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11/21/2003LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 21, 2003 Present: Judy Melges Chair Tom Leavy Vice Chair Howard Adler Board Member Frederick Dunn Board Member Katherine Merriam Board Member Jan Regulski Board Member Absent: Glenn Garte Board Member Also Present: Laurel Gustafson Assistant 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 Fred Dunn moved to approve the minutes of the October 17, 2003 meeting as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Library Director’s Report In the absence of Library Director John Szabo, Assistant Library Director Laurel Gustafson gave the following report: a) Main Library Project Update The following installations are either completed or in progress: sidewalk and curbs, exterior doors, sunshade, lighting fixtures, plumbing on first and second floors, bathroom tile, vinyl tile in the workrooms, tile in the café, Medjool date palms along Osceola Avenue, prep work for the quartzitic tile on the Grand Stair, and inspection of the first floor HVAC system. b) AED/CPR Training The entire Library staff was trained in lifesaving CPR and AED machines (automated external defibrillation) on October 10 during Staff Development Day. c) TBLC Annual Meeting Tampa Bay Library Consortium held their Annual Meeting at Harborview Center on November 14 attended by 145 librarians representing libraries of all types. The theme of the meeting was The View from the Top and featured a tour of Clearwater’s new Main Library. Mrs. Gustafson thanked Turner Construction for accommodating such tours. Charlie Parker is TBLC’s new Executive Director. This marked the end of Library Director John Szabo’s term as President of TBLC. Mrs. Gustafson also reported on the keystone issue raised by City Commissioners at the November 20, 2003 Commission meeting. The original Main Library design included keystone on all sides of the building’s exterior to tie this new facility to the historic downtown Clearwater Post Office. A committee, including the library director, architects, contractor and Public Services staff, made a difficult critical path decision to reduce the amount of keystone, thus resulting in considerable savings that contributed to keeping the construction project within budget. Commission discussion at the November 20 meeting indicated that the majority of the Commissioners thought the cost of nearly $600,000 to add the additional keystone at this stage of construction would be better spent inside the Library or for other City needs. The majority of Commissioners indicated the critical path decision to reduce the keystone was an appropriate one. There are still significant amounts of keystone present in very prominent areas. ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business a) USA PATRIOT Act Board members received information on the USA PATRIOT Act prior to this meeting for discussion. After some discussion Board members decided to postpone the discussion until Member Glenn Garte is in attendance to ensure all comments are expressed. The Board requested that Mr. Szabo include directives to the Library Board in the January Board packet so that all members are prepared for discussion. ITEM #5 – New Business Vice Chair Tom Leavy moved to cancel the December Board meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The next Board meeting will be January 16, 2004. ITEM # 6 – Reports a) Foundation Chair Melges reported some of the Foundation’s activities this past year included a Hard Hat Tour, Wine Gala, Barnes & Noble fundraiser, and PSA promotions during Jazz Holiday. Chair Melges distributed the “Knowledge is enLIGHTening” mailer. The first mailing to a targeted zip code area has been completed. b) Friends Vice Chair Tom Leavy reminded the Board about the Friends Holiday Gala on December 11th from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Carlouel Yacht Club. Tickets are $35 per person. A committee chaired by Rita Garvey was formed to plan for the Bookstore/Gift Shop in new Main Library. The Friends Board also agreed to continue with their scholarship program. ITEM #7 – Board Comments - none ITEM #8 – Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:38 a.m.