HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-07-21; Library Board of Trustees; MinutesMINUTES
MEETING OF:
DATE OF MEETING: July 21,2004
TIME OF MEETING: 4:OO PM
PLACE OF MEETING:
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Site of future Carlsbad City Library Learning Center
3368 Eureka Place - Carlsbad, CA 92008
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Rob Swette called the meeting to order at 4:02 PM.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Library Board Trustees, Page, Swette, and Tarman
Trustees Gleason Huss and Kamenjarin arriving shortly after the
meeting was called to order.
Absent: None
Also Present: Cliff Lange, Library Director
Geoff Armour, Assistant Library Director
Chris Holt, Principal Librarian, Cole Library
Cheryl Mast, Library Management Analyst
Arthur Wood, President, Friends of the Library
Carolyn Hoard, NSDCGS
Jane Schatt, League of Women Voters observer
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the June 16, 2004 meeting were approved as submitted.
MONTHLY LIBRARY REPORTS:
Trustee Page asked if the HVAC was still working at the Cole Library and was told that
it was for now.
Trustee Tarman, in reference to the Adult Learning Program report on the high school
students, asked for a progress report on the degree of improvement in these students
and Assistant Library Director Armour responded that he would request this information
from Program Director Lynda Jones, for the next board meeting.
Trustee Page asked about the articles in the San Diego Union as mentioned in the
report from the Cole Library and Principal Librarian Holt responded that the articles
Library Board of Trustees
Minutes of July 21, 2004 Meeting
Page 2
were not about Library Assistant Gutierrez or the Georgina Cole Library local history
room. Ms. Gutierrez has done some research for the reporters for some articles and
stories they were writing about the area.
CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY LEARNING CENTER UPDATE:
Library Director Lange reported that the Library had interviewed the bidders on the
project yesterday and hoped to award the contract next week. He explained that the
schedule for the project was a lot longer than the Library Staff had originally estimated.
The normal schedule to get a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is about 19 weeks and that
period does not start until the application has been submitted, which cannot take place
until the site plan and detail for tenant improvements have been finalized. Summer of
2005 would probably be the earliest we could move the Centro and Adult Learning
programs onto the property. The Montessori School will remain until the end of this
year and Head Start will stay even after we move in. The church plans to vacate by the
end of August, 2004.
Assistant Library Director Armour added that due to the beginning of construction on the
Pine Avenue Park, both the Stay and Play and Centro modular buildings will need to be
relocated by the end of the year. Preliminary plans are to relocate both buildings to the
parking lot previously used by the Carlsbad School District, adjacent to the Senior
Center on the corner of Pine and Harding Streets. Although that move will also require
a CUP, Recreation has already submitted the paperwork for the permit and the library is
hoping we can add the Centro modular to the application.
Trustee Page asked about the plans to tear down the one building currently used by
Head Start and Library Director Lange explained that we would provide a modular
building to replace that space before we tear down the current structure.
Trustee Kamenjarin asked if it was possible to move the Stay and Play and Centro
modular buildings to the property on Eureka Place and was told that there is no place to
put them that they would not be in the way during the planned renovations, and, we
could not provide sufficient parking to meet the City's parking standard.
Assistant Library Director Armour suggested that following the meeting today the Board
tour the entire facility and property.
CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER:
Library Director Lange reminded the Board that this event has been in the planning
stages for many months and the committee has been successful in getting the author,
T. C. Boyle, to appear for an author talk and book signing at the Library on September
28'h. In addition there is a planned panel discussion on September 30th. The Friends of
the Library have underwritten the costs for the program with a donation of $3,000.
Library Board of Trustees
Minutes of July 21, 2004 Meeting
Page 3
Part of the program will include opportunities for the general public to take part in
facilitated discussion groups on several different dates at both library locations.
Trustee Tarman asked if the discussion groups would be the same and Library Director
Lange said that the basic discussion questions would be the same but the direction the
discussion takes would depend primarily on the participation and opinions of those
present.
