HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-21; Library Board of Trustees; MinutesApproved
ITEM #3
MINUTES
MEETING OF: LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DATE OF MEETING: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
PLACE OF MEETING: Carlsbad City Library Board Room
1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad CA 92011
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Marie Bradley called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Library Board Trustees Benson, Bradley, Hulsart, Lignante and Swette
Absent: None
Staff Present: Heather Pizzuto, Library Director
Dave Curtis, Deputy Library Director
Suzanne Smithson, Deputy Library Director
Cheryl Mast, Library Management Analyst
Jessica Padilla Bowen, Library Community Coordinator
Peter Gordon, Cultural Arts Office Manager
APPROVAL OF MINUTES;
On a motion by Trustees Hulsart/Benson the minutes of the regular meeting held September
16, 2009 were unanimously approved as submitted.
MONTHLY LIBRARY REPORTS:
Trustee Hulsart asked about the upgrade to. the Library's automated system and Library
Director Pizzuto responded that it was very successful and was completed by 4 PM Tuesday,
October 13th.
The Trustees had some questions about the North County Philanthropy Council Volunteers of
the Year event and the City's nomination of a library volunteer. Library Director Pizzuto
explained that usually the City nominates only one volunteer to be honored at the event.
Deputy Library Director Smithson added that this particular volunteer has worked at the
Learning Center as well as the Cole Library and was one of the individuals who along with
library staff members attended the State Library sponsored volunteer training workshop In San
Jose in May of this year.
Library Board of Trustees Page 2
Minutes of October 21, 2009 Meeting
Trustee Swette asked for more information on the Eagle Scout project and Deputy Library
Director Curtis explained that the individual himself contacted the Library with his proposal and
met with the City's Parks Maintenance personnel for approval.
Trustee Swette asked about the number of high school students participating in the program at
the Learning Center and Deputy Library Director Smithson explained that there are usually
fifteen or sixteen in each of the two classes for a total of thirty-five.
Trustee Benson asked for additional information on the high school text books in the Library
and Library Director Pizzuto responded that the "leaner" books represent a significant
investment by the schools and they have been providing them to us for many years. Deputy
Library Director Smithson added that the Library also has the K-8 books for in-house use and
many students rely on them during after school hours to complete homework.
Trustee Benson commented on the valuable outreach provided by the learner sharing her story
at both the Citizen's Academy and City Council Meeting. Library Director Pizzuto acknowledged
that the opportunity for the learner to speak to the City Council provided a unique opportunity
to demonstrate the personal impact of the program, and that including a learner in the Library's
segment of the Citizen's Academy would probably continue whenever possible.
Trustee Bradley asked about the outreach to parents from Jefferson, Magnolia and Buena Vista
Elementary Schools and Deputy Library Director Smithson explained that Community Outreach
Supervisor Simonson has traditionally worked with this group as the majority of the students
are within walking distance of the Learning Center.
REQUEST FOR REMOVAL OR RELOCATION OF PUBLIC ARTWORK:
Library Director Pizzuto explained that this item became a topic of interest when a member of
the public expressed concern to our staff about one of the Deloss McGraw paintings displayed
at the entrance to the Children's area. Although no formal complaint was filed, the Library
looked for the correct process to use in responding to the concern and realized there was none
in place. The Library then requested Cultural Arts Office Manager Peter Gordon to develop a
process. She further explained that apparently a process had not been needed in the past due
to the tremendous amount of planning and scrutiny involved in the selection of public art.
Cultural Arts Office Manager Peter Gordon then explained that he has been working with the
Arts Commission to develop a policy and procedure, modeled after the Library's Collection
Development Statement section on challenged material. Although the art is contained in the
Library, the Arts Commission is responsible for review and recommendation to the Council on
public art. He then summarized the procedures contained in their initial draft.
Library Board of Trustees Page 3
Minutes of October 21, 2009 Meeting
The trustees presented their personal views on the proposed processes but no action by this
board is required. Cultural Arts Office Manager Gordon advised that he would return with the
final version of the policy and procedures once it is approved by the Arts Commission.
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS:
Library Director Pizzuto reviewed the process used in establishing the Strategic Directions and
asked the board for any suggestions for refinement to the Directions before the Library staff
moves forward with identifying the strategic initiatives for the next fiscal year.
Trustee Bradley suggested that the Library consider the demographics of the City in the
marketing approach and Trustee Hulsart added that the Library staff offers an in-house
expertise which may not be known throughout the community.
Trustee Swette suggested emphasizing the Library as a learning environment as well a source of
entertainment and Trustee Benson identified the need for the Library to connect with the
Community by providing the latest technology tools and resources to deliver services, such as
social networking.
