01/19/2001LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 19, 2001
Present: Judy Melges Chair
Tom Leavy Vice Chair
Howard Adler Board Member
Katherine Merriam Board Member
Rhonda Smith Board Member
Absent: Glenn Garte Board Member
Vacant Board Member
Also Present: John Szabo Library Director
Susan Doel Administrative Analyst
Cyndi Kibby Reference Librarian
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
Library Director John Szabo reported Howard Adler and Glenn Garte were reappointed to new terms on the Board, and Fred Dunn was appointed to the vacant seat beginning February 1st.
ITEM #2 – Minutes
Member Katherine Merriam moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 15, 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/East Lake Issue
Mr. Szabo reported the City Commission approved a short term Library Interlocal Agreement through July 10, 2001 which serves as a continuation of the original agreement that expired
on January 10, 2001. The short-term agreement will allow issues with the long-term agreement to be resolved. Senator Jack Latvala met with several City Managers of communities within
his district to discuss the East Lake issue. Possible solutions being discussed include: a) establishing a special taxing district for East Lake, and b) looking for money elsewhere
in the Pinellas County budget for East Lake Library funding.
b) Countryside Library – Sunday Hours
Mr. Szabo reported Sunday hours at Countryside Library would begin on February 4, 2001, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. with a small ceremony and refreshments.
c) Writer’s Conference
The second annual “Dream It, Write It, Sell It” writer’s conference will be held on Saturday, March 24 at Harborview Center. This year the conference will host five editors from major
publishing houses representing the youth and adult marketplace. Registration fee of $50.00 includes lunch at Harborview Center. Editor appointments for writers with a completed manuscript
will be offered.
d) Reciprocal Borrowing
Mr. Szabo discussed the reciprocal borrowing agreements that allow patrons to use libraries outside their immediate service area. In addition to the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative
member libraries, Clearwater maintains a reciprocal borrowing agreement with Tampa-Hillsborough County Library System, Pasco County Library System, New Port Richey Public Library, Plant
City’s Bruton Memorial Library, libraries of the five St. Petersburg Junior College campuses, and most recently Citrus and Hernando County Library Systems, bringing the total to 71 participating
libraries. Saint Johns County Library System (St. Augustine area) also offers borrowing privileges to all libraries in the state of Florida. Agreements between the five counties were
arranged through the Tampa Bay Library Consortium. Board members commented this information needs to be made known to library patrons. Mr. Szabo noted a statewide courier service is
available to return materials to every public library in Florida, but this does not include borrowing privileges.
ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business
a) Discussion of Board meeting time
Chair Melges recommended dismissing the discussion of changing the Board meeting time with the recent appointment of Fred Dunn as he is able to attend the
present morning meeting time.
ITEM #5 – New Business
Chair Melges discussed an upcoming “Meet the Candidates” forum for qualified City Commission candidates at 7:00 p.m. on January 30, 2001 sponsored by the Friends of the Clearwater Library
and moderated by the League of Women Voters.
ITEM #6 – Reports
a) Foundation
In the absence of Foundation Executive Director Julie Lewis, Mr. Szabo commented the Foundation Board is optimistic and excited with the progress of the capital campaign.
b) Friends
President of the Friends of the Clearwater Library, Rex Clark, is recuperating at a rehabilitation facility as a result of a stroke.
ITEM #7 – Board Comments
Member Adler commented he felt the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation on the program of the Friends’ Winter Luncheon is entirely inappropriate. Chair Melges stated she would pass
on his comment to Eugenia Berry, Special Events Chair at the next Friends’ Board meeting. Vice Chair Tom Leavy stated he agrees with Member Adler’s comment.
Chair Melges encouraged the Board to attend any and all City Commission candidates’ forums.
ITEM #8 – Presentation: Cyndi Kibby, Reference Librarian – Florida Resource and Opportunity Guide (FROG)
Cyndi Kibby of the Main Library’s Reference Department distributed the most recently printed edition of the FROG directory and reviewed several aspects of this product online. The
directory produced by the Clearwater Public Library System contains information on mostly non-profit clubs and organizations in Pinellas County and a few in neighboring counties.
ITEM #8 – Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.