HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-21; Library Board of Trustees; MinutesApproved
-'*'&***
ITEM #2
MINUTES
MEETING OF: LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DATE OF MEETING: Wednesday, May 21, 2008
PLACE OF MEETING: George & Patricia Gowland Meeting Room
Carlsbad City Library - 1775 Dove Lane
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Bill Kamenjarin called the meeting to order at 4:02 PM.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Library Board Trustees Bradley, Kamenjarin and Tarman
Absent: Trustees Lignante and Swette
Also Present: Heather Pizzuto, Library Director
Dave Curtis, Deputy Library Director
Suzanne Smithson, Deputy Library Director
Carol Naegele, Principal Librarian
Cheryl Mast, Library Management Analyst
Jessica Padilla Bowen, Library Community Coordinator
Susan Simpson, Senior Librarian
Devin Castel, Library Business Systems Specialist
Marg Kealey, NSDCGS Liaison
Carolyn Taylor, League of Women Voters observer
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
On motion by Trustee Kamenjarin the minutes of the regular meeting held April 16,
2008 were unanimously approved as submitted.
MONTHLY LIBRARY REPORTS:
Trustee Tarman requested additional information on the results of the presentation to
the High Noon Rotary.
Trustee Kamenjarin requested a viewing of the PSA on the Learning Center and Library
Director Pizzuto responded that this clip and the one for the Summer Reading Program
will be scheduled for the Board to view at the June Board meeting.
Library Board of Trustees Page 2
Minutes of May 21, 2008 Meeting
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT FOLLOW-UP REPORT:
At the Library Board meeting last month, the Board received a report on the circulating
collection which divided the collection into five categories and identified for each
category, the number of items, annual circulation and related costs. At that time the
Board asked for similar information on the on-line databases provide by the Library.
Sr. Librarian Susan Simpson distributed the statistics for the twenty-seven on-line
subscriptions as a follow-up to the original report. She began by explaining that
although the report shows an average cost per use of $.91, the "use" is defined
differently by each database provider; some report it as a page view, some report each
research topic as a new use and some use each log-in or session. She added that
some of the sites do not differentiate between in-house and remote usage, but many of
the databases that are reporting this show higher use remotely than in-house.
Trustee Kamenjarin asked how the Library determined how much of the budget to
spend on printed material and how much on databases.
Sr. Librarian Simpson responded that this is done through ongoing evaluation by the
Reference materials selection committee who meet monthly to select materials and
look at needs for print versus on-line access. Even the standing orders for Reference
materials are evaluated and over the past year there has been a reduction in the
amount of reference print materials because we can provide that information either
through the databases or from websites.
LIBRARY INTERNET MANAGEMENT REPORT:
Library Director Pizzuto reminded the Board that in January of this year a member of
the public brought his concerns to the City Council about the Library's policy and how
the Library currently manages Internet access. His specific concern was the potential
for children to access pornographic material and his suggestion was for the Library to
filter Internet access for children. She continued that whenever anyone expresses
concern about the Library's policies, we take that very seriously; particularly if the
concern suggests that there is an issue of safety. After the current policy was again
reviewed by the City Attorney's office, the Library took a look at the current
environment, practices of other libraries, and current day technology. The City
Attorney's office reported there has been no change in legal statutes or case law that
suggests that the Library's policy needs to be changed from a legal standpoint.
Library Director Pizzuto presented a detailed review of the research, best practices and
other exploration the Library has undertaken with regard to the Library's current Internet
Policy. She stated that in addition to the use of electronic monitoring reporting on
Internet use by children, which identifies inappropriate site visits, the Library provides
numerous classes on Internet safety, bookmarks containing Internet safety tips, and
Library Board of Trustees Page 3
Minutes of May 21, 2008 Meeting
informational materials that cover Internet safety issues, such as social networking,
blogging, and dealing with cyber-bullies. The Library also requires children under the
age of 12 to be accompanied by an adult when using a computer and adults are
restricted from using computers in children's areas except when working with a child. A
report from the monitoring software indicates that the occurrences of inappropriate
activity are insignificant in relation to overall use (less than 1/10th of 1%).
Also covered in her report was information on various filtering products available at this
time, including their effectiveness, accuracy, and costs associated with the
implementation.
Library Director Pizzuto concluded her presentation with the staff recommendations to
continue the electronic monitoring in use now; to implement an intermediary page that
would pop up to warn the user that the site they are asking for may violate the Library's
Internet User Agreement and viewing it could result in the suspension of their computer
privileges; and to duplicate the disclaimer language currently contained in the policy
statement in the signed agreement form as well.
The Board had several questions with regard to the electronic monitoring in use, the
types of reports generated, the methods the staff uses for validating sites listed as
inappropriate and the ability to follow-up with the patron.
Board comments were positive as to the staff recommendations, especially the addition
of the intermediary page, and as the staff recommendations did not represent a change
in the current policy, no formal Board action was required.
MEDIA SERVICES ANNUAL REPORT:
Media Services Specialist Bill Richmond introduced Bonnie Crane, the new Library
Media Production Technician prior to delivering his report.
The annual report contained information on the usage of the Ruby G. Schulman
Auditorium and George and Patricia Gowland Meeting Room in the prior fiscal year,
identifying the number of hours the facilities were in use, the number of events
scheduled and number of attendees. Also provided was information on the total
revenue generated by the Media Division and information on their video production
followed by a viewing of collection of highlights from some of those events.
