Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-03-13 BOLT MINS . . . MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MARCH 13, 1991 LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM 3:30 PM LIBRARY BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Miller, Vice Chair Williams, Trustee Alexander, Donovan LIBRARY BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Trustees Viesca (excused) CITY STAFF PRESENT: Library Director Lane, Assistant Director Palmer, I. Director Lane explained to the Library Board that the purpose of this special meeting was to recommend to Council: A. The Library remain open regular hours during the bar cOding process by hiring temporary workers: B. The Library close from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm for two weeks during the bar coding process: C. The Library close completely for one week to bar code the collection. In a Council Agenda Statement submitted for the March 12th Council meeting, the Library had asked to close for eight days to bar code the collection. During the City Manager review of these items, at the agenda meeting, Acting City Manager Asmus sent this item back to staff for the Library Board's recommendation and more information on hiring the necessary people to bar code the collection. This option, while costly, would provide uninterrupted service to the public. The disadvantages would be that the temporary staff working in the stacks could prove very disruptive to our patrons, and would cost between $15,000 and $18,610. The city I s Personnel Department suggested that a temporary agency be used to hire 30 temporary workers due to possible liability involved. A second option would be to close the library for 8 days. Bar coding could then be accomplished by Library staff and volunteers. Library staff maintain that this would be the most efficient way to accomplish this task. All other libraries who have bar coded their collection have closed during the process. Library Board of Trustees - 2 - March 13, 1991 A third option would be to close the Library until noon for three weeks and open the library to the public in the afternoons and evenings. This option would impact children the most as their programs and story hours occur before noon. This option is difficult for Library staff also as they will fall behind in their regular duties. However, this option has the least overall public service impact since the Library would lose only 30 hours of public service compared to 75 hours if it was closed eight days. Director Lane reported that, in discussing this matter with the City Manager, she learned that he did not support asking council for money to hire temporary help. He preferred the option of closing half days. (Vice Chair williams arrived at 3:56 pm) Trustee Alexander was opposed to hiring additional staff and considered it a waste of City funds. He proposed the Trustees prioritize their choices so that if the City Council chooses not to follow their recommendation, the Board's second choice would be available for consideration. Chair Miller asked the Trustees to look at these options from the viewpoint of what would be best for the public. Vice Chair Williams stated that having the project completed and the new system running would be better from a public viewpoint than having it go on for weeks. Trustee Alexander stated that Southwestern College would be willing to develop a flyer to invite Chula Vista patrons to use the college library during the closure. Trustee Donovan was not sure that many people know the Southwestern College Library is available to the citizens of Chula vista. Also the problem of finding a parking space and locating the library on the campus pose difficulties. MS (Donovan/Alexander) that the Library close completely for one week and one day to bar code the collection. Motion amended MSUC (Donovan/Alexander) the Library Board requests that the library close completely for one week and one day, April 1 to April 8, 1991 to bar code the entire collection. . .. 4' Library Board of Trustees March 13, 1991 - 3 - MSUC (Donovan/Williams) that should the city Council not find the Library Board's recommendation to their satisfaction, they then consider our second choice of closing the library from 10 am until noon, beginning April 1st for three weeks, Monday through Friday during the bar coding process. II. Writing a letter to the city's requesting their advocacy on behalf Proposition 85 Bond Board members. state representatives of Chula vista to the MSUC (Williams/Alexander) that the Board write two letters to our state representatives stating our interest, concern and commitment in supporting the grant for the City of Chula vista's public library. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 pm.