11/02/2017 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 2, 2017
Present: Chair Barbara Blakely, Board Member Barbara Ann Murphey, Board Member
Rosemarie Kibitlewski, Board Member Amy Wallon
Absent: Board Member Judith McSwine, Board Member Elizabeth W. Folk, Vice Chair David
Loyd
Also Present: Jennifer L. Obermaier— 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 February August 3, 2017 Library Board meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member Murphey moved to approve the minutes of the August 3, 2017 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 said college staff would begin relocating to the new
library next week. Asbestos abatement might delay demolition of the administration
building and old library past mid November. The Clearwater section of the library will be
furnished and scheduled to open mid March. A RFP (Request for Proposals) was
budgeted and issued for a moving company to relocate books and materials from East
Library. A Grand Opening will be scheduled. The City Council had approved 2.5 FTE
(Full-Time Equivalent) positions to help staff extended East Community Library hours
that closely match college library hours.
In response to comments, Ms. Obermaier said the East Library attracted a diverse
population.
4.2 Closures/Main
Ms. Obermaier said Meeting Rooms A and B would close during technical upgrades.
Once City Council approved the installation, work would begin in early 2018. New
carpeting was scheduled for spring 2018; the project may close the entire building or
one floor at a time.
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4.3 Imagine Clearwater
Ms. Obermaier said a stakeholders meeting for Library Board members will be
scheduled with Williamson Decar architects. She will contact members with the date.
4.4 CRA Interlocal Agreement
Ms. Obermaier said the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) interlocal
agreement re maker space studios had been approved. A Grand Opening for all studios
will be scheduled early next year.
4.5 Staff Development Day
Ms. Obermaier said the well attended staff development day provided training on
identifying patrons with mental health challenges, including those under influence of
drugs/alcohol, and ways to handle or approach situations. The East Library had more
situations than other branches.
It was commented that many libraries have a Police Officer on staff.
Ms. Obermaier said the Main Library's 2 security aides had radios and wore polo shirts
with a police type patch. The East Community Library will be supported by campus police.
5— Unfinished Business
6 — New Business
Ms. Obermaier said the City Council had requested a presentation by the Library Board.
Consensus was for Chair Blakely to make the presentation on December 7, 2017.
Ms. Obermaier said the annual PPLC (Pinellas Public Library Cooperative) meeting was
tomorrow.
It was stated the PPLC funding formula should be revisited and reviewed regularly as
good management practice to evaluate distribution inequities. It was stated library
cooperatives that base formulas on circulation incentivize member libraries to enhance
their collections.
Ms. Obermaier said PPLC operated under an interlocal agreement with a funding
formula based on population. Clearwater had a healthy budget compared with some
member libraries. PPLC received State aid for the County and purchased some
materials available to all members. Clearwater resident cardholders had first right to
check out new Clearwater Library materials and sole use of some data bases. The large
volume of cooperative borrowing did impact staff's workload.
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7 — Reports
7.1 Library Foundation
Ms. Obermaier said Library Foundation Executive Judy Melges had returned; the
Foundation met two weeks ago. Interviews were being scheduled for the volunteer
coordinator position. The Foundation no longer will fund the part -time Hispanic outreach
position; the City will fund the position and convert it to full -time (1 of 2.5 new FTEs at
East Community Library). The position will help the library expand its cultural services.
The City provided programs for youth but not ESL (English as a Second Language)
training.
7.2 Friends of the Library
Ms. Obermaier said the Friends of the Library's recent book sale earned $2,500. Book
sales were a lot of work. Unsold books were donated to the Salvation Army. New
donations arrive as residents downsize their homes.
8 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
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