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02/15/2002LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER February 15, 2002 Present: Judy Melges Chair Tom Leavy Vice Chair Howard Adler Board Member Frederick Dunn Board Member Glenn Garte Board Member Katherine Merriam Board Member Rhonda Smith Board Member Also Present: John Szabo Library Director Laurel Gustafson Assistant Library Director Holly Ausanio Administrative Analyst Chair Judy Melges called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. at the East 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 introduced Laurel Gustafson, new Assistant Library Director. ITEM #2 – Minutes Member Katherine Merriam moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 18, 2002 as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Library Director’s Report Library Director John Szabo reported Kathy Dort, Main Library Manager, has been tasked with coordinating the relocation to the temporary facility and will attend a future Library Advisory Board meeting. Main Library Project Update Temporary Location - Mr. Szabo reported renovations to the temporary location would begin March 11, when the City will have full access to the building. Renovations will be done by the City's Building and Maintenance Division. Move/Closing - The movers will begin on April 8 with completion by April 19. Eleven moving companies attended a pre-bid conference on February 13. They were given a tour of the Main Library and the temporary location in the Colliers Arnold building. In response to questions, Mr. Szabo stated the movers are responsible for placing materials back on the shelves. Staff is currently boxing all items that will go into storage. The Main Library will close to the public March 25 - April 27, reopening on Monday, April 29. During this time materials can be returned to a bookdrop outside the Main Library or any other library facility. Construction - Mr. Szabo reviewed the timeline beginning with demolition scheduled for April 29 through May 25. In response to questions, Mr. Szabo stated asbestos testing is being done. Plaques will be preserved and an effort will be made to secure the cornerstone of the original Carnegie Library. Site work begins May 28. Groundbreaking and an appropriate ceremony are not yet scheduled. There will not be a demolition party or event. In response to a question, Mr. Szabo stated a public relations plan is being finalized. A notice will be included in the utility billing stuffer. Member Glenn Garte suggested copies of flyers be provided to condominiums, since some of these residents do not get separate utility billing. North Greenwood Library Project Update Mr. Szabo stated the site is fenced and construction has begun. Completion is scheduled for late November, early December. ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business Naming North Greenwood Library - Mr. Szabo stated Rex and Betty Clark initiated discussion on renaming the North Greenwood Library. The donor naming policy was brought up by the City Manager at a special Commission work session on February 12, at which time the Commission expressed support to not change the current policy which prohibits the naming of libraries after individuals. Mr. Szabo has prepared background information on this issue for the City Commission at their request. Mr. Szabo has recommended naming the African American Collection for Mrs. Morris. Library groups have expressed support for this suggestion. ITEM #5 – New Business Member Tom Leavy expressed concern over the lack of parking spaces at Countryside Branch Library, inquiring if there are future plans for its expansion. Library Director John Szabo stated there aren't any dollars currently budgeted for its expansion. In response to questions, Mr. Szabo stated there had been discussion approximately three years ago about expanding into the Fire Station property. This, of course, would be contingent on their relocation. Member Howard Adler stated the Countryside Friends bookstore sold $13,000 in used materials last year. ITEM #6 – Reports Foundation New Main Library - Judy Melges reported the Capital Campaign is doing a great job. A Capital Campaign brochure has been printed and will be provided to potential major donors and civic associations with naming opportunities for donations of $50,000 and above. Additional naming opportunities are being put together for gifts of $25,000 and less. A Leadership Committee has been appointed to direct the course of the Community Campaign, which is charged with raising $500,000. Total donations and pledges raised to date are just under $3M. North Greenwood Library - A campaign to raise $30,000 is in process to name the meeting room for Pastor Mack Williams. Rita Garvey is heading a campaign to raise dollars for the Christine Morris Fund for the purchase of a plaque honoring Mrs. Morris and for enhancements to the African American Collection. In addition, bricks are offered at $35 each. Friends of the Library Katherine Merriam reported revenue for the month from the Friends bookstores is $3,045.05, which includes over $300 from the downtown store's recent book sale. The Friends Winter Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, February 22 at the Harborview Center. The speaker will be Mary Jo Malone. Mrs. Merriam reported Friends President Tony Bacon was harassed outside the Main Library and requested the benches be removed. Discussion followed regarding homeless issues with the new Main Library, especially their presence on the patio. Library Director John Szabo stated the City Manager had authorized two Police Service Technicians to be assigned to the Main Library. He also reviewed steps taken to deal with this issue in the new Main Library. ITEM #7 – Board Comments A question was raised regarding Board interest in changing the meeting time to 10 AM and whether or not monthly meetings were needed. Consensus was to leave as is for now. ITEM #8 – Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:22 p.m.