01/20/1978
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, .LIBRARY BOARD ,
MINUTES
, . DATE. 'rlM.U~ J~ Ifl1r
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CLEARWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
HINUTES OF '1'Hr: MEETING
20 JANUARY 1978
Mayor's Conferenc~ Room, City Hall
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM
PRESENT
ABSENT
\
Mr. Larry Reis, Chairman
Hr. Wilby F. Anderson
Mr. Curtis G. Barre
Mr. Joseph C. Elliott
Mrs. Rita Garvey
Mr. Elliott Hardaway
Mr. George Harris
Mrs. Jessica M. Kerr
Mrs. Johnie Mae Moore
Mr. John Hurray
Hr. Homer Royer
Mrs. Althea Andersen, Acting Librarian
Mr. Walter A. Krick
Mr. Albert L. Rogers
GUESTS
Christina Cosdon,
St. Petersburg Times
Patty Hole, FOCL Member
The meeting "las called to order by Chairman Larry Reis
at 1:00 PM. Mr. Reis welcomed new Board members, MI'. Hardaway,
Mr. Harris, and Mr. Royer to the Board, and thanked HI'S. Kerr
and Mrs. Moore whose terms are expiring.for their participation
on the Library Board.
A letter addressed to Mayor Gabriel Cazares was read by
Mrs. Andersen, composed by Mr. Reis, representing the collective
views of the Board members (letter attached). All Board members
present at this meeting signed the letter to be delivered, to
Mayor Cazares.
Mrs. Andersen distributed a copy of the flyer on the "T\>lig"
to be included in utility bills to all Clearwater customers.
The "Twig" is the name for the book deposit station at Fire
Station No.5. Mrs. Andersen suggested having a grand opening
around the middle of February instead of opening day, February 1,
since there will be a deficiency in the number of books available
due to ordering problems with the book jobber.
Patty Hole, an active member of the Friends of the Library,
brought the Board up to date on activities of the Friends for
the remainder of the month of January. Various programs
including radio and television interviews are scheduled over
Library Week, January 23 - 28, 1978, with both Friends members
and Library Board members participating as well as various civic
groups. Ms. Hole reported that 580 petitions are being circulated
at this time. Mrs. Garvey moved that the Library Board sponsor
the petition along with the Friends of the Library. The motion
was seconded by John Hurray and passed unanimously. Mrs. Garvey
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Clearwater Public Library Board
Minutes of the Meeting January 20, 1978
Page 2
stated that the Friends have changed the petition to include
tax-payers instead of only registered voters, since the petition
is actually stating that those people signing agree to have
their taxes raised.
,.>.
The subject of Library Director was addressed by
Mr. Hardaway. He expressed concern that the position has
been unfilled for over 18 months, while other department
director positions have been filled. Mr. Hardaway moved
that the Board prepare a letter to the City Manager, the
Commissioners and the newspapers stating the Board's opinion
in this matter to get. a permanent Library Director. Motion
was seconded by Mr. Elliott and passed unanimously.
The subject of the Board meeting time was discussed, with
those Board members present agreeing to change the meeting time
from 1:00 PH to 9:30 Al1. It was noted that all Board members
check the notices received in the mail prior to the next meeting
,for the correct time of the meeting.
There was discussion concerning Library coverage in the
local newspapers.' The idea of writing a Library column for
regular printing in the papers was presented, with Jessica Kerr
volunteering to write such a column if the idea was approved
by the local "newspapers. Mr. Elliott agreed to contact the
local newspaper editors about this matter.
Meeting was adjourned at 1:50 PM.
Susan Doel, Secretary
24 January 1978
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LIUHAllY DOAHn
C I T Y
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POST OFF'tCE DOX 474D
CLEARWATER, FLORIOA 33518
O~"ICC OF
LIDItAJtY DlltlCTOJt
January 20, 1978
The Honorable Gabriel
Mayor of Clearwater
Clearwater Ci ty Hall
Clearwater, Florida
Cazares
33516
Dear ~tr. Mayor:
The Clearwater Library Board applauds the city's desire to build a
ci vie center and a theater for the performing arts.