Chair Swette asked about planned publicity and Library Director Lange said all the
publicity material would be distributed next week. In addition to posters and resource
guides, there is a press release being prepared by the City’s communication manager
and the entire back cover of the August Community Services Guide magazine is
dedicated to the program. Community book clubs have been contacted as have local
bookstores and have agreed to promote the program and distribute the information.
The local Borders has agreed to provide books for sale at the author’s talk on
September 28‘h.
Trustee Kamenjarin asked if the local schools were involved and Library Director Lange
explained that the final dates, etc. were not determined before school recessed for the
summer but that information would be provided to them at the beginning of the school
year.
Trustee Tarman asked when the book would be available at the library and was
informed that, thanks to the generosity of the Friends, there are 100 copies already
available at the library. In addition, several bookstores have reported an increase in
demand and have increased their inventory.
Chair Swette asked if the library would track the attendance at the events and Library
Director Lange explained it would in order to determine the success of the program and
possibly consider making it an annual event.
LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY GOAL 2004-05:
Library Director Lange explained that the goal for this year is the implementation of the
technology goal plan developed last year. The initial elements involve the PC and print
management software and telephone and e-mail notification for the catalog. Following
that will be the self-check and RFlD elements as well as the staff reorganization plan in
coordination with retirements. HR is currently recruiting for the Business Systems
Specialist and the creation of the Deputy Library Directors positions will take place upon
the retirement of the current Assistant Library Director. The goal team has already met,
developed a timeline and will be doing some cost benefit analyses.
Trustee Kamenjarin asked for an explanation of the acronym “ITGC” which is
referenced in the goal.
Library Board of Trustees
Minutes of Julv 21, 2004 Meetina
Page 4
Library Director Lange explained that is a City committee, Information Technology
Governance Committee, which has to approve any software expenditure that exceeds
$1,000, and that approval is based on the need, cost and resulting savings.
Trustee Kamenjarin then asked for some clarification on the RFID technology and
Library Director Lange explained the Radio Frequency Identification tag will replace the
current barcodes used on all the circulating collection and will include the item
identification as well as the security tag. With the right equipment, the library will be
able to check in the items and re-arm the security device by passing the item through
the book drop, greatly decreasing the number of staff hours currently involved in the
process.
DIRECTOR’S RE PORT:
Children’s Garden on Dove Lane - The library is expecting some final drawings next
week.
Volunteer Management Traininn - Next Tuesday Betty Stallings will be back to
conduct a workshop for Library Division Heads and key staff to develop a plan to
effectively use volunteers wiihin the library.
Employee Disaster Drill - Two library locations conducted a security drill and learned
a lot about evacuating the building and central meeting areas. The effective evacuation
of the Childrens’ area and identification of a central meeting place for their parents was
a big concern of the staff. Also it was learned that the Gallery is not connected to either
the public address system or the telephone zone-paging network. Library
Administration has submitted a work request to IT to have the Gallery added to one or
the other.
Libraw ProQrams staff member - The Programs Division Head is out on sick leave
following surgery and will be out for at least six weeks. In the interim, her part time
assistant has agreed to increase his hours to cover the programs already scheduled. It
appears that the programs are planned through 2005 and bookings are through
December of this year.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY:
Friends’ President Arthur Wood reported that they held their Silent Auction, which did
not draw as many patrons as previous sales. The net proceeds were about $2,000, and
the Friends will probably reduce the number of Silent Auctions held each year from four
to three. The Board approved a budget of a little over $1 07,000 for fiscal year 04-05.
Library Board of Trustees
Minutes of July 21, 2004 Meeting
Page 5
He also reported that there is a promotional item in their August newsletter, The Friends
Forum, promoting the Carlsbad Reads Together program.
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY:
NSDCGS representative Carolyn Hoard referred the Board to the monthly newsletter,
and invited the board and spouses to the annual potluck, August 18'h. She noted that
members like to bring a dish that has something to do with their ancestry. Further
details are in the newsletter.
LIBRARY BOARD COMMENTS:
Trustee Kamenjarin referenced information provided in the agenda packet of the
December 2003 meeting, which projected the growth of the collection and available
shelf space within the two library locations. He requested the issue of inadequate shelf
space be on the agenda for next month for in-depth discussion by this board.
