02/20/2004
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LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 20, 2004
Present:
Judy Melges
T om Leavy
Howard Adler
Frederick Dunn
Glenn Garte
Jan Regulski
Chair
Vice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Absent:
Katherine Merriam
Board Member
Also Present:
John Szabo
Susan Doel
Library Director
Administrative Analyst
ITEM #1 - Tour
Vice Chair Tom Leavy called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. for a guided
tour of the new Main Library by Library Director John Szabo prior to the regular
meeting. Chair Judy Melges joined the meeting in progress at 10:30 a.m.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #2 - Welcome
ITEM #3 - Minutes
Member Glenn Garte moved to approve the minutes of the January 16, 2004
meeting as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #4 - Library Director's Report
Library Director John Szabo gave the following report:
a) Main Library Project Update
Mr. Szabo reported the temporary Main Library will close on March 1 to
prepare for movers arriving mid March. Collections from three locations will be
moved into the building in March along with staff offices. Furniture and computer
installation will occur in April. Robert A.M. Stern is expected to attend the grand
opening on Saturday, May 1 at 12:00 noon.
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b)
Reciprocal borrowing
Mr. Szabo reminded the Board that people from Citrus County to
Okeechobee County may use our library under a reciprocal borrowing agreement.
Mr. Szabo also noted that Clearwater receives more county funding than any other
library in Pinellas.
c) Black History Month
Several excellent programs around the Black History Month theme are
planned and listed in the library's calendar.
ITEM #5 - Unfinished Business - none
ITEM #6 - New Business
a) Location of March 19 meeting
Board members agreed with Member Fred Dunn's suggestion to meet at the
North Greenwood Branch Library for the regular meeting in March.
b) April 16 meeting in new Main Library Board Room
The regular meeting in April will be held in the new Main Library Board
Room. Members should enter through the north service entrance since the building
will be closed to the public.
c) Legislative Issues
Mr. Szabo reported there are several funding issues for libraries and a
filtering bill being discussed this year. The Florida Library Association's position on
filtering is that it is an issue best decided locally. Mr. Szabo noted that some filters
can over block, and even the best filters cannot block all inappropriate sites.
In response to Member Jan Regulski's question on the status of the State
Library collection, Mr. Szabo reported there does not appear to be an effort this
year to move the collection.
ITEM # 6 - Reports
a) Foundation
Chair Melges reminded the Board about the First Night in the Stacks event
on Saturday, April 3 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Valet parking and a silent auction are
planned. Cookbooks will be available that night for $1 5 and $ 20 thereafter.
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b) Friends
Vice Chair Leavy reported that Rita Garvey is organizing the bookstore in the
new Main Library. Custom shelves will be made to match other library furnishings.
The Friends' Winter Luncheon immediately follows today's Board meeting at the
Harborview Center with a projected attendance of 123. A tour of Main Library for
attendees follows the luncheon.
ITEM #7 - Board Comments
Vice Chair Leavy thanked Mr. Szabo for the tour of the "gorgeous building".
Chair Melges expressed thanks for the staff's effort to make the new Main Library
possible.
ITEM #8 - Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11 :00 a.m.
Attest:
Ad~~
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