"
1I0wever, we respectively remind you of the city's already established
obligation to do something about the library.
In a recent letter to the St. Petersburg Times, Jessica Kerr quoted
Francis Bacon: "Reading maketh a full man." We quote it here because
it summarizes the unchanging goal of the: library board. We quote it
now because it epitomizes the need for expanded library facilities --
"Reading maketh a fu 11 man."
In our view proper library facilities are far more essential to the
intellectual and cJltural health of a community than any other type
faci li ty . The refore, ~"'e be lieve a new Ii brary shou Id again be
Number 1 in the commission's priorities.
Consider these facts:
In 1970 the voters strongly supported the GOB issue for expanded
and improved library faci 1i ties (although improvements made since
then have been largely cosmetic).
In 1977 more voters expressed approval of the library project'
than for the cuI tural and convention hall.
Last year, those voting in the Clearwater Sun poll also supported
the library,
But perhaps the best exprassi on of public desire for library services are
these statistics: In 1977 313~OOO items were circulated by the Clearwater
LibrarYa 27.909 questions \l/'erC ans\<lered by the reference libl'arians and
an uncounted number of patrons benefi ted from the library I 5 faci Ii ties
on the premises. Add to these figures the number of young people reached
. ,
The lIonorable Gabriel Cuzares
January 20, 1978
Page 2
by library programs, both in house und in the schools -- and the impact
of the library is over\'lhe Iming.
Or, it would have if space permitted. And there's the rub.
We hear much about the "cultural" needs of our city. The library supplies
cultural riches at all levels -- the creative cream in every field, from
every land, from every age. No other faci li ty can hope to mat ch the hi gh
standard of information, instruction and entertainment found in our library.
Literature, history, science, music, art -- the library has it all!
There simply isn't room in the present obsolete building to give Clearwater
the level of library service it needs. There isn't room on the shelves for
the books or room on the floor for the shelves.
In truth. Clearwater's library is only marginally adequate for a city of
30,000 people.
Since 1970 the city
It has almost twice
standard for a city
required, including
has been enlarged.
has quadrupled acreage devoted to Parks and Recreation.
the number of tennis courts considered the national
of our siz.e. rire stations have been built \'Ihen
a new headquarters building. Police headquarters
f\ city hall annex \o1a5 acquired when space got tight.
But the library stays in cramped inadequate, unsafe quarters.
We must wonder if the parks and the tennis courts and the proposed theater
and civic center \\Ii 11 serve as many people as often as does the library now.
Please keep in mind that it will take 3 performances a \'leek ",rith a full
house at each performance for a 2,000 seat theater to approach the 313.000
circulation record of the library in 197,7. Keep in mind, too, that no
matter how modest the admission charge may be in the proposed theater. the
doors will be shut to many area residents on limited income and many in
minority groups.
In the library the \~or1d' s great plays are available -- free -- and the
world's great music, and the world's great art,
The Clearwater Library staff has the training, the technology, and the desire
to give OU1' city the finest, most complete, most producti ye library servi ces
of any city of its size in the state.
But without efficient, attractive. accessible space
this is impossible,
Until adequate space is provided, the proper number of books cannot be
shelved. the magazines and newspapers cannot be properly utilized, the
records and tapes cannot be properly played, the paintings and sculpture
cunnot be properly displayed. The library board fi rmly believes that
u private fuclli ty as unsafe us onr main liUTU1'Y build ing \~o111d be condemned.
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The lIonorablc Gabriel Cazares
January 20. 1978
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Page 3
We also believe a private facility which barred handicapped and infirm
\~ould be severly critizcd. possible barred from doing business at all.
Whether Clearwater gets the library service it deserves is squarely in
your hands and those of your fellow commissioners. Will Clearwater
continue to be short changed in library service? We hope not.
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cc: Clearwater Sun
St. Petersburg Times
Tampa Tribune
Sincerely,
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