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11/19/1999LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 19, 1999 Present: Judy Melges Chair Tom Leavy Vice Chair Estelle Dunn Board Member Howard Adler Board Member Katherine Merriam Board Member Jill Perrino Board Member William Raffaniello Board Member Also Present: John Szabo Library Director Juliet Lewis Foundation Executive Director Susan Hackett Administrative Analyst Absent: Glenn Garte Board Member Vacant seat Board Member Chair Judy Melges called the meeting to order at 9:03 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 October 15, 1999, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Unfinished Business Reduce Board Membership from 9 to 7 Chair Melges reported that 3 seats would be vacant by December 31, 1999: resignation of Christine Morris, term expirations of Estelle Dunn and William Raffaniello. If the Board were to decide to reduce the membership, a decision should be made at this time before the City Commission makes the appointments at first meeting in December. Discussion followed on the low number of applicants for Library Board positions. Member Howard Adler moved that the number of members on the Library Board be reduced from 9 to 7 until further notice. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Tom Leavy moved that in years that positions on the Board may become vacant, the Board should publicize in the spring the fact that positions will be available on the Library Board. Library Director John Szabo commented that should an overwhelming number of candidates apply in the future, the Board might discuss increasing the Board membership. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #4 – New Business Resignation of Christine Morris Chair Melges read a letter to Christine Morris from the City of Clearwater thanking her for her years of service on the Library Advisory Board. Foundation Executive Director Chair Melges announced that Foundation Executive Director Julie Lewis would be working part time for the next six weeks due to health problems. North Greenwood Library Project Library Director John Szabo reported the North Greenwood Library project is progressing smoothly. Projected funding sources, timeline and staffing were discussed. Main Library Project The site selection committee consisting of three representatives from each of the Library support groups established the following ranking of library sites: 1) Dimmitt property on Cleveland St., 2) Calvary Baptist Church, 3) the Bluff (NE quadrant), and 4) property at Court and Myrtle. A parcel of the Court and Myrtle property has since been sold; therefore, this property is no longer an option. East Library/SPJC Joint Facility Mr. Szabo reported he is attending a meeting today to discuss moving forward with this project. Moving of Library Offices at Main Mr. Szabo noted that with his promotion to Library Director, several office changes will take place: he will move to the Director’s office in Administration, Dr. Arlita Hallam will move to the Foundation office on the third floor, and the Foundation staff will move to Mr. Szabo’s vacated office space on the second floor. Reference Transactions per Capita Ranking Mr. Szabo reported the Library Research Center at the University of Illinois ranked Clearwater Public Library System number one of 410 libraries serving over 100,000 residents reporting public library data for 1998-99 in the category of reference transactions per capita. ITEM #5 – Board Comments Member Adler requested presentations by Library staff on policy issues, Internet and website overview, the relationship of the library support groups, and training and education of librarians at future Library Advisory Board meetings. Member Estelle Dunn said farewell as this was her last Board meeting. Chair Melges thanked Member Dunn for her years of service. ITEM #6 – Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 a.m.