09/15/2000LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 15, 2000
Present: Judy Melges Chair
Glenn Garte Board Member
Katherine Merriam Board Member
Howard Adler Board Member
Absent: Tom Leavy Vice Chair
Rhonda Smith Board Member
Jill Perrino Board Member
Also Present: Dr. Arlita Hallam Quality of Life Administrator
Susan Hackett Administrative Analyst
Chair Judy Melges called the meeting to order at 10:35 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 – Minutes
Chair Melges asked that the minutes of the May 19, 2000 meeting be corrected by deleting the one sentence third paragraph under ITEM #6 Reports, b) Friends, specifically:
“The Friends will be joining efforts with the Citizens for a Better Clearwater organization on the referendum issue.”
Member Katherine Merriam moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 19, 2000, as corrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 – Nomination and Election of Officers
Member Glenn Garte nominated July Melges, Chair and Tom Leavy, Vice Chair as the slate of officers for the new year beginning September, 2000. With no further nominations from the
floor, nominations were closed. Member Garte moved to elect the slate of officers as presented. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #4 – Library Director’s Report
a) Main Library
In Library Director John Szabo’s absence, Quality of Life Administrator Dr. Arlita Hallam distributed a handout detailing costs and funding needed for 90,000 square feet of new construction.
Board members discussed variations of the total finished square footage, depending on the amount of private funding raised.
b) Proposed North Greenwood Library
Dr. Hallam reported that the current site under consideration for the proposed new North Greenwood Library is the northwest corner of the intersection of Seminole and Greenwood Avenue
(the parking lot of Jack Russell Stadium). This site is across the street from the new recreational facility to be constructed. Construction on the library may begin in April, 2001
and take six months to complete.
c) Re-opening of Present North Greenwood Library
Dr. Hallam noted that the present North Greenwood Library would re-open in early October. Repairs to the building as a result of a fire in July have been completed.
d) Quality of Life Administrator Position Eliminated
Dr. Hallam announced her position as Quality of Life Administrator has been eliminated and her termination is effective September30, 2000.
ITEM #5 – Unfinished Business
A summary of notes of the special joint meeting of the three Library Boards on August 29, 2000 was distributed.
ITEM #6 – New Business
Chair Melges encouraged Board members to attend the City Commission Meeting on September 21, 2000 to support the proposed new Main Library.
ITEM #7 – Reports
a) Foundation – no report
b) Friends
Member Merriam commented on John Szabo’s report on the progress of the North Greenwood Library repairs from the fire. The Friends will again sponsor the Dinner with Storytellers on
Monday, November 13, 2000, 6:30 p.m., at Harborview Center as part of the Folk Arts Festival. Friends’ scholarships were awarded to four staff members in August.
ITEM #8 – Board Comments
Chair Melges encouraged those Board members with absences on record to attend upcoming Board meetings. Board members thanked Chair Melges for her leadership this past year.
ITEM #9 – Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.