TEXAS CITY LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
Monday, April 27, 2026, 4:00 PM
Library Meeting Room
MINUTES
Monday, April 27, 2026, 4:00 PM
Library Meeting Room
The Library Board of Directors Meeting met at4:00 PM; Monday, April 27, 2026, in the Library Meeting Room, in Texas City, Texas, with the following in attendance:
Dr. Lynn Ellison, Vice-Chair, Shirley Mapps, Jill Halasz, Rita Waltrop, Bettie Rac, Cheryl Loewen - Library Director, Jessica Matos - Assistant Director
Dr. Lynn Ellison, Vice-Chair, Shirley Mapps, Jill Halasz, Rita Waltrop, Bettie Rac, Cheryl Loewen - Library Director, Jessica Matos - Assistant Director
Board Vice-chair, Dr. Lynn Ellison declared that a quorum was present and called the meeting of the Library Board to order at 4:02 PM.
(1)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes from the meeting on February 23, 2026 were approved unanimously.
The minutes from the meeting on February 23, 2026 were approved unanimously.
(2)
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
(a)
2026 Grant Applications
The library director has applied for two grants this spring:
The Texas Book Festival Grant for $2500.00 for the purchase of new Spanish language materials
The TLA Summer at the Library Grant to provide additional funding for the Summer Reading Program
The library director has applied for two grants this spring:
The Texas Book Festival Grant for $2500.00 for the purchase of new Spanish language materials
The TLA Summer at the Library Grant to provide additional funding for the Summer Reading Program
(b)
Programming Update
The second Local Author Showcase was held on Saturday, April 25 - attendance was lower than expected
Upcoming programs include: True Crime (5/11), Friends of the library meeting (5/12), Adult craft - bird feeders (5/23), Ukulele Society concert in June, Small Business Success Series, 3D Printer orientation, Blood drive
The second Local Author Showcase was held on Saturday, April 25 - attendance was lower than expected
Upcoming programs include: True Crime (5/11), Friends of the library meeting (5/12), Adult craft - bird feeders (5/23), Ukulele Society concert in June, Small Business Success Series, 3D Printer orientation, Blood drive
(c)
Outreach
Library staff now visits 7 senior residential facilities to present a monthly program
April 2 - Jessica Matos attend the CPS Resource Fair on behalf of the library
Cheryl Loewen and Jessica Matos attended the City's 409 Day Celebration - the library provided a simple craft
Library staff now visits 7 senior residential facilities to present a monthly program
April 2 - Jessica Matos attend the CPS Resource Fair on behalf of the library
Cheryl Loewen and Jessica Matos attended the City's 409 Day Celebration - the library provided a simple craft
(d)
Local History Update
VHS Tapes of past events in Texas City are currently being digitized by the Archive Assistant
Theresa Mayfield has digitized the photos and pictures that were on the walls in City Hall and in the Commission Chamber
Theresa is giving a presentation to the Rotary Club on Tuesday, April 28
VHS Tapes of past events in Texas City are currently being digitized by the Archive Assistant
Theresa Mayfield has digitized the photos and pictures that were on the walls in City Hall and in the Commission Chamber
Theresa is giving a presentation to the Rotary Club on Tuesday, April 28
(e)
Summer Reading Program/Kick-Off event
The kick-off will be held on Saturday, May 30, from 11am - 1pm. The theme is dinosaurs
The theme of the Summer reading program is Unearth a Story
There will be a full schedule of programs for the months of June and July
The kick-off will be held on Saturday, May 30, from 11am - 1pm. The theme is dinosaurs
The theme of the Summer reading program is Unearth a Story
There will be a full schedule of programs for the months of June and July
(f)
TexTreasures Grant Update
The Third Quarter report for the current grant is due on April 30.
The library has received the invoice for the digitization work and it is being processed.
The library will be notified at the beginning of June if we are awarded the grant for a third year.
The Third Quarter report for the current grant is due on April 30.
The library has received the invoice for the digitization work and it is being processed.
The library will be notified at the beginning of June if we are awarded the grant for a third year.
(g)
Roof Replacement
Work began on March 16, and is taking longer than expected.
The project is about 80% complete.
Work began on March 16, and is taking longer than expected.
The project is about 80% complete.
(3)
OLD BUSINESS
(a)
Budget FY 2026 - City of Texas City
To date 52% of the budget for FY 2026 has been spent, which is right on track for this point in the year.
To date 52% of the budget for FY 2026 has been spent, which is right on track for this point in the year.
(b)
Budget FY 2026 - Galveston County Library System
These funds need to be spent by the end of August so 64% of the budget has been spent to date.
There are sufficient funds to pay the invoices for eBooks and eAudiobooks until the end of August.
Any purchases in September will be covered by the City budget.
These funds need to be spent by the end of August so 64% of the budget has been spent to date.
There are sufficient funds to pay the invoices for eBooks and eAudiobooks until the end of August.
Any purchases in September will be covered by the City budget.
(4)
NEW BUSINESS
(a)
Budget - FY 2027
City of Texas City Budget:
The proposed budget for FY 2027 is due to the Finance Department by May 11
Department heads have been told to plan for a flat budget for the next year.
Galveston County Library System:
The proposed budget is the same as last year.
The budget will be voted on by the County Commission early in the fall
Our library's proposed allocation is $81,423 0 an increase of $549 over the current year.
City of Texas City Budget:
The proposed budget for FY 2027 is due to the Finance Department by May 11
Department heads have been told to plan for a flat budget for the next year.
Galveston County Library System:
The proposed budget is the same as last year.
The budget will be voted on by the County Commission early in the fall
Our library's proposed allocation is $81,423 0 an increase of $549 over the current year.
(5)
BOARD COMMENTS
Bettie Rac asked about the demolition of City, which will take place shortly
Jessica Matos mentioned that the library used to hold a Bike Parade on the 4th of July, and is interested in doing this in 2028 for the library's 100th Anniversary
Bettie Rac asked about the demolition of City, which will take place shortly
Jessica Matos mentioned that the library used to hold a Bike Parade on the 4th of July, and is interested in doing this in 2028 for the library's 100th Anniversary
(6)
ADJOURN
Meeting was adjourned at 4:39 PM.
Next scheduled meeting is June 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:39 PM.
Next scheduled meeting is June 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM.