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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-10-27 BOLT MINS Minutes LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES October 27, 1999 LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM 4:05 PM All Items May be Considered for Action. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Chair Deason P , Vice Chair Clover_E_, Trustees Charett A , Hartman P , Valdovinos P City Staff Present: Library/Recreation Director Palmer, Assistant Library Director Brown, Principal Management Assistant Woods, Acquisitions Librarian Loney Others Present: Ignacio Valdovinos I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -Meeting of August 11, 1999 MSUC (Hartman/Valdovinos) to approve the minutes as mailed. H. CONTINUED MATTERS A. Library Automation System Assistant Library Director, Paula Brown, reported that staff is near to signing the contract for the new automation system. Signing the contract will begin a four- month timeline to implement the new system. Several tasks will have to be completed in conjunction with the implementation of this new system. Among them is changing the patron and bibliographic records to the new software and reregistering approximately 90,000 patrons in the data base. In an effort to get patrons to return overdue books, a fines for food amnesty period will be held. The new automation system will replace terminals in the library with PC's that will access the Internet, on-line databases and CD Rom databases. In,addition, word processing and spreadsheet software will also be available for use on these PC's. Staff anticipates using the Southwestern College intern program to maintain and operate the PC's. Formalized training for the public will be conducted to teach patrons how to use the system. Dial-up access to databases and the collection will be available to patrons with a library card number from home. Staff expects to take this contract to Council on November 23, 1999.' John Corbett, the new Automation Manager will begin work on November 19, 1999. Mr. Corbett is currently the Director of Automation for the Oklahoma State Library. Library Board of Trustees -2- October 27, 1999 �} III. NEW BUSINESS A. Dechking Circulation Report Automation Librarian, Stephany Loney,reported that a task force comprised of library staff had been created to determine the cause of declining circulation at Chula Vista Libraries. A survey of other libraries in the area determined that over the past three years, libraries in the area have reported a decline in circulation during at least one of those three years. National City Library reported a decline for three years. Circulation has shifted from the Civic Center Library to the South Chula Vista Library during the last three years. Circulation in FY 1996/97 declined at the Civic Center Library by 11% while climbing 18% at the South Chula Vista Library. During FY 1997/98, circulation at the Civic Center Library decreased 4% and increased at the South Chula Vista Library 9%. During FY 1998/99, circulation at the Civic Center Library dropped 9%no change at the South Chula Vista Library. Circulation is climbing at EastLake. Findings indicate that the decline in circulation could be partially attributed to a lack of funds to purchase new materials at the Civic Center and EastLake Libraries. Staff is currently weeding out-of-date materials from the collection and attempting to purchase newer information materials. A portion of the book budget is earmarked to replace weeded materials. No patron complaints have been received because'weeded materials were missed. i B. Civic Center Renovation Assistant Director Brown reported she is preparing a capital improvement proposal to refurbish the Civic Center Library. Support for this project will be requested at the January meeting. C. Gates Library Initiative Director Palmer reported that the Library has applied for funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for Civic Center and South Chula Vista libraries. Grant funds would provide six public access computers, software,printers and a server. The Library is also eligible,because it services over 100,000 people, to apply for 10 public access computers, a staff computer, a server and a projector to create a computer lab. With this comes training for two technicians and two trainers at Micro Soft headquarters. The EastLake Library does not qualify for these grants, as it does not meet the poverty criteria. Staff intends to use these six computer stations at the Civic Center and South Chula Vista Libraries to create a homework lab in the Children's Room. The Civic Center Library would create a public computer lab in one of the conference rooms. Director Palmer asked the Board to support the Library's application for this $100,000 grant. MSUC Hartman/Deason that the Library Board endorses the Library's application for this grant. r Library Board of Trustees -3- October 27, 1999 IV. LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. Legislative Update The Governor has signed the Library Bond Act which will appear on the March ballot. Chula Vista could be eligible for funding for another library facility like the South Chula Vista Library. B. Professional Development Day This year's Professional Development Day will be on Tuesday, December 14' and will include both library and recreation staff and facilities. All library and recreation facilities will be closed on that day. C. Rancho Del Rey Library Sufficient funds are now available in DIF funds to begin master planning the Rancho del Rey Library in July. This will involve hiring a consultant and developing a building plan for the library. Construction could begin in 2002. D. Other The Growth Management Oversight Committee annual report reviews thresholds in the City. The report revealed that,by December 31, 2000, Chula Vista will fall below the 600 square foot of adequately equipped and staffed library facility per 1000 of population level set by the Committee. Chair Deason was asked to attend a meeting of this Committee, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, December 2, 1999 at 6 pm, to answer a series of questions regarding the adequacy of library equipment and staff. The Internet access policy will be ready for Board review in January. Trustees were encouraged to recruit new Board members to help find a replacement for Barbara Charett. V. COMMUNICATIONS A. Friends -None B. Public Comments -None C. Written Comments -None E. Board Comments -None VI. ADJOURNMENT—The meeting adjourned at 5:20 pm. The next Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on December 8, 1999.