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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-05-22 BOLT MINS . . . . AGENDA LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MAY 22, 1991 LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM 3:30 PM BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Miller, Vice Chair Williams, Trustees Alexander, Donovan and Viesca BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None CITY STAFF PRESENT: Director Lane, Head of Public Services Brown OTHERS PRESENT: Betty Roche, Harry LaBore, Jorge Cristo I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Meeting of April 24, 1991 MSUC (Viesca/wi1liams) that the minutes be approved as distributed. II. COMMUNICATIONS A. Friends Betty Roche, Friends Liaison, reported that the Chula vista Historical Society, in conjunction with the Friends of the Library, will work on a book about the history of the Chula vista Public Library. Also, the Friends bookstore earned $1,530 during the month of April. B. Public Comments Trustee Viesca introduced Jorge Cristo. Mr. Cristo is a citizen who lives across the street from the proposed Rancho del Rey Library site. He came to the Board meeting to learn more about the future library. III. CONTINUED MATTERS A. City Manager's recommendations for the proposed budget (FY 1991-92) and the Capital Improvement Program The Library Director reviewed the City Manager's budget overview and showed a video of the library CIP projects. The Library's 1991-92 operating budget is a "hold the line" budget. The Library adult base book budget was enough that no supplemental funds were requested, thanks to the Board's strong support for book budgets in the past. LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 2 - MAY 22, 1991 Director Lane then reviewed the CIP budget. Library projects included replacement of the HVAC system, continued payments for the Automated Library system and the architectural drawings for the South Chula vista Library. Chair Miller asked if CLSA funds had been budgeted for replacement of the HVAC system as these funds are meant to support and not supplant local funding. Director Lane reported she would report to her on this at the next meeting. Funds to be used for the initial planning of the Rancho Del Rey Library were inadvertently dropped from the CIP budget. Trustee Alexander suggested that one way to get public support for this library would be for the homeowners associations in the EastLake area to put notices in the association newsletters about the new library. Work on the storefront in EastLake will begin when a major grocery store is constructed there. B. Request for community Development Block Grant funds for the Literacy Coordinator's position The Library requested $41,441 from Community Development Block Grant Funds to fully fund the Literacy Coordinator's position. The city Council approved $19,350 from Community Development Block Grant funds. There was an implication that the remainder would be taken from the General Fund during the budget process. If funding is not provided from the General Fund the Library will ask for a special appropriation. This program is an integral part of the new library in South Chula Vista, losing Literacy would jeopardize the grant. All Community Development Block Grant projects that were approved were with the contingency that if State revenue is cut, funding for these items would be reconsidered. C. Inlex Implementation and merger of AV circulation with book circulation Trustee Alexander asked about the merging of the Circulation Department and Audio Visual. His concern is that the new South Chula vista Library, with its new technology will need a focus for training and operation. Merging the AV department with Circulation dilutes this focus. . . . LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 3 - MAY 22, 1991 Director Lane agreed that he had a valid concern. She explained that this merger will go through only if the proposed budget is approved. The Library will work through the details and present a plan to the Board at that time. D. Bar coding progress The Library's new computerized system went on-line May 14th. The bar coding project, however, seems endless. Director Lane explained that staff has fallen behind in their regular work and cannot keep up with the bar coding. Chair Miller asked that the minutes reflect that if the City Council had gone along with the Board's suggestion of closing for a week, this project could have been completed. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. Legislative Day Report Trustee Donovan reported that she was very glad that she had attended Legislative Day. She and Chair Miller visited Senator Deddeh's office and shared their views on libraries. Both she and Chair Miller thanked Assemblyman Peace for his support in obtaining Proposition 85 funds. She reported a recurrent theme of austerity in all their meetings with State officials. Director Lane reported that continued participation in Legislative Day by Chula Vista Trustees is important. She also felt that the high visibility of our Trustees at CLA (and the chance to meet Gary Strong, State Librarian) was perhaps a plus toward obtaining the Proposition 85 grant. B. Recommendation on application for a Families for Literacy Grant Director Lane asked that the Library Board support this item before the City Council. MSUC (DonovanjViesca) that the Library Board supports the Library's application for the Families for Literacy Grant. C. Library's 100th Anniversary preparations The Friends of the Library are working on preparing a celebration of the Library's 100th anniversary to be held Sunday, August 18th beginning at 6:00 PM. The idea is to duplicate the evening of August 18, 1891 when the LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 4 - MAY 22, 1991 library was created. The Library will be open that evening, wi th the Friends providing refreshments and entertainment. Admission will be the donation of a book as per 1891. It can be a new, used or paperback book. D. CALTAC recognition awards Chair Miller advised that nominations for CALTAC awards would be more effective if they are a joint effort between the professional library staff and the Library Board. The Board will appoint two members to serve on this committee at their June meeting. IV. LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S REPORT Paula Brown, Head of the Public Services Division, gave an overview of her division's part in the operation of the Library. The Ask Here Desk answers 75,000 questions per year, about two thirds of these over the phone. The Information Desk, staffed by professional librarians, answers 91,000 questions per year, or about 28 per hour. Adult Services staff also: Selects between 2,000 and 4,000 gift books per month for the circulating collection. administers inter-library loan requests. writes grant applications - State Funds (literacy) and Federal grants (MURL for reference books). supervises the homebound program which serves about 25 people per month coordinates book selection with the branches maintains the pamphlet file, answers requests for the city Management for information A. Honoring city and Library volunteers This item was discussed in the Library Director's letter to the Trustees. B. Recognition of 5, 10, and 15 year library employees This item was discussed in the Library Director's letter to the Trustees. C. Revenue sources for the Chula vista Public Library This report on revenue was deferred until the June meeting. . . . LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 5 - MAY 22, 1991 v. COMMUNICATIONS A. written Comments Chair Miller received an invitation from Mayor Moore to meet with the city council, on Wednesday, May 29, 1991 at 10:15 am to interact and share thoughts on the future of Chula vista. She received another letter from Mayor Moore thanking her for her term on the Library Board. The city will announce the vacancy in May, and asked her to continue to serve if the vacancy is not filled before July. B. Board Comments vice Chair Williams reported that the budget crunch is affecting schools. We will all have to find new and inventive ways to push for our needs. He expects this trend to continue for the next 3-5 years. Trustee Viesca - The Board should not become complacent because of the recent success of the Proposition 85 grant, but should strive for even greater achievements. He praised the Friends bookstore. Trustee Donovan distributed an article she found in the LA times about presidential libraries. She thought it appropriate because the article said they may be the only libraries still open after the local budget cuts. Trustee Alexander - None Chair Miller - Reminded Trustees to attend the budget review meetings for the Library budget on June 5 and the Boards and Commissions budget on June 10th. VI. ADJOURNMENT - the meeting adjourned at 5:32 pm. The next Library Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for June 26, 1991.