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09/21/2001LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER September21, 2001 Present: Judy Melges Chairperson Katherine Merriam Board Member Tom Leavy Board Member Frederick Dunn Board Member Rhonda Smith Board Member Absent: Howard Adler Board Member Glenn Garte Board Member Also Present: John F. Szabo Library Director Holly Ausanio Administrative Analyst Rita Garvey Library Foundation Board 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 Member Katherine Merriam moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 18, 2001 as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Library Director’s Report Main Library Library Director John Szabo reviewed the development of the project from September 21, 2000 when the City Commission's approved the current site, size and budget for the new Main Library. Mr. Szabo reviewed changes and updates to the project as presented to the City Commission at its September 20, 2001 meeting, including the following: An additional elevator near the entrance; A curved circulation desk; An additional set of entrance doors; Visual interest for pedestrians on Osceola Ave - more landscaping, window boxes for displays/promotion or artistic treatment; Pre-function area was moved north and will become gallery space allowing pedestrians to view the café through the gallery. Mr. Szabo stated louvers, trees, special glass treatment and metal venetian-type blinds on the west side of the building will protect it from the sun and heat. Samples of materials were displayed and Mr. Szabo reviewed the proposed color scheme and planned use for each product inside and outside of the building. In response to questions, Mr. Szabo stated elevations are 20 feet high for the first floor and the second through fourth floors are 16 feet each. The building will meet all new hurricane code requirements. The Main Library's temporary location is expected to be the old hardware store on Myrtle and Pierce. A lease will be forthcoming for City Commission approval. North Greenwood Library Project Update Library Director John Szabo stated fourteen companies picked up construction bid packages. Bids are due September 28 and the award of contract is scheduled for City Commission approval at the October 18 Commission meeting. Construction will begin in early November with completion in July 2002. Tim and Rita Garvey donated funds for a sculpture of an African-American eight-year old boy sitting atop a stack of books reading. Materials for the African-American collection are currently being purchased with $25,000 grant. Groundbreaking for all three North Greenwood projects (Library, Recreation & Aquatics Center, and Corridor Enhancement) is scheduled for Saturday, October 13 at 11 a.m. Interlocal Agreement Mr. Szabo stated the Agreement has been approved by the City Commission for a period of 12 years. The East Lake issue has been settled and the County will now appoint three of nine board members to represent the unincorporated areas. FY 01/02 Budget The City Commission approved the budget at their September 20 meeting, which includes funding of the Assistant Library Director position and continued Countryside Sunday hours. Award for Library's Calendar of Events The Library's Calendar of Events won "Best of Show" in a national competition of 300 entries. Jan Nickols, the Library Foundation and the City's Graphics Division were recognized at the September 6 City Commission meeting for this accomplishment. 35 Year Service Awards Candy McDaniel, Librarian I/Interlibrary Loans and Marlene Havens, Librarian II/Reference were recognized at the City Commission meeting September 20 for 35 years of dedicated service to the City. Library Days 2002 - Tallahassee Library Days 2002 is scheduled for February 4-5. The Legislature will be in session in late January because of reapportionment. The Florida Library Association (FLA) reception for elected officials will be held on the 22nd floor of the Capitol. There are many issues on the table and it is very important to get a lot of people there. Travel to Tallahassee by bus is being arranged by the PPLC. Mr. Szabo is chair of the FLA Legislative Committee this year. ALA Council - Jana Fine Jana has many professional accomplishments and is a past president of the YALSA (Young Adults Library Services Association). Jana recently ran for a seat on the ALA Council, which is the governing body of American Library Association. Mr. Szabo stated professional librarians often run for a seat on this council many times before getting elected. Jana was elected her first time, receiving the second highest number of votes among 64 candidates. Mr. Szabo expressed how proud he is of this accomplishment. Items not agendaed Mr. Szabo displayed the Library/PSTA partnership poster for "National Library Card Sign-Up Month." Twelve-foot long posters are being displayed on the side of 20 PSTA buses. A presentation will be made at the October 4 City Commission meeting. Mr. Szabo provided copies of the Library Organizational Chart. The Division Manager position, vacated by Linda Lange, will be responsible for Main Library operations and will report to the Assistant Director. The Assistant Director will oversee branch library operations and all Technical Services. Mr. Szabo emphasized he will continue with library managers meetings. In response to questions, Mr. Szabo stated both the Assistant Director and Division Manager positions will be filled by year-end. He anticipates internal candidates for both positions. The interview process will include staff involvement. ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business - None. ITEM #5 – New Business Library Cards for Non-resident Business Owners Leasing Clearwater Property Mr. Szabo stated free library cards are not provided to persons who lease business property in Clearwater. He stated it would be a minimal cost to provide these cards. Mr. Szabo stated visitors are offered temporary cards with no charge. The following concerns were addressed: 1) Cards would be issued for Clearwater use only. 2) Although businesses do not pay property taxes, they do support the City through fees/licenses and other business expenditures in the City. 3) Cards would be issued only to the business owner and family, not employees. 4) The policy for qualifying would have to be precise. Mr. Leavy moved to support a policy change providing for the issuance of library cards for Clearwater use only to business owners who lease property in Clearwater. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. E-Rate/CIPA John Szabo stated federal funding allows telecommunications providers to give discounts to schools and libraries. The Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is now tied to E-Rate funding. If compliance with the act is met, funding will continue in FY 02/03. To meet current funding requirements, the library has agreed to investigate how we will comply with CIPA. The act, which has been challenged by ALA (American Library Association), ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) and others, is currently in litigation in U.S. District Court. ITEM #6 – Reports Foundation Judy Melges stated the "Last Night in the Stacks" party will be held Friday, October 26 and will include silent and audible auctions. A holiday rummage sale is planned for Saturday, October 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Adler Room. The regular rummage sale is postponed until after Library operations have relocated. Friends Katie Merriam, Friends Member, stated the September Friends meeting was held at the PPLC (Pinellas Public Library Cooperative). A Eugenia Berry memorial scholarship fund in the amount of $10,000 has been established. Donations are welcome. Member Merriam stated Brooke Hartley, 3rd Vice-President/Special Events, has tentatively scheduled the annual luncheon at the Harborview Center with Leroy Selman, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer, as the speaker. Member Merriam stated new member Carol Cagwin is updating the Friends membership list. Guest Rita Garvey stated there will also be a youth books sale on Saturday, October 20, with proceeds going toward the Friends $25,000 pledge to the new Main Library. ITEM #7 – Board Comments - None ITEM #8 – Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.