11/04/2021 Library Board Meeting Minutes November 4, 2021
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 4, 2021
10:15 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Library Board
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes November 4, 2021
Roll Call
Present 7 - Chair Donna Dennis, Vice Chair Kelly McLeay, Board Member
Barbara Ann Murphey, Board Member Rosemarie Kibitlewski, Board
Member Andrew Lorenti, Board Member Helen Amburgey, and Board
Member Timothy Promen
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 February 4, 2021, Library Board Minutes
Member McLeay moved to approve the minutes of the February 4,
2021 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 Provide 2022 Schedule of Library Board Meetings
Schedule: February 3, May 5, August 4, and November 3, 2022.
4.2 Clyde Butcher Exhibit at Main Library
Library Director Jennifer Obermaier said Clyde Butcher would speak and
hold a book signing at the November 2 Grand Opening. The show,
supported by the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) and
Clearwater Arts Alliance, runs through May 2022. Exhibit space will
remain in place for 2 to 3 years.
The Library was congratulated for hosting the Clyde Butcher Exhibit.
4.3 Countywide Library Overdue Fine Free
It was stated at its September presentation to the City Council, the
Library Board had announced the elimination of overdue fees at all PPLC
(Pinellas Public Library Cooperative) libraries beginning October 1.
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes November 4, 2021
Ms. Obermaier said the library has received positive feedback re the change
which is trending nationwide.
4.4 Library Hours
Ms. Obermaier said since positive COVID rates have decreased, the
libraries will return to post-pandemic hours once staffing vacancies are
filled. She hoped all branches will have Saturday hours in the future.
Consensus was to request the City Council to support the long term goal
of daily hours at all library branches.
4.5 Fall Library Programs
Ms. Obermaier said programming at the libraries had been restarted with
social distancing and smaller room capacities. Staff was working on
hybrid programming. Virtual programming will continue unless interest
wanes.
4.6 Government Technology Award
Ms. Obermaier reported Government Innovation Awards had recognized the
library with the Citizen Technology Innovation Award for its "Memvelope"
service. Memvelopes were available at all branches for digitizing services
through the Heritage Studio. The program has been an overwhelming
success and will not be sunset.
4.7 Summer Storywalk Program
Ms. Obermaier said as part of the summer reading program the City had
partnered with the CRA for the Storywalk program. Many downtown
businesses participated. Future programs are planned.
4.8 Career Online High School
Ms. Obermaier said the State again has funded the online high school
diploma program which kicked off last month. About 10 participants have
enrolled through the library. Certifications also are offered within the
program.
5. Old Business Items
5.1 Discuss Library Operations and Programming
Ms. Obermaier said staff was proud of their creativity, efforts learning new
technologies and continuing to serve library patrons during the
pandemic. They did a wonderful job.
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City of Clearwater
Library Board
6. Director's Report
6.1 Update Library Foundation
Meeting Minutes November 4, 2021
Ms. Obermaier said Library Foundation members have been in contact
with each other but have not met since the pandemic began. The 1,500
back -to -school backpacks filled with school supplies and books provided by
the Foundation were distributed within a few days; the need is great. The
library is grateful for the Foundation's support.
6.2 Update Friends of the Clearwater Library
Ms. Obermaier said Friends of the Library has been challenged attracting
volunteers. Due to its small size, the Main Library bookstore is not staffed;
purchases are made at the circulation desk.
7. Board Members to be Heard
8. Adjourn
In response to a question, Ms. Obermaier said the project to redesign the
1st and 3rd floors of the Main Library in conjunction with Imagine
Clearwater was being revisited. She thanked the board for their support.
Member Promen suggested CView list library activities, events, and new
library hours in its slide rotation between programs. He said CView would
attract more viewers if it also posted citywide events and activities.
Chair Dennis said the library needed more public relations outreach and to
market its great services. She complimented library staff on their innovation
and congratulated them on their many successes.
The meeting adjourned at 1
5 a.m.
City of Clearwater
hair — Library Board
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