10/15/1999LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 15, 1999
Present: Judy Melges Chair
Tom Leavy Vice Chair
Estelle Dunn Board Member
Glenn Garte Board Member
Howard Adler Board Member
Katherine Merriam Board Member
William Raffaniello Board Member
Also Present: Arlita Hallam Quality of Life Administrator
Juliet Lewis Foundation Executive Director
Susan Hackett Administrative Analyst
Absent: vacant seat Board Member
Jill Perrino Board Member
Chair Judy Melges called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. at the Main Library.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #1 – Welcome
ITEM #2 – Approval of Minutes
Member Katherine Merriam moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 17, 1999, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion
was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 – Library Director’s Report
Main Library Update
Quality of Life Administrator Arlita Hallam reported that additional money will be available for Pennies for Pinellas projects as a result of Federal funding for the bridge. Dr. Hallam
mentioned the Main Library project may be the recipient of some of that funding.
Dr. Hallam noted Commissioner Ed Hart attended the Friends of the Library Board meeting on October 14, 1999, and mentioned the need for the support groups of the Library to be unified
on a Main Library site. The Friends board asked that a site selection task force be re-established consisting of three members each from the Friends of the Clearwater Library, the Greater
Clearwater Public Library Foundation, and the Library Advisory Board. The Board reviewed the possible sites that are available for a Main Library. Board Members Glenn Garte, Estelle
Dunn and Howard Adler were appointed as the three representatives from the Library Advisory Board to the site selection task
force. Foundation Executive Director Juliet Lewis will coordinate setting a meeting time within the next two weeks for the task force.
Branch Library Update
Dr. Hallam stated St. Petersburg Junior College is going ahead with a request next year for funding of the East/SPJC joint use library facility.
If sufficient funding is available from the bridge reimbursement, Dr. Hallam noted a Countryside Library expansion might be explored.
ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business
Reduce Board Membership from 9 to 7
This item has been tabled indefinitely.
ITEM #5 – New Business
Board Member Christine Morris
Dr. Hallam discussed Board Member Christine Morris’ resignation due to health problems. Member Merriam will send a gift to the hospital from the Board when Mrs. Morris is scheduled
for heart surgery.
ITEM #6 – Reports
Foundation
Foundation Executive Director Lewis confirmed a golf tournament is planned for May 12, 2000, replacing the Cognoscenti Auction of the past.
Friends
Member Merriam reported the Folk Arts Festival dinner with the storytellers at Harborview is Friday, November 19, and the all-day event in Coachman Park is Saturday, November 20.
ITEM #7 – Board Comments
Member Dunn commented on the absence of Clearwater’s City Commissioners at the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative’s “Salute to Elected Officials” in St. Petersburg. The event was
well represented by other local area officials.
ITEM #8 – Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.