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03/21/1997 (2) .' ~.~ ""::"1"'" ....: "." 'ft',' .;..:.... .;. 1....:. '"...~'~ ~:....' ,'.,"... ....... '., ....... ",' 'j'.. '. " '.' ".'" , ~1 , . ' , , , , , ,:' . , ~. ~:' ..:.' .' !." I'" '." f "r ,"~'I~. .~' . ,:.. ,:: t', 1 '" . . LIBRARY ADVISORY. BOARD MINUTES Date Oll l~ ;30 " ' " ! " ~"..:-.,_' ,"',','. ',', ':'." "~":"':,' '.',:.." '..., .',' ,j:', ','.,,', 'l,'"",, ".':' ...'" ~.',,:::':~:><:," , ',.''-,, ....:...:, ',' I ' \ ". I" r. ' ,,=t. ( .' I " , " , __... c . . _ h __ .i'" " ,", " " ~ LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER March 21, 1997 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 Membor Member Library Director Board Reporter ',I 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. ':J 1 . Approval of Minutes - Februarv 21. 1997 Member Joanne laurenti moved to approve the minutes of February 21, 1997 as submitted in writing to each member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 2. Librarv Director's ReDort A. Revise Policies All members received a packet of the library's current policies. Dr. Hallam noted library staff suggested some minor "housekeeping" changes. As Library Advisory Board members began reviewing suggested changes and adding their own suggestions, it was decided that members win submit their suggested revisions to Dr. Hallam~ She will incorporate library staff's revisions and Board members' suggestions into one revised copy for Board members' final review. It was noted many paragraphs can be consolidated and the entire policy shortened considerably. Chair Bacon selected '3 Board members to serve on a committee to review the final changes before final policy is determined. Committee members will be Tom Leavy, Glenn Garte, Howard Adler, Carolyn Moore and Dr. Hallam. This committee will meet to discuss meeting times after the library Advisory Board meeting. B. Reminder - Penny for Pinellas u Board members discussed the importance of passage of Penny for Pinellas. Many people still do not understand how the money is applied. An example given mLlBD3.97 1 03/21/97 Board members are to meet at the Main Library at 9:00 a.m. on April 11, 1997 for a tour of the Dunedin and Tarpon Springs Public Libraries. Library Directors will conduct the tours and members should arrive back at the Main Clearwater Library by 1 :00 p.m. For those members who cannot meet at 9:00 a.m., you may show up at the Dunedin Library on your own. ~ was the East lake Library's request for a new library without more taxes. Roads and other projects have to be funded somehow. If the Penny for Pinellas does not pass, it is very possible that property taxes will increase. Members are encouraged to vote on March 25, 1997. 3. "For Every Child a Library Card" Camoah:m - Tony Bacon Board members each selected elementary schools to visit to kick off the "For Every Child a Library Card" campaign as developed by Chair Bacon. Members are to contact the schools' Media Specialist and Principal to implement the program. For every school that achieves a 100% participation between now and June 1, 1997, Chair Bacon will donate a book, up to a value of $25, for that school's library. Chair Bacon will prepare an outline for Board Members to follow and include it in their packets along with library applications. Members should begin to contact schools immediately and complete their presentations before the next meeting. 4. Tour of Dunedin and Tareon Sorinas Public Libraries - April 11 , 1997 (~ ,"~ 5. Branch Librarv Visits - Tonv Bacon .0 At the last meeting, members were asked to visit their individual branch libraries, making note of any suggestions for improvement. A member visited the Countryside Library and noted the Standard & Poor's books and Dow Jones News Retrieval Service are located in the study section of the library. When 2 or more people begin discussing the stock market they tend to forget others are being disturbed. It was noted that the reference desk staff are overworked at the Main Clearwater Library and the Beach Library. When the telephone rings, the person in front of the reference desk personnel is interrupted. He also noted that service personnel speak too loudly which disrupts patrons in the library. It was suggested each library purchase a portable phone to enable reference desk personnel to walk around and finish their tasks while assisting telephone callers. It was noted that the "Value Line" volumes and indexes are in two different locations. It was suggested all indexes be placed in a binder, and volumes be placed in individual loose-leaf binders with a chain and clip if necessary. Patrons commented that they would like to see the Beach Library building expanded and requested Sunday hours. Although Sunday hours were tested at the Main Clearwater Library to no avail, it was noted it may work at the Beach Library since beach patrons do not differentiate a Sunday from a weekday. Patrons at the Beach library were overwhelming supportive of that branch. It was noted that some patrons bring in sand from the