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11/03/2022 Library Board Meeting Minutes November 3, 2022 City of Clearwater Main Library- Council Chambers 100 N. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33755 e Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 3, 2022 10:15 AM Main Library - Council Chambers Library Board Page 1 City of Clearwater Library Board Meeting Minutes November 3, 2022 Roll Call Present5 - Chair Donna Dennis, Vice Chair Kelly McLeay, Board Member Kelly Malizia, Board Member Helen Amburgey, and Board Member Timothy Promen Absent 2 - Board Member Rosemarie Kibitlewski, and Board Member Andrew Lorenti Also Present - Jennifer L. Obermaier— Library Director, Nicole Sprague — Deputy City Clerk 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 August 4, 2022, Library Board Minutes Member McLeay moved to approve the minutes of the August 4, 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 FY2023 Library Board Schedule It was stated that the schedule is online and the next meeting is Thursday, February 2, 2023. 4.2 Materials Selection Policy/Material Challenges Procedure Ms. Obermaier said there has not been a formal request to review any items, although other libraries in Pinellas County have. She said the city has a robust policy and process when a patron wants to challenge a book. She said staff is thoughtful in what is purchased and offer various viewpoints and ideas. It was said that school libraries have experienced challenges this past year. 4.3 Budget FY22/23 Ms. Obermaier said the budget was approved at the end of September and she is happy to report it is a status quo budget. In response to a question, she said the 12% cut at the Beach Library branch was due to staff changes and the amount was the salary difference. Ms. Page 2 City of Clearwater Library Board Meeting Minutes November 3, 2022 Obermaier said she requested additional hours at the North Greenwood Library branch, however, it was not approved this year. A comment was made that the current hours are not serving the community. 5. Old Business Items 5.1 Main Library Renovation Status Ms. Obermaier said the library will undergo a reorganization rather than a renovation as the city council voted to build a new city hall instead of moving it into the Main Library. A cafe element was suggested for the Main Library and that the city is in the process of issuing a Request for Proposals for architects and Letters of Interest for vendors to operate a cafe. She said the cafe; will have its own entrance and won't be confined to library operating hours A concern was expressed regarding the inadequate parking availability at the Main Library. 5.2 Staff Vacancy Status Ms. Obermaier said there are 8 vacancies in the department and there are not many applications. The issue is nationwide and not related to the specific jobs. She said both part-time and full-time positions are vacant, and anyone may apply via the city's website. In response to a question, she said a master's degree is required to become a librarian. 6. Director's Report 6.1 Fall Programming Ms. Obermaier said there were a lot of Halloween programs including Trunk or Treat at the Beach library, and this year the Department partnered with the CRA for a pumpkin coloring contest. She said the libraries are open between Christmas and New Year's. 6.2 New Library Website Ms. Obermaier said the overall city website has been redesigned and the templates will be consistent through the departments and should be launched by the end of the year. 6.3 New Digital Newspapers Ms. Obermaier said the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, a Florida newspaper collection, and a nationwide black newspaper collection are online. She said the city pays for the subscriptions and are free to library patrons. Page 3 City of Clearwater Library Board Meeting Minutes November 3, 2022 6.4 Holiday Hours Ms. Obermaier said the libraries will be closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Easter 2023. 6.5 Update Library Foundation Ms. Obermaier said there is no update available, but the Foundation gave out 1500 backpacks filled with school supplies and books during the summer. 6.6 Update Friends of the Clearwater Library The Friends are scheduled to have a jewelry sale November 9, 10, and 12, 2022. Board Members to be Heard In response to questions, Ms. Obermaier said there have been no negative impacts since the Clearwater Public Library System no longer charges late fines and said staff has seen a lot of materials come back, which was the goal. She said most materials can be auto -renewed twice, but there are certain collections such as the Thingamabrary that can't be auto -renewed. 7.1 Tour of Maker Studios The Board departed chambers at 10:46 a.m. to tour the Maker Studios within the Main Library. Mr. Promen did not attend the tour and Ms. Amburgy departed at 11:05 a.m. 8. Adjourn Attest: The meeting adjourned at 11:28 a.m. hair — Library Board Boar • Reporter City of Clearwater Page 4