HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-15; Library Board of Trustees; MinutesApproved:
MINUTES
ITEM #3
MEETING OF: LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DATE OF MEETING: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
PLACE OF MEETING: Library Board Room - Carlsbad City Library
1775 Dove Lane
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Bill Kamenjarin called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Library Board Trustees Benson, Bradley, Kamenjarin, Lignante,
and Swette
Absent: None
Also Present: Heather Pizzuto, Library Director
Dave Curtis, Deputy Library Director
Carol Naegele, Principal Librarian
Jessica Padilla Bowen, Library Community Coordinator
Marg Kealey, NSDCGS Liaison
Carolyn Taylor, League of Women Voters observer
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
On a motion by Trustees Kamenjarin/Bradley the minutes of the regular meeting held
March 18, 2009 were unanimously approved.
MONTHLY LIBRARY REPORTS:
Trustee Swette commented on the attendance at Library programs and Library Director
Pizzuto responded that the Library has been tracking attendance as one of the statistics
indicating increased usage of the Library which is most likely directly attributed to the
economic environment and the increased use of low-cost or no-cost activities in the
community.
Both Trustees Bradley and Benson expressed interest in receiving more information on
the Transborder Library Forum pre-conference attended last month by Community
Outreach Supervisor Lizeth Simonson. Library Director Pizzuto suggested putting the
item on the agenda for a future meeting and expanding the item to include an overview
of the Library's bilingual services and outreach in general.
Trustees Kamenjarin and Bradley had some questions about the work on the drain in
the atrium at the Cole Library and Library Director Pizzuto explained that the larger
plants, including the tree will be removed, the surface re-graded and drain cleared. She
Library Board of Trustees Page 2
Minutes of April 15, 2009 Meeting
added that the plants had overgrown the area and some would be replaced with
varieties and sizes more suitable. The Carlsbad Arboretum Society will again be
involved with the planting of the area.
Trustee Benson asked about the significant increase in the use statistics for the Library
Learning Center and Principal Librarian Carol Naegele responded that the numbers
were accurate and could be directly attributed to activities at the schools (Read America
program) and the increased use of the meeting spaces at the new facility. Many of the
stakeholder interviews for Envision Carlsbad took place at the Learning Center and the
Carlsbad Library and Arts Foundation held a Lunch and Learn in pursuit of its
fundraising campaign. She added that they also hosted several tours of the facility
including one by the Sister City delegation from Japan.
LIBRARY BOARD ORDINANCE REVISION:
Library Director Pizzuto explained that both the recent training for liaisons to Boards
and Commissioners and the City becoming a Charter City prompted the staff to review
the Library Board ordinance to determine that it is in compliance and continues to guide
the activities of the Library Board of Trustees appropriately. Deputy City Attorney Paul
Edmonson reviewed the proposed revision for current legal accuracy reflecting changes
in legislation and practice as well as being consistent with similar elements of the
ordinances for other Boards and Commissions within the City.
Library Director Pizzuto then reviewed the strikeout version of the ordinance with the
Board. Following the review and by proper motion, Trustees Benson/Kamenjarin, the
Board approved the language for the ordinance revision to move forward for City
Council approval.
BUDGET STATUS REPORT:
Library Director Pjzzuto reported that the Library met with the Finance Department to
review the Library's 5% reduction list in preparation for the Leadership Team's review of
submitted proposals for reductions across the City, scheduled to take place next week.
WEBSITE REDESIGN:
Library Director Pizzuto reported that work continues on the redesign with a soft launch
scheduled for late June or early July.
Community Coordinator Jessica Padilla Bowen distributed examples of the City's home
page and reported that the Volunteer office is putting together a group of volunteers to
conduct a usability study of the Beta site prior to the actual launch.
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Minutes of April 15, 2Q09 Meeting
CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER:
Community Coordinator Jessica Padilla reported on the large attendance and
participation in the events so far, and the anticipated crowds for the two author events
next week. She added that the copies of the book in the collection continue to circulate
and local book stores have reported a good number of copies sold.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Personnel updates - Library Director Pizzuto reported that the Library has submitted a
request to fill the Principal Librarian position which will be vacated in June. Because of
the controlled hiring freeze currently in effect in the City, the Leadership Team will make
the determination based on overall City need.
The open position in Media Services, the result of the retirement of Bill Richmond this
June, will be frozen and Community Coordinator Jessica Padilla Bowen will be
managing that division in addition to the Library programs and graphics in the interim.
The plans for a restructuring and merging of those two divisions was submitted to the
Leadership Team and approved as to concept. The transition will take a number of
months to complete and will include an assessment of needs as well as skills.
Business Systems Specialist Devin Castel has been out this week attending the
Sirsi/Dynix Super Conference in Dallas to bring back the latest developments and
options that will be available for the next upgrade to our current system.
CORE Centralized Cashier System - In the last two weeks the Library has been
implementing the CORE cashier system which allows payment of fines and fees by
debit and credit card at the circulation desks.
