree that the
book will never go away. Dr. Robert Martin made a statement that books are like
horses. Horses are no longer the means of transportation, but they are still a major
part of sporting events in today's society. Books will always be used in society for
recreational reading and in depth research; however, patrons may rely on CD-ROM
resources and the Internet for research. Computers are tools that deliver data, not
knowledge, and computers serve to complement books. This means that Libraries
need to provide these resources to meet the informational needs of today's patrons.
1. Approval of the Minutes.
Minutes were approved as read from the October 12, 1998, Meeting.
2. Discuss and Act Upon the Approval of the Revised Collection Development Policy.
The Collection Development policy has been updated to meet current collection needs.
The Board approved the Policy.
3. Discuss and Act Upon the Approval of the Electronic Resources Policy.
This policy will be for the CD-ROM's that have been installed this week. Mignon has
ordered menu software that will allow the staff to keep statistics on usage. Once the
software is received and installed, publicity will be released on the types of CD-ROM
materials available at the Library.
4. Discuss and Act Upon the Approval of the Long Range Automation Plan.
The most important issue addressed in the Long Range Automation Plan is Y2K computer
compliance and keeping current with the technology. Dale stated that network servers
require updates every 18 months to two years.
5. Discuss October 1998 Monthly Report.
The Board commented that the reference questions were increasing significantly. Mignon
commented that this is a trend throughout the state. Reference and in-house use of
electronic resources and the Internet is increasing and circulation is dropping.
6. Discuss Children's Book Week Activities.
The Camp Fire Boys and Girls will be hosting programs throughout Children's Book
Week. They will have story times all day on November 14. On November 17th they will
have a story time and craft activity, and on November 19th there will be a Teddy Bear
Festival. Children are invited to bring their favorite teddy bear and there will be awards
for different categories. Jim suggested taking pictures and showing them to the Council
so they could see the types of programs that the Library is hosting.
7. Discuss December Library Advisory Board Party.
The Board Party will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Mary Conely. The Library will
close at 7:00 p.m. so the staff can attend.
8. Discuss the Library Family Christmas Program.
The Friends of the Library will host the Library Family Christmas on December 17 at 7:00
p.m. Elizabeth Ellis, well known storyteller, will read traditional Christmas stories. Details
for the other portion of the program are in process.
NEW BUSINESS
Student Government Day is Wednesday, November 11, 1998. This is a very important
event for the City. Seniors will have the opportunity to learn about the City Government
process. Mignon included an information sheet in the Board Packets that will be
distributed to the seniors.
The Friends prepared the Greeting Card mailers on November 3. The Wylie News will
publish the Page in mid-December.
The Library will receive a proclamation at the council meeting on November 10, 1998.
The meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.