09/19/1997 (2)
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LIBRARY
ADVISORY
BOARD
MINUTES
Date
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Absent:
Christine Morris
Howard Adler
Estelle Dunn
Glenn Garte
Thalia Kelsey
Joanne laurenti
Judy Melges
William Raffaniello
Julie Lewis
Shirley Hunt
Dr. Arlita Hallam
Gwen Legters
Wilbert Bacon
Marshall Bennett
Tom Leavy
Chair
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Library Foundation
Library Foundation
Library Director
Board Reporter
Member
Member
Member
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LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 19, 1997
Present:
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at Clearwater Main Library. For
continuity, the items are listed in agenda order, although not necessarily discussed in
that order.
1. Welcome
Chair Morris expressed her gratitude for being elected as Chair. She said it is a
privilege to serve, and she will devote her energies to attaining the Library Board's goals.
2. Minutes Approval - May 1997
,Member Melges requested two corrections on page three, fourth paragraph under
Reports. She said three additional scholarships were awarded, for a total of four; and they
were presented at Library Staff Development Day.
Member Laurenti moved to approve the May minutes as corrected. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. Library Director's Report
A. BudQet for 1997-98
Dr. Hallam reviewed the Library Department's budget, stating expenditures increased
to about $4.3 million, two percent more than the previous year. She detailed addition of
3.3 full time equivalent Library staff members.
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B. library BuildinQ Proiects
Dr. Hallam reported new City Manager Michael J. Roberto is very interested in Library
projects and has done a great amount of research. She provided details regarding the factors
involved if the City were to move ahead with five proposed library building projects
simultaneously: 1) relocating the Main Library to the "east end" property at Cleveland Street
and Missouri Avenue; 2) incorporating the Beach Library into a multiple use complex associated
with the new Memorial Causeway Bridge project; 3) relocating and incorporating the North
Greenwood branch into a multiple use recreational facility in the North Greenwood area;
4) relocating and combining the East branch with the St. Petersburg Junior College library on
the front lawn of the Clearwater campus; and 51 expanding the Countryside branch with a
children's wing and computer facilities.
Dr. Hallam responded to questions regarding the proposed East Library relocation project;
comparison of a combined East/SPJC library to what exists downtown and considerations for
public parking, resale of the Drew Street location to the library cooperative for its administrative
offices, various ways to expand the Main Library, schedule of Penny for Pinellas funding, and
bringing structures up to minimum building code requirements. One member noted momentum
to move the Main Library is being lost because progress is not apparent, and many people are
emotionally tied to the bluff location. It was felt momentum will likely build once the site
selection is set. Dr. Hallam discussed legal obstacles and funding alternatives to moving ahead
before Penny for Pinellas funding is in place in 2001. Discussion ensued regarding the City
Management Team's role in the library system expansion, leveraging projects to achieve cost
reductions, the amount of time it may take for the City Manager to rethink the numbers, Mr.
t'/OI,) Roberto's background, and what is facing him today.
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While some members favored a site tour to better visualize the proposals, others felt it was
premature until sites and preliminary plans are established. Examples were cited where plans
for other City projects were changed based on citizen input. Dr. Hallam stated the board may
choose to pro actively pass their concerns to the City Commission. A suggestion to arrange a
drive-by tour in October was not addressed at this time.
C. CensorshiD/lnternet UDdate
The board received information regarding Internet filtering and access in response to a
board member's request. Dr. Hallam related history of the Communications Decency Act;
designed to make libraries and others who permit access to an Internet site liable for any
pornographic material on the site. The Supreme Court decided to look at the issue as a
question of access, rather than production. The Clearwater library has the ahility to filter sites
and did so in response to eight citizen complaints, but later removed the filters when it was
discovered five sites no longer existed. It was indicated child pornography laws affect the
producer of the material; not those who make the avenues available. The City's Internet policy
states that parents are responsible for determining suitability of content for their children.
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Internet access policies and child safety online were discussed. Articles entitled The First
Amendment in Cyberspace by Jim Eisenmann; and Child Safety on the Information Highway by
Lawrence J. Magid were reviewed. Dr. Hallam indicated censorship issues are no different for
the Internet than for a variety of other communications systems and media the library routinely
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encounters. Such issues have been addressed through the City Attorney;s office from the
standpoint of nuisance and disturbance. Discussion ensued regarding Internet access with
regard to intentionally seeking certain sites versus accidentally hitting upon them.
4. Reports: Foundation, Friends; Cooperative
Julie Lewis, Library Foundation Executive Director, stated the Foundation wishes to
hire a consultant to perform a fund raising campaign feasibility study to determine how
much support exists in the private sector for additional funding beyond the $1 2 million
from tax revenues. It was decided to delay the hiring and the study until after the first of
the year when the City is expected to finalize the location upon completion of an economic
impact study. Ms. Lewis said Foundation members are excited and looking forward to
building momentum.
Judy Melges, Friends of Clearwater Libraries, reported the first meeting was held last
week. A reception sponsored for Betty Sinnock prior to her program was well attended.
Seventeen new members were recruited at the door. Discussion ensued regarding more
than 200 people having attended the program. A handout was distributed inviting the
public to a buffet dinner and storytelling event in the Harborview Center Friday, November
14; 1997; by advance reservation only . Dr. Hallam detailed a large variety of story-telling
related activities that will be featured during the event.
Discussion ensued regarding the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (PPLC.) In
response to a question, Dr. Hallam said there are no plans to add East Lake Library to the
,A:;' cooperative at this time. She distributed handouts detailing reciprocal borrowing policies,
Ie ~~~ stating SPJC and all public libraries in Hillsborough; Pinellas, and Pasco counties, with the
exception of Largo, are included. The agreement took effect August 1, 1997. Bookmarks
are being handed out and other publicity is starting. The same card may be used at all
libraries, although it may be necessary to register at certain libraries on separate databases.
5. Board Comments
Member Adler raised a concern regarding magazine subscription donors being
recognized with large business advertisements on library magazine covers. Dr. Hallam
stated it is not unusual to recognize donors, but ads are restricted to business card size.
Discussion ensued regarding the need to develop standard donor recognition guidelines
with regard to naming places and things. Consensus was to form a focus group to set and
fairly administer donor recognition policy. Glenn Garte will chair an ad hoc committee to
address the issue. Julie Lewis will represent the Foundation. Ms. Lewis will inquire
whether a particular foundation member is interested in joining the ad hoc committee. It
was indicated committee meetings must be noticed and follow the Sunshine Law.
Mr. Hunt recognized Member Kelsey for being the Foundation's number one source of
books. He thanked Ms. Kelsey for bringing eight more boxes of books this week.
Consensus was to postpone next month's meeting to October 24, 1997, due to two
major events occurring simultaneously the weekend of October 17.
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Chair Morris called attention to the schedule of major library events occurring
November 1997 through April 1998.,
6. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10: 13 a.m.
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Chair; Library Board ' ,
Attest:
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Board Reporter
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