Loading...
01/20/1989 ,'::~;:C'(:': +. .', '. I:. . ", , I . :~"" . ," '.. . " cO f:,t: ,'.... .' ~::.. 0 ,. . :" - ..~r..~~..~~.r' . 4,..::, c~ '.+' ','_ ~" '. . , '.. . .~. . '" ' :", ,:' <~::';,;.:.:/:r,' U '.-" > .....' . I " . .' p , . LIBRARY BOARD . MINUTES " . DATE ;::/A~VANr ""~ Ir;~, , , 1- /t;J- b .... .... I ~ " :,I :t . .~. (; ;.} CLEARWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD Minutes of the Meeting JANUARY 20, 1989 Clearwater Public Library 9:30 u.m.-10:50 a.m. PRESENT: Mr. William Donovan; Chair Mr. Frank Barnicle Dr. David Berry Mr. Frederick Dunn .Mrs. Susan Hyman Mrs. Katherine Merriam Ms. Carol Nielsen Mr. Bernard Panush Mr. Theodore Serrill Mrs. Faye Sollid Nrs. Virginia hfatson Mrs. Linda Mielke, ex-officio ABSENT: None GUESTS: Michael Wright, Assistant City Managerl Community Services Shirley Hunt, Greater Clearwater Public Library Foundation Chairman William Donovan called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. The minutes of the December, 1988, meeting were approved as submitted. Mrs. Mielke gave an update on the Pinellas County Library Cooperative Plan. ' The Clearwater City Commission voted 4-1 not to join the Cooperative at this time. Library Board members and Friends supporters were present at the City Commission meeting. Those Board members who attended the meeting discussed their view of the proceedings. In response to a question from Mrs. Nielsen, Mrs. Mielke noted that only unincorporated residents will be allowed to vote on the referendum for the Pinellas County Library Cooperative Plan, and only unincorporated residents will be taxed. \~hen asked by the Board, Hrs. Hielke I s opinion on the referendum was that it will pass. There was discussion as to a public relations campaign to negate the unfavorable publicity Clearwater has received on this issue. After some discussion, it was decided that a letter to the Editor would be the first step to explain Clearwater's position. This letter to the press will be from Chairman William Donovan. Mr. Panush moved that Chairman Donovan send the letter to the Editor of the local newspapers expressing the position of Clearwater on this issue by stating why Clearwater is opposed to the present formula, and to submit a positive way of action that will unite the County together where everyone is treated equally. Mrs. Nielsen asked if enhancements are available to the plan. Mrs. Mielke stated she can come up with enhancements and that a positive letter can be prepared. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Watson and approved unanimously. Mr. Dunn distributed a revision prepared by Mrs. Mielke to the Board Member Manual originally prepared by the Long Range Planning Committee and distributed last month. After discussion began on the revised draft which the Board had not previously seen, Mrs. Nielsen recommended that the Board have a month to go through this revision which is morc detailed than the one received earlier. Mr. Panush moved that an ad hoc committee and Mrs. Mielke meet together to prepare another "revised" document to be discussed at a future Board mecting. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Sollid and approved unanimously. Mr. Galbraith, City Attorney, Clearwater Public Library Board Minutes of the Meeting January 20, 1989 Page 2 will be invited to that committee meeting. Other interested Board members will also be invited. The revised document from that committee meeting will then be sent to tire entire Board to review prior to discussion at a Board meeting. There was discussion concerning the fact that Mrs. Mielke has not been invited to attend any committee meetings. Mr. Panush moved that Mrs. Mielke sit in on the committee meetings. The motion was seconded by Dr. Berry and approved unanimously. Mrs. Mielke reported on an offer from Clearwater Mall to donate the large "season" statues located iriside one of the Mall entrances to the City for suggested use at Clearwater Countryside Library lawn or in Coachman Park. Mr. Wright suggested the City may offer another City site. After di~cussion, several Board members did not feel the statues would blend well with the Countryside area. Mr. Panush moved that the Board accept the statue offer in principle and the City can pursue the idea of a proper location. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Watson and approved unanimously. ~trs. Hyman reported on the latest Greater Clearwater Public Library Foundation Board meeting which she attended as Library Board liaison. A copy of her report is at,tached. Mrs. Mielke distributed a copy of the Safety Harbor Friends proposal for library service in cooperation with Clearwater submitted to the Pinellas County Legislative Delegation on January 17. 