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Approved Feb 16, 2012 - Library Advisory Board Minutes

Library Advisory Committee

February 16, 2012

Gulf Breeze Library

The Library Advisory Committee met on the above date with the following members

present: Michael Sandler, Martha Lyle and Robert Menzer. Also present were DeVann

Cook (Human Resources Director) Gwen Wilson (Library Director) and Kathy Jordan.

Michael Sandler called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.

The minutes ofthe November 17,2011 meeting were approved.

Mr.

Sandler introduced Robert Menzer, as the District 5 appointee, appointed to the

Director's Report

Gwen Wilson reported that Santa Rosa County is no longer eligible for the Equalization

grant. She presented a written report and fact sheet providing the reduction amounts

beginning with fiscal year 2011 through 2015. (See attached State Aid to Libraries

Grants.)

Mr.

7% and will impact the budget considerably.

Ms. Wilson reported that Saturdays with Santa was a big success. There were a total of

4 78 people who participated in the program (31 0 children and 168 adults). She noted that

we have some wonderful resources in Genealogy and Margaret is doing a workshop to

make people more aware of the resources and this month is

American Roots

going on in Navarre for quite a while just kicked off in Pace with nine fifteen minute

sessions and 14 children. The Brown Bag Lunch Series just started in Navarre and the

Friends Book Sales will begin soon and Natasha has created a bookmark with the dates of

all the sales and all the different locations. A press release has been issued and the dates

have been published in the local newspapers and each sale will be advertised as it comes

up.

Ms. Wilson reported that computer use from October to December of2012 was 8,686

hours by the public (which does not include people who bring their own computers and

use the WiFi). (See attached PC Reservation PC Usage Report) She also reported the

circulation statistics (see attached Item Circulation Statistics, Usage Summary and Audio

Books).

Menzer asked what portion of the total budget this represents. Mr. Cook said aboutDiscover Your Africanat the Milton Library. The R.E.A.D Dogs program which has been

Mr.

anytime soon because of the costs but we do have links on our web page for free e-books.

Sandler asked if we would be getting e-books for our users. Ms. Wilson said not

1

Other Business

Mr. Sandler noted that there is a good article about Gwen in the February 15, 2012

Pelican.

Mr. Cook welcomed Mr. Menzer on behalfofthe County. He noted that the County is

aware of the loss of the Equalization funds and that he and Mr. Walker understand that

the Library system cannot take anymore cuts to its budget and he feels that the County

will make up the difference.

Mr. Cook also noted that things are going very well with Gwen Wilson as our Director

and that she is aware that there are some issues with the self check out system and some

of the other equipment. Gwen is checking on what options are available to improve

services. He noted that the relationship with the Friends groups is wonderful and advised

everyone to call Gwen if they have a problem.

The Committee talked about how helpful the Friends groups are to the Library System

and discussed issuing a Press Release about the usefulness of the Friends groups and Mr.

Cook requested a report at the next meeting of the amount donated from the Friends

groups and agreed that this information will be helpful to generate public interests in the

groups.

Next Meeting Date

The next meeting is scheduled for May 17, 2012

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting adjourned at

4:40p.m. to tour the GulfBreeze Library with Amy McDonald.

at 4:00p.m. at the Pace Library.

Library Committee January 23, 2012 by the Board of County Commissioners.