Chair Swette also had an item for next month's agenda. He commented that he had
been thinking about the Board in general as well as his new role as Chair and the
responsibility of the Board to be a liaison to the City Council as well as representative of
the interests of the community in the caretaking of the library. He would like for the
Board to set some goals for this next year to identify their contribution to the community.
He asked the Trustees to think about it over the next month and before the next
meeting submit a couple of ideas for discussion. Ideas can be sent via e-mail to the
Administrative Secretary in the Library. He also announced that he had arranged with
Library Director Lange to meet each month to help shape the meeting agenda and he
would welcome input from any of the Trustees. Deadline for items to be included on the
agenda are one week prior to the meeting date.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None present.
ADJOURNMENT:
By proper motion, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 PM for a tour of the facility and
grounds.
Respectfully sub itted, fl
Cissie SAton
Administrative Secretary
Monthly LIBRARY Reports
for
JUNE 2004
System wide ...
1. The Summer Reading Program began June 14. The theme for children through
6th grade is “Go for the Gold - Read!’’ and ”Exercise Your Mind - Read!” for
teens. By the end of June a total of 2,309 children and teens had signed up for the
program - by far the most ever. A magic show at CCL, Dove Lane attracted over
300 parents and children. Programs at both libraries have had record-breaking
attendance.
2. Volunteers from the National Charity League represented the Library at an
Information Fair at Sunrise Assisted Living Facility on June 21. They also
volunteered to help with Carlsbad’s Day at the Fair on June 30, where they
staffed the Library’s table and helped raise awareness of Library services.
Adult Learning ...
3. Volunteer tutor Alan Marblestone and his wife Naomi, a retired young adult
librarian, presented each high school student in the period 5 class a book chosen
especially for that student as a summer pleasure reading gift. Alan had tutored
these students 3 times a week during the school year.
4. Eight students in the high school reading program graduated from Carlsbad
High School. Adult Learning staff presented each with a copy of Chicken Soup
for the Teenage Soul, with a bookplate containing the student’s name.
5. On June 27, one hundred tutors, learners, family members, staff, and special
guests celebrated the Adult Learning Program’s 20th anniversary with a meal
and special program at the Senior Center. Learners and tutors from current and
past years spoke about their experiences, and Coordinator Lynda Jones was
surprised with a memory album commemorating her 20 years with the program.
Centro de Informacion . . .
6. Three bilingual high school students started helping at the Centro enrolling and
taking reports from children, teens and adults who are participating in the
Summer Reading Program.
7. On June 14, Centro de Informacion started the 2004 Summer Reading Program.
This year, in addition to the children and teens, parents are also participating in
the program by reading and then reporting to our volunteers and staff on what
Monthly Library Reports for June 2004
they read. By the end of June Centro staff and volunteers had enrolled 82
children and teens and 15 adults.
Georgina Cole ...
8. Cole HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system came back on
line Friday, June 25th after weeks of being completely down. Two completely
rebuilt compressors were installed and wiring replaced. RFPs were distributed
to do the design work and funds were only approved for design in the 2004/2005
Capital Improvement Budget. Even though a general design option has been
chosen, technical design drawings have yet to be done. The design period will
take close to 6 months, then funding for construction and an RFP for contractors
will be addressed.
9. The Carlsbad History Room researched 140 questions this month including two
from Kansas and Colorado. San Diego Union Tribune reporters queried Susan
Gutierrez for several different articles and stories. Other information was given
on historic property and homes, and verification of marriage and other dates for
local historic figures.
CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY
MONTHLY USAGE STATISTICS
CCL, Dove Lane
Reference questions
Circulation
People count
In-House Use of Materials
Georgina Cole Library
Reference questions
Circulation
People count
In-House Use of Materials
Centro
Reference questions
Circulation
People count
In-House Use of Materials
Library-Sponsored Programs
Adult programs
Adult program attendance
Young Adult programs
Young Adult program attendance
Children's programs
Children's program attendance
Facility Meeting; Room Use
Events booked
Event attendance
Volunteer Hours
Total hours:
JUN 03
7,274
75,008
47,5 19
13,849
5,778
38,105
23,506
14,79 1
190
1,075
2,044
165
29
406
4
237
53
12,160
73
3,473
673.5
JUN04
7,250
76,916
43,543
15,050
6,132
39,209
22,823
6,42 5
204
93 8
2,474
183
21"
235"
6
295
42
12,136
72
5,198
674
*Does not include stntisticsfroni Progrnrns sponsored by the Library Progrnnzs depnrtnzent.
