05/02/2024 Library Board Meeting Minutes May 2, 2024
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 2, 2024
10:15 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Library Board
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes May 2, 2024
Rollcall
Present 4 - Board Member Kelly McLeay, Board Member Kelly Malizia, Board
Member Rosemarie Kibitlewski, and Board Member Helen Amburgey
Absent 2 - Chair Donna Dennis, and Board Member Timothy Promen
Also Present - Jennifer L. Obermaier— Library Director, Nicole Sprague — Deputy City
Clerk
1. Call To Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:15 a.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the February 1, 2024 Library Board meeting.
Member Amburgey moved to approve the minutes of the February 1,
2024 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
4. Old Business Items
4.1 Staff Vacancy Status
Library Director Jen Obermaier said there are only five vacancies, all are
part time positions, which are a challenge to recruit and retain.
4.2 Main Library Renovation Update
Ms. Obermaier said the project is still on hold and there is no update to
provide.
5. Director's Report
5.1 Library Bicycle
Ms. Obermaier said the library is getting a bicycle with a big box in the front
for books and will be used for outreach events in downtown and Coachman
Park, and eventually will be taken to more community events. The bike will
help bring books to people and will have the capacity to register individuals
for a library card. The bike will be kept on display in the lobby when not in
use.
5.2 Summer Reading Program Update
Ms. Obermaier said staff, youth, and adult summer reading programs will
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes May 2, 2024
occur this summer. Youth services plans to have various presenters, reading
challenges, and craft sessions. Adults will have a reading challenge with
prizes given for completion. She said the annual pet supply drive started and
people may donate pet supply items at any branch to go to the Suncoast
Animal League
5.3 Spring Programs/Outreach Events
Ms. Obermaier said the library held a great program with the solar eclipse
in April and gave out eclipse glasses. The East Library celebrated a
successful EI Dia de Libro event (Day of the child, day of the book). She said
staff will continue to participate in outreach events to advertise, provide
library services, and programs. The East Library is partnering with an
assisted living facility to provide monthly crafts for the residents. She said
Public Utilities will hold a Star Wars event on May 4, the library is partnering
with the department to provide Star Wars themed activities.
5.4 Comic Con
Ms. Obermaier said April 20, 2024 was the seventh annual Comic Con. The
event was hosted at the North Greenwood Recreation Center as a free
family friendly event in partnership with Parks and Recreation with nearly
1300 attendees.
5.5 Main Library Future Art Exhibits
Ms. Obermaier said the Clyde Butcher exhibit is remaining up at this time
until the art exhibition space is taken and managed by the Clearwater Arts
Alliance. There will be a free rotating three-month art gallery managed by
Clearwater Arts Alliance beginning at the end of May.
5.6 Holiday Closures
Ms. Obermaier said the libraries will be closed Memorial Day,
Juneteenth, and Independence Day.
5.7 Library Foundation
Ms. Obermaier said the Library Foundation is on a hiatus since last
December. They will still fund the popular backpack giveaway. She said
she will know more about their direction after they meet in August.
5.8 Friends of the Library
Ms. Obermaier said the group had a children's book and jewelry sale at
the Countryside branch, which was the first time this event was held at
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City of Clearwater
Library Board
Meeting Minutes May 2, 2024
another location. They have a bookstore presence in each branch. All
money raised comes back to the library to fund college scholarships for
teen volunteers and library staff.
6. Board Members to be Heard
In response to questions, Ms. Obermaier said there are two vacancies on
the Board and the positions are being advertised on social media. She
said the pet supply drive list includes all things pet related and monetary
donations may be made directly to Suncoast Animal League. She said it
is great to see how many people donate each year.
7. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 10:31 a.m.
Attest:
air — Library Board
Boar, Reporter
City of Clearwater
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