01/11/2007
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LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 11, 2007
Present:
Jan Regulski
Frederick Dunn
Elizabeth Drayer
Marilyn Garte
Lorelei Keif
Michele Krentzman
Robert Brumback
Chairperson
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present:
Barbara Pickell
Holly Ausanio
Library Director
Administrative Analyst
Chair Jan Regulski called the meeting to order at 10:33 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
Eleanor "Sissy" Scharf was introduced to the Board as the new Assistant Library
Director.
ITEM #2 - Minutes
Member Marilyn Garte moved to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2006
meeting as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Announcements - None
ITEM #4 - Library Director's Report
a) Strategic Plan - draft
Director Barbara Pickell stated she has not received the information from the planning
session in November, but will bring forth a draft plan at the February meeting.
She reported the 1 sl floor Information Desk was closed as of January 2 due to two
positions in Circulation that will not be filled in anticipation of future budget reductions.
Patrons seeking information are referred to the 3rd floor Reference Desk. Computers
from the first floor are being moved to the 2nd and 3rd floors.
In response to a question, Director Pickell stated she responds to all patron comments
for which contact information is provided.
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In response to questions, Assistant Director Sissy Scharf stated there are two librarians
scheduled on the reference desk with 1-2 librarians in the staff offices to assist as
needed. The remaining computers on the first floor will be OPAC (Online Public Access
Catalog) only.
ITEM #5 - Unfinished Business - None
ITEM #6 - New Business
a) Budget Task Force - report
Director Barbara Pickell reviewed the budget preparation process. She stated an 11
member Budget Task Force Committee was appointed this year to make recommend-
ations to the City Council for budget cuts. The committee meets weekly to review the
citywide budget and receive presentations from department directors.
The Library presentation was given on January 2. Follow-up questions at the January 8
meeting included how could the library increase hours of operation. The committee was
generally in support of relocating the Beach Library to the Beach Recreation Center.
Director Pickell reported the 07/08 budget will be submitted based on a rollback tax rate,
which equals a reduction in the Library budget of approximately $239,000.
Director Pickell stated as a government entity, part of our role is to ensure everyone has
access. The FY 07/08 budget reduction scenarios were presented including elimination
of government documents and the 15t floor info desk at Main, and reduction of hours at
East, CCS, Beach and NG.
It was stated North Greenwood was built as part of community redevelopment and,
although it does not have high circulation, it has a strong community need. It was
suggested that Saturday hours be provided at North Greenwood.
Discussion ensued regarding the value of being a government document depository. It
was stated Clearwater is the only one in the 9th Congressional district. In response to
questions, it was stated the documents are provided free by the Federal government.
The only cost to the City for this. service is a Librarian position to manage the program.
Discussion ensued regarding the impact of closing Sunday hours at Countryside. In
response to questions, it was stated based on hours used, Sunday is the busiest day.
Although there are 15 computers for Internet access, patrons often wait up to two hours
for access. It costs less to operate evening hours during the week, as fewer staff are
needed.
In response to a question, Director Barbara Pickell stated it would cost more to operate
Main than CCS for Sunday hours due to more staff and higher utilities.
Director Barbara Pickell summarized the proposal to relocate the Beach Branch Library
to the Beach Recreation Center. She stated it would provide a permanent home for the
Beach Library. In response to questions, Director Pickell stated it would be smaller, thus
reducing the size of the collection. The cost to the City would be approximately
$100,000, with similar savings for annual operating costs.
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Consensus of the Board was to keep government documents and Countryside Sunday
hours, close the 1st Floor Information Desk at Main, relocate the Beach Branch, and
reduce hours at Beach, Countryside and East libraries. It was stated North Greenwood
is a designated "safe place" for the neighborhood and hours should not be reduced.
ITEM #7 - Reports
a) Foundation - No report.
b) Friends
Friends President Rita Garvey encouraged Board members to become members of the
Friends of the Library. The Friends donated over $50,000 in FY 05/06, and anticipate
giving more this year.
Ms. Garvey requested donations for the Friends bookstores, stating donations are added
to the library collection first, if needed; if not, the Friends will sell them in the bookstores
or at their book sales special events. In response to a question, Ms. Garvey stated
paperbacks and magazines are also accepted.
Ms. Garvey reminded Board members of the Friends Winter Luncheon on January 26, at
which there will be at least 8 authors with which to converse.
ITEM #7 - Board Comments
Member Michelle Krentzman provided clarification regarding a statement at the last
meeting emphasizing she was not advocating for across the board cuts, but that there
isn't any clear-cut solution to reducing the budget.
ITEM #8 - Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11 :46 a.m.
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