1989, by the Greater Clearwater Public Library Foundation. The idea behind this proposal is reimbursement to each City's library based on per circulated items at $2.80 per item. The Foundation will be responsible for disbursing funds to each City. The amount of funding requested ($95,000) may only last 4-5 months. The proposal is a pilot project for a trial year. Mr. Hunt noted that this proposal is a truly equitable plan, unlike the Pine lIas County Library Cooperative that Clearwater recently declined to join. Board members questioned the drain this use may have on the Countryside library facility. Mr. Hunt noted that the money Clearwater would receive might be used to purchase books. There would also be a limit on the total number of books Safety Harbor residents will be allowed to check out each time. ~lrs. Mielke pointed out that the population of Safety Harbor (13,000) is a finite number and she expects 50% of the residents would sign up for this plan if approved. Mrs. Mielke stated she can operate with that number of additional patrons using the Clearwater library system. Mrs. Mielke reported the presentation by Marilea Levinson of the Safety Harbor Friends to the Pinellas County Legislative Delegation was well received. Library Board members felt the proposal was good public relations for Clearwater. Hr. Panush moved that the Library Board encourage Clearwater Library management to continue negotiations with Safety Harbor Friends in submittal of a final proposal. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dunn and approved unanimously. Mrs. Mielke invited Board members to attend a Friends and Trustee workshop in Ocala on Harch 8. Mrs. Mielke distributed brochures on the Library's Annual Report~ Scholar's Choice lecture series. and the Adler Literary Arts Festival. ~.~. , " .~ .' ~. : " ..~ I n " ' ~: :t'~'/:;.', '. . . ~' . ", ., Clearwater Public Library Board Minutes of the Meeting January 20, 1989 Page 3 Mr. Hunt reported that author Rosalind Laker is coming to the area on holiday and has 'agreed to appear on February 14, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at Clearwater East Library with the Romance Writers of America, local chapter. Mrs. Sollid had no further report on the Friends of the Library Board meeting which she attended, since the Friends business has been covered in other reports. Mrs. Mielke reported that one full time position, has been caught in a hiring freeze. Several other library positions are open, but official action has not been taken on those positions. Mrs. Mielke is concerned with operating facilities safely with minimal staff at branches. Board members questioned the impact this freeze would have on. library service. Mr. Panush requested a memo be submitted to the Board from Mrs. Mielke on the effects of the freeze for Board discussion at the next meeting. , Mrs. Mielke distributed Standards and Guidelines for the Clearwater Public Library System to be discussed at next month's meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m. \ ' Susan Doel, Secretary \-'. :':<.; " II . , ,,' ' ': ~ ,: < ~::.', .~~~~: > -, ' .~\ \,', '.. .' > :: c.I"'_"'."PI". . . .... " R~port on Foundation Board Meeting 1/5/89 1. Treasurer's report was followed by extensive discussion of very recent proposal regarding the possibility of a cooperative agreement between the Clearwater Library System and that of Safety Harbor. This proposal which is being made on behalf of the Safety Harbor Friends of the Lib~ary and the Greater Clearwater Foundation will ask for the funding of $95,000.00 by the Pinellas County delegation to the State. Although the committee members are in favor of this proposal, they did air various concerns regarding same. 2. Shirley Hunt reported that ads have now appeared in several local newspapers for donations to the Tribute Fund. A slide presentation wa~ shown to the members which will eventually be used to furth~r publicize the Foundation to organizations throughout the city. 3. Linda also reported that the Pinellas delegation will also be asking the State to go ahead with the funding necessary to implement ~he Talking Book project. 4. Other items discussed included the need for neW members to the Board to replace those with expiring terms. 5. The Board will be holding their annual meeting sometime shortly. The Board would like to include members of the Advisory Board and Friends to attend this function. 6. A short discussion was had regarding the possible use of Dialog monies that have accumulated in the reserve fund. Some contact with GTE will be had also regarding this poine. Respectfully submitted, Susan Hyman ,I .\