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LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 17, 2006
Present: Jan Regulski Chairperson
Frederick Dunn Vice-Chair
Marilyn Garte Board Member
Elizabeth Dryer Board Member
Absent: Katherine Merriam Board Member
Clarinda Gareth Board Member
Lorelei Kef Board Member
Also Present: Barbara Pick ell Library Director
Holly Ausanio Administrative Analyst
Chair Jan Regulski called the meeting to order at 10:30 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 January 20, 2006 meeting as
submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Library Director's Report
a) Public Relations position
Director Barbara Pickell stated the Library Public Relations responsibilities and position
have been assumed by the Public Communications Department. Lauren Tarsi, previously a
City intern, has been hired to fill the position. She will dedicate half of her time to the Library
with her responsibility including press releases, promotion of programs, and flyers.
In response to a question, Director Pickell stated Jan Nickols continues to be program
and galleries coordinator.
b) Special Events through Parks and Recreation
Director Barbara Pickell stated the Parks & Recreation Department, having the
resources and staff, has agreed to coordinate all aspects of special events requests for the
Main Library. This includes all paid use and the needs of the Foundation and Friends of the
Library. The fee structure is being reviewed and may be reduced. The changeover will be
effective March 1, 2006.
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c) North Greenwood position
. Director Barbara Pickell stated Marlene Mitchell, North Greenwood Branch Manager,
has tendered her resignation to take a position with the Suwannee River Library System.
David Stoner, a Librarian the Reference Division, has been selected to fill the position. Mr.
Stoner has been with the Library for 11 years and has previously assisted at the North
Greenwood Branch.
d) Unique Management contract
Director Barbara Pickell reported Unique Management is a library specific, kinder,
gentler collection agency with its main purpose to retrieve library materials. Approximately
16,000 items (1.5%) are lost/not returned each year. Accounts over $25 would be turned over
to the collection agency after phone calls to the patrons are unsuccessful. Unique will report
the debt to the credit agency only after many attempts to collect via phone calls and billing.
We pay a per account fee plus a cost for each letter mailed, with all material returns and fines
due directly to the Library. This service is guaranteed budget neutral; the current budget
expenditures and revenues will be increased by $14,000.
ITEM #4 - Unfinished Business
Chair Jan Regulski reminded the Board she will not be in attendance next month.
Vice-Chair Fred Dunn stated he also would be unable to attend.
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With both the Chair and Vice-Chair absent, Member Elizabeth Drayer moved to cancel
the meeting of March 17,2006. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
In response to a question regarding reserved meeting room space, Director Pickell
stated only groups using space for free could be bumped for library needs. Every effort would
be made to relocate the group. Anyone who paid for space cannot be bumped.
ITEM #5 - New Business
Director Barbara Pickell stated due to the inability to acquire additional staff, we are
looking at alternative ways to handle some of the Library processes, for example outsourcing
some of the technical services book processing. In response to a question, it was stated
funding for outsourcing would be addressed during the budget process.
Director Pickell reported a change being considered to materials processing is to add
new items to the catalog as soon as ordered so they can be reserved, which will help
determine whether additional copies should be ordered. Reserves on best sellers are working
well, except they are never on the shelf.
Director Pickell reported the Clearwater Women's Club made a substantial donation for
the Countryside and East branch libraries to enhance the children's areas.
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In response to a question regarding expansion of the Countryside and East libraries,
Director Barbara Pickell stated $5 million each was approved, plus $1 million for RFID
technology for self-checkout as part of the City's portion of Pennies 3 funding. Once City
Council approves the projects, it will be forwarded to the County. Director Pickell stated to
tear down and rebuild the branches is estimated to cost $7.5 million. There will be parking
issues at both branches.
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Director Barbara Pickell reported joint use for St. Petersburg College and East
Branch libraries is being discussed. Council previously denied such an arrangement in 1998.
Seminole and St. Petersburg have joint use facilities. The St. Petersburg College campus on
Drew St. is a good location. In response to questions, DirectorPickell stated the public
benefits from a larger collection. Regarding materials purchases, neither library would save
money because the collections are different.
ITEM #6 - Reports
a) Foundation
Chair Jan Regulski reported the Foundation elected a new Executive Board including
George R. Smith - President, David C. Martens - Vice President, Mercedes Walker Dickinson
- Treasurer, and Marlies Schoenau - Secretary.
b) Friends
Chair Jan Regulski reported the Friends Winter Luncheon, featuring Howard Troxler as
keynote speaker, was a great success.
The Friends will have a used book sale February 24-25, 2006, with a pre-sale on
February 23.
ITEM #7 - Board Comments
In response to Member Elizabeth Drayer's questions regarding the role of the
Foundation, Library Director Barbara Pickell stated the Foundation was founded for soliciting
community support and donations for the library. The $5 million capital campaign
commitment enabled construction of a larger new Main Library. Two successful fund-raisers
are the Jazz Soiree and 4th of July.
Member Drayer asked if the Library offers training on how to research on the Internet
and how to evaluate the reliability of information on the web. Director Pickell stated classes
offered, currently basic Internet use and email access, are based on public requests and
needs. Member Dunn stated there are reference help books available such as Dummies
Guide to Google.
ITEM #8 - Adiournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11 :28.
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