02/06/2020 Library Board Meeting Minutes February 6, 2020
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
e
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 6, 2020
10:15 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Library Board
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes February 6, 2020
Roll Call
Present 7 - Chair David Loyd, Vice Chair Barbara Ann Murphey, Board Member
Donna Dennis, Board Member Elizabeth Folk, Board Member
Rosemarie Kibitlewski, Board Member Kelly McLeay, and Board
Member Andrew Lorenti
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 Approval of November 7, 2019, Library Advisory Board Minutes
Member Dennis moved to approve the minutes of the November 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
Kathleen Beckman said she was running for City Council. She said schools
wanted entering Kindergarten students to be reading ready and suggested
the Library sign up volunteers to read with individual children. She expressed
concern Belleair Elementary students needed help with reading.
4. New Business Items
4.1 Discuss Library Closures
Library Director Jennifer Obermaier said the Main Library will close on March
7 for Wild Splash. All libraries will close on Presidents Day and Easter Sunday.
A resident recommended libraries open on Monday holidays when City
offices close to provide activities for children out of school.
Ms. Obermaier said Library staff would have to be paid overtime to work on
City holidays.
4.2 Update Library Program
Ms. Obermaier said last weekend approximately 30 artists competed for
prizes at the Main Library's second annual Indoor Art Walk which attracted
more than 200 people, winning art was displayed in the galleries.
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes February 6, 2020
Ms. Obermaier said the Main Library typically hosted a Comicon event in
March, this year's event was cancelled before renovations were delayed.
The family-friendly event usually attracted more than 2,000 participants and
vendors. She hoped to continue the event's momentum and schedule the
event for next year, even if it needs to be held at a different location.
Ms. Obermaier said City libraries were celebrating Black History Month. In
partnership with the Clearwater Heights Reunion Committee and Clearwater
Historical Society, the signature event will be at the North Greenwood
Library on February 28. Last year's afterhours event was well attended.
Mr. Obermaier reported on March 1 a local appraiser was scheduled to
appraise residents'items at the Main Library.
Ms. Obermaier reported use of Heritage Studio equipment had increased by
200% in 2019. The studio focused on history programs and helping
residents navigate their genealogy searches. Even with new additional
equipment, the studio could not keep up with demand. Heritage lectures
were well attended.
Ms. Obermaier said grant funds were available for this year's Neighborhoods
Day which provided an opportunity for City Council and City management to
meet with residents in their neighborhoods on March 28.
Ms. Obermaier said the Main Library had scaled back programming due to
unknowns related to proposed renovations.
4.3 Election of Officers
Member Murphey moved to reappoint David Loyd as Chair. The motion
was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Chair Loyd moved to appoint Barbara Ann Murphey as Vice Chair. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5. Old Business Items
5.1 Discuss Imagine Clearwater Main Library Renovation
Ms. Obermaier said architectural plans for Main Library renovations were at
95%. The entire library had been laser mapped. A value engineering cost
analysis would be done. Meetings with the Contractor at Risk, architect and
City staff were planned. Much pre work was underway. She anticipated
renovations would begin by late July.
5.2 Provide Revised 2020 Library Board Schedule of Library Board Meetings
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City of Clearwater
Library Board
Meeting Minutes February 6, 2020
Ms. Obermaier said 2020 Library Board meetings were scheduled on May 7,
August 6, and October 29. The November meeting was rescheduled due to
election conflicts; a polling location was in Chambers.
5.3 Discuss Food for Fines/Fine Amnesty
Ms. Obermaier said the 6th year of collecting nonperishable foods to waive
borrower fines was successful. Food collected during the amnesty from
Thanksgiving week through Christmas was distributed to RCS (Religious
Community Services) in conjunction with the City's food drive. Another
amnesty was planned next year.
A resident said RCS was inundated with donations during the holidays and
recommended Food for Fines be scheduled at another time as donations
were needed throughout the year.
6. Director's Report
6.1 Update Library Foundation
It was recommended that residents be encouraged to join the Library
Foundation.
6.2 Update Friends of the Clearwater Library
Ms. Obermaier said Friends of the Clearwater Library's book sale was
scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on April 8 — 11.
The Friends of the Clearwater Library's annual volunteer appreciation
luncheon will be held at Clearwater East Community Library on April 25.
In response to a question, Ms. Obermaier said the top 3 recommended
locations for a new City Hall would be presented to the City Council in March.
7. Board Members to be Heard: None.
8. Adjourn
Attest
The meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
oard Repo
City of Clearwater
Chair — Library Board
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