10/14/1997
LIBRARY DONOR RECOGNITION COMMITTEE
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 14, 1997
Present: Glenn Garte Library Advisory Board
Howard Adler Library Advisory Board
Tony Bacon Library Advisory Board/Library
Foundation
Judy Melges Library Advisory Board
Julie Lewis Library Foundation
Judith Moroff Library Foundation (departed 1:30 p.m.)
Mercy Walker-Dickinson Library Foundation
Dr. Arlita Hallam Library Director
Carolyn Moore Library Division Manager
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The meeting was called to order at 12:14 p.m. at the Clearwater Main Library
Building, third floor board room, 100 North Osceola Avenue, Clearwater.
The purpose of the meeting was to develop donor recognition guidelines relative
to naming areas and rooms in the new library building.
Members suggested and discussed various donation issues they thought might
be necessary to resolve prior to establishing recognition policy. Those issues included
the terms under which gifts could be accepted and whether gifts would be accepted
from all groups or individuals regardless of political, religious, or business affiliation.
Discussion ensued regarding the implications of accepting gifts dependent on
conditions requested by donors. The point was offered it is important to determine
policies that will generate revenue without offending other potential donors or the
community.
It was noted that some libraries have established a system that awards the right
to name a room when the gift of a specific dollar amount is made. Similarly, lesser
amounts are equated with specific recognition practices defined in the early stages of
fund-raising. Discussion ensued concerning a suggestion that rooms and areas
receive descriptive or aesthetic names unrelated to donors, and that donor recognition
be made in the form of listings on discrete plaques to be designed into the building by
library architects. A straw vote regarding plaque recognition was taken: 6 members in
favor, 2 abstentions, and 1 negative. There was some support for maintaining a
geographic or descriptive name, regardless of donation size. A suggestion was made
to implement a flexible donation policy adequate to deal with all contingencies.
Consensus was reached that more research was needed before finalizing policy
matters. Library Foundation Executive Director Julie Lewis said the Tampa Library is a
resource center for foundations. She volunteered to research methods and policies
other foundations and organizations have implemented related to donation issues. Ms.
Lewis noted the Library Foundation is the fund-raising arm of the Library. Although the
Foundation has the option of refusing gifts, it was suggested that prudence dictates
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consistency. Member Howard Adler will research naming issues by contacting the
American Library Association for assistance and report his findings at the next meeting.
It was noted that this committee will make a final report to the full Library Board.
Action on the report by the Board will be communicated to the City Commission.
A special library ad hoc committee meeting is scheduled for November 5, 1997,
at 11:30 a.m. The meeting will be limited to no more than one hour.
The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m.
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