11/08/2007
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 8, 2007
Present: Robert Brumback Chairperson
Frederick Dunn Vice-Chair
Jan Regulski Board Member
Elizabeth Drayer Board Member
Marilyn Garte Board Member
Absent: Lorelei Keif Board Member
Also Present: Barbara Pickell Library Director
Holly Ausanio Administrative Analyst
Rita Garvey Friends of the Library President
Chair Brumback called the meeting to order at 10:31 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
ITEM #2 – Minutes
Member Jan Regulski noted a correction is needed to add stated after Director Barbara
Pickell’ in the second line of the second to last paragraph.
Member Marilyn Garte moved to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2007 meeting
motioncarried
as corrected. The was duly seconded and unanimously.
ITEM #3 – Library Director’s Report
a) Clearwater Historical Society Partnership
Jan Nickols, Community Services Manager, stated Clearwater Public Library System
has partnered with the Clearwater Historical Society to preserve Clearwater history.
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The new Historical Society Brochure includes information on the Main Library 4 floor
Special Collections and our participation with the Tampa Bay Library Consortium
(TBLC) Digitization Project Legacy, Florida Digital Collections.
The Main Library Special Collections currently displays items from Clearwater in the
1920s, the time period of the most economic boom and population growth.
The TBLC Digitization Project provides for the scanning of photos, news articles and
other information into a database for the preservation of Florida history. Its website
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provides a link to the Clearwater Library homepage to access searchable Clearwater
historical photos and articles, many from the Clearwater Historical Society archives.
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The Historical Society will also provide volunteer docents for the 4 floor who will serve
as a conduit for patron research.
In response to questions, Ms. Nickols stated the Clearwater Sun started as the
Clearwater Evening Independent in 1898. The first library in Clearwater was in the
Bank of Clearwater in 1914. It was a subscription library where one could borrow items
for a small fee. The City officially took over the library in 1916.
In response to a question regarding preservation of historical architecture, Director
Pickell stated City staff has discussed developing a program to encourage revitalization
of building facades on Cleveland Street, emphasizing the historical architecture.
b) Beach Branch - update
Director Barbara Pickell reported the Beach trailer, located between the Beach pool and
the Recreation Center on Bay Esplanade, is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through
Friday. The hours of operation will be reconsidered for the permanent location. The
drawings for the expansion renovation at the Recreation Center are 90% complete.
In response to questions, Director Pickell stated the temporary building has been placed
on blocks and tied down according to code. There aren’t any plans to relocate it in case
of emergency. The building, which is leased, houses less than 700 sq. ft. of materials,
including 3 computers, so a loss would be minimal.
c) Hours Change - update
The change in hours has been implemented, including Sunday hours at East, Main and
Countryside, with all libraries closed Thursday evening.
In response to questions, Director Pickell stated she hasn’t heard of any complaints
about being closed Thursday evening. Most monthly meeting room users were
accommodated at other times. Patrons were waiting for the doors to open on Sunday at
Main, and there were people here all day.
Countywide Automation System – update
Director Barbara Pickell stated a letter of agreement is scheduled for City Council
approval at the December 6 meeting. It is anticipated the system should be up and
running in January 2008.
In response to questions, Director Pickell stated Clearwater provides visitors with free
temporary cards for use at Clearwater libraries only. Residents of towns that do not
provide tax dollars for library services pay $100 for a card, but get partial reimbursement
from their town of residency. Out of approximately 80,000 library cards, several
hundred are for transient users.
ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business
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a) Library Directors’ Recognition
Vice-Chair Frederick Dunn stated a recognition plaque could cost from $5-10,000
depending on size and material used.
Discussion ensued regarding various options for the type of sign to use and where to
locate it. A suggestion was made to use part of the book spine wall on the third floor,
which also recognizes Foundation Presidents. Another suggestion was made to include
a photograph of the current librarian as part of the plaque design.
In response to a question, Director Pickell stated she didn’t feel directors should be
honored any more than other library staff. She stated requests have been received to
honor some past directors by naming collections after them.
Since the initial Board discussion to recognize directors with a plaque began with
members no longer on the Board, a show of hands was requested whether to continue
with the purchase. All Board members were in favor.
Discussion ensued regarding how to pay for the plaque, and a suggestion was made to
request funding from the Friends of the Library. Friends President Rita Garvey
suggested a letter be sent to the Friends Board requesting funding, and that a member
of the Board be included in making the decision of the type of plaque to be purchased.
Consensus was for Vice-Chair Fred Dunn to come back to the Board at the December
meeting with a list of directors beginning in 1916, when the Library was officially the City
library, and with suggestions for format and cost, and to prepare a letter for presentation
to the Friends Board.
ITEM #5 – New Business - none.
ITEM #6 - Reports
a) Foundation – no report.
b) Friends
Rita Garvey, Friends of the Library President, reported the Friends annual Winter
Luncheon theme will be Lunch with an Author. It will be held at the Harborview Center
February 13.
In response to a comment regarding how well the bookstore is doing, Ms. Garvey stated
the Countryside Branch bookstore makes as much as the Main Library bookstore.
ITEM #7 - Board Comments
Member Elizabeth Drayer stated she attended a focus group on sustainability and
energy efficiency, and asked if the Board Room temperature could be adjusted. Director
Pickell stated the thermostat in her office controls the temperature for both rooms. The
Building and Maintenance Division has adjusted it in the past; we will ask for another
adjustment.
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Building and Maintenance Division has adjusted it in the past; we will ask for another
adjustment.
Library Director Barbara Pickell stated the City did a utility inventory of all City buildings,
and the Main Library is the fifth largest user of energy. Audits have been done, and
some ceiling lights have been changed providing better lighting with more efficiency, but
other areas could not be identified to save energy.
Member Elizabeth Drayer extended a thank you to Member Jan Regulski for her years of
outstanding service as Chairperson of the Board.
In response to Member Jan Regulski's question regarding when the City Council will
appoint a replacement for Michele Krentzman, Director Pickell reported it is scheduled
for a December meeting.
ITEM #8 - Adiournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11 :20 a.m.
~dM~~
Chair
Attest:
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