02/05/2015 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 5, 2015
Present: Chair Judith McSwine, Board Member Rosalie G. Murray, Board Member Barbara Ann
Murphey, Board Member Paul F. Brown, Board Member Rosemarie Kibitlewski
Absent: Board Member Barbara Blakely, Board Member Elizabeth W. Folk
Also Present: Matt Smith -Assistant City Attorney, Barbara Pickell - Library Director, Patricia O.
Sullivan - Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. at the Main Library and welcomed new
member Rosemarie Kibitlewski. Library Director Barbara Pickell welcomed Assistant City
Attorney Matt Smith.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 —Approval of Minutes
2.1. Approve the minutes of the November 6, 2015 Library Board meeting as submitted in
written summation.
Member Murphey moved to approve Item 2.1. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
It was requested that Board members be emailed information re City library staffing levels and
hours of operation: 1) ideal; 2) current; and 3) prior to economic cutbacks.
3 —Citizens to be Heard re Items Not the Agenda: None.
4— Library Director's Reports
4.1. Countryside Expansion
Ms. Pickell reported the new Countryside Library was roofed and interior walls were being
installed. A$100,000 donation from the Library Foundation for FF&E (furniture, fixtures and
equipment) was needed. The Library Foundation will host a free public interior wall signing
event on Valentine's Day. The City Council will determine the future use for the Countryside
Library's current location.
4.2. East Branch/SPC Joint-Use
Ms. Pickell said St. Petersburg College had not responded re joint-use library interlocal
agreements sent by the City in November for the construction project and operations. A co-
management operation was proposed with each entity paying its staff. The City and college
collections have little overlap. Residents who register with each library will be able to access
both collections. Ms. Pickell hoped the check-out system can be integrated, allowing patrons to
toggle between classification systems. It may be possible for City library patrons to access
interlibrary loans through the State's college library system.
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Ms. Pickell said the East Library has more walk-in traffic than the college library and its
circulation is 10 times greater. The East Library Hispanic Outreach Counselor will be assigned
to the new facility. Attracting residents to the campus will increase the college's community
presence. Concern was expressed re reservation of parking spaces for library patrons on the
college campus. The Council will determine the future use for the East Library's current location.
4.3. Maker Space movement
Ms. Pickell said "Maker Space" fostered activity. Participants would visit the library, do an
activity, and perhaps leave with something they made. Some activities would require classes
and testing before participants could be certified to use equipment without staff supervision.
Maker space elements could include audio equipment to record personal histories or music,
flight and truck driving simulators, MAC computers with special software for artists, partnerships
with historical genealogy societies, and space for basic computer instruction, Chamber of
Commerce classes on starting a business, tech classes using a 3D printer, etc. A robotics lab
and discovery space could be added to the second floor. The first floor could have artistic space
for painting, jewelry making equipment, a pottery kiln, and photography equipment to prepare
EBay postings. The library does not want to duplicate services provided elsewhere. Ms. Pickell
requested input re suggested equipment. Staff will need to investigate costs, locate funding
partners, and connect with residents interested in sharing skills.
Discussion ensued with suggestions that the Florida Orchestra provides music education and
children in Utah produce independent films. It was recommended that an attorney create the
partnership contracts.
4.4. Centennial Anniversary of the library/celebration
Ms. Pickell said Assistant Library Director Jen Obermaier will organize the library's centennial in
2016. The Library Foundation has expressed interest in issuing a cookbook and the Friends of
the Library want to produce a calendar.
It was recommended that a large event with fireworks and a party kickoff the yearlong
celebration that highlights the library's vitality and publicizes its activities. If more than one
Library Board members sits on the Centennial committee, meetings will need to be advertised
and minutes created.
5— Unfinished Business: None.
6 — New Business
6.1. Election Chair and Vice-Chair
Member Murray moved to appoint Barbara Ann Murphey as Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Murray moved to appoint Barbara Blakely as Vice-Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
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6.2. Library Future Direction — ULI Report
Ms. Pickell reviewed the ULI (Urban Land Institute) report re downtown revitalization. The report
recommended boosting the library as a destination that attracts people downtown. The library
wants to work with Economic Development efforts to create a downtown tech district. It may be
able to provide space that fosters business growth and micro industry development.
7 — Reports
Member Murray reported the Friends of the Library raised more than $2,500 during last week's
book sale. She requested assistance for the next book sale in late April. She reported the
Friends made a commitment to donate $20,000 to the new Countryside Library. She said the
Friend's annual meeting to show appreciation to Library volunteers will be on April 19, 2015.
She said the Friends' major annual donation to the library supports the summer reading
program; more than 5,000 students participated last summer. Some teen volunteers are hired
for intern positions funded by the Foundation.
Ms. Pickell reviewed the important jobs volunteers perform and expressed appreciation for the
assistance of the Volunteer Coordinator, whose position is funded by the Friends.
Recommendations were made to have an expert review book donations for valuable editions to
sell via Internet and to display in library lobbies a list of volunteer opportunities to attract
additional volunteers. Member Murray was complimented for her leadership skills and devotion
to the library.
8 - Board Comments — None
9 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
Next meeting will be on May 7, 2015 at 10:15 a.m.
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