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01/16/1998LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER January 16, 1998 Present: Christine Morris Chair Marshall Bennett Member William Raffaniello Member Joanne Laurenti Member (departed 10:15 a.m.) Tom Leavy Member Estelle Dunn Member Judy Melges Member Thalia Kelsey Member Howard Adler Member Glenn Garte Member Julie Lewis Library Foundation Shirley Hunt Library Foundation Michael Roberto City Manager Dr. Arlita Hallam Library Director Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. at the Clearwater Main Library, 100 North Osceola Avenue, third floor Board room, Clearwater. For continuity, the items are listed in agenda order, although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1. Welcome; Farewell to Thalia Kelsey Chair Morris welcomed everyone to the meeting. LAB (Library Advisory Board) Members said farewell to Member Kelsey and thanked her for her service on the LAB. It was remarked Ms. Kelsey has been a very generous library book donor over the years and it is greatly appreciated. 2. Approval of Minutes Member Garte moved to approve the December 19, 1997, minutes as submitted in writing to each member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. City Manager, Mike Roberto - Main Library Site Selection The City Manager distributed handouts: 1) Clearwater Magazine and 2) Clearwater One City. One Future. He said Clearwater Magazine is a compilation of City activities and projects. The magazine will be mailed quarterly to all residents on a trial basis for one year. In the center of the magazine is a 1998 pull-out calendar of City events. The magazine was designed and written by City staff and printed by an independent firm. The publication will include highlights of various neighborhoods throughout the City as well as articles related to government’s role in the community. One City. One Future. is a conceptual strategy focusing on redevelopment efforts. The concepts being developed are to frame discussion, encourage community input, and encourage movement in a specific direction. He noted the vision is a 5 to 15-year process. Aspects of the conceptual plan play a key role in the success of redevelopment: 1) Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard; 2) downtown; 3) the beach; 4) North Greenwood; and 5) the LDC (Land Development Code). Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard is a tourist entry into the City. Downtown must become pedestrian-friendly and serve as one of the City’s anchors. The beach is a tourist market and affects quality of life issues for beach residents. Clearwater must promote its beautiful beaches and climate more effectively. Automobile traffic, parking, and easier access to waterways must be addressed. North Greenwood is greatly affected by downtown redevelopment and activities. Dr. Hallam said discussions have taken place regarding a facility with a branch library, aquatic center, recreation center, a police station, branch banking, City code enforcement division, and other similar uses in the North Greenwood area. The City Manager said the LDC will redefine the entire community during the next 20 years. He requested the community keep an open mind regarding redevelopment possibilities and opportunities. Discussion ensued regarding timeframes for the Main Clearwater Library site. The City Manager said he felt the Myrtle Avenue and Cleveland Street site was the best choice for the Main Library. The Library will need sufficient land for expansion and serve as an anchor to downtown. The community and government must be better educated regarding the importance of libraries as information centers and meeting places. A RFQ (Request for Qualification) has been developed for an architect experienced in urban library construction. Plans are to form an internal committee composed of a representative from each library group, 5 City staff members, and a construction manager to select an architect within the next 60 days. Before a Library site is selected, sufficient time is required to review the RFQs and select an architect. Once consensus is reached regarding the site and architectural design, the project will move forward. The redevelopment process will be successful because: 1) extensive market research was done; 2) the plan is market-driven; 3) community input and consensus is being obtained; and 4) adequate funds are available. Some LAB members expressed enthusiasm about the redevelopment plan and said they look forward to positive results. Discussion ensued regarding other redevelopment possibilities such as a multipurpose cultural center, a retail entertainment component for the Bluff and bayfront, the City Hall building, a 4-acre lake, the disposition of the current Memorial Causeway Bridge, movement of the Phillies Stadium, and Coachman Park. The City Manager said IMR (Information Management Resources), a private company, has expressed interest in purchasing the City-owned property located at Missouri Avenue and Cleveland Street. IMR would bring 600 jobs to the City and workers into the downtown area. The City Manager said creating activity, excitement and bringing business into an area reduces crime statistics. Discussion ensued regarding the January 23, 1998, conceptual redevelopment meeting. The concept will be presented to the City Commission. The meeting is open to the public. It was noted the January 20, 1998, Penny for Pinellas meeting was canceled. It will be rescheduled. 4. Jana Fine and Marlene Mitchell - Florida Libraries Youth Program Dr. Hallam introduced Youth Services Librarian Jana Fine who presented this year’s Florida Library Youth Program, developed by her and Youth Librarian Marlene Mitchell of the East Library. They will train all Florida children’s librarians regarding the program during the next 2 weeks. Florida’s children’s library program is 25 years old. Annually, a statewide planning committee meets to select a theme for the Summer Reading Program. Then the coordinators write training manuals, prepare materials, and present workshops highlighting youth related ideas and themes. This year’s theme is “exploration explosion.” Ms. Fine reviewed the program and engaged LAB members in youth exercises. 5. Handouts: A. Christian Science Monitor Article Dr. Hallam referred to an article in the December 17, 1997, Christian Science Monitor, “Libraries Lend a Lifestyle”. The article discussed modern libraries which incorporate coffee shops and other amenities. She felt it is important for people to understand that the library’s role in the community is changing. B. Friends and Trustees Workshops Dr. Hallam said LAB members have received all pertinent information regarding the upcoming Friends and Trustees workshops. C. Letter from Tony Bacon In his letter, former LAB Chair Tony Bacon thanked the LAB for their cooperation and loyalty to the library system, and expressed his faith in the LAB’s efforts to ensure all grammar school children obtain library cards. D. Best Library Related Web Sites Article Dr. Hallam said this month’s Library Cooperative News and Events cover page features the Clearwater Public Library System. A handout from Library Hi Tech listed the Clearwater Library’s web site as one of the top 3 library web sites in the country. 6. Reports Friends Chair Morris said the next Friends of the Library luncheon meeting will be held on January 31, 1998, at 12:00 p.m. at the Clearwater Yacht Club. Foundation Ms. Lewis shared a copy of a resolution passed by the Library Foundation recommending the new Main Clearwater Library be located on 8 acres of property and front Cleveland Street. Discussion ensued. The LAB agreed to draft a letter to the City Commission endorsing the spirit of the resolution. Consensus was to make the LAB’s recommendations regarding the library’s location known to the City Manager and City Commission. Member Melges offered to draft a letter from the LAB for Chair Morris’ signature. 7. Board Comments It was noted a tourist had said one of the main reasons her family vacations on Clearwater Beach is because they enjoy the beach library. A patron who frequents the Clearwater Marina also had complimented the beach library. 8. New Business Mr. Bacon’s request for the LAB to continue its efforts regarding the “every child a library card” program was reiterated. 9. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m. The next LAB meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on February 20, 1998, at the North Greenwood branch library.