HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-09-18; Library Board of Trustees; MinutesApproved
MINUTES
MEETING OF:
DATE OF MEETING: September 18,2002
TIME OF MEETING: 4:OO PM
PLACE OF MEETING:
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Library Board Room - 1775 Dove Lane
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Tarman called the meeting to order at 4:OO PM.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Trustees Gleason Huss, Kamenjarin, Page, Swette, and Tarman
Absent: None
Also Present: Cliff Lange, Library Director
Geoff Armour, Assistant Library Director
Heather Pizzuto, Principal Librarian, CCL Dove Lane
Chris Holt, Principal Librarian, Cole
Dana Hartshorn, Library Sr. Management Analyst
Susan Simpson, Sr. Librarian, Division Hd, Collection Development
Lizeth Simonson, Community Library Servcs Supervisor
Bee Koons, NSDCGS Liaison
Arthur Wood, Friends of the Library Liaison
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the July 17, 2002 meeting were approved as submitted.
MONTHLY LIBRARY DIVISION HEADS REPORTS:
Trustee Gleason Huss for some additional information on the proposed changes in
protocol for the IT help desk.
Principal Librarian Pizzuto explained that the library is working with IT to develop a
procedure wherein the process is more streamlined when there are computer problems,
especially with any public access computers. On occasion, unknown to Library staff,
the IT staff needs to work on a computer in the lab that is not “down” and therefore
when the IT person arrives that particular computer could already be in use by a patron.
In that case the options are to either have the patron log off and move to another
computer (only an option if there is a vacant computer) or the IT staff person must wait
until the patron is finished or time has expired. Neither solution is very desirable.
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Minutes of September 18,2002 Meeting
Trustee Gleason Huss also had a question about the fingerprinting policy for library
hourly staff and volunteers and Principal Librarian Pizzuto responded that it was a new
policy adopted on the heels of the State law requiring fingerprinting of all recreation
employees and volunteers who work with youth. Full time employees are already
fingerprinted at the time of employment so the new policy only impacts the hourly
employees who work with youth and the Home Bound services volunteers.
Trustee Swette commented on the” fantastic” Summer Reading Program this year,
noting the number of kids that participated as well as the number of volunteer hours
reported in the statistics. He said he had also received a couple of unsolicited
comments from friends and neighbors about how great the program was this year.
Trustee Gleason Huss asked if anything had been done about the sound interference in
the classrooms at Adult Learning and Library Director Lange responded that Senior
Librarian Lynda Jones had located a source for suitable material and had received an
unexpected donation of $1,000 from the Oceanside WalMart store, which she will use
towards its purchase.
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY:
P Library Director Lange introduced Senior Librarian Susan Simpson, Head of Collection
Development and Acquisitions for the Library. Ms. Simpson explained that the purpose
of the Collection Development Statement is to set forth the general principles and
philosophy that we use in developing the collection. The last edition was written and
approved in 1999 and part of the library’s strategic plan was to write a clearer facility
scope statement. That goal evolved into the rewriting of the entire Collection
Development Statement.
She pointed out that she added the demographic information and library history to the
front of the document. Additionally she included in the appendix the Library’s policy
regarding access by minors to motion picture videotapes and DVD’s, previously
approved by the Board.
Trustee Page asked for information on the vertical file and Sr. Librarian Simpson
explained that the remaining vertical files were folders of reference materials;
pamphlets, maps and career information, accessible to patrons and the cabinets are
currently located on the west wall upstairs opposite the Reference Desk in the Carlsbad
City Library on Dove Lane.
The Trustees asked about a “deposit collection” mentioned in the statement and were
told that the Carlsbad City Library does not actually have a deposit collection. Some
libraries are designated as “deposit libraries” either by the State government or the
Federal government to receive all documents produced by the designating government
and are obliged to keep the documents. The Carlsbad City Library is not a deposit
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Minutes of September 18, 2002 Meeting
library and therefore can pick and choose which reports or documents we want in the
collection. The closest government deposit library is at the University of California, San
Diego (UCSD).
Trustee Kamenjarin asked if a patron could utilize the Inter-Library Loan program to
request any of the documents and Sr. Librarian Simpson responded it would depend on
whether the document(s) in question were items that would be routinely loaned. Items
classified as reference material often are not circulating items.
Trustee Kamenjarin commented on the statement that 11 % of the total library budget
for 2002 was used for materials and wanted to know what “materials’ encompassed as
well as how that percentage compared historically for the past five years.
Ms. Simpson responded that materials included all the books, magazine subscriptions,
microforms, audio materials, video materials and subscriptions to on-line databases,
and the percentage has remained fairly constant for the period in question.
