HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-LAB-05-21-13
MINUTES OF THE
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
MAY 21, 2013
The Library Advisory Board held a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m., May 21, 2013 in the Downey City Library,
Cormack Room, 11121 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California.
Present: Betty Monroy - Chair, Karol Morrison, Billy Sanders, Beverly Mathis
FODCL: Pat Smith
Also Present: Shannon DeLong, Library Director
Welcome to Members and Guests
The Board welcomed Beverly Mathis as the new LAB member for District 5 and
welcomed Tanya de la Cruz, new to Library staff as a part-time Admin Clerk II.
Written Communications
1. The minutes of March 19, 2013 were approved as written. It was noted that one
outstanding item, SCA-7, an amendment to the California Constitution, was left off of this
meeting’s agenda and should be added to the next meeting’s agenda if the legislation is
still active.
Non-Agenda Public Comment/Oral Communications:
There were none.
Reports
1. Library Incident Report: Billy Sanders read the following incident which took place
since the last Library Advisory Board meeting:
4/18/13 - A female patron was disruptive in the Computer Lab on three different
occasions with three different staff members. Her behavior was taken as threatening and
appeared to have made other library patrons uncomfortable. She was addressed by the
Literacy Coordinator and Senior Library Assistant; she has not had any other incident
since then.
2. Downey Schools Report: A report was not given in the absence of Theresa Ford. It
was noted that June 20th was graduation day for most high schools and June 1st was
prom.
3. Library Director’s Report: Shannon DeLong reported changes to staffing: Recruitment
for Senior Librarian ongoing due to Jan Palen’s retirement after 19 years of service to
DCL. Looking to recruit additional p/t librarians and p/t library assistants for needed
coverage. New library card was presented. Preparations for the Summer Reading
Program nearly complete; letter/flyer going out to schools. Summer speakers and events
scheduled; Community Services guide excerpt was handed out. FODCL Romance
Author & Tea-June 1, 11:30am-3pm @ Rio Hondo.
Ms. DeLong mentioned that the FY2013-14 budget preparation was underway, and that
the proposal to Council remains the same as the previous fiscal year. A $10,000 LSTA
grant will be used to in place of city funds for certain book purchases, and Staff intends to
propose to Council an e-book contract paid for with the saved city funds. Reference
books moved, freed-up space being considered for other uses. Staff is taking a critical
look at all services to ensure the best quality services and programs that meet residents’
and community members’ needs. .
Ms. DeLong also reported that two recent book requests for reconsideration were denied,
described the nature of the complaints, passed around the books in question and
explained the reasons for keeping them in the collection. It was noted that the Library
Advisory Board does consider the Library’s Collection Development Policy (book
purchasing policy) and had recently reviewed this policy (in 2012) based upon a request
for the Library to purchase a previously self-published book. The Board had determined it
was not necessary to amend the Library’s Collection Development Policy. It was also
noted that requests for reconsideration which are denied by staff do have the capability of
being appealed before the Library Advisory Board, though that option was not exercised
in these cases.
Finally, Ms. DeLong reported on recent changes to staff meetings, that by June all full-
time Librarians and Library Assistants will have earned their Masters in Library Sciences
[note: circulation/shelving is an exception]. On August 9, 2013, the Library will be closed
all day for Staff Development Day.
Friends of the Downey City Library (FODLC) Report: Pat Smith reported that the
Friends staffed a booth at the Downey Street Faire on Saturday, May 4 where
applications for Library cards along with free Beanie Babies were handed out, and
reported that the response was great. The friends also hosted a table at art show, selling
art books from the FODCL store, and made $10. The Friends recently received a
donation from the Downey Coordinating Council and are planning to fundraise at local
restaurants in the near future (e.g., Frantones). The upcoming Friends event, a
Romance Author & Tea will be held on June 1, 11:30am-3pm at Rio Hondo Event Center.
Tickets will be $25 and are available for purchase in advance at the FODCL bookstore.
Finally, it was noted that recently, non-resident patrons reported preferring the Downey
City Library to their own community library.
Board Business:
1. Library Supervisor Expectations
Ms. DeLong referred the Board to the “Library Supervisor Expectations” document included in
the agenda packet for the Board’s discussion and approval. After discussion, noting the
positive manner in which the expectations were written and the fairness with which all staff
could be held accountable to the expectations, it was motioned that the Board approve the
expectations. Hearing no objection, it was so ordered by the Chair. During discussion,
Member Sanders suggested staff wear badges as identifiers; Director, De Long, advised that
as of July 1st part time Library aides on the floor will wear polo shirts and part-time staff who
do not have staff shirts will wear Library staff lanyards. At the direction of the Chair, the
possibility of all staff wearing badges will be discussed and the item may return to the Board
for future discussion.
2. Current Library Programs and Services
Ms. DeLong introduced this topic by noting that the Library is now in a “digital age” and that
significant reductions had occurred in both staffing levels and material budgets. Staff is taking
a close look at the programs and services the Library offers, in order to fuel a future
discussion about aligning staff efforts with patron and community needs. In discussion of
services, Board member Karol Morrison suggested “quiet space” availability. Polling other
libraries was suggested by Board Chair Monroy while discussing other changes in how DCL
can serve patrons. It was noted that the brief mention in the document of other items the
Library may wish to provide in the future was simply a brainstorm of services that could be
offered, but the Library staff needed to conduct significantly more research into what the
Community’s needs and wants are before implementing any new programs.
It was the consensus of the Board that the list of current Programs and Services was fairly
complete, and that Board Members would individually call or email Ms. DeLong if they should
find a service or program the Library currently offers that is not included on the list.
Other Business:
This item was not addressed.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
The meeting adjourned to 6:30 p.m. on July 16, 2013 in the Downey City Library, Cormack Room, 11121,
Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California.
_____________________ _____________________
Betty Monroy Shannon DeLong
Chair Library Director