08/06/2015 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 6, 2015
Present: Chair Barbara Ann Murphey, Vice Chair Barbara Blakely, Board Member Paul F.
Brown, Board Member Elizabeth W. Folk, Board Member Rosemarie Kibitlewski
Absent: Board Member Rosalie G. Murray, Board Member Judith McSwine
Also Present: Barbara Pickell — Library Director, Nicole Sprague— Official Records and
Legislative Services Coordinator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:17 a.m. at the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative.
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 May 7, 2015 Library Board meeting as submitted in written
summation.
Member Blakely moved to approve the minutes of the May 7, 2015 Library Board meeting as
submitted in written summation. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 —Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None.
4— Library Director's Reports
4.1. Countryside Expansion
Library Director Barbara Pickell reported the City had ownership and a temporary Certificate of
Occupancy (CO) for the new Countryside Library; the permanent CO will be issued soon. The
roof had one small leak during recent heavy rainfall. Furniture and shelving will be installed on
August 17, 2015. The current branch will close on August 22; books, materials, and a few other
items will be moved on September 8. The October 5 soft opening will be open to all. The
October 17 grand opening at 10:00 a.m. will be an all day celebration; additional activities will be
scheduled throughout the year.
4.2. East Branch/SPC Joint-Use
Ms. Pickell said plans for the East Branch/St. Petersburg College Joint-Use Library had to be
downsized to meet the college's budget; the redesign will not affect the City's section of the
facility. The City is waiting for the college to return the draft Interlocal and Operating
agreements. A procedural manual will be created for day to day operations.
4.3. Maker Space movement
Ms. Pickell said the Maker Space grand opening will be on September 19 at the Main Library.
The 3 d floor space will feature technical and economic development classes. A 1 st floor craft
and art studio will be proposed in next year's budget. At the August 17 special City Council
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budget meeting, the Library will request 7 new FTEs (Full-Time Equivalents) and expanded
operational hours at the Main Library for 2 evenings and 2 mornings; maker space will not be
successful unless it is accessible at times convenient to participants. Added hours at other
branches also are proposed. Comment was made that Council has been supportive of the
library in relation to Urban Land Institute (ULI) recommendations.
4.4. Centennial Anniversary of the library/celebration
Ms. Pickell said ideas for the Library's Centennial celebration include a special centennial library
card for City residents and a list of 100 books for 100 years. Multiple events at all branches are
being considered.
4.5. Library future direction — ULI report
Ms. Pickell said the ULI report included a vague recommendation to "boost the library." A 2-
pronged concept was suggested: 1) attract people to the library as a destination, including the
Maker Space. The children's area could be redesigned as an interactive play area that would
encourage people to spend more time there and 2) partner with the ULI recommended
Economic Development initiative, Clearwater Business SPARK!, a partnership of businesses
that assists start-up companies. The library could provide space for meetings and classes.
5— Unfinished Business: None
6 — New Business
6.1 PPLC presentation
Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (PPLC) Executive Director Cheryl Morales said the
organization was created so that Pinellas County would be eligible for State funding; PPLC
receives and distributes State library funds. PPLC allows libraries to share resources without
losing their individuality; libraries operate independently and maintain their own policies. PPLC
can purchase books and materials for member libraries at a discounted bulk rate. PPLC's
courier system moves items between libraries. Every library can request use of PPLC
collections of easy reader books, puppets, bulletin board items, etc. PPLC also provides
resources for the deaf and blind. The Safety Harbor Library houses a program for the deaf; a
library of"talking books" and equipment for the blind is available at the PPLC building.
In response to questions, Ms. Pickell said minimum funding provided by state legislators had not
increased in five years. For$25, a tourist can obtain a library card that is valid for 3 months in
any PPLC library. A tourist staying in Clearwater can obtain a local use only card available only
at Clearwater libraries for free if they are staying in Clearwater.
In response to questions, Ms. Morales said PPLC will apply for federal funding to enhance
countywide services. She said residents of cities without libraries pay $100/year for a library
card; affected municipalities typically reimburse its citizens $75 to $100 for the card. She
proposed an invoice system that bills affected municipalities for library cards rather than forcing
residents to pay the fee upfront.
7 — Reports
7.1. Library Foundation
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Ms. Pickell said the Foundation scheduled a donor appreciation /fundraising event for
September 26. The annual Jazz Festival event is scheduled for October 17 on the Main
Library's 5th floor and terrace.
7.2. Friends of the Library
Ms. Pickell said the next Friends of the Library meeting will be at the new Countryside library.
8 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11:34 a.m.,
Attest:
O LS Coordin
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air — Library B• —ard
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