11/07/2024 Library Board Meeting Minutes November 7, 2024
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
e
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 7, 2024
10:15 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Library Board
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes November 7, 2024
Roll Call
Present 5 - Chair Donna Dennis, Board Member Kelly McLeay, Board Member
Kelly Malizia, and Board Member Helen Amburgey, Board Member
Loretta Mitchell
Absent 1 - Board Member Rosemarie Kibitlewski,
Also Present - Jennifer L. Obermaier— Library Director, Danielle DeBois —City Clerk
Specialist
1. Call To Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:17 a.m. The Board recessed
10:17a.m. to 10:22 a.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approval of May 2, 2024, Library Board Minutes
Member McLeay moved to approve the minutes of the May 2, 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: None.
4. New Business Items
4.1 FY 2025 Library Board Schedule
Library Director Jen Obermaier said will send an email with the confirmed
2025 meeting dates to the board members.
5. Old Business Items
5.1 Staff Vacancy Status
Ms. Obermaier said there are very few vacancies and the positions are
quickly filled.
5.2 Main Library Renovation Update
Ms. Obermaier said that the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting
had a presentation from Council Member Teixeira regarding incorporating an
art museum into the Main Library. Ms. Obermaier said she was tasked with
creating RFPs to gather interest on who would like to have a display in the
museum.
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City of Clearwater
Library Board Meeting Minutes November 7, 2024
6. Director's Report
6.1 Storm Updates/ Beach Library
Ms. Obermaier said the Beach Library is in the process of being repaired
and lost inventory is being cataloged. Ms. Obermaier said the staff from that
location has been reassigned to the Main Library.
6.2 Summer Reading Program Update
Ms. Obermaier said the 2024 summer reading program was one of the
most successful and highly participated in programs since Covid in all
age categories.
6.3 FY 24/25 Budget
Ms. Obermaier said that all items are within status quo with no significant
changes.
6.4 Library Dashboard
Ms. Obermaier said new the dashboards for all departments are reporting
Accurately and is a good resource to see the provided services data.
6.5 Fall/Winter Programs and Outreach Events
Ms. Obermaier said the holiday season is an active time for the library with
various programs and outreach opportunities. Ms. Obermaier said the new
library bicycle is now being put together so it may be utilized as a mobile aid
in sharing library services.
6.6 Staff Development Day
Ms. Obermaier said the Staff Development Day had to be moved with
respect for the hurricanes but will be rescheduled in Spring.
6.7 Main Library Art Exhibits
Ms. Obermaier said the city formed an official partnership with the
Clearwater Arts Alliance who is now managing the art displays seen on the
Main Library's ground floor. In response to a question Ms. Obermaier
shared that the future museum space will be on the western side of the
main library stairs.
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City of Clearwater
Library Board
6.8 Holiday Closures
Meeting Minutes November 7, 2024
Ms. Obermaier said the libraries will be closed for the city holidays and
citizens can see the closure dates both online and in person at the library.
6.9 Holiday Staff Breakfast
Ms. Obermaier said the library department has planned a holiday
breakfast for staff on December 5th and only the East Library branch will
remain open the morning of, with all other branches resuming operations
at noon.
6.10 Library Foundation
Ms. Obermaier said that there has not been a recent meeting since the
previous executive director retired.
6.11 Friends of the Library
Ms. Obermaier said that the bookstore and book areas are doing well and
that there are several programs in the works for 2025.
7. Board Members to be Heard
In response to a comment, Board Chair Donna Dennis said that she
encourages anyone who loves the library to apply for the vacant position
on the Library Board.
8. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 10:58 a.m.
Attest:
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City of Clearwater
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it — Library Board