05/05/2022 Library Board Meeting Minutes May 5, 2022
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 5, 2022
10:15 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Library Board
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes May 5, 2022
Roll Call
Present 7 - Chair Donna Dennis, Board Member Barbara Ann Murphey, Board
Member Helen Amburgey, and Board Member Timothy Promen
Absent: Vice Chair Kelly McLeay, Board Member Rosemarie Kibitlewski, 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 February 3, 2022, Library Board Minutes
Member Murphey moved to approve the minutes of the February 3,
2022 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 Summer Library Program
Library Director Jennifer Obermaier said this summer's reading theme is
"Oceans of Possibilities."An adult reading program also is planned.
Ms. Obermaier said for the 2"d year, the library is partnering with the City's
Sustainability Team to present a weekly green guardians series with family
style programming that complements Greenprint 2.0. Starting in mid-June,
the series of different topics, including fun crafts, will rotate between the 5
libraries. The program is well promoted. Flyers will be forwarded to the
Board for distribution.
4.2 Main Library Parking Lot
Ms. Obermaier said Imagine Clearwater underground work will close most
Main Library parking for approximately 4 months. Temporary parking
signage across the street will be improved. Arrangements will be made if
additional parking is needed. Bicycle racks were not affected. A new book
drop was installed on Osceola Avenue.
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes May 5, 2022
5. Old Business Items
5.1 Main Library Renovation
Ms. Obermaier said the Main Library's CIP (Capital Improvement Project)
request to renovate/reorganize the Main Library is being reviewed.
Preliminary drawings have been submitted. If approved, work will begin
October 1, 2022. Inflation and supply chain disruptions have posed
challenges. Once Imagine Clearwater is completed, a synergy is anticipated
between the park and library as more people enjoy bluff walk, first floor
library activities increase, and shelving is lowered to enhance views.
It was indicated board members want to support this project when the City
Council discusses it.
In response to a question, Ms. Obermaier said while Countryside and East
Community libraries are fairly new, there are plans to refresh the North
Greenwood Library.
5.2 Clyde Butcher Exhibit at Main Library
Ms. Obermaier said the Clyde Butcher exhibit was a great success. A short
turn around is planned, Niki Butcher's works will be exhibited from mid-June
through December. Niki and Clyde Butcher are married. Niki Butcher adds
color to black and white photographs.
It was commented that Clyde Butcher's photographs enhanced visitors'
knowledge of the Everglades.
6. Director's Report
6.1 Library Programs
Ms. Obermaier said the Library hosted Black History Month programming
during February, culminating with the well-attended 6t" annual night at
the North Greenwood Library which featured great speakers and music.
Neighborhood meetings are underway to gather community input re a
North Greenwood CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency).
Ms. Obermaier said more than 2,000 people attended the March Comic-Con
event at the Ross Norton Recreation Center. Admission to the family-friendly
event was free. Staff was happy to restart this signature program. Ross
Norton provided a more conducive venue for the event than the Main Library.
Ms. Obermaier said in April, the Main Library hosted a robotics competition
and sponsored a team. The successful competition had a great turn out and
attracted about a dozen teams on innovative kids.
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes May 5, 2022
Ms. Obermaier said in May the East Community Library hosted EI Dia del
Nino and celebration of books which attracted more than 200 participants
from the Hispanic community.
6.2 Library Budget FY22/23
Ms. Obermaier said to facilitate increased outreach to community events,
staff will submit a CIP for a library vehicle to carry printers, tents, tables,
telescope, etc.
Ms. Obermaier did not anticipate personnel cuts. The Library has 14
positions that need to be filled, the most critical need is for Librarians and
Library Assistants. The starting salary is approximately$42,000. Attracting
new employees is a citywide challenge following the hiring freeze during the
pandemic. The Library has been promoting from within and creating more
vacancies. Turnover for part-time employees is significant. Part time
positions are more challenging to fill.
6.3 Update Library Foundation
Ms. Obermaier said she had not received an update re Tuesday's Library
Foundation meeting. The Library is grateful the Foundation funded the
summer reading program and hopes it again funds the back to school
giveaway providing children with backpacks, school supplies, and books.
The Countryside Capital Campaign funded much of the Countryside
Library's programming.
It was requested that the Foundation include Library Board members with
its event updates.
6.4 Update Friends of the Clearwater Library
Ms. Obermaier said the Friends of the Clearwater Library did not plan a book
sale in the near future. Friends'stores in each library are doing well. The
Friends have agreed to fund scholarships for a staff member working on
a bachelor's degree and for teen volunteers who are graduating from high
school and going to college. Friends usually funds the summer teen intern
program but the program was unable to get up and running this summer.
The City provides seasonal library assistants to help with summer reading.
Ms. Obermaier said many visitors have returned and are attending the active
Clearwater Beach book club, Zoom participation is still available. The
pandemic forced the library to adapt for hybridized participation. A dedicated
person monitors story time on Zoom
7. Board Members to be Heard
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City of Clearwater
Library Board
8. Adjourn
Attest:
Meeting Minutes May 5, 2022
In response to a question from Member Promen, Ms. Obermaier said she
had requested CView consider advertising library programs before City
Council meetings.
Member Promen said members were responsible for following the Sunshine
Law and regular attendance at meetings.
The meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m.
Board Reporter,
City of Clea,water
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Chair — Library Board