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LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 17, 2006
Present: Jan Regulski Chairperson
Frederick Dunn Vice-Chair
Lorelei Keif Board Member
Elizabeth Drayer Board Member
Michele Krentzman Board Member
Absent: Robert Brumback Board Member
Marilyn Garte Board Member
Also Present: Barbara Pickell Library Director
Holly Ausanio Administrative Analyst
Chair Jan Regulski called the meeting to order at 10:34 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 - October 20, 2006
Member Fred Dunn moved to approve the minutes of the October 20, 2006 meeting. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Announcements
The Greater Clearwater Woman's Club will hold their Evening with the Author's event tonight.
Local authors and illustrators will be present; food and wine will be served.
ITEM #4 - Library Director's Report
a) "Penny 3" projects update
Director Barbara Pickell reported the "Penny 3" list of projects was approved as originally
submitted. This includes $6.25 million each for East and Countryside branch libraries and $1
million for RFID (radio frequency identification) technology. RFID technology will enable a
stack of items to be checked out with one scan rather than each individual item. It will also help
to keep a current inventory of the collection.
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In response to questions, Director Pickell stated the most expensive part would be adding a
computer chip to each item. Self-checkout could be added at a later time. The software will
not include restricting checkout for certain materials. It may help reduce materials theft.
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. b) City Budget update
Library Director Barbara Pickell reported a budget task force was appointed to review
departmental budgets, and will meet weekly through March.
There will be no increase in tax receipts next year; no dollar increases to property taxes. This
will require the 2007/2008 budget be submitted at a rollback rate. For the Library, this means
reducing the current $6.6 million budget by at least $239,000. Departments will submit the
2007/2008 budget with reductions, but can also propose services and their costs to be added
back.
Chair Jan Regulski encouraged Board members to build neighborhood support for the libraries.
She expressed the importance of community outreach through library programs, and the
important role of the Friends of the Library and Library Foundation support groups.
c) Planning Meeting - update
Director Barbara Pickell reported a planning meeting was held with Library managers yesterday.
A strategic plan will be brought to the Board at the January 2007 meeting for review.
Director Pickell reported that Assistant Director Kathy Dort tendered her resignation effective
December 14. Kathy will be a branch manager at one of the St. Petersburg libraries.
ITEM #5 - Unfinished Business
. Discussion ensued regarding the book purchase in memory of Chlorinda Gilreath, with
consensus for the topic to be Clearwater or Florida history.
ITEM #6 - New Business
a) Beach Branch - location
Director Barbara Pickell reported an architect submitted a proposal for the Library addition to the
Clearwater Beach Recreation Center. It is a great plan and could be funded mostly with grants.
State grant funds, however, require a 20-year commitment to keep the facility open. Relocation
of the Beach Branch would save approximately $100,000 per year. The project has been put on
hold until after March pending budget cut discussions.
b) Countywide library automation system - report
Director Barbara Pickell reported 14 public libraries in the County use six different automation
systems, requiring that patrons register their PPLC (Pinellas County Library Cooperative) library
cards with each library system. In addition, patrons can only see the catalog of one library at a
time when searching for items. A Countywide automation system will enable one search to
access all collections.
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Some member libraries are ready to move forward now; other systems would commit to joining
when they are ready to upgrade their system. Each library will pay its own cost, but PPLC will
assist with start-up funding. Shared software would be housed at a remote location.
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In response to questions, Director Pickell stated she would ask the City Council for a 'letter of
intent' committing to the project. The cost of the project is not yet known, but annual
maintenance costs will be less. Full participation by all PPLC member libraries is expected in
five years.
c) Board member suggestions
Member Elizabeth Drayer stated her request that the Board visit the Beach Recreation Center
could be postponed since the Beach relocation project has been put on hold.
In response to a question regarding hurricane proofing the Beach Branch, if relocated, Library
Director Barbara Pickell stated the property is in an unmitigated flood plain. Hurricane proofing
would be too expensive, but the building would be boarded up.
Discussion ensued regarding posting a notice for membership on the Board.
Member Elizabeth Drayer moved to place notices at all Library branch locations. The motion
was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #7 - Reports
a) Foundation
Chair Jan Regulski reported the Foundation had its annual meeting Wednesday, with the
current slate of officers being re-elected. The Board is very pleased with citizen's support of the
4th of July and Jazz Soiree fundraisers. They are still raising funds to fulfill their $5 million
commitment to the Main Library project.
b) Friends
Chair Jan Regulski reported the Friends of the Clearwater Library, operated completely by
volunteers, are very successful. They donate more than $25,000 each year to the Library
System.
ITEM #8 - Board Comments - None.
ITEM #9 - Adiournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11 :30 a.m.
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