11/20/2000LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 20, 2000
Present: Judy Melges Chair
Tom Leavy Vice Chair
Howard Adler Board Member
Glenn Garte Board Member
Katherine Merriam Board Member
Absent: Jill Perrino Board Member
Rhonda Smith Board Member
Also Present: John Szabo Library Director
Julie Lewis Foundation Executive Director
Eleanor Scharf Reference Services Manager
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 – Minutes
Member Katherine Merriam moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 25, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 – Library Director’s Report
a) Library Interlocal Agreement Update
Library Director John Szabo reported the East Lake funding issue of the Interlocal Agreement is scheduled for discussion by the Pinellas County Commission on November 27, 2000. Mr.
Szabo has discussed the matter with the City Manager and Assistant City Manager, and the City Commission has been informed by memorandum.
b) Main Library Project Update
Mr. Szabo reported Robert A.M. Stern is working on preliminary drawings for the Main Library project. Mr. Szabo is scheduled to meet with the City Manager on November 29th to discuss
temporary relocation and storage issues.
c) North Greenwood Library Project Update
A Community Interaction Day is scheduled for December 2nd at Cherry Harris Park in Clearwater to gather North Greenwood community input on several City issues,
including the North Greenwood Library site. Mr. Szabo hopes to move the site selection issue from the January 18th City Commission agenda to December 12th.
d) Countryside Library – Sunday Hours
Mr. Szabo reported the City Commission approved Sunday hours at Countryside Library for a trial period beginning January through September, 2001. Staff will report statistics to the
City Commission during the trial period. Mr. Szabo noted Commissioner Ed Hart read the Board’s comments regarding potential future budget issues if other Clearwater communities requested
Sunday hours as well.
e) Webmaster Position
The City’s Webmaster position funded in the Library Department is now vacant. The function of Webmaster will be transferred to Information Technology Department. Duties of the retained
Library position will include maintaining the Library’s portion of the City website, coordinating technology training, information technology planning for new Library building projects,
and serving as a liaison with the Information Technology Department.
f) Recent and Upcoming Library Programs
Mr. Szabo listed some recent library programs: Old Time Radio, How to Buy a Diamond, Pokemon Party, House at Pooh Corner, Area 51, and the History of Zeppelins.
g) Screenwriters Workshop Report
Mr. Szabo reported the recent Screenwriters Workshop on October 28th attended by 146 registrants generated a net of $2400. This funding will be used for future library programs.
An additional writers workshop is scheduled for March 24, 2001 emphasizing writing for young people.
ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business
a) Patron barcodes – can they be abbreviated?
In response to Member Howard Adler’s question at a previous Board meeting, Mr. Szabo commented that patron barcodes cannot be abbreviated because the first several digits are actually
not the same for all Cooperative library cards.
Mr. Szabo gave a summary of the levels and duties of Library positions in response to a request from Member Adler. Mr. Szabo also reported the recent promotion of Jennifer Tudor from
Librarian I to Librarian II in Youth Services. Chair Melges commented Ms. Tudor is a recipient of several Friends of the Clearwater Library annual scholarship awards.
ITEM #5 – New Business
Chair Melges distributed a handout of Library Advisory Board meeting dates for year 2001. Chair Melges asked Board members to think about other possible meeting
times for Advisory Board meetings to accommodate interested parties who might want to apply to the Board but cannot make the present meeting time.
Mr. Szabo reported that Mayor Brian Aungst raised an issue concerning the lack of a checkout limit for library materials. Staff is examining this to determine if there is a problem.
Former City Commissioner Fred Thomas raised a similar issue in late 1992 and a 25-item policy was established. However, due to citizen concern, the City Commission rescinded the policy
a few months later in February, 1993. Board members discussed pros and cons of limits. Mr. Szabo will update the Board at next month’s meeting.
ITEM #6 – Reports
a) Foundation
Foundation Executive Director reviewed the current quiet phase of the capital campaign when lead gifts are sought. Of the $5 million needed, the Foundation anticipates $4 million
from 40-50 gifts including one lead gift of at least $1 million. The final $1 million will be sought during the public phase of the campaign. A giant rummage sale is planned for October
27-28, 2001 with a goal of $100,000. Ms. Lewis noted memberships are critical at this time to increase the membership database for the public campaign.
b) Friends
Chair Melges commented that the Friends are sponsoring a “Meet the Candidates” forum on January 30th, 7:00 p.m. in the Adler Room. The forum will be a critical time to screen City
Commission candidates with regards to Library and other City issues.
Chair Melges updated the Board on Friends President Rex Clark, still hospitalized from a recent stroke. Ms. Lewis also reported Foundation volunteer Shirley Hunt has been in and out
of the hospital over the last few months.
ITEM #7 – Board Comments – None
ITEM #8 – Presentation by Eleanor Scharf, Reference Manager
Reference Manager Eleanor Scharf demonstrated Reference USA, a product of over 10 million listings used by the Reference department. Pinellas Public Library Cooperative pays for this
service. Patrons can connect from home to do searches by various criteria.
ITEM #9 – Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.