01/16/1981
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CLEARWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
16 JANUARY 1981
Mayor's Conference Room
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
PRESENT: ABSENT:
Mr. liomer Royer, Chairman
Mrs. Herbert E. (Helen) Diller
Ms. Candace H. Gardner, Vice-Chairman
Mrs. Arta Gates
Mr. George E. Harris
Mr. Fred Korosy
Mr. Georg Lowenstein
Mrs. Ann Wickersham
Mrs, Lucile Williams
Mrs. Aleta Cozart, Interim Library
Director (excused)
Miss Fredericka Dixon, student ex-officio
Mr. Claude P. Hutchens (excused)
Mr. Walter A. Krick (excused)
GUESTS:
Mrs. Linda Lange, Head of Technical
Services, Clearwater Public Library
Mayor Charles Lecher
Chairman Homer Royer called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM,' Mayor
Charles LeCher addressed the Board members, stating his continued support
of the Library Board and the Board's requests. The Mayor noted his support
for a complete library system in East Clearwater and Countryside. He
suggested making the library facilities proposed for those areas as large
as possible with available funding; however, if that is not possible, he
suggests making plans for as large a facility as needed, but building the
actual facility smaller with the provision to be able to add onto the
facility as we progress. Mayor LeCher also suggests possibly making
cultural centers out of these facilities, providing services and programs
for the elderly and children, fie encouraged the Board to bring any new
ideas to him.
Mr. Royer discussed with Mayor LeCher the possibility investigating
county library services. Mayor LeCher encouraged the Board to pursue this
matter if they wished.
Mrs. Diller noted that she felt the Library Hoard should be considered
or conferred with regarding the selection of a new Library Director, Mayor
LeCher noted that the Library Board cannot have veto power over the City
Manager, but agreed that the Board should have a part in the selection process.
Mayor LeCher mentioned the arrival of cable television into Clearwater
and discussed the possibility of some library programming on one of the
available channels.
Mr, Royer reported that Mrs. Aleta Cozart has been appointed Interim
Library Director until a permanent appointment is made. The selection of
Mrs. Cozart by the City Manager would eliminate giving any unfair advantage
to any Library staff member interested in applying for the position,
CLEARWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
Minutes of the Meeting January 16, 1981
Page 2
Mrs. Diller asked Mr. Royer to keep in touch with Board members as the
selection of a Library Director progresses, fair. Royer will inform the
City Manager of the Board's desire to be consulted in this selection
process.
Mr. Royer read a letter sent to Mrs. Zussy expressing appreciation
and best wishes to her on behalf of the Library Board.
Air. Royer reported that Mr. Curtis Barre was not re-appointed for
another term on the Library Board, Mr. Barre will be given a citation
by the City Commission on January 22, 1981, for his service an the Board,
The City Commission has re-appointed Air, George Harris to a second term
of three years on the hoard. Mr. Claude P. Hutchens has been appointed
as a new member for a three-year term replacing Mr. Barre, Mr. Hutchens
is presently out of town but will be attending the February Board meeting.
Mr. Royer reported on his discussion with City Manager Tony Shoemaker
regarding funding for future library facilities in the upcoming budget.
The budget hearings'., bccur during the summer; therefore, it would be wise
to wait until after the election in February for further discussion,
unless Board members wanted to discuss it with individual candidates,
Mrs. Wickersham noted that the Friends of the Library will be attending
candidates' forums asking specific questions regarding the candidates'
support of libraries in East Clearwater and Countryside, The candidates'
responses will be printed in the Friends of the Library newsletter.
Discussion followed concerning whether the facilities for East
Clearwater and Countryside should be included in one bond issue, with
bonds being sold separately, Some citizens might express concern over
the time element between the construction of the two facilities. Mrs. Gates
stated she has heard positive responses from some of the candidates regarding
the library issue. Several Board members felt that the citizens would be
most in favor of a bond issue with both facilities included but bonds
sold separately. Mrs. Diller stated she felt the most important thing is
to get full service libraries at both locations,
The Friends of the Library discussed the revised Library Hill of
Rights at their January, 1981, meeting and passed a resolution approving
the policy enunciated in this Bill of Rights, The Friends asked what action
the Library Board would take on this matter. Mr, Royer asked that copies
of the Bill of Rights be sent to each Board member before the Board acts
on this policy, Dirs. Lange noted that the Library his its own policy
regarding the use of the Multi-Purpose Meeting Room, This policy is also
based on the Bill of Rights. Copies of this policy will also be sent to
Board members,
The County Library Services Committee chaired by Barbara Skubish is
planning a meeting at the Library on January 27, 1981, at I0:00 Mi. Any
Board member can attend this meeting for more information on county library
services. Mr. Royer asked if the Library find statistics on the effect
of the increased non-resident fee on non-resident registrations, Mrs. Lange
offered to research this matter. Mr. Korosy asked if someone from the
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CLEARWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
Minutes of the Meeting January 16, 1981 '
Page 3
County Library Services Committee could attend one of the Library Board
meetings. Mr. Royer read the options presented by this Committee
regarding county library services:
1. Maintain libraries as they presently exist.
2. Contract with one or two cities to serve unincorporated areas.
3. The County could contract with existing City libraries to serve
county residents.
4. The County could establish library service for unincorporated
areas only (new library service).
5. The County could establish county-wide library service using
existing libraries as component parts,
The goals of this Committee are to provide library service to those who
don't have any at all, and to improve all the library services already
available at present.
Mr. Royer suggested having Jeffrey Butler, Assistant City Manager for
Finance, attend a Board meeting to discuss funding for library facilities,
and Barbara Skubish attend a meeting to discuss the County Library Services
Committee's Progress.
The annual Appreciation Dinner for City Advisory Boards will be
February 24, 1981, at the Sheraton-Sand Key,
This meeting was adjourned at 14:30 AM,
Susan Doel, Secretary