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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-05-27 BOLT MINS . MINUTES LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MAY 27, 1992 LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM 3: 35 PM BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Williams, vice Chair Alexander, Trustees Donovan, Viesca BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Trustee Wilson (excused) CITY STAFF PRESENT: City Manager John Goss; Deputy city Manager Jim Thomson, Library Director Rosemary Lane, Assistant Library Director David Palmer; Assistant Planning Director Ken Lee oTHERS PRESENT: Sweetwater District Planning officer, Stan Canaras; East1ake High School Dean of Student Services, Kaight Taylor; Eastlake High School Librarian Barbara Jones Friends Liaison Betty Roche, Pub1ic-at- large Robert Coye . I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Meeting of April 22, 1992 OTHERS PRESENT: Trustee Alexander requested that the minutes be changed on page 2, paragraph 5, sentence 2 to read as follows: " and the lack of library services was less acute because of less residents in the East1ake Area." MSUC (Donovan/Alexander) that the minutes of the last meeting be accepted as corrected. II. CONTINUED MATTERS A. Eastlake High School/Public Library . Director Lane opened the discussion on the proposed joint use library at EastLake High School by announcing that the EastLake Development Company had tentatively agreed to provide a cash value for the various components of the EastLake SPA I Development agreement that could be used to fund a joint-use library. She pointed out that the proposed library would be an opportunity to provide a minimal level of public library service to people who live as much as nine miles from the library at 365 F Street sooner than the EastLake SPA I agreement would allow. , . LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 2 - MAY 27, 1992 Director Lane then stated that, although Library staff is committed to making this option work, she is concerned about the cost effectiveness of this operation. The EastLake High School/Library site is not located in the center of a commercial activity area, such as a shopping center, nor is parking convenient. She also expressed concern that by using EastLake money now, on a joint library in the high school, the City may be trading away a more favorable library site in a commercial area. City Manager Goss stated that there are naturally a lot of concerns and adjustments to be made when two entities agree to share the same space. The Youth Center is a successful example of a joint-use facility. . The City Manager went on to say that he feels optimistic that the joint high sChool/public library will work and that the School District has also shown a great deal of interest in making this project work. Some benefits that the School District would gain are extended hours, more books, use of the Inlex System, and access to the inter- library loan system. The City would gain access to a rent-free facility and the possibility of not having to construct a new building. In the current economic situation, the City must look at ways to streamline its operations. The School District, is providing the city with an opportunity to provide library services in a 19,000 sq. ft. facility rent and utility free. Mr. Goss further reiterated that a joint-use facility would provide library service to that area sooner. A recent survey of EastLake residents showed that a library is one of the services not currently provided that citizens want. Concerns such as visibility, lighting, signage, parking and cost effectiveness should not impede the Library's use of the school as an interim facility city Manager Goss said. EastLake residents will be challenged to use the library and if the arrangement does not work, the books and equipment can be moved to a storefront in a shopping center. The City Manager concluded by saying that government is changing and must find new ways to provide services, if this opportunity does not work, another alternative can be found. . School District Planning Officer, Stan Canaras, reported the School District intends to try to provide a safe and secure campus for its students. The adult school will operate about 14 classes, with between 280 and 300 people here each evening in buildings adjacent to the library. At least twice a week an activity would be held in the LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 3 - MAY 27, 1992 . gymnasium which would include faculty supervision. In addition, a custodial staff of four would be on site each evening. The campus is encircled by a well-lite paved road that provides access to people using the parking lots. Mr. Canaras felt there is a possibility of making this road one-way, which would allow additional parking along the road. In addition, twenty to thirty people will be able to park in front of the administrative building. Kaight Taylor, Dean of Student Services at EastLake High School, reported that in two years 2,400 students and their families will be using the EastLake High School Library. This will provide an opportunity for the Chula vista Public Library to make an impression on the next generation of Library users. Library and school staff have made major compromises to make this opportunity work. . Barbara Jones, EastLake High School Librarian, indicated her belief that students will use this new facility after school hours. The School District has presented the idea of a joint-use facility at all their parent-orientation meetings and has received immense support from the parents. vice Chair Alexander raised concerns about the ability to conduct children's services at the EastLake High School Library. Staff reported that an area has been designated for children's books and that there was sufficient room for expansion of collections and services. vice Chair Alexander then asked the city Manager what would happen if the joint-use venture did not work out, especially since the city would be utilizing the monies from the SPA I agreement to pay for the interim service at the high school. The City Manager responded that after the funds from the developer are expended, that the City would have to cover costs and that the service levels that the City had established would be maintained. vice Chair Alexander asked if it could be possible to have an entire collection cataloged and ready for use in January. Assistant Director Palmer stated that after