TEXAS CITY LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
Monday, February 23, 2026, 4:00 PM
LIBRARY MEETING ROOM
MINUTES
Monday, February 23, 2026, 4:00 PM
LIBRARY MEETING ROOM
The Library Board of Directors met at 4:00 PM, Monday, February 23, 2026, in the Library Meeting Room, in Texas City, Texas, with the following in attendance:
Christina Bergvall, Shirley Mapps, Jill Halasz, Rita Waldrop, Danica Serman, Cheryl Loewen - Library Director, Jessica Matos - Assistant Director
Christina Bergvall, Shirley Mapps, Jill Halasz, Rita Waldrop, Danica Serman, Cheryl Loewen - Library Director, Jessica Matos - Assistant Director
Christina Bergvall, Chair, declared that a quorum was present and called the meeting of the Library Board to order at 4:07 PM.
(1)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes from the meeting on January 5, 2026 were approved unanimously.
The minutes from the meeting on January 5, 2026 were approved unanimously.
(2)
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
(a)
2025 Award of Excellence in Libraries
The library director, Cheryl Loewen, thanked the members of the Board who attended the City Commission meeting on Wednesday, February 18 when the Mayor presented the Library with a Certificate of Recognition for receiving this award.
The library director, Cheryl Loewen, thanked the members of the Board who attended the City Commission meeting on Wednesday, February 18 when the Mayor presented the Library with a Certificate of Recognition for receiving this award.
(b)
Spring programming update
Upcoming programs that were discussed were:
Sourdough class on March 3
3D Printing training on March 23
Angler Education on February 21 was a success.
Bluebonnet author visit - Kelly Crull - on March 28 - sponsored by the Friends of the Library
Blood drive on February 28
Teen workfoce program on March 19
Upcoming programs that were discussed were:
Sourdough class on March 3
3D Printing training on March 23
Angler Education on February 21 was a success.
Bluebonnet author visit - Kelly Crull - on March 28 - sponsored by the Friends of the Library
Blood drive on February 28
Teen workfoce program on March 19
(c)
Outreach
Recent and upcoming outreach events include:
The Children's Librarian and her assistant attended Career Day at Guajardo Elementary School on January 30.
College of the Mainland will be in the library on February 25 to meet with students.
The Children's Librarian and her assistant are collaborating with the Texas City Museum to host an event on February 26 at the museum with students from the Calvin Vincent Early Childhood Center.
The Children's Librarian and another staff member will be attending Family Literacy Night at Kohfeld Elementary School on March 3.
The League of Women Voters will be in the library on March 13 to promote voter registration.
Two librarians will be attending the Young Professional Expo at the Texas City High School on March 19.
Recent and upcoming outreach events include:
The Children's Librarian and her assistant attended Career Day at Guajardo Elementary School on January 30.
College of the Mainland will be in the library on February 25 to meet with students.
The Children's Librarian and her assistant are collaborating with the Texas City Museum to host an event on February 26 at the museum with students from the Calvin Vincent Early Childhood Center.
The Children's Librarian and another staff member will be attending Family Literacy Night at Kohfeld Elementary School on March 3.
The League of Women Voters will be in the library on March 13 to promote voter registration.
Two librarians will be attending the Young Professional Expo at the Texas City High School on March 19.
(d)
Local History Update
Theresa Mayfield, the Local History Librarian, has been tasked with digitizing all the photos that were removed from the hallways of City Hall, as well as the photos of previous Mayors that were in the Commission Chamber, in preparation for the building's demolition.
Theresa recently gave a presentation for UNT on the collection of newspapers on the Portal to Texas History and how they are being used.
Theresa and the director of the Texas City Museum are working with the communications department to produce a podcast on the history of Texas City. The first episode has been filmed, and they expect to do one episode a month.
Theresa has been trying to start work on a Hispanic Community Oral History project, but has not been successful in making contact with some participants.