Microsoft Outlook - The City migrated to Outlook during the month of March which
also resulted in a change in email addresses city-wide.
Collection - The change in the loan periods for larger DVD sets and CDRoms,
approved by this Board at a previous meeting, have been made in the system and
video games are now available for check-out.
Facility Improvements - The work on the atrium at the Cole Library is scheduled to
begin on April 21s and the drive-through book drop island at the Dove Lane location is
under construction currently.
Library events - The annual Volunteer Recognition event was attended by more than
200 guests, including the Mayor and two Council Members. The annual Hourly
Employee Recognition event is scheduled for May 15th at the Senior Center.
Library Board of Trustees Page 4
Minutes of April 15, 2009 Meeting _
FOUNDATION REPORT:
Trustee Benson reported that at the last meeting there was no quorum and therefore no
business was conducted; however, they did receive the latest information on the
Castles of Carlsbad Home Tour and plans for the mini-golf fundraiser. Library Director
Pizzuto added that tickets for the Castles of Carlsbad tour will go on sale tomorrow at
two Library locations, Dove Lane and Cole.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT:
Library Director Pizzuto reported that that the Friends met in March when they
appointed a nominating committee for the slate of officers to be voted on at the June
annual meeting.
NSDC GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY:
Board Liaison Marg Kealey reported on the membership numbers as well as
attendance at the recent Spring Seminar. She reviewed upcoming programs and
announced the genealogy classes will resume in April.
LIBRARY BOARD COMMENTS:
Trustee Kamenjarin asked for updated statistics on Unique Management's materials
recovery efforts. Deputy Library Director Curtis responded he would provide the latest
figures next month.
Trustee Kamenjarin asked if the Library had any new information on the case against
the patron who was arrested for the theft of videos from the Library. Deputy Library
Director Curtis responded that we did not have any information and that the Police
Department will not keep the Library advised of the status of the case.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
By proper motion, the meeting was adjourned at 5:03 p.m.
Cissie Sexton
Administrative Secretary
ITEM #4
Monthly LIBRARY Reports
for
MARCH 2009
Systemwide ...
1. In March, the Library's film series screened films to complement the Cannon Art
Gallery's newest exhibit, Cardinal Points, featuring works by Latin American and Latino
artists. More than 300 people attended the films Buena Vista Social Club, Real Women
Have Curves and Bella and the Gallery stayed open late to accommodate film patrons.
2. The Library partnered with a teacher from Carlsbad High School's newly-formed Film
Academy to present films about World War II that supported the Academy's curriculum.
Three movies, Bataan, So Proudly We Hail and Memphis Belle, were shown in
Schulman Auditorium and a local WW II fighter pilot was the special guest speaker on
the final evening.
3. On March 4, the Library hosted local author M.L. Malcolm in conjunction with the First
Wednesday Book Club. About 30 people listened as Malcolm shared a PowerPoint
presentation on the historical significance of her book, Silent Lies.
4. On March 16, 30 writers attended the poetry writing workshop at Georgina Cole Library.
5. On March 28, the Library hosted a talk with Taffy Cannon titled Getting Organized: Myth
vs. Reality. Approximately 65 people attended the one-hour event at Georgina Cole
Library.
6. Circulation staff members at all sites have been training for the new cashiering system
which will be launched in April.
7. All City employee email accounts migrated to MSOutlook in March. The City IT.
department is working to resolve the last few remaining issues.
8. The Carlsbad City Library has been awarded, through a competitive process, an
invitation to send a select team to Get Involved: Powered by Your State Library, a two-
day institute to be held in San Francisco on May 5 and 6. This workshop is designed to
prepare libraries to engage highly skilled and baby boomer volunteers. The Carlsbad
team consists of three library employees, the City Volunteer Coordinator, and one
volunteer.
CCL, Dove Lane...
9. Patrons were invited to stop by the Children's Reference Desk and get a prize in
celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday on March 2. Pencils with pencil grips decorated with
Seuss characters were a big hit.
10. Science Saturday on March 14 had almost 50 parents and children get a chance to try
on a bee suit and draw different insects.
Monthly Library Reports for March 2009
11. On March 13, Celia Lawley, the "Fiddle Girl" entertained the Storytime Theater
attendees.
12. The Patchwork Players presented Tales of the Emerald Isle to an audience of 59 adults
and children on March 19.
13. Susan Simpson, Mary Salvato and Lisa White worked with the library's major materials
vendor, Baker and Taylor, to consolidate accounts in order to reduce freight charges
recently imposed by B&T. Several accounts were combined, and freight charges will
be kept to a minimum.
14. February's "Library Hour" program was Super Science Saturday II.
15. On March 4, the First Wednesday Afternoon Book Club featured a discussion of the
historical novel, Silent Lies. The author, M.L. Malcolm, attended along with 32 other ,
readers.
16. The March Pizza and a Movie Night was held on March 19 and featured the 2008
animated film, Kung Fu Panda. 21 teens attended.
Georgina Cole ...
