Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Farmers Branch library advisory meeting reviews outreach options, digital services and staffing; minutes approved
Summary
At a meeting that opened at 6:02 p.m., the Farmers Branch library advisory board discussed a potential bookmobile and other outreach, debated digital subscriptions and holdings, announced a bilingual children's librarian hire, and unanimously approved minutes before adjourning at 6:33 p.m.
A Farmers Branch library advisory board meeting that opened at 6:02 p.m. covered outreach planning, digital-service choices and a recent bilingual hire, and approved the previous meeting’s minutes before adjourning at 6:33 p.m.
Unidentified Speaker 2 moved to approve the minutes for 01/16/2024; Unidentified Speaker 1 seconded and the board voted unanimously to accept them. Later in the meeting the board set tentative future meeting dates for April 10 and May 8 and voted to adjourn at 6:33 p.m.
Board members spent substantial time on outreach ideas. Unidentified Speaker 3 described an RV-based outreach unit called “Grow,” and Unidentified Speaker 2 said they had reviewed American Library Association guidelines for bookmobile services and global outreach examples, noting a variety of approaches libraries use to reach remote or underserved neighborhoods. The board agreed to meet with city staff (Robert) to discuss options and possible funding sources, including grants and partnerships.
Discussion of patron feedback included an inquiry about on-site coffee service; speakers said the idea was appealing but noted space constraints, food-service licensing and operational logistics. A written complaint about reduced hours prompted staff follow-up: Unidentified Speaker 3 said Robert provided the complainant with the results of a study of hours and a comparison showing Farmers Branch’s hours exceed at least one Carrollton branch.
The group reviewed digital collections and subscriptions. Unidentified Speaker 1 said Freegal had been discontinued because it was "very expensive for a very small return." Speakers discussed Hoopla (which offers movies, TV, music, e-books and audiobooks) and Libby (which can have long wait times). Unidentified Speaker 3 noted a count of 54,000 ebooks available to Farmers Branch (this number excludes audiobooks) and cautioned that licensing and demand affect when the newest titles are available.
On staffing and programming, Unidentified Speaker 3 announced the hiring of Sarah Sanchez as a bilingual children’s librarian; Sanchez’s first bilingual story time (English and Spanish) is scheduled during spring break. The board also described recent and upcoming programs, including Lunar New Year events, a tiny art show, and a monthlong manga-themed activity with a Mario Kart tournament for spring break.
Board members confirmed community support activities: volunteers packed a container of tissues (described as well over 20 boxes) intended for Farmers Branch elementary schools; members discussed logistics for delivering those supplies. The board also noted vendors had been accommodated at a recent Innovation Zone market when the city canceled another event due to weather.
The meeting concluded with scheduling and routine business. After brief additional items the board voted to adjourn at 6:33 p.m.
