05/02/2019
Library Board Meeting Minutes May 2, 2019
City of Clearwater
Main Library - Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 2, 2019
10:15 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Library Board
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes May 2, 2019
ROLL CALL
Present 7 - Chair David Loyd, Vice Chair Barbara Blakely, Board Member
Barbara Ann Murphey , Board Member Donna Dennis, Board Member
Elizabeth Folk, Board Member Rosemarie Kibitlewski, and Board
Member Kelly McLeay
Also Present - Jennifer L. Obermaier – Library Director, Patricia O. Sullivan – Board
Reporter
1. Call To Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. at the Main Library.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve February 7, 2019 Library Board Minutes
Member Dennis moved to approve the minutes of the February 7,
2019 Library Board meeting as submitted in written summation. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda: None.
4. New Business Items
4.1 Discuss Future Library Closure for an Event Details
Library Director Jennifer Obermaier said the Main Library will close on
May 18, 2019 for the 97X BBQ Music & Arts Festival in Coachman Park.
All libraries will close for the 4th of July.
4.2 Discuss Summer Reading Programs
Ms. Obermaier said this year’s Summer Reading Program runs from
early June to late July. For a 3rd year, the Main Library will host the
popular Break Spot, funded by a JWB (Juvenile Welfare Board) grant to
provide lunch and afternoon snack for teens and children age 17 and
under. This Summer Reading Program’s theme is outer space;
special planned programs include use of astronomy telescopes.
Ms. Obermaier said with funding from the Library Foundation, each branch
would distribute backpacks and school supplies to children. The Library
tried to support the school curriculum to help children to read.
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes May 2, 2019
Discussion ensued re importance of instilling a love of reading in
children and preparing them for school.
5. Director's Report
5.1 Discuss FLA Award
Ms. Obermaier said Clearwater Library was selected to present a poster
session at the upcoming FLA (Florida Library Association) Annual
Conference. While the Library did not receive an award for its prison letter
program, the poster session will showcase the program to libraries
statewide to garner interest in expanding the program.
5.2 Discuss Career Online High School
Ms. Obermaier said the Library granted its first 10 State funded
scholarships for the Career Online High School Program. Of the 10
additional scholarships, the Library granted 4 and had pre assessments
for 6 applicants underway. The Library found the program valuable. If the
State funds the program next year, the Library will participate. If State
money is unavailable next year, the Library will try to fund the program
another way.
In response to a question, Ms. Obermaier said the program had strong
successful marketing; up to 600 program scholarships were granted
statewide. Support was expressed for the program which improves
parents’ literacy and their ability to help their children.
5.3 Present Comic Con Update
Ms. Obermaier said almost 2,000 people attended Comic Con at the
Main Library. Though almost outgrowing the space, the event was a
natural fit for the Main Library. Staff started planning next year’s event.
5.4 Present a Library Foundation Update
Ms. Obermaier said the Library Foundation funded the summer teen
intern program which supported the Summer Reading program. Staff was
grateful for these volunteers who were responsible for many summer
activities. The program provided a great opportunity for teens’ first jobs
and promoted life long library use.
5.5 Present a Friends of the Library Update
Ms. Obermaier said the Friends of the Library’s March book sale was
successful and earned more than $2,000. Half of the books for sale were
displayed in Chambers and the other half in the café where sales
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City of Clearwater
Library Board
Budget
Meeting Minutes May 2, 2019
increased due to the location's visibility to the public.
Ms. Obermaier said the annual appreciation luncheon for library
volunteers, funded by Friends of the Library, was scheduled at the
Countryside Library on May 25, 2019.
Ms. Obermaier said the proposed budget was status quo with no
additional FTEs (Full -Time Equivalents). A CIP (Capital Improvement
Project) request was made for a large transit van to increase library outreach
efforts. In response to a question, she said the van may carry books and
maker studio equipment to neighborhoods without a nearby library.
Discussion ensued with comments the vehicle would create a more
visible presence for the library at citywide events and it was hoped the
vehicle would be wrapped, perhaps as a donation.
Ms. Obermaier anticipated returning with many ideas from the annual
ALA (American Library Association) meeting in June.
6. Old Business Items
Ms. Obermaier will report on her meetings with Acting Assistant City
Manager Michael Delk about revisiting the library feasibility study and
City Council plans for a Coachman Park bandshell. Deputy City Manager
Jill Silverboard had resigned to work for Pinellas County.
In response to a question, Ms. Obermaier said work to replace carpeting
in the Main Library was seamless. The City Council Chambers location
in the Main Library attracted many first time visitors; many were amazed
by all the library offered.
7. Board Members to be Heard
8. Adjourn
Attest:
Bo rd Rep
City of Clearwater
Member Dennis said the American flag in the East Community Library
meeting room was lost and needed to be replaced.
The meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
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Chair — Library Board