11/19/2004
.
.
.
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 19, 2004
Present:
Jan Regulski
Frederick Dunn
Glenn Garte
Katherine Merriam
Manoj Shewa
Chairperson
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Absent:
Vacant Seat
Vacant Seat
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present:
John F. Szabo
Holly Ausanio
Paula Chaplinsky
Library Director
Administrative Analyst
Sr. Staff Assistant
Chairperson Jan Regulski 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
Paula Chaplinsky, Sr. Staff Assistant in Library Administration, and Carl Wagenfohr, a
reporter with the Clearwater Gazette, were introduced.
ITEM #2 - Minutes
Member Garte moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 15, 2004 as
submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Library Director's Report (Kathy Dort, Main Library Manager)
a) Main Library - Usage/Parking
Library Director John Szabo stated Main Library usage since May 1 has been very high,
including meeting rooms that are heavily booked by businesses, individuals, City groups and
non-profit organizations. Mr. Szabo provided the following comparative statistics:
Circulation
Reg istrations/Renewals
Door count
Fines collected
Non-r~sident fees
5/1-10/31/04
193,182
3,956
182,940
$14,600
$11,250
5/1-10/31/03
106,355
1,053
82,507
$ 7,600
$ 3,800
It was stated programs like Mr. Winkle, which had an attendance of about 400, and
Publix sponsored Aprons Cooking School bring in people who may not otherwise come to the
library.
Library Advisory 2004-1119
11/19/04
.
.
.
Mr. Szabo stated patron concerns have essentially disappeared due to additional
parking spaces acquired in the Library/Stein Mart, AmSouth Bank and Colliers Arnold lots and
the purchase of a golf cart to transport people to/from the lot down the hill. A directional map is
being produced for patrons showing available parking options.
b) Beach Library/Pelican Walk
Mr. Szabo stated plans to reinforce the second floor were approved by the City
Engineering Department, with January 18 as the deadline for completion of the construction.
Once work has begun, a timeline will be created to include renovations by Building and
Maintenance, moving of the materials and furnishings, technology installations, and an opening
date in the new facility.
c) Internet Use/Filtering/E-Rate Funding
Library Director John Szabo stated internet filtering is required in order to be eligible for
E-Rate funding, which is a federal rebate program offered to schools and libraries to assist with
telecommunications costs. Clearwater has opted to not filter at this time since there has not
been a problem with Internet users accessing offensive sites. Mr. Szabo believes there are
several factors to be credited with this not being an issue in Clearwater: a good Internet use
policy, location of Internet-access computers, and staff monitoring and interaction.
Discussion ensued whether a procedure is needed that allows the library to see what
websites are being visited and how many inappropriate websites are currently being visited by
patrons. It was suggested that this might be a proactive approach. It was stated no formal
complaints have been received. In response to a suggestion that a statistical review of
websites accessed be done, it was stated this would only show if a site was hit, whether
intentional or not.
d) C-mail/E-newsletter
Mr. Szabo stated anyone can sign up for this service offered by the City through the
City's website www.myclearwater.com. You choose topics of interest - e.g. Library, Parks and
Recreation events, current bids, press releases - and receive emails regarding those items.
In response to questions, Mr. Szabo stated the Library purchases licenses for use of
subscription databases; some licenses are countywide and some statewide. The Library is
always interested in linking its website from other sites. Mr. Szabo stated the Library site
receives more hits than any other area of the City's website.
ITEM #4 - Unfinished Business
a) Plaque featuring names of former library directors
Member Dunn stated there is a list of all directors since 1911, and recommended a
plaque recognizing them be visibly placed in the library. Library Director John Szabo
commented the design needs to be complimentary to the building. Consensus was for Mr.
Dunn to pursue funding for the plaque and acquire the list of names.
Library Advisory 2004-1119
2
11/19/04
ITEM #5 - New Business
.
In response to a question, Mr. Szabo stated attendance at the Foreign Films showings
ranges from 35-50.
ITEM #6 - Reports
a) Foundation
Chair Regulski reported the Foundation is mailing out a holiday letter providing a wish
list of ways to contribute to the Library through the Foundation. A book signing fund raiser by
environmental artist Hal Stowers is scheduled for December 2, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Main
Library.
First Night in the Stacks Men in Black cookbooks are still on sale.
b) Friends
The Bookstore is doing very well and library patrons love it. Rita Garvey was
commended for recruiting 60-80 volunteers to run the store. At their last meeting, the Friends
Board donated $17,000 to the library system for use by all branches.
ITEM #7 - Board Comments
Chair Regulski commented how great it was to see the canasta and pinochle groups in
the cafe. Mr. Szabo stated the Library assists in promoting Joffrey's, including putting a lighted
. sign in the cafe and a sign in the elevator vestibule.
New board member applications have been submitted and solicitation for more
applicants is ongoing.
ITEM #8 - Adiournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11 :40 a.m.
n~ /~ <<-JJ~~\
"~Jt't.-. ~
.
Library Advisory 2004-1119
3
11/19/04