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11/04/2010 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER November 4, 2010 Present: Jan Regulski Chair Judith Blanton Vice-Chair Rosalie G. Murray Board Member Bernard Ward Board Member Judith McSwine Board Member Absent: Elizabeth M. O’Brien Board Member Mary Van Weezel Board Member Also Present: Barbara Pickell Library Director Paula Chaplinsky Sr. Staff Assistant The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:17 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 – August 5, 2010 Member McSwine moved to approve the minutes of the August 5, 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. Self-Check Update Director Barbara Pickell stated the self-checkout system is working fairly well. Minor issues included the system not accepting passwords, and the touch pad is sensitive. Staff are encouraging and helping patrons get acquainted with the new system. Approximately 80% of Main’s patrons and 90% of the Beach branch patrons are using self-checkout. Board members who had used the self-checkout system stated there was some difficulty scanning the library card and bar codes on materials, and the lines at East were long. Director Pickell stated they could only install two machines each at CCS and CEA branches due to limited space. It was stated that things will improve once patrons get used to the new system. Director Pickell, responding to citizens’ concerns that self-check will replace staff, stated the new technology will provide staff more time to process the 400-600 materials pulled each day to be shipped to other libraries. It was suggested the library use volunteers to collect fines, operate the register, and check in materials as is the practice at the Palm Harbor Library. Director Pickell stated the library cannot use volunteers to work the public desks. The Friends, Foundation, and Women’s Club provided funding for a Volunteer Support Coordinator position. The Coordinator has tripled the number of volunteers being used and has done an outstanding job recruiting, screening, training, and recognizing their valuable contribution to the Library. Library 2010-11-04 1 2.2. North Greenwood Library Director Pickell stated the Martin Luther King (MLK) Center lease ends December 2011. The City is planning to relocate programs currently presented at the MLK Center, including those by the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) and Family Center, to the North Greenwood Recreation Center. Consideration is also being given to increasing the number of computers at the North Greenwood Library to enable the JWB to provide computer classes. The Parks & Recreation Department would take over the costs of facility operations including utilities, custodial service, and landscaping. Budget savings would enable the Library to increase its hours from 20 to 40 per week, and the additional computers would be available to library patrons when classes are not held. The proposal is on hold until it becomes clearer if community groups working to keep the MLK Center will be successful. 2.3. Penny 3 Update Director Pickell stated $6.5 million each was originally planned for renovations and/or expansions of the East and Countryside branch libraries. The City Council is proposing $5 million be made available to renovate/expand the Countryside branch in 2011, and $7.5 million for a joint use project with the East branch and St. Petersburg College in Fiscal Year 2012/13. Countryside would probably have to relocate during the renovations. Some pros and cons of operating a joint use college/public library were discussed. 3 – Unfinished Business : None. 4 – New Business 4.1. Meeting Schedule 2011 Two options were presented to the Board for the 2011 meeting schedule. Member McSwine moved to approve the schedule of February 3, May 5, August 4, and November 3. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 5 – Reports 5.1 Library Foundation – No report. 5.2 Friends of the Library Member Murray reported the Friends of the Library raised more than $3,300 from the book sale. They are considering having three sales each year rather than two because of the overwhelming volume of materials and work. Member Murray also reported the Friends made $1,400 from the Book and Wine Festival. Items not on the Agenda Chair Regulski read Member Bernard Ward’s letter of resignation, effective after today’s meeting. Members expressed their appreciation for his service to the Board. In response to a request that the vacancy be filled as soon as possible, Director Pickell Library 2010-11-04 2 stated the City Council tries to select board members from different areas of the city. If there are no applicants, the position will be advertised. Concern was expressed regarding Board attendance when there are only four meetings a year. It was questioned what steps could be taken when attendance is inconsistent. Director Pickell reported the café is open for business and received its health certificate this week. The café now can prepare food, and has added sandwiches, salad and quiche to the menu. It was reported ReFresh Café will assist in the preparation of hors d'oeuvres and refreshments for the Evening with the Authors event. The Clearwater Community Woman's Club 18th Annual Evening with the Authors will feature Thomas France, author of Zoo Story. Members commented on the Jazz Soiree. It was reported Christine Morris, the first African American Librarian in Clearwater hired in the late 60's for the N. Greenwood Library (CNG), recently published her autobiography. Mrs. Morris was of great value to the community. There will be a book signing on November 19 at the CNG branch. Director Pickell stated there is a special African-American collection at the CNG branch named for Mrs. Morris, and a copy of her book will be added to the collection. 6—Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 11:25 a.m. Next meeting will be on February 3, 2011 at 10:15 a.m. ��� o' fr Sit- ,/,�..__, ,( ���? —Chair Library Board ,I.Iir Attest: / Ar Beard Report=r . Library 2010-11-04 3