SANTA  MONICA  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  BOARD

Minutes of the REGULAR Meeting of October 9, 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, October 9, 2003 at the Montana Ave. Branch Library, 1704 Montana Ave., Santa Monica.

Call to Order

PRESENT:

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

Roll Call

ALSO PRESENT:

Wini Allard, City Librarian; Clay Holden, Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners; Haekwan Park, Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners; David Selna, Morley Construction; Jon Arenberg, Friends of the Library; Sherrill Kushner, Community Member; Lauren Friedman, City Architect; Susan Annett, Principal Librarian for Public Services; Catherine Ronan, Young Adult Librarian; Terrell Perfitt, CNI design; Clara Igonda, CNI design

Clay Holden, Moore Ruble Yudell Architects and Planners, updated the Library Board on the progress to date on the new Main Library.  Beginning with the exterior of the building Mr. Holden took the Board on a walk through of the Library, which included the finishes and design elements.

Presentation from Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners

The exterior of the building contains niches of color that denote a special area of interest to the building.  This design element carries over to the interior of the building.  Interior features are highlighted with colors. 

The most vibrant colors are utilized in the youth areas.  The colors used on the second floor are subtle, subdued colors since this is a quieter study area. 

Mr. Holden covered the general materials proposed for the Library.  Carpet tiles in muted blues serve as a backdrop to the library.  The 3 x 3 carpet tiles are easily replaced and provide easy access to the raised floor.  Abstract accent tiles will be in various areas throughout the building.  The accent tiles are abstractions of a jellyfish.  Staff areas will have a neutral color carpet as their backdrop.  The proposed wood color is maple.

The Board reviewed samples of the terrazzo floor that is proposed for the lobby and entry area.  The terrazzo is made of ground recycled walnut shells and seashells.     

Mr. Holden pointed out the queuing ledge that is MRY’s response to patrons’ requests for somewhere to rest materials while waiting in line to checkout. 

Manufactured white granite like stone is proposed for the circulation counter.  The Board reviewed models of the circulation and information desks. 

Mr. Holden showed slides of way finding and display signage.  One proposed type of display sign is a poster size hinged frame mounted on the columns in the popular materials area.  These mounted signs could be used to highlight special library programs or events.

Stand up OPAC stations will be located on the end of selected stacks to allow patrons to quickly check for items.  A white countertop with a satin finish is proposed.

The Children’s Library and Young Adult area has been split into two spaces, each with its own entrance.  Children’s has a large meeting room for storytelling, crafts and puppet shows.  There is also a parenting area with comfortable seating and low bookshelves.

A zigzag glass wall adds interest and separates the Children’s Library from the popular materials area.  One idea is to print graphics on a film that will be adhered to the glass wall.  The film could be removed and replaced with a different graphic. 

MRY has designed an abstract tree as the focus of the Children’s Library.  Stage lighting can be used to give the tree a different appearance.  Also proposed for the Children’s Library are scrims on movable track.  Images could be either printed directly on the scrim or projected onto the scrims by a digital projector. 

A lounge area and computer stations are planned for the Young Adult area.

Clara Igonda, CNI design, presented to the Board the proposed furniture selection for the new Library.  Ms. Igonda spoke to the Board about creating comfort zones for reading within the Library.

The Board tested samples of chairs proposed for the Library. 

Board discussion and questions from the community followed.

The Board reviewed the communications from the public in their packet.

Communications from the Public

Boardmember Breisch made a motion to approve the minutes of the Library Board meeting of September 4, 2003.  Vice Chair Edwards seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved in a unanimous voice vote.

Approval of the Library Board Minutes

Jon Arenberg, President of the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library, gave a report to the Board on the Friends September 8, 2003 meeting.  Mr. Arenberg invited the Board to attend the Friends program “Beyond Junk Bonds” being held at the Montana Ave. Branch on October 15. 

Report from the Friends of the Library, a Library Support Group

Friends volunteers have been distributing packets for new parents to clinics and hospitals.  The packets contain materials emphasizing the importance of reading to your child.  The packets are made possible through a grant from the Weingart Foundation.

The Library Board held elections for Chair and Vice Chair.  Vice Chair Edwards nominated Boardmember Breisch for Chair.  The nomination was seconded and passed in a unanimous voice vote.  Vice Chair Edwards was re-elected. 

Election of Library Board Chair and Vice Chair

The Board discussed Boardmember Stern’s request to change the regular Library Board meeting date from the second Thursday of the month back to the first Thursday of the month.  The Board voted unanimously to change the regular Library Board meeting date back to the first Thursday of the month.

Discussion & Vote Regarding Changing the Regular Library Board Meeting Date

The Board reviewed a written report on the Youth Services Summer Reading Program.

Written Report on Summer Reading

No report.

Nationwide Current Library Trends - Review of Library Journal Articles

Secretary’s Report

Planning has begun for the next Citywide Reads.  The planning committee has been contacted and preliminary press releases have been sent out.  In celebration of Christopher Isherwood’s centennial the title chosen for the next Citywide Reads is “Berlin Stories”.  Citywide Reads is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2004.  In conjunction with Citywide Reads staff is working with Don Bacardy on an oral history. 

Citywide Reads Christopher Isherwood

Previously reported.

Update on the New Main Library

Tabled until the November meeting.

Santa Monica Historical Society Museum Lease

The Library Board asked that the following items be included in next Library Board agenda: discussion of the young adult and children’s areas in the new Library.

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 9:03 pm.

Adjournment

Attest:

Approved:

Winona Allard

Gene Oppenheim

Secretary

Library Board Chair