02/02/2023 Library Board Meeting Minutes February 2, 2023
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
e
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 2, 2023
10:15 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Library Board
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes February 2, 2023
Roll Call
Present4 - Chair Donna Dennis, Vice Chair Kelly McLeay, Board Member Kelly
Malizia, and Board Member Helen Amburgey
Absent 3 - Board Member Rosemarie Kibitlewski, Board Member Andrew
Lorenti, and Board Member Timothy Promen
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
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approval of November 3, 2022, Library Board Minutes
Member McLeay moved to approve the minutes of the November 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
Amanda Elend said she supports the board and thanked the members
for the work they are doing, and she will submit an application for the
board.
4. New Business Items
4.1 Election of Officers
Member Malizia moved to reappoint Donna Dennis as Chair. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Malizia moved to reappoint Kelly McLeay as Vice Chair. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5. Old Business Items
5.1 North Greenwood Saturday Hours Status
Library Director Jennifer Obermaier said staff for Saturday hours at the
North Greenwood branch was not approved as part of the new budget
cycle. She said once the 11 current job vacancies are filled, she will be
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Library Board Meeting Minutes February 2, 2023
able to allocate staff from the Main Library to cover the extended hours
in North Greenwood.
In response to a question, Ms. Obermaier said the city is close to filling
those positions and she hopes by next meeting the North Greenwood
library will have the Saturday hours.
A concern was expressed that the current hours are not meeting the
needs of the North Greenwood community.
5.2 Staff Vacancy Status
Ms. Obermaier said there are currently 11 vacancies and the biggest
challenge is finding people who want to work part time.
A comment was made that retired individuals would make good part time
employees.
5.3 Main Library Renovation Status
Ms. Obermaier said the Engineering department is assisting in finding an
architect of record to see if there is any interest taking on this project.
A letter of interest was sent last month. She said she knows of two firms
that have reached out for additional information. She said she would
request on update to provide at the next meeting.
A comment was made that the renovation should incorporate adequate
parking as it is a constant issue.
6. Director's Report
6.1 Winter and Spring Programs
Ms. Obermaier said it was an active winter and fall season. The department
partnered with the Community Redevelopment Agency that hosted an event
every weekend in the downtown. She said one of the most popular
programs is astronomy and the division manager is an official NASA
ambassador. She said the big event is Comic Con scheduled on March 4,
2023 at Ross Norton Recreation Center, it is a free family-friendly event. A
Night at the Library at North Greenwood library is scheduled on February 24,
2023, for Black History Month with presenters and speakers. She said the
Maker Space Studios and Creation Studios are amazingly popular. The
Nikki Butcher exhibit will come down in March and Clyde Butcher will have
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Library Board Meeting Minutes February 2, 2023
another exhibit in May. Nikki Butcher is publishing a book and her and
Clyde Butcher will be at a book signing in March, Clyde Butcher will present
a lecture at Capitol Theatre this summer.
6.2 Seed Library Debut
Ms. Obermaier said this is a new program and people can check out
seeds and grow a garden. The library purchases seasonal seeds, which
she said do not have to be returned. The pilot program was launched in
mid-January at Countryside library and has been very successful with
interest indicating the program will spread to other branches. She said it
is new and different and the program aligns with the city's sustainability
efforts.
6.3 FY23/24 Budget Cycle
Ms. Obermaier said budget season has begun and she submitted a
request for a departmental vehicle as outreach efforts have
increased tremendously. Staff uses their own vehicles to transport needed
materials for various purposes.
In response to a question, Ms. Obermaier said the city made increases to
staff salaries this budget year and she is unaware of the plans for next
year. The city currently has an Interim City Manager with plans to
conduct a nationwide search for a new City Manager.
6.4 Update Library Foundation
Ms. Obermaier said there was no update to the Library Foundation.
Ms. Obermaier said she would like to have staff presenters at future
meetings provide information to the board to highlight internal services
offered by the library system.
In response to a question, Ms. Obermaier said, prior to COVID, there was
a robust volunteer program which is slowly coming back. The teen
volunteer program is active and robust.
6.5 Update Friends of the Clearwater Library
Ms. Obermaier said they have been generous providing funding for
programs and services; they have committed to fund summer reading
programs and other programs throughout the year. They will continue to
offer staff scholarships for college and library school and teen volunteer
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Meeting Minutes February 2, 2023
scholarships. They will also continue the summer teen internship
program. Staff is grateful for the extra help.
Comment was made that information regarding the Friends of the Library
and Library Foundation are on the city's newly updated website.
7. Board Members to be Heard: None.
8. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 10:36 a.m.
Attest:
Bo rd eporter
City of Clearwater
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hair — Library Boar