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10/19/2001LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER October 19, 2001 Present: Tom Leavy Vice Chair Howard Adler Board Member Frederick Dunn Board Member Glenn Garte Board Member Katherine Merriam Board Member Absent: Judy Melges Chair Rhonda Smith Board Member Also Present: John F. Szabo Library Director Susan Doel Administrative Analyst In the absence of Chair Judy Melges, Vice Chair Tom Leavy 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 Glenn Garte moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 21, 2001 as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Library Director’s Report Main Library Project Update Library Director John Szabo reported the general tone toward the Main Library project is very positive. Money has been bonded and the Foundation is working toward their goal. The project is 50-60% through design development. Mr. Szabo is meeting with staff to discuss issues of office space and workflow. As the construction management firm reports cost estimates for materials, the project team is working on changes to the building to meet the $14,532,915 construction budget. The lease on the temporary facility for Main Library (the old hardware store at Myrtle Ave. and Pierce St.) is in the hands of the owner and his attorneys. Since much of the collection will be stored in a separate facility, interlibrary loans and courier service will be important in assisting our patrons in accessing materials during this interim period. Grand opening for the new Main Library is projected for Fall of 2003. North Greenwood Branch Library Project Update Mr. Szabo reported the low bid for the North Greenwood Branch Library project Was higher than the project budget. Prior to year-end, the construction contract is expected to be awarded to Angle & Schmid of St. Petersburg and a significant deductive change order will be prepared to bring the cost back in line with the project budget. Reductions will not affect the building size but will be reflected in covered space, awnings, etc. Countryside Team of the Quarter Award The staff of the Countryside Library won the City’s Team of the Quarter Award. Countryside staff members were recognized at the City Commission meeting of October 18, 2001 with a $300 award to be divided among them. Member Fred Dunn moved to commend the Countryside staff for their work. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Chair Melges will be asked to write a letter to the Countryside staff. ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business Library Cards for Non-resident Business Owners Leasing Clearwater Property Mr. Szabo stated that he will soon be discussing with the Assistant City Manager the Library Board’s recommendation last month to support a policy change providing for the issuance of library cards for Clearwater use only to business owners who lease property in Clearwater. ITEM #5 – New Business Access to R-rated Videos Mr. Szabo discussed a citizen’s recent concern regarding access to R-rated videos by his child. Current library policy encourages parents to make decisions for their children on appropriate library materials. Member Howard Adler moved that the Board reaffirm the policy stated previously in 1996 on R-rated videos. The motion was duly seconded. Mr. Szabo read from the minutes of the October 1996 Board meeting when this issue was previously discussed. After further discussion of the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights which includes a clause that states all library materials will be accessible to all library patrons regardless of age, Chair Leavy called for the vote on the motion on the floor. The motion carried unanimously. ITEM #6 – Reports Foundation Mr. Szabo reported the Foundation will hold a mini garage sale of holiday items on Saturday, October 20 at Main Library. The “Last Night in the Stacks” party with silent auction will be held Friday, October 26. Friends The Friends will have a children’s book sale in conjunction with the Foundation’s sale on October 20. Proceeds will go toward the Friends contribution to the Main Library Capital Campaign. ITEM #7 – Board Comments In response to a concern brought to Chair Melges’ attention about the condition of the East Library’s public restrooms, Vice Chair Leavy suggested this is an issue best handled by the Library Director. Mr. Szabo agreed. Member Adler asked that Board members absent from this meeting be notified the next Board meeting is Friday, November 16 and not November 19 as indicated on the agenda mailed to Board members. ITEM #8 – Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.