08/05/2010
LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 5, 2010
Present: Jan Regulski Chair
Judith Blanton Vice-Chair
Elizabeth M. O’Brien Board Member
Rosalie G. Murray Board Member
Bernard Ward Board Member
Judith McSwine Board Member
Absent: Mary Van Weezel Board Member
Also Present: Barbara Pickell Library Director
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. at the Main Library.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1 – Approval of Minutes
– May 6, 2010
Member Ward moved to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2010, Library Board
meeting, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
2 – Library Director’s Reports
2.1. Budget Update
Library Director Barbara Pickell said the City Manager had proposed a status quo
budget for the Library. She suggested thanking him for his budget recommendations and the
City Council for their support of City libraries during this budget cycle.
Library supporters were thanked for their efforts during recent years in lobbying the City
Council to maintain basic levels of library service.
2.2. Summer Reading Update
Ms. Pickell said all branches attracted many children to summer reading programs, with
Countryside hosting up to 300 participants at a session. East Library drumming circles proved
popular. The Main Library attracted 200 to a science show and the Beach Library offered shell
crafts. A countywide adult reading program with incentives and prizes is again proposed for
next summer to encourage all levels to read. Participant book reports, published on the web
page, will provide local feedback to contemporaries. Suggested reading lists will be provided.
The Library also has several active book clubs.
2.3. Self-check, Floating Collection, and Other Operational Changes
Ms. Pickell said new self-check equipment will empower the public to handle most of
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their library business. A staff member will be available to assist. The equipment will free staff
for other activities, such as shipping materials to other libraries. The variety of materials
available at smaller City libraries has expanded since the Library stopped returning City
materials to their home libraries.
In response to a question, Ms. Pickell said the library orders 15 copies of books by
authors who attract long waiting lists. Smaller budgets have made it difficult to meet the
countywide standard of one copy for every four reserves. While popular materials are available
at branches, the Main Library has the best collection of resource materials in the County. Staff
weeds out multiple copies of old books to make room for new materials. The library’s goal is to
operate efficiently and effectively.
Ms. Pickell said each e book and e reader unit can hold many books, but only can be
loaned to one person at a time. There is a heavy demand for e books. Changing formats are a
challenge to libraries. The Palm Harbor library is reinstituting its LP collection. Clearwater no
longer purchases cassettes. Books on CDs are popular. The library has a substantial collection
of audio books that can be downloaded to MP3 players.
3 – Unfinished Business
3.1. Library Café
Ms. Pickell said fixtures are in place for the café to begin operations after school starts.
The café will be open on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., even in the summer.
Pinellas County schools will run this transition program that may serve food prepared by the
County’s culinary school. Two supervisors will be onsite. The café has classroom space. The
program, unique in Florida, is partially funded by federal funds. The Library may work with the
program to publicize it once it is open.
Discussion ensued regarding program advantages, with compliments expressed
regarding these trailblazing efforts.
4 – New Business
4.1. Increasing Library Fines
Ms. Pickell said increasing library fines requires a Library Board recommendation to the
City Manager, who makes the final decision. All local libraries are pressed to increase
revenues. During the past few years, many have increased daily fines to 15 cents; some are
discussing 25 cent fines. Clearwater has not increased its fines since the 1980s. Ms. Pickell
recommended that the maximum fine remain at $5. Libraries that collect overdue fines keep the
money. Lost book or damage charges are returned to the loaning library.
Member O’Brien moved to recommend increasing the fine for overdue materials to 15
cents per day. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5 – Reports
5.1 Library Foundation
Library Foundation representative Judy Melges reported the foundation had published a
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newsletter and plans to publish it three or four times a year. Suggestions to name the
newsletter are welcome. Friends of the Library and Clearwater Community Woman's Club
funded the volunteer coordinator position for another year, Summer interns did a wonderful job
with the youth programs. The foundation's jazz soiree is scheduled for October. Book tribute
donations have tripled.
5.2 Friends of the Library
Ms. Melges said Friends of the Library support FOCL scholarships for staff members. A
one-time scholarship, not awarded annually, provides $1,000 for those seeking a masters
degree in library sciences. Five teen scholarships were awarded this year; the $500 annual
stipends can be renewed up to a maximum of $2,000. The Friend's April book sale did well.
When sorting books for the fall sale, members verify if the library needs the materials.
Ms. Pickell said the library is learning better ways to use volunteers, which have been
incredibly helpful. The Coordinator has written a manual and job descriptions. Volunteers are
assigned where their talents meet needs.
Items not on the Agenda
Member Ward said he will resign from the Library Board at the end of the year when he
moves out of Clearwater. He said today is the first time in a long while that the board did not
have to focus on budget shortfalls but were able to concentrate on library matters.
Staff was complimented regarding changes made to the Main Library's first floor,
Member Blanton reported the Greater Clearwater Woman's Club has chosen author
Thomas French to host this year's library benefit. The theme will be zoos. Good food and wine
will be served.
Member McSwine said the League of Women Voters had provided significant support to
the library.
Ms. Melges thanked Ms. Pickell for her effective and efficient leadership.
6 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11:26 a.m.
Next meeting will be on November 4, 2010 at 10:15 a.m.
hair
Library Board
Attest:
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