04/10/1987LIBRARY BOARD
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CLEAR14ATER PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
10 APRIL 1987
Clearwater Public Library
9:30 am - 10:20 am
PRESENT:
Mr. Frank Barnicle, Chair
Mr. William Donovan
Mr. Frederick Dunn
Dr. James Frush
Mrs. Susan Hyman
Ms. Carol Nielsen
Mr. Bernard Panush
Mr. Theodore A. Serrill
Mrs. Virginia Watson
Mrs. Linda Mielke, ex-officio
ABSENT:
Ms. Margot Pequignot, excused
Mrs. Faye Sollid, excused
GUESTS:
Mayor Rita Garvey, City of Clearwater
Mr. Homer Royer, interested citizen
Chairman Frank Barnicle called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. Minutes
of the last meeting were approved as submitted.
Mr. Barnicle welcomed Mayor Rita Garvey and commended her work for libraries
in the past. Mayor Garvey reported that usage and enthusiasm for the library
system is very high. She has not heard any more negative comments for Countryside
than those made when Clearwater East was being planned. Mayor Garvey discussed
her introduction of the 1/4 mill for Library System Improvements. While the
millage is presently ongoing, it can be changed through City Commission action
at any time.
Mrs. Nielsen asked if the placement of the Countryside Library would attract
nonresidents from neighboring areas, such as Palm Harbor and Safety Harbor. While
the library will attract nonresidents, the fee is not,a money raiser and is a
small percentage of the library's budget.
Board members discussed the varying per capita costs of area libraries.
Mayor Garvey reported she does not receive complaints about Clearwater's costs
because Clearwater is offering better service than other libraries. There was
some discussion of county library service.
Mr. Royer noted that his only objection to Clearwater East is the insufficient
number of books on the shelf. Mrs. Mielke reported that 13% of the library budget
is spent for book purchases.
Mr. Dunn asked Mayor Garvey about the future of the parking lot next to
Main Library. Mayor Garvey stated that the City has told developers that this
particular land is not for sale. Mayor Garvey doesn't expect development of the
bayfront area to happen.
Mrs. Mielke reviewed the Florida Library Association Conference program,
inviting the Board to attend on Friday, May 8. The Board is also invited to the
Open House and barbeque at Main Library on Thursday, May 7, 6:00 p.m., sponsored
by CL Systems, Inc.
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CLRARWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
Minutes of the Meeting April 10, 1987
Page 2
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Mrs. Mielke reports no new information on the proposal for county library
service since the ;Sayors' Council turned it over to the County Administrator
several months ago.
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Mrs. Mielke discussed a bill before the State Legislature,co-sponsored by
Curt Kiser, which will change the State Library law on allocation of State Aid
to libraries. Presently the law concerns county library systems only. The
change would include municipal libraries as well.
Mr. Barnicle distributed copies of a letter prepared on behalf of the Board
to the City Commission stating the Board's concern about the issue of development
of the parking lot next to Main Library. After reviewing the letter, Mr. Panush
moved that the letter be modified by deleting the first phrase of the first
sentence in the last paragraph. The motion was seconded and passed with one
dissenting vote. The letter will be typed and sent to the City Commission.
Ptayor Garvey discussed an idea suggested at the Downtown Clearwater Association
meeting to provide free parking in downtown Clearwater on Saturdays to encourage
downtown shopping. Mayor Garvey was not sure what impact on revenue such a change
might cause. Mrs. Mielke will check with the Downtown Clearwater Association for
more details.
Mrs. Mielke discussed the library's Database Place service. Jim Davis of the
Library staff will attend the next Board meeting to give a presentation on this
service.
Mrs. Mielke mentioned an article, "Libraries and Learning,"in American Scholar,
Spring, 1987 issue, which mentions research libraries, resource sharing and
networking.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
Susan Doe1, Secretary