02/02/2017 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 2, 2017
Present: Chair Paul F. Brown, Vice Chair Barbara Blakely, Board Member Barbara Ann
Murphey, Board Member Judith McSwine, Board Member Elizabeth W. Folk
Absent: Board Member Rosalie G. Murray, Board Member Rosemarie Kibitlewski
Also Present: Jennifer L. Obermaier— Library Director, Linda E. Rothstein —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 November 3, 2016 Library Board meeting as submitted in
written summation.
Member Murphey moved to approve the minutes of the November 3, 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
Library Director Jennifer Obermaier provided an update on Joint-Use Library construction. The
East Brach Library will close in December 2017. At the end of January 2018, the City will move
into its new space, which will be named East Community Library. A Call for Artists soon will be
released for the site's public art project.
4.2 Staffing Update
Ms. Obermaier reviewed staff changes and introduced Assistant Library Director Linda
Rothstein.
4.3 Community Engagement Project
Ms. Obermaier said this year the Library would work with Harwood Institute for Public Innovation
to gather community input re resident concerns, why some did not visit the library, and which
City and library services were wanted. Information will be used to develop a new strategic plan
and determine priorities and strategies. Additional information will be provided in May.
Discussion ensued with comments that budget constraints sometimes limit implementation of
new ideas, the City of Largo's study indicated a desire for the library to extend services to
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underserved areas, and information could be gleaned by visiting PPLC (Pinellas Public Library
Cooperative) libraries, which have different focuses and diverse activities, programs, and
displays. It was recommended that libraries retain their uniqueness. It was felt libraries could
learn from each other to avoid unsuccessful programming, etc.
Ms. Rothstein said commercial activity was not permitted in conference rooms; all user groups
must be non profit and all meetings must be open to the public. A book purchase could not be
required to attend an author program.
Ms. Rothstein said a priority for next year was to find uses for the Main Library's patio.
Residents interested in astronomy, for example, may want use to patio to view a full solar
eclipse in August. The library also was working with St. Petersburg College and USF (University
of South Florida) to partner with the National Literary Society for the Deaf for evening story
times for deaf children and tutors. The Library applied for a small grant from Read Pinellas to
add lighting to the roof deck for the program and to increase uses for the space.
4.4 Digitization Project
Ms. Rothstein said a half dozen libraries and the PPLC were digitizing historical documents and
photos. The Clearwater Sun archives were digitalized and were slowly posted online.
Digitalization of Pinellas County Historical Society 1916-1990 documents was complete. The
Clearwater Historical Society's collection of Fulmer Photo Service's negatives from the 1940s to
1990s was being indexed before being digitalized. Negatives in degraded envelopes had to be
resleeved to protect them from deterioration. The process was time consuming and expensive.
Ms. Rothstein said work on the Clearwater Historical Society's building was progressing slowly;
an opening date had not been determined. Low quality images will be posted on line; the
Historical Society will retain rights to its images and must be contacted for permission for use in
publications.
4.5 Imagine Clearwater Final Report
Ms. Obermaier said consultants will present the Imagine Clearwater Final Report to the City
Council tonight. The Council will schedule a Work Session to review the extensive
recommendations. The master plan for the bluff will include the Main Library, bluff park, and
Harborview Center property.
4.6 New City Library Website
Ms. Obermaier said the City's new website included more content; additional information will be
posted.
The Library Board recessed from 10:40 to 10:45 a.m.
4.7 Maker Studios Update
Ms. Obermaier said flooring and signage for the first floor Maker Studio will be installed soon.
First floor programming will include sewing, knitting, crocheting and needle arts, Asian art and
calligraphy. Youth Services on the second floor cleared space in the middle of the floor for
younger children. The 3-D printer on the 3 d floor was well used; audio video space was looking
for more activity. The kick-off launch will occur once all spaces are completed, including the 4th
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floor, where people will be able to research genealogy and preserve their own materials. Staff
will be on hand to provide help. A new coordinator was overseeing all maker space studios. It
was recommended that the library promote its maker space to artists and at art shows such as
Mainsail.
A tour of the Maker Studios will be scheduled for the next meeting.
5 — Unfinished Business: None.
6 — New Business
6.1 Election of Officers
Member Murphey moved to reappoint Paul Brown as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
Member McSwine moved to reappoint Barbara Blakely as Vice Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
7 — Reports
7.1 Library Foundation: None
Any joint meeting with the Library Board and Library Foundation must be advertised.
7.2 Friends of the Library: None
9 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
Next meeting will be on May 4, 2016 at 10:15 a.m.
Chair — Library Board
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