11/05/2015 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 5, 2015
Present: Chair Barbara Ann Murphey, Vice Chair Barbara Blakely, Board Member Paul F.
Brown, Board Member Rosalie G. Murray, and Board Member Judith McSwine
Absent: Board Member Elizabeth W. Folk, Board Member Rosemarie Kibitlewski
Also Present: Barbara Pickell — Library Director, Nicole Sprague— Official Records and
Legislative Services Coordinator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:56 a.m. at the Countryside Library.
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 August 6, 2015 Library Board meeting as submitted in
written summation.
Vice Chair Blakely moved to approve the minutes of the August 6, 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 Opening
Library Director Barbara Pickell reported the grand opening was held on October 17, 2015 with
1,300 people counted going through the doors and 300 people attended the grand opening
ceremony. The space is being used well with the children's room enclosed by glass but fully
visible to staff. There is a children's story room with separate meeting rooms, a conference
room, and a teen area as well. The drive-through window is a popular feature that allows users
to place books on reserve and specify to pick them up in the drive-through. The library will be
open 7 days a week.
4.2. East Branch/SPC Joint-Use
Ms. Pickell said St. Petersburg College (SPC) made a presentation before Council to bring them
up to date with discussion on preliminary plans, the operating agreement and the building
agreement. Official documents are not yet in place. SPC should be in the new facility by Spring
2017 with the City in by Fall 2017. The City is anticipating the East Branch remaining open
during construction. Once the college is moved into the new library, the college's old library and
administration building will be demolished to make room for parking. There is not a firm ground
breaking date yet.
Library 2015-11-05 1
In response to a question, Ms. Pickell said the old Countryside Library was scheduled for
demolition but the fire department next door may use the facility while the fire station is
demolished and rebuilt on the same site.
4.3. Maker Space—The studios at Main and Countryside
Ms. Pickell said there will be a maker fair at Barnes and Nobles this weekend. Maker Space
partners will be there demonstrating high tech toys to the public. A partnership with the
Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was approved so there will be funding for one staff
position and additional funding for supplies and other activities. Space on the first floor of the
main library is being developed for an arts and design studio. There has been a high demand
for adult geared arts and crafts.
In response to questions, Ms. Pickell said there are no current plans to incorporate a pottery kiln
into the space due to ventilation requirements, however, there is a business in the area that the
library may be able to partner with. There are organizations that have talent and are willing to
work with the library to provide instruction and are eager to expose people to their craft.
5— Unfinished Business
5.1. Centennial Anniversary of the library/celebration
Ms. Pickell said staff has come up with ideas that are less program related and more publicly
related. There will be new library cards for the centennial year but there is still a question if
existing card holders will receive the new centennial card.
In response to a question, Ms. Pickell said the Public Art& Design Board decided on an artist
and piece for the main library entrance area. The piece will be a tree with a canopy that is 10
feet high at its lowest point. The tree will be metal and the leaves will be a plastic resin that will
sway in the breeze. Elements of the tree will also be on the inside of the library.
6 — New Business
6.1 Community Partnerships
Ms. Pickell said there is an emphasis on creating partnerships specifically with economic
development and the arts communities. There is an interest in figuring out a way to take the
library out of the walls of the library to provide programming for the public who may not
otherwise have access to different organizations. This is an area the Library Board can be part
of helping to create connections and partnerships. Ms. Pickell said the library has not always
been good at putting itself at the table where it should be, which is something that needs to
change moving forward. One possible partnership being pursued is with the Clearwater
Historical Society. The Society is fundraising to hopefully occupy South Ward Elementary
School. They have the Fulmer photo collection which is currently being housed in the Peace
Memorial Church. It contains several Clearwater historical pictures. The library could borrow
the collection to digitize, catalog and post online. This partnership could be a benefit to the
Historical Society, the City and the general public.
7 — Reports
7.1. Library Foundation
Library 2015-11-05 2
Ms. Murray said $2,925 was raised at the book sale where books were sold between $.25 &
$2.00. In response to a question, Ms. Murray said book values are checked by Foundation
volunteers when they are received.
7.2. Friends of the Library
Ms. Pickell said $178,000 has been raised for the Countryside Library so far with $100,000
received by the City. Signage needs will be addressed with the next donation.
8 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11:57 a.m.
Library 2015 -11 -05 3