ITEM # 5
Tortilla Curtain Summary
In The Tortilla Curtain, T.C. Boyle explores one of the most controversial issues
confronting Californians today -- illegal immigration. Set in Topanga Canyon outside of
Los Angeles, Boyle introduces two sets of characters from two very different worlds.
Nature writer Delaney, his wife, Kyra, a powerhouse real estate agent, and her
son, Jordan, who is addicted to computer games, have moved into a recently-built
housing development, Arroyo Blanco Estates, to escape the city and get closer to nature.
At the other end of the spectrum are Candido and his pregnant wife, America, illegal
immigrants from Mexico pursuing the American dream who have found temporary
shelter in a canyon next to Arroyo Blanco Estates.
They first meet when Delaney, driving to the recycling center, hits Candido with
his car. Rather than calling the paramedics, which neither wants to do, Delaney pays him
off with twenty dollars as Candido requests. The unfortunate Candido, badly injured and
unable to work, must allow his wife to look for day work in a world fkll of hazards and
unsavory characters. Meanwhile, Delaney and his family discover that living closer to
nature involves threatening new rules, often set by the local wildlife. The residents of the
development heatedly debate whether to build a wall to keep nature and “them” out.
After a series of unlucky meetings and heart-rending events, the book ends with a
catastrophic natural disaster that shocks and surprises. T. C. Boyle unflinchingly
contrasts the hypocrisy of a privileged California family with the utter poverty and often-
fruitless struggle of illegal immigrants. But Boyle does not offer an answer to this
complicated issue. He leaves that to the reader to ponder. The characters force the reader
to think not only about the human cost of illegal immigration but also the danger to the
environment as a whole.
Special Events
An Evening with T.C. Boyle
When: Tuesday, September 28,2004,7pm
Where: Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium, Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane
The highlight of the Carlsbad Reads Together program will be a visit from the award-
winning author of Tortilla Curtain, T.C. Boyle. Mr. Boyle will read from his novel and
discuss the issues presented in it in what promises to be a very lively program.
Panel Discussion on Carlsbad’s Tortilla Curtain
When: Thursday, September 30,2004,7pm
Where: Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium, Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane
The book Tortilla Curtain looks at a number of issues of great concern to the citizens of
Carlsbad, such as migration, growth and housing. A panel of local area planners and
service providers will discuss these issues, their implications for the City of Carlsbad and
what is being done to address them.
Sunday
5
12
19
!8
TC' €3 04' I c
riol
-7 i p1n
5
Discussion
7pm Cole
Discussion
7pm Dove
:6
Carlsbad Reads Together Calendar
SepternbedOctober
Monday
6
13
20
Discussion
7pm Cole
(extra)
!7
liscussion
7pm Dove
I
>iscussion
7Pm Dove
(extra)
Tuesday
7
14
21
Wednesday
8
15
22
29
Discussion
2Pm Dove
(extra)
6
Thursday
9
Discussion
2Pm Cole
16
23
10
Panel
7Pm Dove
Friday
10
17
24
1
liscussion
2Pm Dove
11
18
Discussion
1 Oam
Cole
(extra)
25
2
Discussion
1 Oam
Dove
(extra)
9
Discussion Groups Scheduled for The Tortilla Curtain
Dove Library:
The following discussions will take place in the Gowland Meeting Room, 1775 Dove
Lane, Carlsbad,CA:
Monday, September 27,2004: 7:OO p.m.
Wednesday, September 29,2004: 2:OO p.m.
Friday, October 1 , 2004: 2:OO p.m.
Saturday, October 2,2004: 1O:OO a.m.
Monday, October 4,2004: 7:OO p.m.
Tuesday, October 5,2004: 7:OO p.m.
