08/04/2016 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 4, 2016
Present: Chair Paul F. Brown, Vice Chair Barbara Blakely, Board Member Rosalie G. Murray,
Board Member Barbara Ann Murphey, Board Member Elizabeth W. Folk
Absent: Board Member Judith McSwine, Board Member Rosemarie Kibitlewski
Also Present: Jennifer L. Obermaier—Assistant Library Director, Patricia O. Sullivan — Board
Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. at the Main 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 May 5, 2016 Library Board meeting as submitted in written
summation.
Member Murphey moved to approve the minutes of the May 5, 2016 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. East Branch/SPC Joint-Use
Assistant Library Director Jennifer L. Obermaier said the City Council had approved the joint-
use library's Interlocal and Operating agreements with St. Petersburg College. The July 21,
2016 groundbreaking was scheduled at the last minute; construction began August 1, 2016. The
East Branch Library will remain open until it relocates in January 2018.
Children's area Discovery Zone completed
Ms. Obermaier said children loved the new ship on the second floor. New interactional toys
were available.
4.3 . Creative Pinellas Partnership
Ms. Obermaier said staff started a conversation with Creative Pinellas re first floor Maker Space
and was looking for partners to teach classes and provide supplies. A sink was installed and
new furniture ordered. New flooring was needed. The Maker Space will offer arts and crafts and
cultural programs in conference and meeting rooms.
4.4. NEH Community Heritage project update
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Ms. Obermaier said the project was going well. Staff was impressed with the response from the
community and organizations for submitting photographs and videos. The City was partnering
with the Clearwater Historical Society to digitize submissions.
4.5. SirsiDynix system update
Ms. Obermaier said most roadblocks were resolved; the biggest problem was running analytics
reports. The older module did not interface well with Cloud software. Problems were frustrating
to customers following a rocky start. The countywide transition was a challenge but staff was
working to resolve issues.
4.6. Belleair Elementary/South Greenwood partnership
Ms. Obermaier said staff was meeting with Belleair Elementary School staff; the school's F
grade had improved to a D. The school, which was not near a library, had a large number of
Hispanic students living in apartments. Staff was working with Ross Norton Recreation Center
to provide students with limited library services; a library cart may be purchased. The library
partnered with the Ross Norton for a summer robotics program and was looking for year-round
programs. Many partnership opportunities existed.
It was suggested Friends of the Library could donate leftover books to support the efforts.
Ms. Obermaier reported approximately 100 people, representing a wide age demographic, had
attended last night's Imagine Clearwater meeting; consultants were gathering information re the
bluff for analysis and then a report. In response to a question, she said library staff was neutral
re bluff development.
5— Unfinished Business
5.1. Centennial Anniversary of the library/celebration
Ms. Obermaier said staff was moving forward with programs related to Centennial Anniversary
programs; a birthday party will be celebrated at each City library. A calendar of events will be
forwarded to board members. The big celebration will be held at the Main Library on September
17, 2016.
It was stated the Friends of the Library had gathered patron signatures thanking staff for their
efforts and will present the cards, drawn by children, at each birthday party. The cards will be
displayed at the big celebration.
6 — New Business
6.1. Budget 2016-17
Ms. Obermaier said on July 1, 2016 the City Council had set the millage rate. While the library
requested several new positions to expand library hours, the City Manager retained only one
FTE (Full-Time Equivalent), a Maker Space Coordinator in his budget proposal. The libraries'
operating schedules will change slightly beginning September 6, 2016. The City Council
approved 67 hours of operation at the East Branch/SPC Joint-Use library when it opens; an
additional FTE will be required.
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7 — Reports
7_1. Library Foundation: None.
7.2. Friends of the Library
Board member Murray, Friends of the Library President, reported the organization was
maintaining its ongoing supply of donations and managing its stores in the Main Library and
branches. She said income from books sales and the stores totaled almost $46,000 this year;
the organization donated almost $40,000 to the Volunteer Coordinator position, $5,000 to the
new Countryside Library, and will meet its commitment to donate an additional $20,000. She
said the summer internship program was a big success; 4 interns were awarded Friends'
scholarships.
Ms. Obermaier said the success of the summer reading program was reliant on teen interns.
8 — Board Comments: None.
9 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
Next meeting will be on November 3, 2016 at 10:15 a.m.
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Chair — Library Board
Board Reporter,
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