11/16/2001LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 16, 2001
Present: Judy Melges Chair
Tom Leavy Vice Chair
Howard Adler Board Member
Frederick Dunn Board Member
Glenn Garte Board Member
Katherine Merriam Board Member
Absent: Rhonda Smith Board Member
Also Present: Susan Doel 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 or October 19, 2001 as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 – Library Director’s Report
In the absence of Library Director John Szabo, who was being installed as Vice-President/President-Elect at the Annual Meeting of the Tampa Bay Library Consortium, Administrative Analyst
Susan Doel presented the Library Director’s report.
Main Library Project Update
Mr. Szabo hopes to have temporary facility plans finalized by the December 13
City Commission meeting. The lease for temporary quarters will likely start Feb. 1, 2002. Any renovations or additional work to the temporary facility will be done in February. The
Main Library move will occur around early to mid March. Demolition is planned for early April, with construction beginning shortly thereafter. The project team continues with budget
and design development. Mr. Szabo is working closely with library managers on planning the spaces in the floor plan.
North Greenwood Branch Library Project Update
Mr. Szabo is expecting the North Greenwood Branch Library construction
contract to be awarded at the Dec. 13th City Commission meeting. Issues have been resolved relating to the higher-than-expected low bid. The changes did not result in affecting the
building’s size or functionality.
ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business
R-rated video issue
The Advisory Board’s discussion and decision has been conveyed to the patron.
Non-resident business owners leasing Clearwater property
The patron was issued a “Clearwater only” card. No other inquiries have been
received. An administrative decision will be made on this issue.
ITEM #5 – New Business
Member Garte moved to cancel the December Advisory Board meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #6 – Reports
Foundation
Chair Melges reported the Last Night in the Stacks event on October 26 was a
tremendous success generating over $40,000. A total of 1,000 cookbooks were sold out by noon on November 14 and contributed $15,000 to the community campaign.
A First Night in the Stacks grand opening gala will be planned in coordination with the City of Clearwater. The Foundation has booked the first party in the new Main Library’s terrace
garden/special collections room for Foundation members.
The Foundation is selling bricks with name inscription for the North Greenwood Branch Library Project for $35.00 each. A different idea will be planned for the Main Library project.
The Foundation’s Annual Meeting was held at the Island Way Grill with Mr. Szabo as the keynote speaker. The owner, Mr. Frank Chivas, was very generous in offering to assist the Foundation
in the future.
Friends
Chair Melges reported the Friends are conducting an aggressive membership
campaign. The Friends board has voted to become a 501c(3) organization. Their Winter Luncheon is scheduled for February 22, 2002 at Harborview Center with guest speaker Mary Jo Melone,
columnist for the St. Petersburg Times.
ITEM #7 – Board Comments
Member Merriam complimented Chair Melges on an outstanding job.
Board members’ questions or comments regarding the Tampa Bay Library Consortium, a time capsule, groundbreaking, and computer system for the new Main Library, viewing Clearwater’s online
collection from other libraries and vice versa, the use of the terms “reference” and “information” in library service, and the future location of the Answer Center will be addressed
by Mr. Szabo at the January Board meeting.
ITEM #8 – Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m.