Library Director Pizzuto advised that the Library's Division Heads would be meeting next month
to review the Strategic Directions and then identify priority initiatives that will deliver on those
directions. That list of initiatives will be shared with this board as well as the Friends of the
Library and the Carlsbad Library and Arts Foundation and finalized during the budget
preparation for next year.
STATE LIBRARY REPORT:
Library Director Pizzuto advised that the annual report has been filed with the State Library and
a copy provided to the Board. Library Management Analyst Cheryl Mast had prepared a list of
some significant changes from the previous year's reports and responded to questions from the
Trustees.
MINI-GOLF REPORT;
Library Director Pizzuto advised that the President of the Foundation had expected to be
present for this report but has car problems and will not be able to attend. In her place, Library
Director Pizzuto provided some pertinent information about the final plans. The Library will be
open for extended hours on Sunday, November 8th and marketing of the event has been
extensive with flyers and posters throughout the community and in the Libraries, information
on the Library and Foundation websites and a sample hole set up at the entryway. In addition
to the golf, the event will include food for purchase, activities for children and a silent auction.
Library Board of Trustees Page 4
Minutes of October 21, 2009 Meeting ___^
The Foundation has also planned an event for sponsors and the media on the Saturday night
before the event.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Library Director Pizzuto provided updates on the following:
Senior Librarian position- the internal recruitment has been extended for a week in an effort to
establish a list of qualified candidates for consideration in the event of any future openings.
The applicants have also been sent a supplemental questionnaire to be completed prior to the
scheduling of any interviews.
Parking lot project - the bids were received by the City's Engineering Department and are
under review. No timeline for the project has been established but it will be after the first of
the year.
New website- feedback on the website continues to be received and there are ongoing efforts
to take care of small improvements and to respond to suggestions for future improvements.
Staff members have been trained and given rights to make daily changes to the content which
represents an increased workload and confirmed that the website will be a continuous effort.
Social networking - the City has just established an Administrative Order to guide the use of
social networking tools and the Library will join the City in its effort to do some social
networking on a trial basis. The City has just established a Twitter account and the Library will
follow with its own Twitter account specific to programs, events, and activities.
Bill Kameniarin proclamation - the presentation of the proclamation for past Trustee Bill
Kamenjarin will be at the October 27th City Council Meeting.
City structure realignment- the City Manager announced today that as part of this realignment
and restructuring of the City for greater efficiencies, she has appointed previous Community
Development Director, Sandra Holder, to serve as the interim Assistant City Manager for
approximately a six month period following the retirement of Jim Elliott, currently acting in that
capacity and to whom the Library reports.
FOUNDATION REPORT:
Trustee Hulsart reported that the focus of the meeting was the Mini-golf fundraiser and the
Castles of Carlsbad event. The Castles committee working on the tour is having difficulty in
identifying homes to be featured and would welcome any suggestions.
Library Board of Trustees Page 5
Minutes of October 21, 2009 Meeting
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT:
Trustee Hulsart also reporting for this group, advised that their book sale on October 3 & 4 at
the Cole was a large success and the Holiday Book sale is scheduled for the Dove Lane facility,
along with silent auction, and she will report the dates as soon as they are finalized.
NSDC GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY;
Liaison Marge Kealy reported that their fall seminar was a huge success with 75 attending. She
provided information on the October and November events, and announced that the refresher
genealogy classes would resume on November 14th.
LIBRARY BOARD COMMENTS:
Trustee Benson asked if there would be "Trick or Treating" at the Library and Deputy Library
Director Smithson responded that treats would be available at the public service desks and in
conjunction with storytimes.
Trustee Bradley commented on the significant improvements to the Library and City websites.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None present.
ADJOURNMENT:
By proper motion (Benson/Hulsart), the meeting was adjourned at 5:24 p.m.
Cissie Sexton
Administrative Secretary
ITEM #4
Monthly LIBRARY Reports
for
SEPTEMBER 2009
System wide...
1. Library staff continued to test and prepare for library system upgrade scheduled for
Monday, October 12.
2. The City of Carlsbad's nominee for the North County Philanthropy Council's 2009
Volunteers of the Year is library volunteer Philippa Hill. Philippa currently
volunteers at the Learning Center in the homework zone and for the Georgina Cole
Library Children's division working on displays. She started her volunteer work at
the Carlsbad City Library three years ago as a literacy tutor.
3. The Homework Zone (drop-in homework assistance program for K-12 students
staffed by volunteers) resumed at all three Library sites on September 14.
4. The Library began accepting poems for the 21st annual Magee Park Poets
Anthology, printed annually with support from the Friends of the Library. By the end
of September, more than 60 poems had been entered.
