SANTA  MONICA  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  BOARD
 

Minutes of the SPECIAL Meeting of May 1, 2003

To Be Approved
       

A SPECIAL meeting of the Library Board was called to order by Chairperson, Gene Oppenheim, at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 1, 2003 at the Montana Ave. Branch Library in the Conference Room, 1704 Montana Ave., Santa Monica.

  

Call to Order

PRESENT:

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

  

Roll Call

ALSO PRESENT:

Greg Mullen, Assistant City Librarian; Catherine Ronan, Young Adult Librarian

    

Boardmember Field reported to the Board that the League of Women Voters received a comment from a member of the public regarding the Library’s large print collection.  The patron is concerned that the large print collection is now being housed at the Montana Ave. Branch and for her this branch is inaccessible. 

 

Communications from the Public

Large print books are available at all of the Library branches, the Senior Recreation Center and the Ken Edwards Center.  The Library’s catalog will reflect what large print books are available and where they are available.  The patron can place a hold on material and she can pick the material up at the most convenient Library location.

   

The Board discussed letters written to the editor of the Daily Press regarding the cost of the new Main Library.  The Library has held community meetings in an attempt to provide information about the new building to the public. 

   

Boardmember Field made a motion to approve the minutes of the Library Board meeting of May 1, 2003.  Vice Chair Edwards seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved in a unanimous voice vote.

  

Approval of the Library Board Minutes

Chair Oppenheim made a motion to adopt the Montana Ave. Branch Library as the regular Library Board meeting location until the completion of the new Main Library.  Vice Chair Edwards seconded the motion and it was approved in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Approval of New Library Board Meeting Location

Report from the April 14, 2003 Board Meeting of the Friends of Santa Monica Public Library.  Treasurer, Harriet Cutler resigned her duties.  The Friends Board is attempting to find another treasurer.   

 

Report from the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library, a Library Support Group

Ellen Mark reported that 10% of the fund-raising goal has been met.  She reported that 34 of the $200 bricks, and 67 of the $100 bricks have been sold, plus $580 in donations have been received.

    

Diners at El Torito restaurant (3360 Ocean Park Blvd) in Santa Monica on Monday, June 2nd, from 11:00 am - 10:00 pm, will make money for the Fairview Branch Library.  When paying the bill, supporters present a special flier and the restaurant will donate 25% of the total food sales to the library.  The restaurant's donation is not computed on alcoholic beverages, tax, or takeout orders. 

   

Catherine Ronan, Young Adult Librarian, gave a report on the activities of the Teen Advisory Council for the 2002-2003 school year. 

  • Assisted in running the Cartoon and Animation Festival held during Teen Read Week
  • Held fourth very successful LAN party
  • Selected books to be added to the Young Adult collection
  • Helped organize a panel held at Santa Monica High School on the Cultural Revolution in connection with Citywide Reads.  Over 200 students attended.
  • Developed marketing campaign for tutor.com, the online tutoring service.
  

Report from the Teen Advisory Council

The Teen Council is currently planning a volunteer recognition event for 8th grade community service volunteers.  The Council will make smoothies for the 8th graders and encourage them to join the Teen Advisory Council. 

   

Greg Mullen, Assistant City Librarian, reported on the opening of the Temporary Main Library.  The building is scheduled to open in early May.  The Library, staff and collections are ready for opening.  The building has to pass the public occupancy inspection on May 6.  The three major issues are the elevator, the air return and the generator.   

 

Opening of the Temporary Main Library

Vice Chair Edwards asked about budget cuts to new acquisitions.  Mr. Mullen explained that the Library did cut 20% from the materials budget.  Staff plans to continue to purchase the same amount of books for the branches and Temporary Library.  They also plan to focus the acquisitions on new or popular material so a higher percentage of the material will be circulating.  Staff does not anticipate feeling the cut due to the reduced size of the temporary library.     

   

The Board discussed an article in their packet on the USA PATRIOT Act. 

 

Nationwide Current Library Trends Review of Library Journal Articles
   

Secretary’s Report

The Board reviewed the draft case statement from Hershey Associates.  The statement is being redrafted and polished.  The statement will assist the consultants in identifying donors.     

 

Report on Meeting with Hershey Associates

Mr. Mullen reported on the ongoing abatement process at the Main Library.  Environmental services has removed light bulbs, florescent tubes, old monitors and other recyclable or hazardous materials.  The roof materials have been removed.  There is a substantial amount of abatement that needs to be completed, such as, removal of the stucco.  Fencing around the building will be going up shortly. 

 

Update on the new Main Library

The Architectural Review Board (ARB) approved the plan for the new Main Library.  There were a total of thirteen items to which the architect responded.  The architect will have to return to ARB at a later date for approval of the signage for the building.

    

The Board directed the Library to post the signage related to the PATRIOT Act at the Temporary Library and the Branches.

    

The Library will be the featured department at the May 5, 2003 Board and Commission Dinner.  Staff has chosen to highlight Citywide Reads, the Image Archive and the new Library building.  Table favors will be a copy of Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress and the History of the Santa Monica Public Library.  Dinner will be served at 6:30pm. 

 

Library Featured at May 5, 2003 Board and Commission Dinner

The Library Board asked that the following items be included in next Library Board agenda:  an update on the Main Library, opening of the Temporary Library and a report on the Summer Reading Program – Ellen Braby, Head of Youth Services.

  

Agenda Building

Vice Chair Edwards moved to adjourn the meeting.  Boardmember Breisch seconded the motion.  The motion was approved in a unanimous voice vote.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm.

  

Adjournment

Attest:

Approved:

    

Winona Allard

Gene Oppenheim

Secretary

Library Board Chair