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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-28 BOLT MINS a MINUTES LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES May 28, 1997 LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM 3:40 PM BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Clover-Byram, Vice Chair Williams, Trustees Alexander, Valdovinos BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Trustee Viesca(Excused) CITY STAFF PRESENT: Library Director-Palmer OTHERS PRESENT: Robert Coye, Frances Reeves, Ignacio Valdovinos I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -Meeting of April 30, 1997 MSUC (AlexanderNaldovinos)to approve the minutes as mailed. H. CONTINUED MATTERS A. Issues Census Director Palmer reported that staff will prepare a written report to the Board in June combining their comments along with those of the Friends Umbrella Board. Staff issues census should be completed by the end of June. Changes are being made because of these meetings. Information Services staff will increase the amount of on-desk hours they work. Staff is also trying to shift a staff member into a full time children's librarian. Both these changes should increase public service. Staff has not yet begun writing the RFP for consulting services,,for the Master Plan, but hope to have this completed by the end of June. B. FY 1997-98 Budget A copy of the Library Budget Transmittal was included in the Trustee's packet. Trustee Alexander commented that he thought the information was very explanatory and persuasive. Library Board of Trustees -2- May 28, 1997 Wish list items included: $70,000-$75,000 to increase the book collections at the Civic Center and EastLake Libraries. $59,200 to provide additional hours at South Chula Vista The Library Budget will be heard by Council on Monday, June 2 at 6:00 pm. (Chair Clover-Byram arrived at 3:47 pm) Trustee Alexander asked about the patron fill rate. Director Palmer reported that the EastLake and South Chula Vista Library's at or above the national average of 69%. In the Civic Center Library the fill rate has dropped below the national average because of the atrophy of the book budget. C. Telecenters The City Council approved the concept of continuing the Telecenter for another year with the Telecenter merging into the Library System on January 1, 1998. The $15,000 in general fund monies needed to support this option was added to the budget "Wish List". More information will be available at the June meeting. (Student member,Neil Pena, arrived at 3:57 pm) III. NEW BUSINES S A. Additional Library Board members Chair Clover-Byram discussed recruiting additional individuals to represent south Chula Vista and the Eastern Territories on the Library Board. She would also like to see younger individuals on the Board and in the Friends of the Library. Chair Clover Byram asked that this item be kept on the agenda. Trustees welcomed new student member Neil Pena to the Library Board. Mr. Pena is a student at EastLake High School B. Museum The Friends of the Historical Museum have written to the City Council indicating their desire to move into the space once used by the Downtown Business Association Manager. This information was included in the Trustee's packets. Director Palmer will keep the Trustees informed of any progress on this issue. i - - Library Board of Trustees -3- May 28, 1997 l IV. LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. Internet Director Palmer reported that the Library plans to begin public access to the Internet at the South Chula Vista Library on July 1 st and at the Civic Center Library on October 1st. Internet access at EastLake is dependent on the School District to set up the 15 workstations. EastLake will also use a separate provider. Libraries across the nation are awaiting the Supreme Court's ruling on the Computer Decency Act by the end of June. B. Performance Standards Trustees received an example of a performance standard in their packet. Director Palmer reported that he and staff have been working on these standards for over a year and have nearly completed standards for Librarians and Library Associates. These standards will serve as.training and evaluation tools. C. Literacy.Team Trustees received copies of an information item to Council stating that the Chula Vista Literacy Team had been named the best community-based literacy program in California. The Literacy Team was also recognized in the May issue of American Libraries. Meg was in Chicago last week to speak to the Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Foundation. Staff is optimistic that this may open another path of grant funding the Literacy Team. Redwood City received $100,000 from this group. D. Volunteer Brochures Brochures were included in the Trustee's packets. E. Legislative Update A request for letters has been requested in support of S.B. 409 -the Library of California Bill. The Assembly and Senate have voted to support Public Library Fund Augmentation. If passed, this bill will add an additional $40,000 to the book budget. The Transaction Based Reimbursement augmentation bill could bring an additional $70,000 to the Library if passed. Library Board of Trustees -4- May 28, 1997 G. Other V. COMMUNICATIONS A. Friends Frances Reeves reported that book store sales are sporadic. South Chula Vista Library is doing well. The book fare earned $876 in one day. She stated that Bookstore volunteers like their work. The Umbrella Board had their issues census with Director Palmer and Toni McKean and Mrs. Reeves reported that many comments were similar to those of the Library Board. B. Public Comments Mr. Coye remarked that when he first started coming to the Library Board of Trustee's meetings, there was a movement to eliminate the Library Board from the City Charter. He feels that increasing the number of Trustees on the Board was a good idea. Mr. Valdovinos also supported increasing the Library Board to seven members. C. Written Comments None D. Board Comments Trustee Alexander welcomed new student member Pena. Vice Chair Williams stated that he will continue providing student members for the Trustees. Chair Clover Byram stated that it is important to have a viable board and that they had a big year coming up. VI. ADJOURNMENT- The meeting adjourned at 4:50 pm. The next Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on,June 25, 1997.