03/19/2004
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LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 19, 2004
Present:
Judy Melges
Tom 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
Chair Judy Melges called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m. at the Main
Library.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #1 - Welcome
ITEM #2 - Minutes
Member Fred Dunn moved to approve the minutes of the February 20, 2004
meeting as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Library Director's Report
a) Main Library - Transition/Opening
Library Director John Szabo reported that Main Library staff is in the midst of
moving into new Main Library. Shelving and some furniture items in the temporary
building are being surplused to other City departments. New furniture and
computers will be delivered and installed in April.
A new grant from Pinellas Public Library Cooperative in the amount of
$100,000 will be used for back-of-house furniture needs. These funds are in
addition to the existing project funds.
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b) Special Events Spaces
There are a number of spaces in new Main Library which will generate
revenue from fees for special bookings/events, such as the rooftop terrace, 4th floor
special collections area, cafe, meeting room and conference room.
Negotiations are currently underway for the cafe operation.
ITEM #4 - Unfinished Business - none
ITEM #5 - New Business
a) Legislative Issues
Mr. Szabo noted there is a proposal to cut State Aid by $4 million. Those
dollars are important as reflected by Clearwater's use of their State Aid funding to
pay the temporary Main Library's rent in the Colliers Arnold building for two years.
Mr. Szabo also mentioned Senate Bill 1552 on filtering and the Florida Library
Association's position that it is an issue best decided locally. Discussion of the
USA PATRIOT Act continues.
b) Member Howard Adler expressed his concern with the situation of the
homeless in and about the library, possibly even including the formation of an
advocacy group dealing with the foregoing, and suggested a guest speaker address
the Board at a future meeting on the services available to the homeless and how
staff could become involved. Mr. Szabo emphasized that the Library treats
everyone equally and that the homeless are welcome in our library facilities as long
as they conform to the Code of Conduct for all patrons. Mr. Szabo noted that staff
work very closely with the Police Department and, when requested, do provide
information on services available to the homeless.
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, entertainment and a
silent auction are planned. Cookbooks will be available for sale that night.
b) Friends
The Friends Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Tea is Sunday, April
18 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at East Library. Over 50 volunteers have signed up to
staff the Friends bookstore/gift shop in new Main Library.
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ITEM #7 - Board Comments
The April 16 Board meeting will be held at the North Greenwood Branch
Library instead of new Main Library as previously planned.
ITEM #8 - Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11: 150 a.m.
Attest:
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