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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-07-26 BOLT MINS LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES JULY 26, 1995 LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM 3:30 PM BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Donovan, Trustees Alexander, Viesca BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Trustees Clover-Byram, Williams (both on vacation) CITY STAFF PRESENT: Library Director Palmer OTHERS PRESENT: Robert Coye I. APPROVAL OF NENUTES -Meeting of May 24, 1995 MSUC (Viesca/Alexander) that the minutes of the May 24, 1995 meeting be approved as mailed. (Vice Chair Clover-Byram and Trustee Williams absent) H CONTINUED MATTERS A. FY 1995-96 Budget -Implementation Director Palmer reported that Sunday hours began at the EastLake Library on July 9th. Flyers have been prepared for distribution by the NCCC to residents in the EastLake area notifying them of the increase in hours. Increases in fines and fees will go into effect on July 29th. Bookmarks. announcing the new fee schedule have been distributed to the public for the past month. For the most part, public comments about the fee increase have been positive. The Library is working with the Finance Department to implement a cost recovery program for overdue books. At present, a patron is sent an overdue notice and a month later a bill, if no action is taken to clear the account. The new program will turn the account over to the Finance Department who will send out several warning letters and finally attach the patrons TRW. Recruitment for the Librarian III position has closed and appointments will be announced after they are approved by the City Manager. The Library is upgrading three Librarian II positions to Librarian III in order to place these individuals in charge of the building on nights and weekends. f LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES -2- JULY 26, 1995 Also as part of the budget, the Library implemented automatic promotions from Librarian I to Librarian II after these individuals pass probations, and meet the equivalencies for the position. Three positions will be affected this year. The recently approved Chula Vista Employee's Association Memorandum of Understanding included an enhancement to employee retirement benefits, a 2% reduction in salaries and a 5 day unpaid furlough. Many City departments will utilize this furlough by closing the week between Christmas and New Years. The. Library will not be closed during this period, but will explore several options to allow as many staff members as possible time off while providing service to the public. Senior Librarian Suzanne Jung has announced that she will retire on August 17th, 1995. Eric Rhee will transfer from EastLake to the Civic Center Library to fill this position. A half time Senior Librarian will be recruited for EastLake, which is open 28 hours per week and the remaining half position will be filled by Toni McKeen, the City's Training Coordinator. The Library was asked to absorb this half position as a result of City downsizing, The Training Coordinator will work half time in Library Administration on staff development, training and special library projects while continuing half time in the City's Personnel Department as the City's Training Coordinator. An automated phone attendant has been implemented at the Civic Center Library to help handle public phone calls more efficiently. The Library book account was not cut an additional $60,000 during the budget session thanks to efforts by Councilman Rindone. III. NEW BUSINESS ACTION A. Annual Report to Council MSUC (AlexanderNiesca) that the Library Board's annual report be forwarded to Council. (Vice Chair Clover-Byram and Trustee Williams absent) A ACTION B. Election of Officers MSUC (Viesca/Alexander) to elect Vice Chair Clover-Byram to the office of Chairman and Trustee Williams to the office of Vice Chair. (Vice Chair Clover-Byram and Trustee Williams absent) C. Intellectual Freedom Trustees have been provided a copy of the Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements, and material from the Intellectual Freedom Manual. The Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statements were last ratified by the Library Board in 1985. Trustees were urged to review this information. Director Palmer reported that Chula Vista has been unique in that its collection has not been challenged. It is the Public library's role to provide a full spectrum of information and allow the individual patron to make their own informed decisions. Collection Development Librarian Roeber will attend the September meeting to explain how materials are selected for the collection. Trustees will ultimately be asked to reaffirm or recommit to the Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statements. D. Strategic Plan In order for the Library to operate effectively and be able to evolve to the changing needs of the community, a long range plan that encompasses all the elements of its services must be developed. To this end, Director Palmer has been asked to serve on a 15 person task force called Libraries of the Future. This task force is looking at ways to gather the information to write a strategic plan. The Woodland Public Library is being used as a model for this project. This process should be complete by January. IV. LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S REPORT A South Chula Vista Library Gallery Name The City Council has approved the Library Board's recommendation to name the gallery space in the South Chula Vista Library after former library director Rosemary Lane. B. Monthly Statistics These statistics were distributed to the Trustees at the meeting. Circulation patterns are up 10-12% overall system-wide and down 10-12% at the Civic Center Library as predicted, reducing some of the crowding at the Civic Center Library. C. Legislative Update This information was distributed to the Trustees. LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES -4- JULY 26, 1995 D. Mural Work on the mural has begun. The artists' next step will be to complete.the framework. E. AIA Honor Award The South Chula Vista Library won the AIA Honor Award. The San Diego Union-Tribune printed a nice article calling the'South Chula Vista Library "a sun- danced, color-saturated, cactus-studded beacon of knowledge." F. 100 Portraits Display The South Chula Vista is currently displaying an exhibit called "100 Portraits" , portraying Hispanic role models. Director Palmer also reported that staff will stage a series of events leading up to Sue Jung's retirement . Trustees were invited to a staff pot luck on Thursday, August 17th, and a reception on Sunday, September 10th, from 6 to 8 pm. V. COMMUNICATIONS A. Friends None B. Public Comments Mr. Coye asked if the EastLake Library would be open during the week between Christmas and New Years. He wondered if the facility would be used if the library was open during this time. Director Palmer replied that the core users of the facility know that the library is open even when the school is not. f Mr. Coye suggested a listing of library hours on an announcement board in front of EastLake High School. C. Written Comments The State Library's Annual Partnership for Change Reception is scheduled on August 9th at the South Chula Vista Library from 4:30 to 6:30. Trustees were invited to attend and celebrate diversity. D. Board Comments Trustee Alexander-No Comment Trustee Viesca-No Comment. Chair Donovan-No Comment. VI. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 4:57 pm. The next Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on September 27th at 3:30 pm. COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) The City of Chula Vista, in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requests individuals who may need special accommodation to access, attend and/or participate in a City meeting, activity or service request such accommodation at least forty-eight hours in advance for meetings and'five days for scheduled services and activities. Please contact JoAnn Howard for specific information at 691-5193 or Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf(TDD) (619) 476- 5357. California Relay Service is available for the hearing impaired.