02/03/2011
LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 3, 2011
Present: Jan Regulski Chair
Judith Blanton Vice-Chair
Elizabeth M. O’Brien Board Member
Rosalie G. Murray Board Member
Mary van Weezel Board Member
Judith McSwine Board Member
Barbara Ann Murphey Board Member
Also Present: Barbara Pickell Library Director – arrived 10:25 a.m.
Sissy Scharf Asst Library Director – departed 10:25 a.m.
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.
2 – Approval of Minutes
– November 4, 2010
It was stated that paragraph 4 on page 3 should read, “It was reported ReFresh Café will
assist in the preparation of hors d’oeuvres . . .”
Member Murray moved to approve the minutes of the November 4, 2010, Library Board
meeting, as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 – Library Director’s Reports
3.1. Self-Check Update
Library Director Barbara Pickell said self-check works well at the Main Library. An
additional machine is needed at the East and Countryside branches to reduce lines. The Beach
library adapted well, reporting 92% usage.
Ms. Pickell said the library participated in last week’s statewide Snapshot Day;
photographs will be posted on the web. A wide variety of Ebooks are available for internet
download; after three weeks, the book will disappear from the library patron’s device and
become available for check-out. Ebooks are slightly less expensive than books in print.
Ms. Pickell said the countywide system is considering a two-year pilot subscription to the
Sony music library, which will allow library cardholders three free downloads weekly. It is a
struggle for the library to keep pace with numerous formats. The library is planning a training
session on Ebooks. Ms. Pickell will bring format samples to the May meeting.
3.2. North Greenwood Library
Ms. Pickell said the City will use Penny for Pinellas funds to modify the North
Greenwood Recreational Center and Library to accommodate programming at the Martin Luther
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King Jr. Center, which will close. The size of the library’s computer lab will double. Some
computers will remain available for public use during JWB (Juvenile Welfare Board) programs.
The Parks & Recreation Department will cover library custodial costs; the library branch plans to
extend its hours to 40 hours/week. These changes will go into effect on October 1, 2011.
Support was expressed for the expansion of services at the North Greenwood Library.
3.3. Penny 3 update
Ms. Pickell said $5 million in Penny for Pinellas funds has been budgeted for the
renovation/expansion of Countryside Library in 2012. The City has budgeted $7.5 million in
Penny for Pinellas funds for a Joint-Use East Library with St. Petersburg College for 2013.
Ms. Pickell said the City Council had made a strong commitment to keep Countryside
Library, which has little room to expand and needs sufficient parking. Adding a second floor
would require additional staff. Staff has approached the Fire Department next door to work
cooperatively. Space for a new structure is available at the Countryside Recreation Center.
Concern was expressed that the location is difficult to find.
Ms. Pickell said the East Library could not store books on a second floor if it was added.
The branch would still be too small if it is expanded by 8,000 square-feet. St. Petersburg
College has not committed to a joint-use library and has no funds to construct a library. In
response to a question, Ms. Pickell said the City of Seminole Library on the St. Petersburg
College campus is working to meet college student and professor needs; it has one college
employee on staff. The St. Petersburg joint-use library at the SPC Gibbs campus has a
community library on the first floor and college library on the second floor, resulting in two
separate libraries. Only one City staff works at this library. It was recommended that the City
consider all positives and negatives related to joint-use libraries before reaching a final decision.
Ms. Pickell reviewed joint-use issues to be considered, including the difficulty of a mixed
staff as salary levels for equal positions differ, the City has a union and its own pension plan,
and the college is part of the State pension plan. St. Petersburg College does not want to be
responsible for the public computers. The City and college have different objectives and
missions. The project is in limbo.
Concerns were expressed that branches may need to close due to future budget cuts. It
was felt the library system has made all of the cuts it can. The large number of Clearwater
residents who use the East Branch was discussed. Ms. Pickell said many objected to relocating
the East Branch to Woodgate.
4 – Unfinished Business
: None.
5 – New Business
State Funding for Libraries
Discussion ensued regarding the importance of State funding for libraries. Ms. Pickell
said State funds pay for countywide delivery, the Talking Book Library, and check out system.
Last year the county moved 1.7 million items. Local library representatives will attend the
Florida Library Association’s Library Day in Tallahassee on March 29, 2011. Board members
are welcome to attend. It was noted library support is a League of Women’s Voters’ priority.
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Recommendations were made for board members to contact each Pinellas County delegation
representative and to work as a team, developing talking points with statistics to make points. It
was stated that legislative staff is important as they are a significant part of decision making.
A memorandum, for distribution to board members, will include Pinellas County
delegation members, contact numbers, and a draft of talking points.
6— Reports
5.1 Library Foundation
Judy Melges reported the Library Foundation had amended its bylaws and rescheduled
its annual meeting to March 11, 2011. Each member is encouraged to bring a guest. The
Foundation has extended the 6-month Hispanic liaison position at the East Library which
benefits Spanish speaking residents, identifies a meaningful collection, and perhaps purchases
bilingual books. The Volunteer Coordinator position, funded by the Library Foundation,
Women's Club, and Friends of the Library, will start its third year in April. The program has
worked phenomenally well and has been a great help to staff. In addition, the sixth year of
funding Interns begins this summer. Ms. Melges distributed the 2nd edition of the Foundation's
newsletter. Residents were encouraged to join the Library Foundation.
5.2 Friends of the Library
Member Murray said Friends of the Library raised more than $20,000 last year operating
the Main Library's book store. The money is used to help fund summer interns and pay for
library programs. Contributions are being accepted for the book sale on March 23—27, 2011.
Setting up the sale takes considerable help and coordination. The annual appreciation meeting
will be on April 10, 2011.
In response to a suggestion, Ms. Pickell said Library Services has a presence at some
community events. It was reported that the Evening with the Author event, which helps support
the Volunteer Coordinator position, had a good turnout and was extremely successful.
Board members were encouraged to lobby their representatives on behalf of the library.
6 —Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
Next meeting will be on May 5, 2010 at 10:15 a.m. u
Chair
Attest: / Library Board
/ /
Board Reporter,
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