01/24/1997 (2)
I ' ' , , '. . I : I ' ~, _ .. ~h' " . """_~". .. .,._~.~. '~ .,: 'I . . , " " I", " , , " . , \ ,~ ' , , ' .
, '.
~
I' ' ,I
, "'," :' ",' + '",:~,:T':'/~":;".:.'~:''''~c'';;c,?,r:.';l::.'''l'''l'':''....,t
. '. ,..,. ". '
.' LIBRARY
. ,ADVISORY
BOARD
MINUTES
Date
" J co:;t. 1
, I
(
, " . ' " " . . , ' . '.. \. '. \'
-"""'"."" ",', ";'.,'" '.:': :"",,".,'.. ......,.
" , .." , ':.... '''''~I':' ~t".':-" '" J"" ':- " ..... "
, " I ' , &....... 1 I , _.L:...J. I, " " .' ,', I ~ I
Absent:
David Waddell
Judy Melges
Marshall Bennett
Member
Member
Member
.'
i~
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 24, 1997
Present:
Wilbert Bacon
Thalia Kelsey
Joanne Laurenti
Christine Morris
Estelle Dunn
William Raffaniello
Tom Leavy
Vacant Seat
Dr. Ar!ita Hallam
Karen Seel
Brenda Moses
Chair
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Library Director
City Commissioner
Board Reporter
ll~
~ "...!I
The meeting was called to order by Chair Bacon at 12: 1 0 p.m. at the Main
Library, third floor board room, 100 North Osceola Avenue, Clearwater, Florida. In
order to provide continuity for research. the items listed were not necessarily
discussed in that order.
Discussion of a New Main Clearwater Library
Dr. Arlita Hallam explained the purpose of this meeting is to interact with one
another and library building program consultant, David Henington, regarding plans
for a new Clearwater Main Library. Also in attendance were Shirley Hunt and Julie
Lewis of the Foundation.
Mr. Henington served as Director of the Houston Public Library for 27 years.
He has worked as a building program consultant with many communities and
academic institutions to build new buildings and renovate others. In 1993, Mr.
Henington developed Clearwater's Main Library Building Program. He returned this
week to meet with staff and update the program in anticipation of the passage of
Pennies for Pinellas. There was discussion of two possible sites: 1) the bluff next
to Harborview; and 2) the East End property on Missouri and Cleveland. Mr.
Henington said the most important decision the City will make will be the site.
Accessibility should be a key factor in the site decision. He noted plusses and
minuses for both sites. The East End property will probably preclude bicyclists and
pedestrian traffic from visiting the library, however that site is very visible and is on
a main intersection which will attract more patrons. The Jolly Trolley and the PST A
(Pinellas County Transit Authority) buses traverse that area. It would be very easy
to design a building on that particular site. There are many apartment complexes in
that area, as well as a shopping center at the corner of Missouri and Cleveland
o which would also benefit from a library at that site.
mlib01 b.97
1
01/24/97
"
(,
i
:)
,
The bluff site would attract more bicycle, pedestrian, and government
employee traffic, and if attached to the Harborview Center, less construction may
be required. Mr. Henington noted he was impressed with the Harborview Center
because of the variety of meeting rooms and spaces. Meeting room space is a very
costly item in planning a library and taking advantage of the space at the
Harborvlew Center would be beneficial. A member remarked that adding onto an
existing building can be much more costly than anticipated, as was evident at the
Harborview Center. Should a new library be "attached" to the Harborview Center, a
walkway could be incorporated into the design. It was remarked if a library is built
and attached to the Harborvlew Center, and labeled a "civic" center, then it would
no longer be considered a "convention" center. It was noted one of the items
frequently suggested is a downtown auditorium theater.type space. The second
floor of the Harborview Center does not allow for that type of space. A suggestion
was made that the back of the exhibit hall could be the auditorium with a built-in
stage, and the front part of the exhibit hall toward the water could be used as an
open receiving area featuring local history and artwork. The upstairs area could be
utilized as is, with meeting rooms being available for local groups. Should outside
groups be interested in renting meeting rooms, additional revenues could be
generated. A member remarked that unless elevated seating was implemented in
the theater area, it would be useless. Discussion continued regarding the various
possibilities that should be incorporated into the new library. Staffing, book drop
construction, space requirements, separate spaces for children and teens, and
accommodations for the handicapped were among some of the issues discussed.
Mr. Henington suggested open spaces were the most efficient design because of
flexibility factors. Generally, well-designed libraries have no more than 30,000
square feet of space per floor. Much more than that would require more exterior
doors and increased security measures. Plans for the new main Clearwater library
include 90,000 square feet of space, Dr. Hallam will distribute the revised building
program to members upon incorporation of the latest modifications derived from the
meetings with Mr. Henington.
r'}
A question was asked whether a referendum would be necessary if a library
is built on the bluff. Commissioner Seel noted should anything be constructed under
the 28 foot mark, a referendum would be required. Should the bluff property be
sold, it must also go to referendum.
It was noted at the Economic Development Plan presentation last night, that
a decision will be made regarding the bluff, the proposed Memorial Causeway
Bridge, the downtown lake and other major issues being discussed throughout the
City by the end of February 1 997.
,'t;)
mllb01 b.97
2
01/24/97
{J::.:\~~\.;:'>~'~ '~.~. . '.. 1
. . " .' > ' , .,'" \;: .'~l,' J':~" '.....L~ ". '~'", -' .:,~, '. , "," ",.11:,,': ',' ..' ":' " ' " :' I, "~'
."
. .'
...1
.'
, ',' ," ",. ,.",' ,,"~':':;,hif:,\:~i;~tJ;~, >!;~u::': ::W::!';;!::i\!:;: ",2>'
'.': . ' .,
o
The meeting adjourned at 1 :30 p.m.
~~Jh'L<:L
-.
Chair
Library Advisory Board
, Attest:
&mk fVl~
, Board Reporter' .
II
. '> ,\
./ "
.,,' r::J
,":
j'!
'I' .
. ,
. "L
,",: '
. ,:,'1"
,',<
, '
l ""
0"
. .
,
. "
. !}
. ,
~.: . ..'.
"'0"
.:; ~.
;\,' e
'.,:
,"
;/:' " I ,
, ,
'. mlib01 b.97
3
01/24/97
,". -":' " .' " : ",' " .\',;, -:" ". /', ". . ,,'. ,: , '.. . '. " \ :', ',',
, . \ ' ,
< ." , , , ..' ' , ~ . ' . <,' ~ I ,'.
. '.' . - ' I ~ . '. '
, . '.' .' . ,I
" \ '. :. , I. ,( I ,:i LJ . . , , ' "