04/18/2003 (2)
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LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 18, 2003
Present:
Judy Melges
Tom Leavy
Howard Adler
Frederick Dunn
Chair
Vice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Absent:
Glenn Garte
Katherine Merriam
Vacant Position
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present:
John Szabo
Susan Doel
Library Director
Administrative Analyst
Chair Judy Melges called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. at the Main
Library.
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To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #1 '- Welcome
Chair Melges announced that Jan Regulski was appointed by the City
Commission to fill the position vacated by Rhonda Smith. Mrs. Regulski will begin
her term with the May, 2003 meeting.
, ITEM #2 - Minutes
Member Howard Adler moved to approve the minutes of the March 21,
2003 meeting as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carri,ed
unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Library Director's Report
a) Main Library Project Update
Library Director John Szabo reported sections of the grand stair are being
installed. Roo'fing materials are awaiting installation upon completion of the st,ucco
now in progress. Masonry, ductwork and air handlers are near completion. Interior
framing on floors 1, 2, and 3 is almost completed with floor 4 in progress.
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Library -Advisory 2003-0418
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04/18/03
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b) Born-to~Read - Library Cards
: A decision has been made to issue free library cards to Born-to-Read clients
who live in communities in Pinellas County that do not participate in the Pinellas
Public Library Cooperative. The estimated impact on Clearwater is minimal, likely
less than ten cards. '
c) Local History Database - PPLC Grant
Clearwater was the leader among four area libraries in writing a grant for
, $33,000 to Pinellas Public Library Cooperative to build a digital database of
historical materials about Pinellas County. Clearwater will receive a small sum for
managing the grant for the four public libraries: St. Petersburg, Largo, Tarpon
Springs, and Clearwater.
d) Literacy Grant - Sam's Club Foundation
Clearwater received a $1,000 grant for literacy from Sam's Club Foundation.
Software aimed at English as a second languag~, for Spanish-speaking in~:Hviduals
will be purchased. .
e) North Greenwood Branch Library - Civic Beauty Award
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The Clearwater Garden Club honore~ the North Greenwood Branch Library
with their semi-annual Civic Beauty Award which wilt be on display for the next six
months.
ITEM' #4 - Unfinished Business,
a) State, Library of Florida Issue - Update
Mr. Szabo reported both the 'Senate and House came to terms regarding the
funding of almost all of the State Library positions the Governor had proposed to
cut. Both the Senate and House refused to fund moving the State Library co'lIection
to ,Nova Southeastern Unive~sity. The Florida Library Association continues to
closely monitor the issue.
In his role as Vice President/President-Elect of the Florida Library Association,
Mr. Szabo has been directly involved in the State Library issue. At the Florida
Library Association Conference next week in Orlando, Mr. Szabo will take office as
Presi~ent of the Florida Library Association. '
ITEM #5 - New Business
a)
Nomination of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson for 2Q03/2004
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Chair Melges opened the' floor to accept nominatio~s for the offices of
Library Advisory 2003.0418
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04/1 8/03
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Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Member Adler nominated Chair Melges and Vice
Chair Tom Leavy for Chair and Vice Chair respectively for the coming year. With no
further nominations from the floor, nominations were closed. Member Adler moved
that the aforesaid nominees be accepted by acclamation. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
b) Mr. Szabo reminded the' Board of the importance of foll.owingthe Sunshine
Law in situations where two OT more Board members present may not discuss
. matters which may come before the Board. Due, to the absence of three Board
membe:rs from this meeting, this subject will be placed on next month's agenda for
review.
ITEM #6 - Reports
a) Foundation
Chair Melges announced that tickets are still available for the special event at
the Fresh Market on Tuesday, May 6. All proceeds will benefit the Main Library
Capital Campaign.
b) Friends
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Mr. Sza~o reported the Friends installed new officers at th.e Annual Meeting
and Volunteer Recognition Tea on April 6. The Friends are funding a special library
event featuring world~renowned poet Nikki Giovanni at 7:00 p.m. on April 24 at the
East Library.
'TEM.#7 - Board Comments
Member Adler asked that volunteers be considered to provide assistance at
the information des,k from time to t!me. Mr. Szabo stressed the importance of a
professional librarian on the desk at all times assisting patrons, noting that the
reference interview conducted sometifTles reveals a much more detailed request.
In response to Member Adler's comment that patrons are not aware of the
available databases in our system, Mr. Szabo noted that promotional materials have
been prepared for patrons.
Member' Adler suggested Board members be given assignments to work on
related to internal library matters for reporting back to the Board. Mr. Szabo
cautioned against Board members taking problems directly to staff members and
emphasized the importance of bringing such concerns directly to the Board. At that
time Mr. Szabo can address whether. an issue needs staff revi'ew. Mr. Szabo was in'
favor of Board members meeting with staff to lea"rn more about internal library
services.
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Vice Chair Leavy expressed concern about the inferior quality of bindings on
library materials. Mr. Szabo noted thatsome children's materials do have library
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04/18/03
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, bindings, but as a general rule, most adult materials purchased are not available
with library binding. Mr. Szabo commented that book making materials and
processes are inferior compared to previous decades and even centuries.
ITEM #8 - Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m.
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