SANTA  MONICA  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  BOARD
 

Minutes of the REGULAR Meeting of February 6, 2003

To Be Approved
       

A REGULAR meeting of the Library Board was called to order by Chairperson, Gene Oppenheim, at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 6, 2003 at the Main Library in the Conference Room, 1343 Sixth Street, Santa Monica.

  

Call to Order

PRESENT:

Boardmember Breisch, Vice Chair Edwards, Boardmember Field, Dan Stern and Chairperson Oppenheim

  

Roll Call

ALSO PRESENT:

Jerry Rubin, People For A Santa Monica Youth Commission; Wini Allard, City Librarian; Cynni Murphy, Image Archive Librarian

   

Jerry Rubin from People For a Santa Monica Youth Commission spoke to the Library Board asking for the Board’s support for a creation of a Santa Monica Youth Commission. 

 

Communications from the Public

Mr. Rubin reported that the Santa Monica Youth Commission would advise City Council on youth-related issues.  The Santa Monica Youth Commission would be appointed by the City Council – two representatives from each sixth through twelfth grades and one member at large, a total of 15 members.   

   

Vice Chair Edwards made a motion that the Library Board endorse the formation of a Santa Monica Youth Commission.  Boardmember Breisch seconded the motion.  The motion passed in a unanimous voice vote. 

   

The Board reviewed a written communication from Joanne Gamlin.  Ms. Gamlin wrote requesting that the out-of-state telephone books be moved to the interim location of the Main library. 

   

The information contained in the out-of-state telephone books is available through Reference USA, an on-line database the library subscribes to.  Library staff will respond to Ms. Gamlin’s request.    

   

Boardmember Breisch made a motion to approve the minutes of the Library Board meeting of January 2, 2003.  Vice Chair Edwards seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved in a unanimous voice vote.

  

Approval of the Library Board Minutes

The Friends of the Library organized two tours of the Dorthea Lange and Horace Bristol photography exhibits at the Getty on January 21 and January 29 at 1pm.  Judy Keller, Curator of the exhibit lead the tours.    

 

Report from the Friends of the Library – A Library Support Group

Cynni Murphy, Image Archive Librarian, gave a presentation to the Board on the Museum of Flying Collection.  The Library was given permission copy images from the Museum of Flying Collection.  The collection is comprised of images that came primarily from Donald Douglas’ library, which is part of a larger collection on the history of aviation. 

 

Museum of Flying Collection – Cynni Murphy

Ms. Murphy met with Dan Ryan, Vice President of the Museum of Flying Board and selected photographs that relate primarily to the history of flying in Santa Monica.  There are a number of images of the Douglas Aircraft Co. plant from WW II.  The Library copied between 450-500 images.  

   

The Friends of the Library provided the funding to support the digitization and copy prints of the images.  The images will be available on-line.

    

Ms. Allard reported to the Board on the progress of the expansion of the Main Library. 

 

Main Library Expansion - Update

Construction has begun on the temporary library building; the estimated date of completion of the work is late March.  The Planning Commission did approve the EIR and the parking variance for the temporary building.   

   

The requested adjustments to the design of the Main Library will go before the Planning Commission for approval on February 12.  Board discussion followed.    

   

Boardmember Field expressed concerns that the delays in approval of the design would impact the construction cost of the building and the amount of money left for the furnishings, fixtures, equipment, programs and services in the Main Library. 

   

Chair Oppenheim reported that the deadline for submissions to the Library Board Photography Contest is February 7, 2003.  Judging will take place on February 22 and a reception is planned for February 27.  Prizes will be awarded to the winners at the reception; 1st prize $75, 2nd prize $50, 3rd prize $25.  The photos will be on display in the gallery at the Main Library. 

 

Library Board Contest for Young Adults - Report

The Board discussed holding a Library Board Contest for Young Adults every year.  Boardmember Field made a motion that the Board hold a Library Board Contest for Young Adults next year.  Boardmember Breisch seconded the motion and it passed in a unanimous voice vote.   

   

The Board discussed a resolution proposed by Chair Oppenheim to oppose the USA Patriot Act of 2001.  

Resolution from the City of Santa Monica Public Library Board

That WHEREAS, in response to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the United States Congress passed the USA Patriot Act (Public Law 107-56) which was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26,2001; and

WHEREAS, many residents of the City of Santa Monica and other communities are concerned that the USA PATRIOT Act threatens our civil rights and liberties; and

WHEREAS, some parts of the USA PATRIOT Act particularly threaten library patrons by:

            1.  Giving law enforcement expanded authority to obtain library

            records;

            2.  Prohibits librarians from informing patrons of monitoring requests;

3.  Thereby undermining patrons constitutionally guaranteed rights to read and access information without governmental intrusion or interference

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Santa Monica Public Library Board requests that the Santa Monica City Council request that Santa Monica’s Congressional delegation monitor the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act and actively work for the repeal of those portions of the Act that violate the rights and liberties guaranteed by the United States Constitution. 

 

Resolution to oppose the USA Patriot Act of 2001

Boardmember Breisch made a motion that the above resolution be accepted as changed.  Vice Chair Edwards seconded the motion and it passed in a unanimous voice vote.

   

The Board discussed various articles on current library trends.

 

Nationwide Current Library Trends
   

Secretary’s Report

Ms. Allard reported that the Friends of the Library and Library staff met with Hershey Associates.  Staff provided Hershey with a wish list of items and services to raise funds for in the new Main Library.  The next step is for staff to estimate prices for the items and services on the wish list.  Following this, Hershey and its’ consultants will conduct a market survey to ascertain interest on the part of the donors.  

 

Report on Meeting with Hershey Associates

Ms. Allard reported that the Fairview Branch opened on February 18 and comments from patrons have been positive.  The work on the Ocean Park Branch has almost been completed. 

 

Branch Library Updates

The Fairview Branch is beginning a fundraising campaign to sell pavers in the amount of $100 and $200.  The Co-Chairs of the campaign are Robbie Black and Ellen Mark.  

   

At this point the move to the temporary Library is scheduled for the beginning of April.

  

Update on the Temporary Library

The Library Board asked that the following items be included in next Library Board agenda:  update on the library expansion; update on the Planning Commission meeting; and a report on the Library Board Teen Photography Contest and reception. 

 

Agenda Building

Vice Chair Edwards moved to adjourn the meeting.  Boardmember Field seconded the motion.  The motion was approved in a unanimous voice vote.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:35pm.

  

Adjournment

Attest:

Approved:

    

Winona Allard

Gene Oppenheim

Secretary

Library Board Chair