HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-05-07; Library Board of Trustees; MinutesCARLSBAD C I TY
L I BRARY BOARD
Regular Meeting - May 7, 1980
LIBRARY
OF TRUSTEES
The meeting was called to order by President Falkenstein'at 3:05 p.m. In
attendance were Trustees Cipriano, Brownley and Munn. Also: Miss Ayars,
Friends; Mrs. Casler, Council; Mrs. Cole, Librarian; Mrs. Hoder, Dan Arnsan,
Ray Brookhart, Library Staff; Mr. Aleshire, City Manager; Mrs. Pursehouse,
League of Women Voters; and Mrs. McWilliams, Genealogical Society.
The meeting was held this date in lieu of May 21 due to the impending absence
of two members on that date, and also due to the necessity of budget dis-
cussions with the City Manager at this time.
The President noted that due to the tragic accident suffered by Board member
and Secretary, Tom Hammond, there were no minutes of the last meeting. Mrs.
Cole reported that Tom's condition has been changed from critical to serious
but there is no prognosis for time of recovery.
The President suspended the balance of the agenda for discussion of the
1980-81 budget, as Mr. Aleshire had another appointment at 4:00 p.m. After
the President's remarks as member of the Trustee's Budget Committee, Mrs.
Munn, the other member of that Committee, reviewed the Board's processes and
philosophy in submitting the original budget. She referred to the letter of
April 8 to the City Manager as listing the sentiments of the Board regarding
the directive to trim an additional 7.5% from the budget as submitted.
Following comments by Trustee Brownley, Mr. Aleshire responded by noting:
(1) that $2 million had been cut from all City department budgets; (2) that
only four people are to be added to the total City staff under his budget;
and (3) that his budget is based on the assumption that Proposition 9 would
be passed in the June election and therefore Carlsbad would lose an estimated
$750,000. He admitted that this may be a high estimate. He added further
that if Proposition 9 was not passed, $750,000 could be reallocated among
the City departments.
The City Manager also noted: (1) there is $6 million in "surplus" in the
City budget, i.e. Capital Improvement Program funds, the allocation of which
in turn involves long range operation budget considerations. (The CIP will
be reviewed in November.) He further noted Carlsbad's dependence on the
sales tax returns, and the crunch that could come from a deepening recession
— fewer cars sold in Car Country, slow-down in home building and furnishing.
The City Manager reported that as of this morning, at a meeting in his office
it was decided to "reinstate the Bookmobile program in the Library budget"
and include one Library Assistant II (making new City employees total five),
and in addition approve the purchase of the composite station.
An active discussion followed with all present contributing,
points emphasized were as follows:
Some of the
Mrs. Cole - The Library does not seem to fare very well in CIP monies —
land purchase for the Library site as an example.
Mr. Brookhart - noted the decline of the "Volumes in the Library per
capita (now at 3.65) over the past five years as a sign of deteri-
oration", adding that everyone in Carlsbad is so proud of their
"good" Library, but in fact it is becoming only mediocre.
Mr. Arnsan - noted the extreme crowding in the Children's Section, which
makes for less effective programming, plus confusion in the Library.
He stated that the Children's Section deals with more children in
the summer months alone than does the Parks £ Recreation Department
year around.
Mrs. Casler - pointed out that the Library had received some major funding
in the past five years — for OCLC, for the computer system and for
the $50,000 set aside in CIP for land.
Mrs. Brownley - noted that the Library does not seem to share the same
priorities as other City departments in budget matters.
Mr. Cipriano - speaking to the City Manager's reference to the use of the
Library by non-Carlsbad residents, questioned why Carlsbad residents
should be cheated by less than the best because of such use. He
further cited the comment that the "tax-payers revolt" indicated the
taxpayers didn't want services cut, and contended the "revolt" really
CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Regular Meeting - May 7, 1980 - Page two
NP,
means the taxpayer wants the high administrative costs of 'the depart-
ments cut .
Mrs. McWilliams of Fallbrook - pointed out that she and many of the non-
Carlsbad residents of the Genealogical Society using the Library also
buy gas, eat lunch or dinner, do their shopping in Carlsbad when they
travel here.
Mr. Falkenstein - noted that the Library seemed to be undervalued by the
City organization, probably because the intangible benefits of the
Library are nearly impossible to put on paper, to chart, or assess
fully. He further stated that the Library was none-the-less importan'
Mrs. Munn pointed out that on one chart, showing ten City departments and
their 1980-81 budget figures, five departments showed hefty per-
centage increases over last year; four showed increases of 10% or
less, and only the Library showed a decrease. (It was recognized
that this decrease would be less than the chart shows with the City
Manager's reinstated items of this morning — but still the chart
indicates the position of the Library". )
Mrs. Cole - emphasized the continuing rise in the number of citizens using
the Library and its impact on staff, space, etc.
Mr. Aleshire - indicated that he did not feel the Library's budget (for
1980-81). was too bad, and that it should keep it (the Library) just
on an even keel. He further noted the Library will probably not get
the priority it has had in the past ten years, but "in another ten
years your time will come again".
At 4:15 p.m. Mr. Aleshire, Mr. Bookhart, Mr. Arnsan and Mrs. Hoder departed
and the regular agenda was resumed, starting with Committee Reports.
Mrs. Brownley reported on the volunteers being used in the Children ' s Depart-
ment, and submitted an information packet to the Board. She announced that
the program would undergo an evaluation after June 10.
In lieu of the Building Grounds Report, Mrs. Cole noted that the Council,
in last nigftt's meeting, had voted to pay the contractor for the outside
stairway, and authorized the contract for the re-carpeting of the Library
which will take place in June and July.
OLD BUSINESS
Mrs. Casler told the Board that she had repprted to the Council on the
request for formation of a task force for site selection. She suggested
the Board submit a letter to the Council by next Friday, May 9, 1980,
and that the task force be requested at earliest convenience, possibly
July 1980.
In a discussion of ongoing methods for financing the Library, Mrs. Brownie;
asked that the Board be briefed on the Trust Fund and what rules and
regulations pertain thereto. Mr. Falkenstein recommended that a drive for
endowments be instituted. It was noted also that in replacement of
retiring Board members every effort should be made to secure a Board membe:
experienced in fund-raising. Mr. Cipriano was delegated to contact James
Gaiser in this regard.
It was also decided that the Board should notify the Carlsbad Journal abou
Board vacancies in hopes of obtaining more applicants. Mrs. Casler noted
that in discussions with the Mayor, he had indicated it might be necessary
to appoint two members this June due to the severity of Mr. Hammond's
injuries.
Mr. Falkenstein and Mrs. Cole have secured the services of Caroline
Schindler to fill the vacancy on the Systems Advisory Board, and Mr.
Falkenstein has recommended her selection to the Mayor by letter.
CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Regular Meeting - May 7, 1980 - Page three
FRIENDS
Miss Ayars reported a most successful Friends Membership Tea held at Mrs.
Brownley's home on May 1. Sixteen new members and one new life member
were enrolled. The Book Fair will be held May 18.
GENEALOGY
No report
LIBRARIAN
nj
Mrs. Cole reported that Marje Howard-Jones would be researching and writing
a recent history of Carlsbad for the project funded by the National
Endowment for the Humanities. Also that the actual filming in and around
the two lagoons was now underway.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Ben Alice Munn
-Secretary pro tern
Next meeting will be June 18, 1980 at 3:00 p.m.