beach. The situation has greatly improved with the help of Police Service Technicians monitoring the Main Library. A remark was made about monitoring the restrooms at the Main Clearwater library. The North Greenwood Library become chaotic after school, which can disturb the other patrons who are trying to study. Many parents send mLlB03.97 2 03/21/97 ..._~" ,~, '''-'. ..t,,-.l Chair Bacon gave a report on the Cooperative. He spent 3 days in Tallahassee with 20 people from the Cooperative for a most successful tour of the State Library and meetings with State Senators and Representatives. The Pinellas Cooperative was the first library to proudly receive a check, which was in the amount of $853/000. ~ . their children to libraries until they pick them up after work. It was noted that there Is a rapport with families at the Greenwood branch. Staff at that branch do a fine job of controlling the influx of children after school. Several remarks were made that library personnel are extremely friendly and helpful at all branches. 6. Reoorts: Foundation, Friends. Coooerative Mr. Hunt gave a report on the Library Foundation. He noted that Julie Lewis is attending a fundRraising seminar and plans are to hire her permanently. The Cognescenti Auction profit was slightly over $15,000 and Mr. Hunt thanked Library Advisory Board members for their support. .j~ 1'1'i!'o,l Member Christine Morris noted April 20/ 1997 at 2:00 p.m., the Friends of the Library will be recognizing volunteers at all branches. Board members are encouraged to attend this important event at the Clearwater Main Library. Since the Friends of the Library do not have a yearly book sale, each library branch provides a bookstore outlet which has proven very successful. The Friends of the Library needs to increase their membership and Library Advisory Board members are encouraged to help recruit members. A Friends of the Library scholarship is in place for library personnel who wish to pursue higher education. The scholarship is available to undergraduates or those pursuing graduate degrees in library science. The Althea Anderson scholarship for $1,000 is available for those personnel working on their master's degree in library science. Scholarships will be awarded at the August 1 997 Library Staff Development Day. Next year the Friends of the Library will fund some essay contests for elementary and middle schools in Clearwater. It was suggested in order to boost Friends of the Library membership, leaflets be placed on tables at each branch library to highlight the existence of this group. 7. Board Comments o Chair Bacon noted that the City Commission and the Mayor suggested reducing the size of the Library Advisory Board from 11 members to 9 members. I Discussion ensued regarding whether "more representation is better". It was noted that there is a lack of people on the waiting list to serve on this board and the turnover has been a problem. Two Board members' terms are expiring the beginning of next year, which would eliminate two positions. It was remarked that a quorum is also affected by the size of a Board. It was felt sufficient representation would still be apparent with this reduction. Dr. Raffaniello moved that the Library Advisory Board be reduced from 11 members to 9 members through the process of natural attrition or non-renewal of the next 2 Board members' terms. The motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken, members Bennett and Laurenti were opposed. The motion carried. mUS03.97 3 03/21/97 Cwh~~ " ' " . ," ,'It;" .' " I " ' ~ :'\.'~1 , , ~ ~ -l" ':.i.' :" . OJ . ~ .". 1-' ~. ~ .. . I"'" Dr. Hallam noted it is budget time for budgets beginning October 1, 1997 through September 30, 1998. Additional library staff requirements will be added to the budget at the Main, East and Countryside libraries. A grant writer position was filled by Ms. Lee Brannick. Twenty applications have already been processed by Lee, primarily for a folk art festival in November. Dr. Hallam distributed a handout from PC Novice entitled "Beyond the Blueprint". Personnel from PC Novice selected 6 or 7 questions, went to libraries to search for answers, searching for the same questions on the World Wide Web, and discovered that in most of the cases, the library answered ,the question faster than the Internet. April 19, 1997 is Net Day. In the past schools have been wired for Internet and computer access. This year public libraries are being included, and the Clearwater Main Library will be wired this year to be used a the focal library for the state. Everyone will receive invitations to the April 8, 1997 Board Appreciation Dinner. Please RSVP to Dr. Hallam as soon as possible. The Nominating Committee and the Library Policy Review Committee will meet immediately after this meeting. Dr. Hallam will take notes at the Policy Review Committee and the Board Reporter will take notes at the Nominating Committee Meeting. r::) 8. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11 :00 a.m. Chair Attest: ~ Mlda lllfn0 Board Reporter ~ mLIB03.97 4 03/21/97