Cole Library:
The following discussions will take place in the Georgina Cole Library Community
Room, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA:
Thursday, September 9,2004: 2:OO p.m.
Saturday, September 18,2004: 1O:OO a.m.
Monday, September 20,2004: 7:OO p.m.
Tuesday, October 5,2004: 7:OO p.m.
Biography of T. C. Boyle
T. Coraghessan Boyle, “my friends call me Tom,” was born December 2, 1948
and grew up in Peekskill, New York. He went to the State University of New York at
Potsdam to study music (he played the saxophone), switched to a History and English
major and found himself drawn to writing after “wandering into a creative writing class
in his junior year.”
For four years, he taught at his alma mater, Lakeland High School, until his story,
“The OD and Hepatitis Railroad or Bust,” was published in the North American Review
and he won acceptance at the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop in 1972. He
received his M.F.A. in 1974 and his Ph.D. in Nineteenth Century British Literature in
1977 from the University of Iowa. In 1977 he received a grant from the National
Endowment for the Arts.
He has been an English professor at University of Southern California since 1978,
and established their Creative Writing Program. He has written sixteen books and won
the PENFaulkner Award for T.C. Bode Stories, the Collected Stories in 1999; for best
novel in 1988 for World’s End; 0. Henry Awards in 1989, 1999,2001 and 2003; was a
National Book Award Finalist for Drop City in 2003; awarded the Prix Medicis Etranger,
Paris for the best foreign novel of the year in 1997 for The Tortilla Curtain; and received
the Editors’ Choice, New York Times Book Review, one of the 13 best books of the year
1989 for If the River Was Whiskey. His latest books are Drop City (2003) and Inner
Circle (2004).
He lives in Montecito, a suburb outside of Santa Barbara, with his wife and three
children and still teaches when he can at University of Southern California. T.C. Boyle is
a writer who believes literature should be accessible to all without needing a reviewer or
critic to help explain the mechanics of the story. He is a storyteller with immense
compassion, and a wise guy who is known for his satire and his ability to confront
hypocrisy.
About Thomas Coraghessan (T. C.) Boyle
Articles:
Birnbaum, Robert. “T.C. Boyle: Robert Birnbaum Talks with the Author of
Drop City.” identitytheory.com: a Literary Website, Sort of. 17 May 2004.
Borondy, Matt. <http://www.identitytheory.com/about.html>.
“T. Coraghessan Boyle, 1948-.” Contemporaw Literarv Criticism, VOI. 90,
(Detroit: Gale Research, 1996), 42-66.
. “T(homas) Coraghessan Boyle,” Contemporaw Authors Online. 18 December 2003.
Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. The Gale Group. 17 May 2004.
Access from Carlsbad City Library webpage,
www.carlsbadlibrarv.org
Click on “Online Databases.”
Select “Biography Resource Center.”
Yost, Chryss. “The Face on The Tortilla Curtain Novelist T.C. Boyle Raises a
Ruckus.” Santa Barbara Book & Author Festival. 17 May 2004.
Santa Barbara Book Festival. <http://www.sbbookfestival.ordboyle.html>
Web sites about T.C. Boyle
Official web site of the author:
http://www.tcboyle.com
“All About T. Coraghessan Boyle Resource Center”
http://www.tcboyle.net/sandye. html
Other Books by T. C. Boyle
Descent of Man. Boston: Atlantic-Little, Brown, 1979.
Water Music. Boston: Atlantic-Little, Brown, 1982.
Budding Prospects. New York: Viking, 1984.
Greasy Lake. New York: Viking, 1985.
World's End. New York: Viking, 1987.
If the River Was Whiskey. New York: Viking, 1989.
East Is East. New York: Viking, 1990.
The Road to Wellville. New York: Viking, 1993.
Without A Hero. New York Viking, 1994.
Riven Rock. New York: Viking, 1998.
T.C. Boyle Stories. New York: Viking, 1998.
A Friend of the Earth. New York: Viking, 2000.
After the Plague. New York: Viking, 2001.
Drop City. New York Viking, 2003.
The Inner Circle. New York: Viking, 2004.
