02/21/1997 (2)
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LIBRARY
ADVISORY
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MINUTES
Date
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Present:
Wilbert Bacon
Howard Adler
Marshall Bennett
Glenn Garte
Estelle Dunn
Thalia Kelsey
Joanne Laurenti
Tom Leavy
Judy Melges
Christine Morris
William Raffaniello
Dr. Arlita Hallam
Brenda Moses
Chair
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Library Director
Board Reporter
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LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 21, 1997
The meeting was called to order by Chair Bacon at 9:00 a.m. in the third
floor conference room, Main Library, Clearwater. In order to provide continuity for
research, the items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed
in that order.
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1. Welcome New Board Members
Chair Bacon welcomed Mr. Howard Adler from the Countryside area, and Mr.
Glenn Garte from the Sand Key area as new members of the Library Advisory Board.
Members introduced themselves to the new members. Julie Lewis and Shirley Hunt
were also present, representing the Library Foundation.
2. Approval of Minutes
It was suggested amending the January 24, 1997 minutes to reflect on the
attendance list that a vacant seat existed due to Edward Nichols' resignation from
the Board. Member Christine Morris moved to approve the minutes of January 17,
1997 and January 24, 1 997 as amended. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
3. Library Director's Report
A.
Long Range Plan Update
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Dr. Hallam noted the library system is 82 years old this year. She distributed
and reviewed each section of the Long Range Plan Update which was started in
1 990. The plan includes the roster of Library Advisory Board members, the purpose
of the library, an organization chart, statistics and growth for each branch library~
and information pertinent to the library's long range plan. It was noted library usage
is climbing yearly. It was noted the Public Library Association is looking at other
methods to capture data, and the methods for planning will be changing. A new.
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It was noted next year the Clearwater Library will seek designation as the
Florida State Document Depository. A Clearwater Home Page has been developed
for City government and the Main library. Statistics show the Clearwater Library is
receiving four times more contacts on the Home Page than New York City. This is
attributed to tourism and the "Virgin Mary" sighting. An on-line calendar of events
has been added to the Clearwater Library Home Page. library Windows on Channel
15 will feature a show on the Clearwater library's Home Page next month.
Development of a method for evaluation of the adult collection is in process and
plans are to use it as a pilot project and later market it to others. The audio visual
collection goal by 1998/1999 is targeted at 15% of the collection.
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main library has been included in the long range plan update. Customized
information services provided to City government has saved the City money
previously spent for consultants.
The first certified letters have been mailed for overdue library materials. The
library's intent is to retrieve materials belonging to the library system. Patrons are
given every opportunity to return overdue materials. Patrons with overdue materials
are restricted from obtaining additional materials until materials are returned. After
materials have been overdue for 7 to 10 days, the first courtesy call or notice is
given. The second notice is a bill mailed 7 to 10 days later. If there is still no
response, a certified letter is mailed stating if no response is received, the matter
will be turned over to the courts. Once in the court system, a notice to appear
before a judge is mailed. Failure to appear in court can result in arrest. Court costs
<) and payment of materials not returned are incurred.
Next year the library plans to implement a self check-out system.
Statistically, libraries have found that 80% of check~outs can be handled through a
self check-out system. This system can free up staff to perform other functions,
and prevent the need for additional circulation staff. A computer literate volunteer
is also needed to free up staff time. It was noted there are many available reference
materials such as the Encyclopedia Brittanica on CD ROMs.
Community activities plans include encouraging the extension of Penny for
Pinellas, improving the directional signage in the Main library, developing a building
program for East Beach and North Greenwood libraries, and expanded meeting room
space and other issues pertinent to the new main library plans.
Expanding hours so that at least one library will be open on Sundays is
planned. The library is looking at the feasibility of constructing a joint use facility
with St. Petersburg Junior College as a replacement for the East Library.
It was noted the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative enables patrons to use
one library card in any public library in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.
Libraries within the Cooperative share library resources and funds from the county
and the state. The Cooperative provides funding for some library staff, library
materials, and computer equipment at Clearwater.
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5. FutU[~ Library Field Trips
" It was suggested Board members review library policies and make note of
r suggested changes to be discussed at future meetings. A complete packet of
policies will be distributed to members.
4. Role of Board Member - Tony Bacon
Chair Bacon noted that this Board makes every attempt to ensure
representation from all areas of the City. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and
enc'ouraged to participate in Board discussions, and upon the final vote, all members
are expected to be supportive of the final decision and proceed with the next order
of business.
The City Commission attended a meeting in Savannah, Georgia with some
downtown business people and noted a 3-story bookstore they felt the Library
Advisory Board should visit. The bookstore has a gift shop, a piano bar, a coffee
shop, and lots of meeting rooms. Discussion ensued regarding taking a field trip in
May to the Alachua County Library in Gainesville, Florida, the bookstore in
Savannah, Georgia, the Public Library in Columbia, South Carolina, and the Flagler
Library in Jacksonville, Florida. There will be further discussion at the next Board
meeting.
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6. Tour of Dunedin & Tarpon Springs Public Libraries
It was suggested that Board members meet at the Main Clearwater Library at
9:00 a.m. on April 11, 1997 to visit the new Dunedin and Tarpon Springs libraries
as a group Those members who cannot attend the group meeting can visit the sites
on their own.
7. Reports: Foundation. Friends. Cooperative
Mr. Shirley Hunt noted Julie Lewis is in the process of learning all aspects of
the Foundation. She has been doing a fine job and plans are to make her fulHime in
April of 1997. With the passage of Penny for Pinellas and the incentive for a new
library, funding should allow for this full-time position. Mr. Hunt thanked this Board
and the Friends of the Library for their support. It was noted the Cognescenti
Auction netted $13,000.
Member Christine Morris urged all members who do not already have a library
card to get one. The Friends of the Library offer various activities throughout the
year to benefit the community. Upon a show of hands, nearly 100% of the Library
Advisory Board indicated they were members of the Friends of the Library.
It was noted the Friends of the Library can lobby for various causes. They
strongly support the Penny for Pinellas.
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8.
Board Commerrts
Member Estelle Dunn attended a library workshop In Port Charlotte, Florida.
She stated the workshop is funded by the State, primarily for the Friends of the
Library and trustees of the library on team building and advocacy in the community.
The importance of local contacts to offer funding was stressed. The process a team
goes through to reach a consensus was part of the curriculum.
It was noted the Library Advisory Board dinner will be held at the Harborview
Center at 6:00 p.m. on April 8, 1 997.
The San Diego Union Tribune did a series on the new San Diego Library.
They also visited newly constructed libraries throughout the country and published a
series of newspaper articles. A copy will be circulated to Library Advisory Board
members to review. '
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Chair Bacon noted one of the goals he identified upon becoming Chair was
that every elementary school child would have a library card. Due to extenuating
circumstances, the project has been moving slowly. It was suggested that a list of
all elementary schools be shared with Board members. Board members can select
some elementary schools they would be willing to visit. Members can ask schools
to promote a program to obtain 100% of students' participation in the library card
program. Chair Bacon offered to personally donate a book to the schools that
achieve 100% participation.
Chair Bacon asked Members to visit their nearest library and bring feedback
to the next Library Advisory Board meeting. Feedback includes comments on how
to make improvements. Members should Introduce themselves to library staff and
patrons prior to asking questions.
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11 :07 a.m.
The next meeting of the Library Advisory Board is scheduled for March 21,
1997 in the third floor board room of the Main Library.
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Chair
Attest:
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Board Reporter
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