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09/19/1997LIBRARY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER September 19, 1997 Present: Christine Morris Chair Howard Adler Member Estelle Dunn Member Glenn Garte Member Thalia Kelsey Member Joanne Laurenti Member Judy Melges Member William Raffaniello Member Julie Lewis Library Foundation Shirley Hunt Library Foundation Dr. Arlita Hallam Library Director Gwen Legters Board Reporter Absent: Wilbert Bacon Member Marshall Bennett Member Tom Leavy Member The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at Clearwater Main Library. For continuity, the items are listed in agenda order, although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1. Welcome Chair Morris expressed her gratitude for being elected as Chair. She said it is a privilege to serve, and she will devote her energies to attaining the Library Board’s goals. 2. Minutes Approval – May 1997 Member Melges requested two corrections on page three, fourth paragraph under Reports. She said three additional scholarships were awarded, for a total of four, and they were presented at Library Staff Development Day. Member Laurenti moved to approve the May minutes as corrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Library Director’s Report A. Budget for 1997-98 Dr. Hallam reviewed the Library Department’s budget, stating expenditures increased to about $4.3 million, two percent more than the previous year. She detailed addition of 3.3 full time equivalent Library staff members. B. Library Building Projects Dr. Hallam reported new City Manager Michael J. Roberto is very interested in Library projects and has done a great amount of research. She provided details regarding the factors involved if the City were to move ahead with five proposed library building projects simultaneously: 1) relocating the Main Library to the “east end” property at Cleveland Street and Missouri Avenue; 2) incorporating the Beach Library into a multiple use complex associated with the new Memorial Causeway Bridge project; 3) relocating and incorporating the North Greenwood branch into a multiple use recreational facility in the North Greenwood area; 4) relocating and combining the East branch with the St. Petersburg Junior College library on the front lawn of the Clearwater campus; and 5) expanding the Countryside branch with a children’s wing and computer facilities. Dr. Hallam responded to questions regarding the proposed East Library relocation project, comparison of a combined East/SPJC library to what exists downtown and considerations for public parking, resale of the Drew Street location to the library cooperative for its administrative offices, various ways to expand the Main Library, schedule of Penny for Pinellas funding, and bringing structures up to minimum building code requirements. One member noted momentum to move the Main Library is being lost because progress is not apparent, and many people are emotionally tied to the bluff location. It was felt momentum will likely build once the site selection is set. Dr. Hallam discussed legal obstacles and funding alternatives to moving ahead before Penny for Pinellas funding is in place in 2001. Discussion ensued regarding the City Management Team’s role in the library system expansion, leveraging projects to achieve cost reductions, the amount of time it may take for the City Manager to rethink the numbers, Mr. Roberto’s background, and what is facing him today. While some members favored a site tour to better visualize the proposals, others felt it was premature until sites and preliminary plans are established. Examples were cited where plans for other City projects were changed based on citizen input. Dr. Hallam stated the board may choose to proactively pass their concerns to the City Commission. A suggestion to arrange a drive-by tour in October was not addressed at this time. C. Censorship/Internet Update The board received information regarding Internet filtering and access in response to a board member’s request. Dr. Hallam related history of the Communications Decency Act, designed to make libraries and others who permit access to an Internet site liable for any pornographic material on the site. The Supreme Court decided to look at the issue as a question of access, rather than production. The Clearwater library has the ability to filter sites and did so in response to eight citizen complaints, but later removed the filters when it was discovered five sites no longer existed. It was indicated child pornography laws affect the producer of the material, not those who make the avenues available. The City’s Internet policy states that parents are responsible for determining suitability of content for their children. Internet access policies and child safety online were discussed. Articles entitled The First Amendment in Cyberspace by Jim Eisenmann, and Child Safety on the Information Highway by Lawrence J. Magid were reviewed. Dr. Hallam indicated censorship issues are no different for the Internet than for a variety of other communications systems and media the library routinely encounters. Such issues have been addressed through the City Attorney’s office from the standpoint of nuisance and disturbance. Discussion ensued regarding Internet access with regard to intentionally seeking certain sites versus accidentally hitting upon them. 4. Reports: Foundation, Friends, Cooperative Julie Lewis, Library Foundation Executive Director, stated the Foundation wishes to hire a consultant to perform a fund raising campaign feasibility study to determine how much support exists in the private sector for additional funding beyond the $12 million from tax revenues. It was decided to delay the hiring and the study until after the first of the year when the City is expected to finalize the location upon completion of an economic impact study. Ms. Lewis said Foundation members are excited and looking forward to building momentum. Judy Melges, Friends of Clearwater Libraries, reported the first meeting was held last week. A reception sponsored for Betty Sinnock prior to her program was well attended. Seventeen new members were recruited at the door. Discussion ensued regarding more than 200 people having attended the program. A handout was distributed inviting the public to a buffet dinner and storytelling event in the Harborview Center Friday, November 14, 1997, by advance reservation only. Dr. Hallam detailed a large variety of story-telling related activities that will be featured during the event. Discussion ensued regarding the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (PPLC.) In response to a question, Dr. Hallam said there are no plans to add East Lake Library to the cooperative at this time. She distributed handouts detailing reciprocal borrowing policies, stating SPJC and all public libraries in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, with the exception of Largo, are included. The agreement took effect August 1, 1997. Bookmarks are being handed out and other publicity is starting. The same card may be used at all libraries, although it may be necessary to register at certain libraries on separate databases. 5. Board Comments Member Adler raised a concern regarding magazine subscription donors being recognized with large business advertisements on library magazine covers. Dr. Hallam stated it is not unusual to recognize donors, but ads are restricted to business card size. Discussion ensued regarding the need to develop standard donor recognition guidelines with regard to naming places and things. Consensus was to form a focus group to set and fairly administer donor recognition policy. Glenn Garte will chair an ad hoc committee to address the issue. Julie Lewis will represent the Foundation. Ms. Lewis will inquire whether a particular foundation member is interested in joining the ad hoc committee. It was indicated committee meetings must be noticed and follow the Sunshine Law. Mr. Hunt recognized Member Kelsey for being the Foundation’s number one source of books. He thanked Ms. Kelsey for bringing eight more boxes of books this week. Consensus was to postpone next month’s meeting to October 24, 1997, due to two major events occurring simultaneously the weekend of October 17. Chair Morris called attention to the schedule of major library events occurring November 1997 through April 1998. 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:13 a.m.