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12/17/1999LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER December 17, 1999 Present: Judy Melges Chair Tom Leavy Vice Chair Glenn Garte Board Member Katherine Merriam Board Member Jill Perrino Board Member William Raffaniello Board Member Absent: Howard Adler Board Member Estelle Dunn Board Member Vacant seat Board Member Also Present: John Szabo Library Director Juliet Lewis Foundation Executive Director Susan Hackett Administrative Analyst 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 November 19, 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 Library Director John Szabo attended presentations by developers responding to the Request for Qualifications on the bluff development. Public input will be heard at a special City Commission meeting in January on the use of the Dimmitt property on Cleveland Street. A revised cost analysis for the proposed Main Library was distributed and discussed. The information sheet outlined what could be built with $22.6 million, the current total of funds identified for the project. Library Publicity Mr. Szabo commented that articles appeared in the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times as well as coverage on Bay News 9 television reporting Clearwater’s number one ranking in reference transactions per capita as reported at last month’s Board meeting. Try Denting It, a teen group at the Countryside Library, received the YWCA’s 1999 Humanitarian Award. There was coverage in the Countryside Cougar. Polaris System Update The Library’s windows-based on line catalog and circulation module, Polaris, will be up and running sometime next week. Employee of the Year Linda Lange has been selected by fellow library employees to be 1999 Library Employee of the Year. The Foundation gives $100 to the Employee of the Year, as well as $5 to the Employee of the Month. Linda Lange also received an award from the City for chairing the Library Department’s United Way campaign this year which raised over $8,000, the second highest percentage of department participation for the City of Clearwater. Great American Teach-In Mr. Szabo reported that four Library staff members participated in the Great American Teach-In this month. Friends of the Library Support Mr. Szabo expressed appreciation to the Friends of the Clearwater Library for their support of $5,000 this year to the building campaign. ITEM #4 – Old Business Student Representative on the Board Member Jill Perrino received a letter from the Director for Operations for the school district responding to her inquiry to place a student on the Library Board. Participation is not allowed during school hours. ITEM #5 – New Business Farewell to Dr. Raffaniello Chair Melges thanked Member William Raffaniello for his years of service on the Library Board. Member Raffaniello commented “the people on the Board were the best part.” New Board Member Rhonda Smith was appointed at the last City Commission meeting to serve on the Library Board beginning January, 2000. The Board’s request to reduce the Library Board by two members is scheduled for first reading at the City Commission meeting on January 21, and if approved, will take effect in February, 2000. ITEM #6 – Reports Foundation Foundation Executive Director Julie Lewis reported the Foundation and Friends Boards feel the Main Library should not be part of the bluff development so that the Library does not die if the development fails at referendum. The Foundation will soon be able to accept credit cards. An online book store will be set up for books valued over $50.00. Books valued under $50.00 will be given to the Friends book store for sale. Friends of the Clearwater Library A Holiday Reception will be held at the East Library on Sunday, December 19, 1999, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. honoring Dr. Arlita Hallam as outgoing Library Director, and John Szabo as incoming Library Director. ITEM #7 – Board Comments Board members expressed appreciation to Member Raffaniello for his service. ITEM #8 – Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.