ARTS SCULPTURE ITEM:
Arts Office Manager Peter Gordon explained to the Library Board that this past year he
and Gallery Curator Karen McGuire had been researching ways in which the temporary
sculptural exhibitions located within the sculpture garden could be made more visible
and accessible to the public. He said that a considerable amount of time and budget is
Library Board of Trustees Page 4
Minutes of May 21, 2008 Meeting
spent on planning, publicizing and installing the exhibitions, which are very high quality
and receive a good amount of publicity in the local paper, but there is not much
attendance and they believe this is primarily due to the current location.
The staff has investigated possibilities for strategically relocating those exhibitions for
higher visibility and accessibility in other parts of the City but have determined that the
current location is the best choice; however, they would like to expand the artistic reach
and impact to the entire area including the Arts Office as well as the Cole Library. Arts
Office Manager Gordon distributed a site plan outlining the proposal to install on the
front lawn of the Arts Office, two new works of art offered as donations to the City, and
three temporary sculptural works in the greenbelt of the Georgina Cole Library along
Carlsbad Village Drive. They would continue with exhibitions in the sculpture garden,
adding as appropriate a mural to the western wall of the garage. The recommendations
also include the revitalization of the sculpture piece "Contemplation" currently installed
at the Cole Library, improving the current signage between the Library and the Arts
Office and providing a hand-out with information about the sculptural pieces.
Gallery Curator Karen McGuire explained that expanding the artwork would refresh the
area and also draw visitors to the larger art location. She added that the proposal is for
these particular pieces of sculpture as they are already in the City's permanent
sculpture collection, and that it would only require the pouring of three concrete pads in
order for them to be securely installed.
Arts Office Manager Gordon added that the proposal will have to be presented to the
City's Leadership Team for permission to proceed with the recommendations but the
Arts Office would like input from this Board on the concept before they move forward.
The Board discussed the traffic pattern for that section of Carlsbad Village Drive, traffic
accident history and the possibility that the art might create a distraction. Also of
concern was the possibility of damage or vandalism to the sculpture pieces. Their
general reaction to the concept, however, was positive.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM PREVIEW:
Sr. Librarian Barbara Chung presented the Board with their Summer Reading Program
shirts imprinted with this year's theme "Catch the Reading Bug @ your Library",
explaining that the program is scheduled to run the usual seven weeks beginning June
16 at both Dove Lane and the Cole Library locations. The Centra will have an
abbreviated program due to the closure of the Centra on July 11th in preparation for the
move into the new Library Learning Center.
Sr. Librarian Chung offered thanks to the Friends of the Library who each year
underwrite the Summer Reading Program donating nearly $50,000 this year for t-shirts,
Library Board of Trustees Page 5
Minutes of May 21, 2008 Meeting
programs & performers, prizes and incentives the children can earn for reading through
the summer.
She spoke on the various age levels of the anticipated 3,000 participants and the huge
success the Library has had in the past in recruiting teen volunteers to listen to the
reading reports from the participants.
LIBRARY LEARNING CENTER UPDATE:
Principal Librarian Carol Naegle reported that the construction phase of the project
should be completed by the end of the month and the shelving is scheduled to be
installed next week. The interior work is for the most part completed, the parking lots
are finished and the landscaping is underway. The remaining furniture and fixtures have
either been ordered or are in the approval stage of the process with anticipated delivery
dates in mid-August.
The announcement to the public about the closing dates for the Centra and the Adult
Learning Program is scheduled for next month but waiting for confirmation of the
furniture delivery dates to finalize a grand opening celebration date of August 23rd.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Library Recruitments - Library Director Pizzuto announced that in addition to new
employee Bonnie Crane, introduced earlier, Carrie Scott, who has been serving as the
Interim Literacy Coordinator was selected and has accepted the position as Community
Outreach Supervisor for Literacy Services at the new Library Learning Center.
Interviews for the Librarian l/ll position in Children's are scheduled for this week and
recruitments are underway for a variety of part-time openings at both locations.
Library Surveys - The telephone survey of residents has been developed and could
begin as soon as next week. The intercept survey of Library patrons is scheduled for
mid-June and will not be conducted by Library staff this year, but rather by members of
the company with whom the Library has contracted for this service.
Library budget for FY2008-09 - The Library has not received any significant questions
about the budget during the review process and the next milestone dates are June 12th
for the City to present the budget for public feedback and June 24th for the adoption of
the budget at the City Council Meeting.
Adult Learning Program Annual Celebration Event - Library Director Pizzuto
encouraged the Trustees to attend the event for which they should all have received
invitations, being held on Sunday, June 1st.
Library Board of Trustees Page 6
Minutes of May 21, 2008 Meeting
FOUNDATION REPORT:
Library Director Pizzuto reported that the Board ratified the contracts for three
individuals to assist with the fundraising campaign; a videographer to produce a
video/DVD that the Foundation Board can use to make presentations to community
groups; a grant writer to pursue specific grants most likely to generate the greatest
funds; an executive coordinator who will be working about 20 hours a week and
assisting the Foundation in increasing its communication and managing the fund raising
campaign.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT:
Library Director Pizzuto announced that their last meeting was postponed until May 29th
due to a lack of a quorum.
NSDC GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY:
Society Liaison Marg Kealey reported that the membership is still growing and she
reviewed the highlights of the May programs. She distributed the class schedule and
also called the Board's attention to the information contained in the monthly newsletter,
especially the overview of the early "movers and shakers" of the Society featured this
40 anniversary year.
LIBRARY BOARD COMMENTS:
Trustee Kamenjarin reported that he attended the Annual Recognition Celebration for
Library Hourly Employees last week and was impressed with the number of people who
are on staff and have been consistent employees for many years.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None present.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion by Trustee Tarman, the meeting was adjourned at 5:50PM.
Cissie Sexton
Administrative Secretary