01/18/1991
LIBRARY BOARD
MINUTES
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CLEARWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
Minutes of the Meeting January 18, 1991
Clearwater Public Library
9:30 a.m. _ 11:00 a.m.
Present:
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William Donovan, Chair
Wilbert Bacon
Dr. David C. Berry
Frederick Dunn
C. Pate Hutchens
Susan Hyman
(Catherine Merriam
Carol Nielsen
Bernard Panush
Virginia Watson
Jack Wilson
Linda Mielke, ex-officio
Absent:
None
Guests:
Jan Bradley, CPLS staff
Matt Moore, CPLS staff
Theodore Serrill, former Board member
Shirley Hunt, GCPU Foundation, Inc.
Chairman William Donovan called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. The
minutes of the December Board meeting were approved as submitted. Mr. Donovan
welcomed new Board member Wilbert Bacon`replacing Theodore Serrill.
Mrs. Mielke reported that a budget cut for the Library Department is still
pending, but has not yet made it to the City Commission agenda. Mrs. Mielke
noted that she and Ms. Althea Andersen prepared a report on the status of volunteers
within the Library Department.
The Board discussed the resignation of City Manager Ron H. Rabun and the
recent article in the newspaper indicating an in-house appointment is possible.
Mrs. Mielke reported that Bordner Research, Inc. has completed 300 surveys
of the citizen survey from the Long Range Planning Committee. Copies of the
survey will be mailed to the Library Board with the minutes. The fee for Bordner
Research to do the survey is to be paid out of Penny for Pinellas funds. There
was discussion as to how much lower Penny for Pinellas collection is from the
original projection. Mrs.. Mielke will report back to the Board with a figure
next month.
Airs. Mielke relayed a patron suggestion to issue tokens to library patrons
to use in the parking lot closest to the Alain Library to raise an arm of an
unmanned gate. After much discussion on the problems with such a parking-system,
Mr. Hutchens moved to forget about the idea. The motion was seconded and approved
unanimously.
Mr. Dunn suggested changes in several library and directional signs near
Main Library.
Air. Matthew Moore discussed a recent incident involving access to videotapes
through the outside video drop box. Despite access to the tapes, Mr. Moore of
the Library staff reports no loss rate to speak of. Modifications to the box
design will be handled through Building & Maintenance Division.
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Clearwater Public Library Board
Minutes of the Meeting January 18, 1991
Page 2
Mrs. Hyman expressed her gratitude in serving on the Board these past six
years, as her term expires with this meeting. Mr. Serrill, whose term expired
in December, also expressed his gratitude to the Board. Mr. Dunn moved that the
Board extend thanks and appreciation to Ted and Susan for their work over the
past six years. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Mr. Hunt also
thanked Mrs. Hyman for her work as Library Board Liaison to the Foundation.
Mr. Wilson questioned the status of the $40,000 cut in the personnel section
of the Library's operating budget. Mrs. Mielke explained that a vacant Librarian I
position,in Youth Services was being offered for the cut as the sole vacancy in
the Department. This position and related service was offered since a time limit
was placed on finding $40,000. The loss of this position affects programming,
outreach to schools, desk coverage on the Readers' Advisory desk, etc. Mrs. Mielke
noted that she has been quite successful in recruiting volunteers for supplemental
roles and to augment existing service; however, because of the limitations
volunteers have with their time, experience, and desire, and the philosophy of
volunteerism, volunteers are not filling vacated paid gobs. Board members
expressed their feeling that job replacement with volunteers was not a good idea
and a dangerous precedent because service levels would be cut. Mr. Wilson
stressed the necessity to provide services for children. Board members discussed
the pros and cons to cutting children's services where an existing vacancy exists
vs. layoff or reorganization of staff. A discussion of downsizing the Library
Department followed.
Mr. Panush moved that since regretfully the City Commission wants a downsizing
of the Library Department, that the Library Director be charged with working on a
plan that will reduce costs but at the same time emphasize library quality services
and facilities. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. There was
expressed concern that this item has been on the Board agenda for several months
for discussion, and City Administration has yet to make a decision on Mrs. Mielke's
proposal for budget cut.
Mrs. Mielke reported on her recent attendance as American Library Association
Councilor to Midwinter Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
Mrs. Mielke reported that 5-10% of the moving company's payment is being
withheld, since they apparently never intended to do the job at Main Library
during the carpet installation according to specifications.
Jan Bradley, Community Services Librarian, spoke on the,75th Anniversary
Celebration.' Board members were asked to volunteer for the 75th Anniversary
Committee. A committee meeting will be called soon.
Dr. Berry reminded the Board of the Adler Literary Arts Festival in February
and March.
Mrs. Merriam's liaison report from the last Foundation meeting is attachcid.
The meeting was adjourned at 11;00 a.m.
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TO: City of Clearwater Library Board
Meeting of January 16,,1991
FROM: Katie Merriam, Library Board Liaison
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SUBJECT: Greatdr Clearwater Public Library Foundation Board
meeting of January 10, 1991.
Both the old and the New Board members met together, the New
members and those retiring introduced themselves.There
followed the installation of the New Board officers,
Mr. Shirley Hunt reviewed the Foundations past year.
The Board voted to give the Friends of the Clearwater Public
Library, especially Eugenia Berry, President, a "Vote of
Confidence" on the 75th Anniversary major community event.
Mrs. Mielke remarked that the Long Range Planning Committee's
report is due in 6 weeks.
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