02/06/2014 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 6, 2014
Present: Judith McSwine Chair
Mary van Weezel Vice-Chair
Rosalie G. Murray Board Member
Barbara Ann Murphey Board Member
Paul F. Brown Board Member
Barbara Blakely Board Member
Elizabeth W. Folk Board Member
Also Present: Jennifer Obermaier Assistant 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.
2 —Approval of Minutes — November 7, 2013
Member Murphey moved to approve the minutes of the November 7, 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: None.
4— Library Director's Reports
4.1. Countryside Expansion
Assistant Library Director Jennifer Obermaier said Countryside Library plans are being
value engineered to stay within budget. Staff has talked with the Library Foundation re
fundraising campaign for enhancements. The project is on schedule.
Fundraising suggestions included seeking furniture contributions and naming
opportunities in exchange for sizeable donations, freeing money for upgrades elsewhere.
4.2. East Branch/St. Petersburg College Joint-Use
Ms. Obermaier said St. Petersburg College administration met with the library's architect
in January; the college has put the project on hold to concentrate on a project on another
campus. The City and college have not met to develop an operating agreement. In February,
staff will visit the Leesburg/University of Central Florida Joint-Use library. Should the joint-use
project be cancelled, Penny for Pinellas III money could be used to renovate the old East
Branch library which has maintenance problems.
Discussion ensued regarding wonderful displays at East Branch, its bustling atmosphere
and increasing patronage, and the branch's fabulous outreach program, headed by Claudia
Gonzalez in a part-time position funded by the Library Foundation.
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4.3. RFID
Ms. Obermaier said all materials have been tagged with RFID (Radio Frequency
Identification). The system will go live in two weeks; security gates will be installed at the
branches next week. Main Library gates will be installed after the circulation area is
reconfigured; empty shelves will be addressed then. The automated materials sorter will reduce
staff workload for checking in materials. New RFID kiosks downstairs provide patrons the
opportunity to check out books and pay fines. In response to a concern, it was noted kiosk
technology is designed to be intuitive.
Discussion ensued regarding technological changes during the next decade. Ms.
Obermaier said the library needs to be flexible to meet future trends and uses.
4.4. Mini Free Libraries
Ms. Obermaier said the library received and assembled a mini free library; PAVA
(Professional Association of Visual Artists) members decorated it. It probably will be located at
the Ross Norton Recreation Center. Staff has approached Friends of the Library for donations
to stock it.
It was noted Dunedin has eight mini free libraries; kits cost approximately $300 each.
Discussion ensued regarding possible sponsorships for additional kits, including individuals. It
was commented the concept encourages reading, is popular across the country, and could be
used to promote and advertise the library.
5— Unfinished Business: None.
6 — New Business
6.1. Election of Officers
Member Murphey moved to reappoint Judith McSwine as Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Murray moved to reappoint Mary van Weezel as Vice Chair. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
7 — Reports
7.1. Library Foundation: None.
7.2. Friends of the Library
Friends of the Library representative Rosalie Murray said the organization's focus is to
provide programming that otherwise would not be available to the library. She said the library
approached the organization re funding movable panels for the youth area at the new
Countryside Library; Friends is putting money aside to do something for the new library.
Member Murrary said more than 5,000 children participated in last summer's Friends-
funded reading program; Friends spent almost$20,000 annually on programming. Friends also
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funded the scholarship program and 9 interns. She thanked library volunteers and requested
volunteers to set up the next book sale in March. Invitations will be sent for the Friends annual
meeting on April 6, 2014.
Items not on the Agenda
Re planned sculpture in Main Library courtyard, it was stated the Public Art & Design
Advisory Board Chair indicated great artwork is available. Ms. Obermaier said the Main Library
will get a public art element. The cafe is doing well.
Ms. Obermaier said the library purchased two more platforms, increasing opportunities
to download eBooks. The number of titles has increased. Statistics re use of digital magazines
are impressive.
Members reviewed upcoming events.
It was stated the Main Library's new gate is attractive and enhances the entrance.
8 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
Next meeting will be on May 1, 2014 at 10:15 a.m.
ULUVLU
Chair
Library Board
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