17. March brought various building issues to Cole including plumbing issues and
malfunctioning doors. In April, drainage problems in the atrium will be resolved. This
project will be supported by both City Parks and Facilities and will require removal and
relocation of plants and soil.
18. The move of the computer classes taught by Cole Reference staff members to the
Learning Center computer lab (capacity of 8 students per class) has proven to be
mutually beneficial. Cole staff have a better instructional setting at better times of the
day and Learning Center staff and patrons have the additional programs on site. No
Cole patrons have reported it to be a struggle to attend at the Learning Center and
they, too, seem to enjoy the lab setting. Four Basic Internet classes were taught with a
total of 15 students; one Internet Tips and Tricks class with 6 students; one e-mail class
with 5 students; one Basic Word class with 7 students; and one Find a Job Online class
with 8 students.
19. The Thursday Afternoon Book Club met on March 12 and discussed "The Audacity of
Hope," by Barack Obama. Librarian Kimiko Morita led the meeting attended by 11
members.
20. The Tuesday Afternoon Book Club met on March 3 and discussed "The Black Swan:
the Impact of the Highly Improbable," by Nassim Taleb. 13 people attended the
meeting led by Library Assistant Elyse Roy.
21. On Saturday, March 7, Genealogy Library Technician Ann Montgomery participated in
the Escondido Family History Fair. She gave two presentations about the Carlsbad City
Monthly Library Reports for March 2009
Library Genealogy Division and its collections. About 50 people attended these
sessions.
22. Dr. Seuss' birthday (March 2) was celebrated with a special "Fun with Cat in the Hat"
performance from storyteller Mary Holma. She dressed as the Cat in the Hat and told
Dr. Seuss stories to the kids. Story Craft continued the Dr. Seuss celebration featuring
"Horton Hears a Who" with participants making elephant ears during the program.
23. St. Patrick's Day was celebrated with a visit from Celia Lawley (aka the Fiddle Girl).
Kids and adults both attended this festive event which featured fiddling, clogging and
singing.
24. Culture Craft (a revised version of Passport to Adventure highlighting literature and
traditions from various countries) focused on France this month featuring bilingual
English/French stories and had 32 participants. Library Technician Melissa Kamenjarin
prepared and presented the program which included teaching participants how to say
common words, how to count to 5 in French, make a craft related to the story, and
learn a little about French culture.
Learning Center ...
25. The 2009 Adult Learner Leadership Institute (ALLI) had its third session on March 21 at
the Learning Center. Guest speaker Judy Widener gave a workshop on public
speaking skills. The ALLI participants will use those skills at the April session when
they give a 3 to 5 minute videotaped talk on a topic of their choice.
26. Literacy Services Supervisor Carrie Scott participated as a panel member at the
California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) new coordinator's meeting held in Buena
Park on March 6th. Approximately 25 literacy coordinators, library directors, and State
Library staff attended.
27. Bilingual Services Supervisor Lizeth Simonson was invited to participate at the
Transborder Library Forum Pre-conference 2009, a project of the Serra Cooperative
Library System. The Forum focuses in librarians and library services in border regions
between the US and Mexico. Lizeth was part of a panel that presented information
about Bilingual Programming for children, adolescents and adults to librarians from
public and county libraries.
28. On March 30, Lizeth Simonson gave a presentation at Parent Night at Valley Middle
School. Information about the library Homework Zone at all three locations, the All Star
Reading Club, adult computer classes, and children's programming was distributed.
29. On March 5, a total of twenty-four participants from the three Spanish language
computer classes completed their eight-week courses, receiving a certificate of
completion for their accomplishments.
CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY
MONTHLY USAGE STATISTICS - MARCH 2009
CCL Dove Lane
Reference questions
Circulation
People count
In-House Use of Materials
Cole Library
Reference questions
Circulation
People count
In-House Use of Materials
Learning Center (began Aug 2008; formerly Centro/ALP)
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
Computer Users
All Facilities
E-Mail Notification
New Users
Outbound Notices (Hold, Overdue 1 & 2)
New Users Cumulative Total (Began August 2005)
Telephone Notification
New Users
New Users Cumulative Total (Began December 2005)
Facility Meeting Room Use
Events booked
Event attendance
Events cancelled
Volunteer Hours
Total hours
Mai -08
13,346
74,960
34,135
11,752
7,956
33,531
19,080**
9,796
223/17
1,489/139
2,625/*
165/*
35
575
13
169
126
2,862
13,712
854
7,937
26,279
236
7,704
94
3,173
20
1,381.4
Feb-09
14,480
72,794
33,182
8,667
8,955
31,663
16,503**
5,094
520
1,218
4,369
398
40
515
9
86
109
3,055
13,625
918
8,833
35,545
339
10,751
86
3,854
15
1,462.95
Mar-09
16,296
82,328
37,914
9,078
9,170
35,733
17,810**
6,907
1,052
2,229
5,526
828
23
566
12
112
94
2,605
15,828
958
10,021
36,503
414
11,165
102
3,902
21
1,702.9
* Not reported.
** Door counter not working properly.