Trustee Kamenjarin also asked for information on how this library compares in terms of
budget allocation with the other libraries in our population categories. He referenced
the report that ranks Carlsbad City Library as1Oth in the nation and 4th in the state. -
Assistant Library Director Armour responded that according to the report, there is one
category “Expenditures on Children’s Material, per capita” and the Carlsbad City Library
is #I.
Sr. Librarian Simpson offered to research the question further and provide the Board
with additional information at a later date.
Trustee Tarman suggested that a copy of the Collection Development Statement be
given to each new Trustee as appointed to the board because it gives such a
comprehensive overview of the library.
There was a question about whether or not the philosophy and policy needed to be
approved or reviewed by the City Attorney’s office and Library Director Lange
responded that it only required the approval and adoption of the Library Board.
By proper motion and vote, the Collection Development Statement was approved and
adopted, 5-0.
MATERIALS POSTING AND DISTRIBUTION POLICY:
- Library Director Lange reported that the proposed policy as attached was a revision of
the existing policy, which has been approved by the City Attorney’s office. The
fundamental problem is lack of space and the necessity to treat everybody the same.
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Minutes of September 18, 2002 Meeting
Trustee Tarman asked about current procedures for monitoring the materials and
Principal Librarian Pizzuto responded that at the CCL on Dove Lane the Information
Desk staff routinely monitors the areas and the Office Specialist at the Cole is
responsible at that site.
Assistant Library Director Armour gave "The Reader" as an example of the necessity for
a posted policy. This publication is free and the patrons want to be able to pick up a
copy in the library but we cannot allow distribution of the "Reader" if we don't allow all
other similar publications, and there is not sufficient space within the library.
By proper motion and vote, the Materials Posting and Distribution Policv was
approved and adopted, 5-0.
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE STATE LIBRARY:
The board reviewed the annual report as prepared by Assistant Library Director
Armour.
Trustee Kamenjarin asked about the projected jump in revenue and Sr. Management
Analyst Hartshorn responded that the Xerox revenue, added this year with the
acquisition of the new vend machines, was included in that number. F
Trustee Kamenjarin also asked about the nearly 50% jump in operating expense and
Ms. Hartshorn responded that it was attributed to the Xerox machines as well, the
projected expense is about $120,000 annually. The library contingency money is also
included in the figure.
Trustee Swette asked about the purpose of this report to the State and Assistant
Library Director Armour responded that the statistics are required by the State to
compare libraries within the state and also reported to the Federal government.
Trustee Tarman commented on the increase in programming, especially adult
programming possible due to the improved facilities.
CENTRO DE INFORMACION:
Library Director Lange advised that this item was on the agenda at the request of
Trustee Kamenjarin to discuss the letter to the Mayor and City Council and the
response received.
The letter requested additional hours for the Centro and the response from the Mayor
and Council was to wait until budget time to consider the change. Although Trustee
Kamenjarin had not received a copy of the response, the remainder of the Trustees
reported they had received theirs.
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Library Board of Trustees
Minutes of September 18, 2002 Meeting
Page 5
The board discussed the response in detail with some members expressing surprise at
the decision of the City Council.
Trustee Tarman suggested that the Council needed additional information not included
in the original letter. He feel't the board needed to provide more backup for their request,
to include the requests from the patrons of the Centro for the needed additional hours,
and the zero budget impact to cover the hours this year.
There was additional discussion over the expressed need for the additional hours now,
and possibly a separate issue of hours and a permanent location. The initial letter
failed to identify the request for the additional hours as coming from the community and
not just the Library Board. The board agreed to respond to the City Council letter and
provide additional information to substantiate the request.
Trustee Kamenjarin asked Lizeth Simonson, Community Library Services Supervisor, to
provide copies of letters to the Centro that were requesting the additional hours and the
reasons for the request (translated into English by Ms. Simonson).
Chairman Tarman will write the letter on behalf of the Board and will include the letters - from the Centro patrons.
Trustee Swette suggested the Board offer to track the usage during the proposed
extended hours, if the Council will approve them for the remainder of this year, and use
those statistics to justify the added hours and additional budget next fiscal year to
con ti nue the service.
Trustee Kamenjarin commented on the need for safety lighting at the Centro once the
demolition of the Pine school buildings is complete.
Assistant Library Director Armour responded that Recreation is now using the other
modular for their after school program and he will bring up the issue of additional
lighting with the committee working on the park site.
LANDSCAPE AND MAINTENANCE ISSUES:
Library Director Lange reported that the overall condition of the Childrens' garden at
Dove Lane and the Cole Library has improved. The City is currently negotiating a
contract for landscape maintenance with a new company.
Principal Librarian Holt reported that the lawns at Cole had been fed and were greatly
improved but the trees have not recovered as well. She added that the plan for the dry
streambed loose rocks is to gunnite that area and secure the rocks.