the reference materials were purchased, (InfoTrac and Magazine COllection), approximately 2,500 to 3,500 adult and juvenile volumes would need to be purchased during the fiscal year. . . . . LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 4 - MAY 27, 1992 Trustee Donovan indicated her concern about parking, and said that she was not convinced that this endeavor was advantageous to the Library. vice Chair Alexander also expressed concern that library patrons would see a full parking lot and decide not to use the library. Trustee Donovan also stated that she felt that the parking lot was not large enough to support this much activity and that there might not be enough parking for library patrons. City Manager Goss stated that the same thing could happen if the library was in a shopping center. Trustee Viesca indicated that he liked the idea, but was concerned about visibility and parking. Chairman Williams expressed his support of the concept calling it a fiscally sound idea and indicated that one of his primary goals was to get books into people's hands. MS (Viesca/Williams, 2-2, Viesca and williams casting yes votes, Donovan and Alexander casting no votes) That the Library Board support the concept, as presented, for a joint school/public library at EastLake High School. B. Local History Museum at Senior Information and Referral Center Deputy City Manager Thomson reported that although a Council Information Item concerning a proposed history museum at the Senior Information and Referral Center had been jointly prepared by the Parks and Recreation and Library Departments, City Administration had not yet forwarded it to Council. The Parks and Recreation commission was now attempting to identify alternative uses for the facility. Mr. Thomson also indicated that the Board I s recommendation that a Local History Commission be established had been referred back to staff. He said that staff would probably not recommend the formation of a new commission, but would instead encourage that the members of the Chula vista Historical Society form a Task Force. MSUC (Viesca/Alexander) Chula vista Historical history museum instead commission. recommending that the present Society deal with the local of establishing a separate . . . LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 5 - MAY 27, 1992 C. Student Ex-Officio Member Director Lane explained that the Board's letter requesting that city council appoint a non-voting ex- officio student member was referred back to staff with the suggestion that this be referred to the City's Youth Commission. There was some discussion about whether or not to formally request the Youth Commission to appoint a member to the Library Board. Chairman williams asked that this issue be delayed until he had a chance to visit the Youth commission. He is particularly concerned that an EastLake High School student be chosen the first year. D. Legislative Day Trustee Viesca reported that he had attended the annual Legislative Day on May 6, 1992. He indicated that he had teamed up with Luis Herrera from San Diego Public Library and Debora Miller from San Diego County Library. They visited Senator Deddeh and Assemblyman Peace's office. He indicated that they lobbied for SB 1230, the new library construction bond bill. Trustee Donovan announced that she would not be attending ALA in San Francisco. III. NEW BUSINESS A. Families for Literacy Grant Director Lane asked the Trustees to support the Library I s application for funds to continue and expand the Families for Literacy Program. MSUC (DonovanjViesca) that the Library Board support the Library's application for the Families for Literacy Grant. IV. LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. Architecture Selection Update Director Lane announced that the Library was still in the process of negotiating a contract with LPA, Inc. The Board would be apprised of the date the contract goes to the City Council for approval. . . . LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 6 - MAY 27, 1992 B. Budget Update The City Manager presented his budget overview on Thursday, May 21st, to the city Council. At that time, he announced that his number one "wish List" priority was to restore the $2,320 impact on the Library's periodical budget due to the new tax on newspapers and magazines. Council asked for more information on this issue and the Library is preparing a supplemental budget report. Deputy City Manager Thomson reminded the Board that Council would be discussing the Boards and commissions budgets on Tuesday, June 9th and invited them to attend that Council session. C. Community Development Block Grant Award Director Lane announced that Council had approved the Library's request for $43,190 in Community Development Block Grant funds to continue the Literacy Team. She reported that Chairman Williams gave an excellent presentation to Council in support of the request and that Mayor Nader and Councilman Malcolm both expressed strong support for the Literacy Team. V. COMMUNICATIONS A. Friends Betty Roche reported that the Friend's bookstore earned $2,654.08 in April, while membership dollars now total $3,348. She announced that the Friends had voted to award three book grants of up to $250 each during the coming school year and that they had also voted to buy two new book trucks to support the bookstore and homebound volunteers. B. Public Comments Mr. Coye asked whether the .5 Library Technical Assistant position planned in conjunction with the EastLake High School Library would be a permanent position. Library staff answered that they intended for the position to be permanent. Mr. Coye also suggested that a drop-off zone or short- term parking area be established in front of the high school/library and that staff find ways to encourage usage during off peak hours. . . . LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 7 - MAY 27, 1992 C. Written Comments - None D. Board Comments Trustee Viesca expressed attending Legislative Day, libraries being closed. concern that while he was he heard stories of school vice Chair Alexander thanked Chairman speaking on behalf of the Literacy Team at Development Block Grant Public Hearing. Williams for the Community Chairman Williams expressed his pleasure in the way the meeting had been conducted, he called it "democracy in action". He also indicated how pleased he was to work with such a professional board. IV. ADJOURNMENT The next Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on June 24, 1992 at 3:30 pm.