11/07/2013 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 7, 2013
Present: Judith McSwine Chair
Mary van Weezel Vice-Chair
Barbara Ann Murphey Board Member
Paul F. Brown Board Member
Barbara Blakely Board Member
Elizabeth W. Folk Board Member
Absent: Rosalie G. Murray 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.
2 —Approval of Minutes —August 1, 2013
Member Murphey moved to approve the minutes of the August 1, 2013, Library Board
meeting, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
3 —Citizens to be Heard re Items Not the Agenda
Citizens Academy participant Amelia Wallon complimented the library and its book store,
suggesting they would benefit from additional promotion. She expressed concern that library
computers are not secure, stating they retain personal information.
Discussion ensued regarding library computers. Library Director Barbara Pickell said the
Library is very security conscious and reviewed security protocols. She will contact IT staff to
make certain that library computers are as secure as possible.
4— Library Director's Reports
4.1. Countryside Expansion
Ms. Pickell reviewed progress on the new 22,500 square-foot Countryside Library. The
Library Foundation hopes to raise $250,000 for furniture and fixture enhancements. As planned,
groundbreaking will take place in summer 2014 with completion in August 2015 and grand opening
in September 2015. A covered walkway will connect the library and Countryside Recreation
Center. The campus will be a welcome addition to the Countryside community.
4.2. East Branch/SPC Joint-Use
Ms. Pickell said St. Petersburg College hired Leo Arroyo, architect for the Gibbs Joint-Use
Library, as architect for the Clearwater joint-use library, which will belong to St. Petersburg College.
Ms. Pickell toured East Library with him and reviewed City needs. Discussions between the City
and St. Petersburg College are ongoing re how the facility will operate and division of construction
and operating costs. Mr. Arroyo cannot begin design work until an operating agreement between
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the City and college is finalized. St. Petersburg College originally intended to adopt Countryside
Library's construction schedule.
Discussion ensued with comments that flexibility is key and operations at other St.
Petersburg College joint-use libraries should be reviewed for recognized problems.
4.3. RFID and Circulation changes
Ms. Pickell said contractor work tagging the library's books should be completed by year's
end. New kiosk check-out machines, located throughout the building, will unlock DVDs, accept
coins, bills, and debit cards, and read bar codes on materials that do not belong to Clearwater.
Along with new security gates at all branches, a sorting machine will be installed at Main; machines
also will be installed at the new Countryside and East locations. Sorting machines will allow staff
to redirect their attention from circulation chores to assisting patrons in the stacks and staffing the
information desk to supplement volunteers.
4.4. Interlocal Agreement
Ms. Pickell said the PPLC (Pinellas Public Library Cooperative) Interlocal agreement, which
includes a few changes, has been signed by all parties. The PPLC Board of Directors, formerly
made up of 7 volunteers, now has City Managers from the cities of Clearwater, Largo, St.
Petersburg, and Pinellas Park, 3 County staff members, and 2 citizen volunteers. No change was
made to the joint circulation system. An Interim Director is serving; the former director resigned.
The director position, which is challenging, has been posted on the Florida Library website. PPLC
library directors will screen the applications and forward 3 recommendations to the Board of
Directors, who will choose the new director.
Ms. Pickell discussed changes to the distribution formula. Clearwater's annual funding will
be reduced by approximately $40,000. The capital funds pool, which would have provided
$400,000 toward Clearwater's new East and Countryside branches, was terminated. The East
Lake Library is now a MSTU (Municipal Services Taxing Units) district with separate funding and is
now a full member of PPLC.
Discussion ensued with disappointment expressed the distribution formula does not reflect
original plans for future funding when PPLC was founded; Clearwater's funding should have been
increased due to its large collection and increased workload. Ms. Pickell said State funding has
not increased.
5— Unfinished Business: None.
6 — New Business:
Discussion ensued regarding mini free libraries with recommendations that they be installed
in City neighborhoods. Ms. Pickell will forward related information to the board.
7 — Reports
7.1. Library Foundation
Ms. Pickell said the Library Foundation's Jazz Holiday Soiree was a sold-out success.
Donations will be requested at the door for the free November 14, 2013 program, featuring
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photographer Carlton Ward.
7.2. Friends of the Library
Ms. Pickell said last month's book sale was successful, raising approximately $3,000.
8 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
Next meeting will be on February 6, 2014 at 10:15 a.m.
Attest:
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Library Board
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