Loading...
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.