10/11/2007
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 11, 2007
Present: Robert Brumback Chairperson
Elizabeth Drayer Board Member
Marilyn Garte Board Member
Lorelei Keif Board Member
Jan Regulski Board Member
Absent: Frederick Dunn Vice-Chair
Michele Krentzman Board Member
Also Present: Barbara Pickell Library Director
Holly Ausanio Administrative Analyst
Judy Melges Executive Director, Library Foundation
Rita Garvey President, Friends of the Library
Chair Bob Brumback called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. at the Main Library.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #1 – Welcome
Chair Bob Brumback stated Member Michele Krentzman has resigned due to scheduling
conflicts.
ITEM #2 – Minutes
Member Jan Regulski moved to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2007 meeting as
motioncarried
submitted. The was duly seconded and unanimously.
ITEM #3 – Library Director’s Report
a) Beach Branch
Library Director Barbara Pickell reported the Beach Library is scheduled to reopen Monday,
October 15.
Fifty percent architectural drawings for the recreation center/beach library joint use
construction project are expected today for review prior to going to bid. Completion of the
project is planned for May/June, 2008.
Library Advisory 2007-10-11 1 10/11/07
b) Countywide Library Automation System
Library Director Barbara Pickell reported the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative’s attorneys
are reviewing the contract. Clearwater and St. Petersburg should be up and running in early
January. Five libraries will join a year later after fulfilling the Sunline System’s contract
requirement to provide one year’s notice to cancel. There are currently six different
systems being used in the County.
Director Pickell stated combining the different systems’ catalog records will be fairly easy
utilizing the ISBN numbers. Matching patron records will be more difficult, however, in that
some records may have a patron’s middle initials or a different address.
Director Pickell stated the countywide system would ultimately be a very positive change.
Patrons will be able to register one time and search one catalog for all participating libraries.
In response to questions, Director Pickell stated library directors are discussing policy issues
to come up with standards to be used at all participating libraries. One area of concern for
some smaller libraries is allowing reserves on new books and DVDs.
A suggestion was made to create a citizens advisory board of active patrons to provide input
and use as a sounding board for policies.
c) Atrium
Director Barbara Pickell reported new desks were installed for laptop use and furniture is
being rearranged to make the café more inviting.
Concerns were expressed regarding patrons bringing in food from establishments other than
the café, the laptop desks being used as eating stations, and the patio becoming a hangout
for transients.
Director Pickell stated the atrium is part of library open space, not cafe operations, and
some patrons may not be able to afford to buy items from the café. The location of the café
is not ideal and, prior to being enclosed, there was a lot of theft. Use of the laptop desks will
be monitored.
Director Pickell stated if the current café owner does not make it, the space might be used
for vending machines or other alternative.
ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business
In response to a query regarding a plaque recognizing all library directors, it was stated
Vice-Chair Fred Dunn will follow up and report.
ITEM #5 – New Business - none.
ITEM #6 - Reports
Chair Bob Brumback welcomed Rita Garvey, Friends of the Library President and Judy
Melges, Executive Director of the Library Foundation.
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a) Foundation
Executive Director Judy Melges, responding to a request for a report by the President of the
Foundation Board, stated a new president will be elected at its November meeting. Since
there isn’t a December meeting, Ms. Melges suggested the incoming president attend the
January Library Board meeting.
Ms. Melges stated all efforts for the past few years have been toward the new Main Library
project. In the future they will seek to fund enhancements and programs for the Library
system.
The Foundation will host a Jazz & Jambalaya fundraiser on October 20, the fourth year for
the event. There will be several food vendors and a live TV feed from the stage to the west
terrace.
Chair Bob Brumback extended an invitation for the incoming president to make a
presentation to the Board at his convenience.
b) Friends
President Rita Garvey reported the Friends of the Library consists of over 300 members.
They raise $50-60,000 per year in the bookstores, which are all run by volunteers.
Ms. Garvey stated the annual Winter Luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13,
2008 at the Harborview Center. There will be Florida authors at each table with which to
converse.
ITEM #7 - Board Comments
Library Director Barbara Pickell reported new hours for the library system, effective October
27, are Monday through Wednesday 9am–8pm, Thursday through Saturday 9am–5 pm, and
Sunday 1-5pm for Main, Countryside and East libraries. North Greenwood will be open
Monday and Wednesday through Friday 9am-5pm, and Tuesday from 10:30am-7pm.
Beach temporary location hours will be Monday through Friday 9am-5pm.
In response to questions, Director Pickell stated regular meeting room users were notified of
the change in evening hours and most groups have rescheduled. Although the schedule
change to provide for Sunday hours is a reduction of 13 hours systemwide, the original
budget cuts provided for closing Countryside and East two nights. She stated the system is
being changed to make Main Library the resource library, with the branches providing 80%
of their patron needs with popular, high usage materials for that area. Sunday hours are
usually the busiest time per hour, with Thursday evenings being the slowest. If Sunday is
not busy, the operating hours can be re-evaluated. With the reduction of 5½ positions,
Saturday hours at North Greenwood cannot be accommodated at this time.
Beach staff has been reduced by one half of a position and is counting on volunteers to
ensure two people are there most of the time. In response to a question, Director Pickell
stated the volunteers would put away magazines and sign up patrons for computer use.
The union contract does not allow volunteers to do the same work as paid staff. The Beach
Branch has not previously had a Library Page position, so the volunteer work is not
replacing paid staff.
Library Advisory 2007-10-11 3 10/11/07
In response to a question regarding using volunteers at North Greenwood, Director Barbara
Pickell stated it may be possible, but strong community support is needed to provide a
sufficient number of volunteers. Suggestions were made for the Friends of the Library or
Library Foundation to fund a volunteer coordinator position to recruit and screen volunteers,
and to look into Title 1 funding to employ someone from the neighborhood at North
Greenwood.
In response to a question regarding the first floor Information Desk, Director Pickell stated
many complaints have been received, but the Information Desk will not be reopened. She
stated options are being looked at to better use the space.
ITEM #8 - Adiournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11 :39 a.m.
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