Theresa Mayfield, the Local History Librarian, has been tasked with digitizing all the photos that were removed from the hallways of City Hall, as well as the photos of previous Mayors that were in the Commission Chamber, in preparation for the building's demolition.
Theresa recently gave a presentation for UNT on the collection of newspapers on the Portal to Texas History and how they are being used.
Theresa and the director of the Texas City Museum are working with the communications department to produce a podcast on the history of Texas City. The first episode has been filmed, and they expect to do one episode a month.
Theresa has been trying to start work on a Hispanic Community Oral History project, but has not been successful in making contact with some participants.
(e)
Summer reading program/Kick-off event
Plans are well underway for both the kick-off event and the summer reading program.
The kick-off is on May 30, from 11 to 1 and will be dinosaur-themed. Volunteers will be needed.
Community partners are being invited to attend.
Plans are well underway for both the kick-off event and the summer reading program.
The kick-off is on May 30, from 11 to 1 and will be dinosaur-themed. Volunteers will be needed.
Community partners are being invited to attend.
(f)
New grant applications
The application for the 2027 TexTreasures grant for $40,000 was submitted at the beginning of February. This is the third year to apply for this grant.
The library director intends to apply for the Texas Book Festival Grant for a second time. The $2500 grant would be used to purchase new Spanish language material for the collection.
The library director also intends to apply for the HEB Summer at the Library grant through the Texas Library Association. This grant would be used to fund programs and activities for the Summer Reading Program.
The application for the 2027 TexTreasures grant for $40,000 was submitted at the beginning of February. This is the third year to apply for this grant.
The library director intends to apply for the Texas Book Festival Grant for a second time. The $2500 grant would be used to purchase new Spanish language material for the collection.
The library director also intends to apply for the HEB Summer at the Library grant through the Texas Library Association. This grant would be used to fund programs and activities for the Summer Reading Program.
(3)
OLD BUSINESS
(a)
Budget FY 2026 - City of Texas City
Budget is being spent on schedule.
Budget is being spent on schedule.
(b)
Budget FY 2026 - Galveston County Library System
Budget is being spend on schedule.
Budget is being spend on schedule.
(4)
NEW BUSINESS
The library director mentioned some ongoing and upcoming maintenance for the library.
The roof replacement is expected to begin the first week of March, and last about 20 days.
There is more work to be done on the library's HVAC system: one unit from 2004 needs to be replaced, and there is a problem with one of the heat exchange units that is being resolved.
The funds for these building repairs are coming from the Certificates of Obligation bonds that the city obtained for the building of a new municipal complex and other capital projects.
The library director mentioned some ongoing and upcoming maintenance for the library.
The roof replacement is expected to begin the first week of March, and last about 20 days.
There is more work to be done on the library's HVAC system: one unit from 2004 needs to be replaced, and there is a problem with one of the heat exchange units that is being resolved.
The funds for these building repairs are coming from the Certificates of Obligation bonds that the city obtained for the building of a new municipal complex and other capital projects.
(5)
BOARD COMMENTS
Christina Bergvall mentioned the Domestic Violence presentation that she is organizing, in conjunction with Crime Stoppers. It will be held at the library on April 21.
Christina Bergvall also mentioned her concerns over security at the library, after witnessing a fight in the lobby two weeks ago. There was a discussion about having some sort of security presence in the library after school.
Christina Bergvall mentioned the Domestic Violence presentation that she is organizing, in conjunction with Crime Stoppers. It will be held at the library on April 21.
Christina Bergvall also mentioned her concerns over security at the library, after witnessing a fight in the lobby two weeks ago. There was a discussion about having some sort of security presence in the library after school.
(6)
ADJOURN
Meeting was adjourned at 4:59 PM.
Next scheduled meeting is April 27, 2026, at 4:00 PM
Meeting was adjourned at 4:59 PM.
Next scheduled meeting is April 27, 2026, at 4:00 PM