5. Cole Library hosted a poetry reading on September 27 featuring local poets Jill
Moses and Claudia Poquoc. Fifteen people attended.
6. The new City and Library Web sites launched on September 21 after a year of
hard work, preparation and usability testing. Staff have been training on our new
content management system and now have the ability to update the site on a daily
basis.
CCL, Dove Lane...
7. The Dove anniversary party on September 25 was attended by approximately 90
people. Attendees enjoyed a welcome from Library Director Heather Pizzuto and
Council Members, live music, refreshments, historic displays and activities for kids
including face painting and coloring.
8. A meeting was held with Nirav Mehta, the young man who will be installing a
xeriscape garden in a corner of the Children's Garden as his Eagle Scout project.
Children's Library Barbara Chung, Deputy Library Director Dave Curtis, and Parks
Supervisor Paul Harrison met with Nirav on September 11 to review all aspects of
his project, which will be a fine, educational addition to the Children's Garden.
9. The September Pizza and a Movie program was held on September 17. 25 teens
attended and enjoyed a screening of the Disney animated feature, Bolt.
Monthly Library Reports for September 2009
Georgina Cole ...
10. The Genealogy division presented five workshops in September: two small
group "Focus On" workshops by staff, two North San Diego County Genealogical
Society programs ("My Ancestors Were from England" with 78 attendees and
"Online: How You Get There Does Matter" with 86 attendees) and the annual Fall
Seminar. The Fall Seminar, "Unexpected Journeys" was held at the Carlsbad
City Senior Center on September 26 with 71 people attending. There were four
speakers, all members of NSDCGS, Dorothy Miller, Wayne Anderson, Margaret
Read, and Carol Baird.
11. Children's staff obtained copies of the current Carlsbad High School textbooks
for use within the library. The High School annually loans the textbooks to the
Library for in-house use by CHS students.
12. September was National Library Card Sign-up Month. Children who showed
their Library card at the Children's Desk were able to choose a prize from the
Pirate Booty Chest. In celebration of Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day, CultureCraft
featured a Caribbean theme full of pirate lore. StoryCraft featured stories and
crafts about Johnny Appleseed. This program was heavily attended because a
local school gave out an assignment for students to listen to a Johnny Appleseed
story and make a related craft.
13. The Cole Children's area has been decorated to celebrate NASA and the 40th
anniversary of Apollo, complete with planets, UFOs and a rocket! A speaker from
the Mars Society of San Diego gave a presentation on the Mars Rover and
brought robotic models of the rover for children to play with.
14. The Mother-Daughter Book Club program was renamed to BookSmack and will
now include both teen girls and boys and a parent.
Learning Center...
15. Callie Ahrens officially began her new position as Principal Librarian on
September 21.
16. A family-based cultural program was presented at the Learning Center on
September 24. Pinata-on-a-stick was presented for children and parents to enjoy
making pinatas and learning about this traditional custom from Mexico, Central
and South America.
17. Three 8-week computer class series taught in Spanish began in September.
Writing on the Computer 1: keyboarding
Writing on the Computer 2: word processing
Writing on the Computer 3: internet and email.
Monthly Library Reports for September 2009
18. On September 28, Learning Center staff members Lizeth Simonson and Virginia
Velati welcomed several groups to the Learning Center. Information about
library services in general, homework assistance, children's programming, and
how the libraries can support their families in the process of learning English
were delivered to three different groups. One was a group of parents and their
children from Jefferson, Magnolia, and Buena Vista elementary schools and the
other two were groups of parents from Head Start Homebase Program.
19. The Carlsbad High School partnership began its school year at the Learning
Center on September 8. Thirty-five students are working with 15 volunteer tutors
to improve their reading, writing, and vocabulary skills.
20. Literacy learner Nyla H. shared her story as a learner to both Citizen's Academy
participants (September 24) and the City Council (October 6). She did an
amazing job!
21. Reference librarians Jacqui Petri and Heidi Wyner presented Word 2007 classes
for sixteen volunteer literacy tutors to update their knowledge from Word 2000.
22. Community Outreach Supervisor Carrie Scott attended the San Diego Council on
Literacy's Executive/Finance and Board meetings. She began her term as Co-
Vice Chair of the Board.
CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY
MONTHLY USAGE STATISTICS - SEPTEMBER 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)
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
Sept-08
13,450
73,040
32,497
9,106
8,160
32,315
17,277
6,524
857
1,492
3,134*
497
31
440
9
95
89
2,617
13,509
932
8,271
31,605
306
9,346
89
3,135
14
1,389.75
Aug-09
14,954
81,337
37,360
8,923
9,402
34,184
19,241*
6,680
1,035
1,115
3,720
635
34
515
4
231
28
1,593
14,847
985
10,431
50,327
294
13,028
61
3,134
9
2,146.95
Sept-09
15,237
77,555
33,483
8,238
10,791
33,845
14,828
6,707
1,071
1,280
4,775
610
39
602
8
70
67
2,102
17,599
909
10,102
51,236
385
13,413
82
3,021
15
1,694
* Door counter not working properly.
10/15/09
ITEM # 6
CARLSBAD
CITY LIBRARY
Strategic Directions
• Position the Library as an active leader in the areas of learning, cultural arts, and
enjoyment of reading.
• Position the Library as an active partner with other agencies in the areas of economic
development and public safety.
• Position the Library as an active provider of information and model of best practices in
the areas of transportation, healthcare, and the environment.
• Offer convenient and responsive library service.
• Offer personalized and flexible library service.
• Promote and celebrate books and reading.
• Develop and diversify library collections to sustain/satisfy a broadening range of
residents' needs and interests.
• Continually update and refresh Library programs and services to engage all segments of
the community.
• Build community by connecting Carlsbad residents with the City, with the Library, and
with one another.
• Update staff tools and technologies.
• Perform as an information access point and information outlet for the City.
• Improve Library facilities.
• Update technology infrastructure.
• Develop and retain effective Library staff.
• Maintain the Library's reputation for excellence and top ranking compared to other
libraries serving similar communities.
• Diversify fiscal support sources.
• Realign budget with priorities identified each year
l:\Strategic Planning\Strategic Directions.doc
CARLSBAD
CITY LIBRARY
Strategic Initiatives 2009-10
Position the Library as an active leader in the areas of learning, cultural arts, and enjoyment of reading.
Major Initiative
Increase support of cultural events and creative programs.
• Streamline program support including staffing, graphics production and contracting process.
Position the Library as an active partner with other agencies in the areas of economic development
and public safety.
Major Initiative
Collaborate with organizations that support local businesses and building job skills for youth and adults
(such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Department).
• Partner with internal and external organizations to market existing business and employment
resources.
Offer convenient and responsive library service.
Major Initiative
Improve in-library access to computers.
• Pilot in-library laptop borrowing at Cole Library.
Offer personalized and flexible library service.
Major Initiative
Offer customized user accounts, profiles.
• Implement select features in catalog upgrade to enhance individual usability.
Promote and celebrate books and reading.
Major Initiative
Optimize programs to encompass childhood, family and adult literacy.
• Provide systemwide staffing support of Learning Center services and programs.
Develop and diversify library collections to sustain/satisfy a broadening range of residents' needs and
interests.
Major Initiative
Offer new media and formats.
• Pursue downloadable audio books and e-books.
MAY 2009
Build community by connecting Carlsbad residents with the City, the Library, and one another.
Major Initiative
Increase marketing and promotion of Library brand and services.
• Increase marketing of under-recognized services and resources; target market to specific user
groups.
Major Initiative
Engage community virtually using current web technology (Web 2.0/3.0).
• Complete move to SharePoint, allowing for enriched personalized website experience.
Perform as an information access point and information outlet for the City.
Major Initiative
Increase our role as the City's research resource
• Design an internal campaign to engage and educate City staff about resources and tools at the
Library, and how to use them.
Update technology infrastructure.
Major Initiative
Develop seamless integration of different systems to support user.
• Explore next generation library automation solutions.
Develop and retain effective Library staff.
Major Initiative
Create depth in existing employee pool.
• Implement standardized recruiting, hiring and training employment process for hourly staff.
Diversify fiscal support sources.
Major Initiative
Explore fundraising options, including community/corporate partnerships.
• TBD by Fiscal Year's End
Realign budget with priorities identified each year.
Major Initiative
Annual strategic direction review institutionalized.
• Implement annual review of Strategies and Initiatives, aligned with budget calendar.
MAY 2009
ITEM # 7
CARLSBAD
CITY LIBRARY
State Library Survey
Fiscal Year 2008-2009
FAST FACTS
Total Operating Income, p. 3, question #305
o Decrease of approximately $650,000
o Represents citywide budget reductions
Adult Literacy Program Expenditures, p. 3, question #503
o Increase of approximately $275,000
o Information Technology interservice-fimd charges
o Reflects new building with strong emphasis on technology
o Fifteen (15) additional computers
Virtual Visits to Library Website, p. 5, question #860
o Virtual visits include a user's request of the library web site or catalog
from outside the library building regardless of the number of pages or
elements viewed
o This is the first year the state required this information be reported
o Continued website analysis with the migration to SharePoint
10/15/09