03/15/2002LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 15, 2002
Present: Judy Melges Chair
Tom Leavy Vice Chair
Frederick Dunn Board Member
Glenn Garte Board Member
Absent: Howard Adler Board Member
Katherine Merriam Board Member
Rhonda Smith Board Member
Also Present: John Szabo Library Director
Susan Doel 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
ITEM #2 – Minutes
Vice Chair Tom Leavy moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 15, 2002 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 Main Library project is on schedule. A
$100,000 grant from Pinellas Public Library Cooperative was recently received. This money is part of the $20.2 million for the project. The Library took occupancy of the Colliers Arnold
Building on March 11, 2002. Building & Maintenance has already begun renovation and will continue through April 5. Additional soil borings will be done the week of March 18 and after
demolition. Staff is working with structural engineering firm McCarthy & Associates, Inc. on the floor layout in Colliers Arnold Building. This firm is also working on the new Main
Library project.
Mr. Szabo noted the City Commission would discuss the process of declaring
items surplus in the Main Library and authorizing remaining items to be included in the Foundation’s garage sale on April 23 and 24.
Abatement begins April 29 for an estimated two weeks. Demolition follows
through June. Fencing will be placed around the Main Library site. Groundbreaking is anticipated in June. The Relocation Committee has been working hard on all issues
pertaining to the Main Library move. At the present time, 50,000 volumes have been boxed for storage.
North Greenwood Library Project Update
Mr. Szabo reported a retention pond has been dug and the foundation is being
poured at the new North Greenwood Library site. The recreation complex across North Greenwood Avenue is also under construction.
Calendar of Events
Mr. Szabo acknowledged the City’s Graphics Department for design and the
Clearwater Library Foundation for printing costs of the library’s award winning Calendar of Events. He distributed the new Spring Calendar. Chair Melges noted the Foundation’s new name
and logo.
FY 02/03 Budget
The FY 02/03 budget process has begun. Capital Improvement Project
adjustments have been submitted and preparation of line item operating budgets is underway. Additional staffing needs for the new North Greenwood Library (2.5 FTE) and the new Main
Library (10 FTE) in FY 03/04 were discussed. Mr. Szabo reported that Main Library staff may shift to accommodate increased usage following the new North Greenwood Library opening in
late 2002.
Discussion followed on revenue options with the café lease in the new Main
Library.
ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business - None
ITEM #5 – New Business – None
ITEM #6 – Reports
Foundation
Chair Melges reported advertisements and posters are ready for the
Foundation’s garage sale on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 23 and 24. Orders for bricks for North Greenwood Library are still being received for $35.00 each. Funds received for Christine
Morris’ tribute fund have exceeded the original $5,000 goal for a plaque. Additional funds will be used to enhance the African American Collection.
Friends
Chair Melges stated the Friends Winter Luncheon with speaker Mary Jo Melone
was a success. Vice Chair Leavy suggested Howard Troxler be considered for a future speaker.
ITEM #7 – Board Comments
Board members were encouraged to attend the annual Advisory Board Appreciation Dinner on March 19 at Harborview Center.
ITEM #8 – Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.