Resource Materials for Further Information
On The Tortilla Curtain
Reading Guides
Novelist Database Access from Carlsbad City Library webpage,
www.carlsbadlibrary.org. Click on Online Databases. Select
“Novelist.”
www.idiotsguides.conl/static/rguides/us/tortilla curtain.htm1
http://tcboyle.com/public htdtortilla.htm1
h ttp://www .reading groupguides. com/guides/tortill a curtain. asp
Book Reviews of Tortilla Curtain
Amidon, Stephen. “Why There’s No More Dreamin’ for California’s Chardonnay
Socialists,” Esquire, November 1995.
Finkel, Anita. “The Tortilla Curtain”: Voltaire in an L.A. Canyon, Baltimore Sun, Sept.
17, 1995 (available on www.tcboyle.com).
Kingsolver, Barbara. “Downscale in Topanga Canyon,” Nation, September 25, 1995.
Sipchen, Bob. “The Wise Guy: No One Escapes the Sting of Writer T. Coraghessan
Boyle’s Satire,” Los Angeles Times, Aug. 20, 1995 (Life and Art Section).
Stephens, Maura. “To Live and Cry in L.A.,” Newsweek, October 9, 1995.
Discussion Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Was the author fair in his portrayal of the two couples, the Rincons and the
Mossbachers?
Do the characters seem to be stereotypical, and if so, does that serve or disserve
the story?
Why was Delaney so fixated on the coyote in his nature writings? What do you
think the coyote symbolized in this novel?
The residents of the Arroyo Blanco Estates had differing feelings about the
necessity of enclosing their neighborhood with a wall. What do you believe such
a wall represented in the novel?
Did the story help you to understand better the issue of “illegal immigration”?
What did this novel add to your perspective on this issue?
What do you think really happened to the baby in the last scene of the novel
during the flood? Do you think that America had anything to do with the tragic
death, of: the infant?
If the novel had continued for another 100 pages, what do you believe would have
happened between Candido and Delaney?
Could Candido have done anything differently that would have improved his
situation or the situation of his family? Was he truly “unlucky,” as he believed?
Should the author have provided a more definitive solution to the complex
immigration issue, or was he right to leave it up to the reader?
10. How does Tortilla Curtain compare to Grapes of Wrath?
@CARLSBAD 1 2004-2005 Goal Print Screen
2004 - 2005 Goals
Goal Short Name: Library Technology Goal ID: 426
Individual Name: Reviewer: FRANK MANNEN
Team Leader: CLIFFORD LANGE Council Goal: Top Quality Services
MSA: COM SERVICES Last Revised: 0511 912004
Goal has Fiscal impact: Yes
Team Goal: Yes Team Members:
One Time Cost: $61,050.00 Recurring Cost: $6,587.00
GEOFFREY ARMOUR
HEATHER PIZZUTO
CHRISTINE HOLT
ALETHA RAUTENKRANZ
LIB(D0VE) ADMlN
LIB(D0VE) ADMlN
LIB(C0LE)
INFO TECH
CHERYL MAST LIB(D0VE) ADMIN
Team Resources:
HARRIET GERZA HUMAN RESOURCES
Describe your goal stating the outcome for the first year of a 1 year goal:
Significantly improved service is achieved by enhancing customers0 experience when scheduling the use of library computers and interactin!
with the library about their accounts and access to and use of library materials.
Target
Implementation of a staff reorganization plan is begun as outlined in the Library Services and Staffing Plan Goal completed in FY 2003-04. Hardware and software is ordered for implementation of new technology. Marketing plan is developed for rolling out new technology.
Threshold
Process documents through the Information Technology Governance Committee (ITGC) for public Access Computer Reservation and Print Management software and Voice Automation Telephone Notification software and hardware. When approved by the ITGC, prepare RFPs for purchase. Process documents through the lTGC for approval of purchase of Self-check Machines and Radio Frequency Identification technology. After approval by the ITGC, process documents through the Leadership Team for final approval. After approval, prepare RFPs fot
purchase.
Additional Information
This goal has two parts, technology and staff reorganization. Technology drives part of the reorganization, and pending retirements drive the I
http://cityweb/print.cfm?ID=OOO66&GID=426 _- ._____-I -