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Minutes of September 18, 2002 Meeting
In response to a question about the evaluation of the Children’s garden at Dove Lane,
Principal Librarian Pizzuto reported that library staff had met with facilities staff to
determine issues and concerns regarding landscape maintenance in that area.
Following that meeting the library staff discussed possible changes in scheduling for the
use of the garden. Ms. Pizzuto pointed out that the air in the garden is very still and
there is no protection overhead so that it can get very hot in the afternoon, but on the
other hand, in the morning there is no sun and it stays to wet too use.
L I B RARY STAT I ST IC S F 0 RM AT :
Library Director Lange asked the Board for clarification on the format for the monthly
statistical report and the information they would like to have. At present the statistics
included in the agenda packet are for the current fiscal year only. Some members of
the Board had requested figures from the previous year in order to compare the
statistics, and Senior Management Analyst Hartshorn provided the Board with copies of
the past two-year’s statistics broken down by month.
ANALYSIS OF CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY 2002 STATISTICAL SURVEY:
.--- Assistant Library Director Armour reviewed the report, which focuses on the most
significant categories comparing the Carlsbad City Library to other libraries throughout
the State in our population category.
Trustee Gleason Huss asked for a comparison between Carlsbad City Library and the
other libraries in San Diego County that may or may not be our competition, like
Oceanside, Coronado, Chula Vista, and National City.
Trustee Swette suggested this information be made more public to let the City know
how well the library compares.
ANALYSIS OF 2002 PLA STATISTICAL SURVEY:
Library Director Lange reviewed this report that is based on a nationwide survey that
includes a total of 218 participating libraries (21 in California) in our division.
Trustee Tarman pointed out that in seven categories the library ranked in the top 11%
and in eleven categories the library ranked in the top IO%, which is commendable.
There was some discussion about the ranking of expenditures per capita compared to
the book holdings per capita and Assistant Library Director Armour explained that larger
libraries, with many branches, will have more book holdings due to the number of
duplicate titles.
Trustee Kamenjarin asked for a list of the non-California libraries that were in our
category.
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Minutes of September 18,2002 Meeting
LIBRARY PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT:
Assistant Library Director Armour explained the Citywide performance measurement
process which for the library is two part - the ranking measurement and a fill rate
measurement. This report is based on the State Library ranking report.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
New Staff- Library Director Lange announced the hiring of Callie Ahrens, a 16-year
library employee, as the new Senior Librarian and head of Reference Services at the
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane.
Meetings Schedule- The director asked the Board to approve the meeting schedule
for calendar year 2003 has been modified at their request, so that for the most part the
meeting location will be alternated between Cole and Dove Lane.
The Board also approved changing the location for November 20, 2002 and December
18, 2002 meetings to Cole.
..-- CALTAC Training - The director reminded the Board that the CALTAC training they
had requested will be on Saturday, September 28'h from 9:00 AM to noon in the Board
Room.
Artsplash - Saturday, September 28'h is the first day of the event up on Armada Drive.
SIRSI- The director brought the board up to date on the status of the contract
negotiations with SIRS1 and the City.. Now under review, again, in IT and the City
Attorney's office, a joint meeting is scheduled for next week with all the parties to try to
reach agreement on a contract acceptable to all parties. Once the language of the
contract is established and SIRS1 signs the contract, it then has to go to City Council in
an agenda bill for Council approval to award and execute the contract. Only after that
will we be able to establish a new timeline for installation and transition. Best guess at
this point would be mid 2003 before we have it up and operating. The director pointed
out that possibly in some ways this time-frame could work better for the library as it
would solve some of the concerns regarding the acquisition software.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY:
Friends' liaison Arthur Wood reported that the Friends have not held a meeting since
May but have one scheduled for tomorrow. They have selected the dates for the next
Silent Auction, November 16'h and 17'h and at the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane.
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Minutes of September 18, 2002 Meeting
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY:
NSDCGS Liaison Bee Koons reported that the next seminar is scheduled for October
19* and the speaker is Barbara Rennick, who is well known in the genealogy
community as an authority on genealogy and the computer.
She was pleased to announce that membership is increasing each month with Society
membership numbering nearly six hundred now.
They have a meeting scheduled for September 24fh in the City Council Chambers
featuring Joan Lowery, also a well known in the community, who will present a program
on locating German ancestors on the Internet.
Ms. Koons said the Society asked her to express their delight with the hiring of Senior
Librarian Mary Van Orsdol as the new full time Division Head for the Genealogy
Section.
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The nominating committee is working on the slate of officers for next year, the current
president having served the maximum term, and Carolyn Hoard will take over Ms.
Koons position as liaison to this Board at the end of the year. Ms. Hoard may step in
earlier should Ms. Koons health issues make it necessary.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None present.
ADJOURNMENT:
By proper motion, the meeting was adjourned at 510 PM.
Respectfully su&itted,
Cissie Sditon
Administrative Secretary