Loading...
01/24/1997LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER January 24, 1997 Present: Wilbert Bacon Chair Thalia Kelsey Member Joanne Laurenti Member Christine Morris Member Estelle Dunn Member William Raffaniello Member Tom Leavy Member Vacant Seat Dr. Arlita Hallam Library Director Karen Seel City Commissioner Brenda Moses Board Reporter Absent: David Waddell Member Judy Melges Member Marshall Bennett Member The meeting was called to order by Chair Bacon at 12:10 p.m. at the Main Library, third floor board room, 100 North Osceola Avenue, Clearwater, Florida. In order to provide continuity for research, the items listed were not necessarily discussed in that order. Discussion of a New Main Clearwater Library Dr. Arlita Hallam explained the purpose of this meeting is to interact with one another and library building program consultant, David Henington, regarding plans for a new Clearwater Main Library. Also in attendance were Shirley Hunt and Julie Lewis of the Foundation. Mr. Henington served as Director of the Houston Public Library for 27 years. He has worked as a building program consultant with many communities and academic institutions to build new buildings and renovate others. In 1993, Mr. Henington developed Clearwater’s Main Library Building Program. He returned this week to meet with staff and update the program in anticipation of the passage of Pennies for Pinellas. There was discussion of two possible sites: 1) the bluff next to Harborview; and 2) the East End property on Missouri and Cleveland. Mr. Henington said the most important decision the City will make will be the site. Accessibility should be a key factor in the site decision. He noted plusses and minuses for both sites. The East End property will probably preclude bicyclists and pedestrian traffic from visiting the library, however that site is very visible and is on a main intersection which will attract more patrons. The Jolly Trolley and the PSTA (Pinellas County Transit Authority) buses traverse that area. It would be very easy to design a building on that particular site. There are many apartment complexes in that area, as well as a shopping center at the corner of Missouri and Cleveland which would also benefit from a library at that site. The bluff site would attract more bicycle, pedestrian, and government employee traffic, and if attached to the Harborview Center, less construction may be required. Mr. Henington noted he was impressed with the Harborview Center because of the variety of meeting rooms and spaces. Meeting room space is a very costly item in planning a library and taking advantage of the space at the Harborview Center would be beneficial. A member remarked that adding onto an existing building can be much more costly than anticipated, as was evident at the Harborview Center. Should a new library be “attached” to the Harborview Center, a walkway could be incorporated into the design. It was remarked if a library is built and attached to the Harborview Center, and labeled a “civic” center, then it would no longer be considered a “convention” center. It was noted one of the items frequently suggested is a downtown auditorium theater-type space. The second floor of the Harborview Center does not allow for that type of space. A suggestion was made that the back of the exhibit hall could be the auditorium with a built-in stage, and the front part of the exhibit hall toward the water could be used as an open receiving area featuring local history and artwork. The upstairs area could be utilized as is, with meeting rooms being available for local groups. Should outside groups be interested in renting meeting rooms, additional revenues could be generated. A member remarked that unless elevated seating was implemented in the theater area, it would be useless. Discussion continued regarding the various possibilities that should be incorporated into the new library. Staffing, book drop construction, space requirements, separate spaces for children and teens, and accommodations for the handicapped were among some of the issues discussed. Mr. Henington suggested open spaces were the most efficient design because of flexibility factors. Generally, well-designed libraries have no more than 30,000 square feet of space per floor. Much more than that would require more exterior doors and increased security measures. Plans for the new main Clearwater library include 90,000 square feet of space. Dr. Hallam will distribute the revised building program to members upon incorporation of the latest modifications derived from the meetings with Mr. Henington. A question was asked whether a referendum would be necessary if a library is built on the bluff. Commissioner Seel noted should anything be constructed under the 28 foot mark, a referendum would be required. Should the bluff property be sold, it must also go to referendum. It was noted at the Economic Development Plan presentation last night, that a decision will be made regarding the bluff, the proposed Memorial Causeway Bridge, the downtown lake and other major issues being discussed throughout the City by the end of February 1997. The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.