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02/18/2000LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER February 18, 2000 Present: Judy Melges Chair Howard Adler Board Member Katherine Merriam Board Member Jill Perrino Board Member Absent: Tom Leavy Vice Chair Glenn Garte Board Member Rhonda Smith 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 January 18, 2000, 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 Update on recovery process/arrest publicity and amnesty period Library Director John Szabo reported he was reasonably pleased with coverage on Clearwater’s recovery process. Mr. Szabo has recommended to the City Manager that an additional step be added to the process – the use of Unique Management Services, a collection agency working specifically with libraries for a flat fee per account. The use of Unique Management Services will eliminate some negative publicity, yet preserve the accountability issue. Board members commented that the public needs to be educated on the value of library materials. Clearwater Writer’s Workshop – April 1, 2000 Mr. Szabo asked the Board to help promote a Writer’s Workshop for aspiring and published writers sponsored by the Library on April 1st at Harborview Center. Library Business Plan Mr. Szabo distributed copies of the Library’s Business Plan submitted as part of the Strategies for Success program’s effort to take all existing and new programs and prioritize them in line with overall City goals and objectives. Mr. Adler asked about Sunday hours at Countryside Library, one of the new programs listed in the Business Plan. Mr. Szabo will present the costs of Sunday hours with additional staff to the City Manager in the near future. Review of Library initiatives in the Hispanic community Mr. Szabo presented a list of the Library’s efforts to address the special needs of Clearwater’s Hispanic community. Status of downtown/bluff development Mr. Szabo informed Board members of a Town Meeting on February 23, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. at Harborview Center on the issue of downtown/bluff development. Update on legislative appropriations: state aid and construction Dr. and Mrs. Rex Clark, Dr. David Berry, and Mr. Szabo will attend Library Day in Tallahassee in March to lobby for construction dollars and approval of Secretary of State Catherine Harris’ state aid proposal for $10 million in additional state aid. In the past, state aid funding, which Clearwater Public Library receives through the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative, has been predominantly spent on technology-related expenditures. ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business Mr. Szabo reported the City Commission approved the reduction of the Library Advisory Board from nine (9) to seven (7) members. ITEM #5 – New Business Board members were reminded of the Advisory Board Appreciation Dinner on February 29, 6:00 p.m. at Harborview Center. ITEM #6 – Reports Foundation Foundation Executive Director Juliet Lewis reported receipt of $5,700 from GTE to purchase computers for Internet access. The Clearwater Community Woman’s Club contributed $5,000 for the North Greenwood Library building project, and $1,500 for Family Reading 2000. Proceeds from Representative John Morroni’s Annual Appreciation Banquet for Law Enforcement and Firefighters totaled $4,000 for area library foundations. Funds will be presented at the City Commission meeting on March 2. Ms. Lewis reported corporate and individual sponsors are needed for the Cognoscenti Golf Tournament and Auction. Gifts for auction and give-aways for golfers are also needed. Friends Mrs. Melges reported the Friends will sponsor four scholarships for students to the Writer’s Workshop. Mrs. Merriam noted Colin Baldwin’s lecture series sponsored by the Friends was a great success. Mr. Baldwin will return next year. The Friends’ Winter Luncheon is Saturday, February 19, at Cove Cay Country Club, featuring speaker Dr. Madison Mosley, President of the Florida Library Association. ITEM # 7 – Board Comments Mr. Adler suggested telephone reference calls be limited to only certain hours of the day and questions be researched by volunteers, to eliminate the chaotic atmosphere at the reference desk at Countryside Library. Mr. Szabo emphasized the Library’s goal is to provide the correct answer as quickly as possible and not to limit service. Speaking from experience as former Director of the Palm Harbor Library, a library utilizing the most volunteers in the state of Florida, Mr. Szabo emphasized the importance of professional librarians responding to inquiries. A new reference desk has also been requested for the Countryside Library. Ms. Jill Perrino commented that volunteers could assist in helping patrons find a book, since many of them go straight to the reference desk without attempting first to look for the materials. Ms. Perrino also suggested the method of signing up for use of Internet terminals could be changed to take the burden off the reference staff. Mr. Szabo announced former Library Board member Christine Morris will be honored at Soroptimists International of Upper Pinellas County’s Women Honoring Women award luncheon on March 18, 2000, at Carlouel Yacht Club. Marsha McGrath will take reservations at Main Library ($25.00). ITEM #8 – Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.