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11/15/2002LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 15, 2002 Present: Judy Melges Chair Glenn Garte Board Member Frederick Dunn Board Member Katherine Merriam Board Member Absent: Howard Adler Board Member Tom Leavy Vice Chair 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 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 October 18, 2002 as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Library Director’s Report Main Library Project Update The Main Library construction project continues on schedule. Sixty percent of the structural steel work is completed. The first concrete pour is expected shortly on the north half or the second floor of the building. Masons are on site. The barrel vault on the south end of the building will soon take shape. The roof is expected after the first of the year. Library Director John Szabo noted an excellent article on the project was printed in the Tampa Bay Business Journal on November 8, 2002. North Greenwood Branch Library Project Update The contractor is completing the punch list now on the new North Greenwood Branch Library. Mr. Szabo commented the facility looks beautiful. The grand opening date is set for Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. Furniture will begin arriving at the end of November and artwork in January. The move from the present building will occur in early January, after which the present building will be used for storage of Main Library materials. The future use of the present building will be discussed in mid to late 2003. Reciprocal Borrowing Sumter County has been added to the list of libraries with which we enjoy reciprocal borrowing. Hillsborough County patrons are our largest users outside Pinellas County. Baby Steps/Born to Read The Baby Steps/Born to Read program is currently funded by the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative out of state funds for the next fiscal year. Previously headquartered in St. Petersburg, one paid position is now housed on the 5th floor of our Main Library. The Baby Steps program targets at-risk parents and newborns. The following statistics reflect participation in this program within our library system: 609 library cards were issued to date; 55 items on average are checked out per month; 25 cards on average are registered per month; facility most used is East, followed by Countryside, Main, North Greenwood and Beach in that order. FLA’s Letter Writing Campaign Florida Library Association’s letter writing campaign is underway encouraging the governor and legislature to approve $43.5 million in funding requested by Secretary of State Jim Smith for State Aid to Libraries. Mr. Szabo encouraged board members and others to write letters supporting this funding. Beach Branch Library Lease Mr. Szabo is in the midst of a lease negotiation for Beach Branch Library for 2003 with the Pelican Walk property owner. If a lease is negotiated, it will be presented to the City Commission on December 5, 2002 for approval. ITEM # 4 – Unfinished Business Chair Melges reported Mayor Brian Aungst sent a letter to Board member Rhonda Smith accepting her resignation from the Board effective this month. ITEM #5 – New Business Member Garte moved to cancel the December 20, 2002 Board meeting due to the holidays. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Mr. Szabo reported that the Library Management team had reviewed and revised the Code of Conduct for the system. He will bring the Library’s revised Code of Conduct to the Board at the next meeting on January 17, 2003. ITEM #6 – Reports Foundation Chair Melges reported the Foundation is moving ahead with fundraising. The community portion of the capital campaign will be in high gear in January. A sign with Dagwood holding a stack of books to show amounts of contributions collected has been approved for the Main Library site. Triple easel mounts and table top sizes of the original design will be placed in branches and other locations. Friends Member Katherine Merriam reported the Friends’ Holiday Gala is Thurs., December 12, 2002 at the Carlouel Yacht Club. Friends also discussed ways to encourage youth involvement in the Friends, such as a Junior Friends group. ITEM #7 – Board Comments Chair Melges thanked Administrative Analysts Holly Ausanio and Susan Doel for their assistance to the Board during the past year. ITEM # - Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 a.m.