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TEXAS CITY LIBRARY BOARD MEETING

MINUTES

Day, June 26, 2017 at 4:00 pm

 
The Library Board of Directors Meeting met June 26, 2017, in the Library, in Texas City, Texas, with the following in attendance:
Present:
  • Board member Karen Ivory
  • Chairman Willam J. Johnson
  • Vice Chairman Jo Ann Hackbarth
  • Board member Deana Rac
  • Board member Bridget Buffa
  • Board member Clara Irby
Absent:
  • Board member Sara Moreno
  • Board member Hallie Ketchum
  • Board member Shirley Mapps
Staff Present:
  • Elizabeth Steiner, Library Director
 

Bill Johnson declared that a quorum was present and called the meeting of the Library Board to order at 4:00 pm.

 
(1)
ROLL CALL
 
(2)
LIBRARIAN REPORT
Library Director Beth Ryker Steiner reported:
 
  1. Beth reported that Library Programs for children and teens during this summer have been prolific with multiple programs per day on a wide variety of subjects. 
  2. There are two staff vacancies at this time.  The vacant positions are the Young Adult/Public Services Librarian and a shelver position.  The City of Texas City is in a hiring freeze so no positions can be filled at this time.  There is no indication how long the hiring freeze will last.  For now the staff is managing, but with difficulty since the Library also is working short one summer worker.  At this time, library service hours have not been cut.
Beth indicated that the Summer reading program was in full swing, but there was plenty of time to participate and plenty more programs for young patrons to attend.  Beth reminded the Board members that adults are invited to join the community-wide initiative to read during the summer months too. Beth also indicated that the teen volunteers this summer were excellent and a big help to the library staff.
View Agenda Item
 
(3)
OLD BUSINESS
  1. Beth reported that the FY 2018 budget presentation for the Mayor and Finance Director had taken place. The Commission will consider the FY 2018 budget in three public meetings in August and September.
  2. The FY 2018 budget for the Galveston County Library System will also be considered by the County Commissioner’s Court in August and September. The proposed budget is similar in funding requested to the FY 2017 budget with a slight increase.
  3. FY 2017 budget expenditures are on track. Computer replacements are almost finished, a new panic button alarm system for the library has been installed, the new lighting and new ceiling in the meeting room have been completed and the ducts have been cleaned.
  4. Beth gave an overview of the proposed initiative by the Trump administration to defund the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and reviewed the effects on Moore Library of reduced or eliminated funding for that agency. The State of Texas is not expected to provide more funding to public libraries in the FY 2018/2019 budget.
 
(4)
NEW BUSINESS
No new business.
 
(5)
BOARD COMMENTS
Clara Irby requested information on the reason for the hiring freeze. Beth responded that the Mayor had imposed the freeze due to the Valero tax settlement.
 
(6)
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned about 4:40 pm. The next scheduled Board meeting will be August 28, 2017.