08/04/2022 Library Board Meeting Minutes August 4, 2022
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Thursday, August 4, 2022
10:15 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Library Board
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes August 4, 2022
Roll Call
Present 4 - Chair Donna Dennis, Vice Chair Kelly McLeay, Board Member
Andrew Lorenti, and Board Member Helen Amburgey
Absent2 - Board Member Rosemarie Kibitlewski, 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 May 5, 2022, Library Board Minutes
Member McLeay moved to approve the minutes of the May 5, 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 the successful summer library
program concluded last week. It focused on kids, teens, and adults. The
sustainability team's 8-week series was well received.
4.2 Back to School Backpack & Book Bash
Ms. Obermaier said the Library Foundations 7t" Back to School Backpack &
Book Bash is being held this week, most branches only have 10 backpacks
remaining. With greater needs this year, the Foundation generously
increased their donation by$4,000.
It was recommended that the City inform the community re these needs and
ways residents can help.
4.3 Niki Butcher Exhibit at Main Library
Ms. Obermaier said the Niki Butcher Exhibit has been well received. Niki and
Clyde Butcher attended the July 6 grand opening which attracted 250
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes August 4, 2022
people. The exhibit runs through December. The library was not designed
for exhibit postcard and print sales.
4.4 Staffing Vacancies Status
Ms. Obermaier said the library has 6— 7 part-time vacancies. Hiring has
been challenging for the City and libraries statewide, especially for part-time
positions.
5. Old Business Items
5.1 Main Library Parking Lot
Ms. Obermaier said the parking lot fences will be removed soon. The first
row of parking has fewer spaces and the book drop was moved. She will
verify if temporary parking across the street will remain available during
Imagine Clearwater construction. The Main Library will not lose parking
spaces. If voters approve the November referendum, a hotel with
underground parking, including 50 spaces designated for the library, will be
constructed on the Harborview Center site.
5.2 Main Library Renovation
Ms. Obermaier said staff had not heard from the consultant for a while re the
renovation project which will be funded through the City's ARPA (American
Rescue Plan Act) grant.
6. Director's Report
6.1 Fall Library Programs
Ms. Obermaier said the libraries will celebrate: 1) Hispanic History month
from mid-September to mid-October, 2) Halloween, 3) Thanksgiving, and 4)
Winter Holidays. The Library is scaling back most virtual programing.
6.2 Staff Development Day
Ms. Obermaier said the libraries will close for Staff Development Day
training on Columbus Day, October 12. The event will provide an opportunity
for staff from all branches to connect.
6.3 Library Budget FY22/23
Ms. Obermaier said the FY(Fiscal Year) 2022/23 budget is status quo
except for the proposed 1.5 FTEs (Full-Time Equivalents) to open the North
Greenwood Library several hours on Saturdays.
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City of Clearwater
Library Board
6.4 Library Foundation
Meeting Minutes August 4, 2022
Ms. Obermaier said the Library Foundation continued to fund the capital
campaign for programming at the Countryside Library plus their
generous donation of back to school supplies and backpacks.
6.5 Friends of the Clearwater Library
Ms. Obermaier said the Friends of the Clearwater Library will schedule a
book sale in the near future; many books have been contributed as people
clean out their homes. The bookstores are doing well.
Residents were encouraged to volunteer or donate money to library needs.
7. Board Members to be Heard
8. Adjourn
Attest:
Q.
Bo(40100
Reporter
City of Clearwater
In response to a question, Ms. Obermaier will contact the City Clerk to
schedule the Board's annual presentation to the City Council.
The meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m.
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Chair — Library Board