SANTA  MONICA  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  BOARD

Minutes of the REGULAR Meeting of November 6, 2003

To Be Approved

A REGULAR meeting of the Library Board was called to order by Chairperson, Ken Breisch, at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 6, 2003 at the Montana Ave. Branch Library, 1704 Montana Ave., Santa Monica.

Call to Order

PRESENT:

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

Roll Call

ALSO PRESENT:

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

The Board reviewed a written communication from Vincent Bernota.  Mr Bernota complimented Santa Monica Public Library on its Internet access.

Communications from the Public

Boardmember Field made a motion to approve the minutes of the Library Board meeting of October 9, 2003.  Boardmember Oppenheim seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved by a unanimous voice vote.

Approval of the Library Board Minutes

Vice Chair Edwards gave a report from the Friends of the Library October board meeting.  The Friends fundraiser for the Montana Ave. Branch has ended.  The sale of brick pavers raised approximately $150,000 for furniture for the Montana Ave. Branch.  Furniture has been ordered. 

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

The Friends of the Library paver fundraising campaign for the Fairview Branch Library has raised $21,000 for furniture for the Fairview Branch Library.

Dine at El Torito the week of November 17-21 in honor of Children’s Book Week and El Torito will donate 25% of your meal purchase to the Fairview Branch Library. 

The Friends are meeting with City Manager, Susan McCarthy, regarding the Friends fundraising campaign for the new Main Library.  Vice Chair Edwards will report on the outcome of the meeting at the December 4 Library Board meeting. 

Mr. Mullen gave a report to the Board on the Main Library Building Project.  Excavation is continuing.  The lowest part of the excavation site is within a few feet of its finished depth.  There are approximately 50,000 more yards of dirt that need to be extracted from the site over the next 3-4 weeks. 

Update on the Main Library Building Project

The Library plans to put a web camera across the street from the construction site on the roof of the building at 7^th and Santa Monica Blvd.  The feed from the camera will be available on the Library’s website.  In addition the feed will be edited to create several videos for the Library.

The architect and the Library are nearing the completion of the construction documents for the building.  Approval of the construction documents will allow Morley to get the permits for building the above ground structure. 

Mr. Mullen reported that staff met with Robin Gee, Cable TV Manager, to discuss library plans to document the Main Library building project by creating videos highlighting design, construction and features.

One video that targets community members will highlight library features and explain how to use the new library.  The second video will be sent to other libraries that are interested in finding out more about the building of the new Main Library.  The videos will contain interviews with staff, the architect and Boardmembers.  Product from the webcam will also be included.  

The Board discussed the October 9 presentation given by Moore Ruble Yudell (MRY) Architects and Planners.  Boardmember Field distributed her written comments to the Board.  The Board specifically discussed the Children’s and Young Adult areas.   

Board Discussion Regarding the Architect Presentation on October 9.

The Board had concerns regarding the color scheme, learning tree, scrims, glass wall and chairs in the Children’s and Young Adult area. 

Mr. Mullen reported that MRY had received comments regarding the areas and are making modifications to the plan.  Staff will share the changes with the Board.

Catherine Ronan, Young Adult Librarian, reported to the Board on the Youth Technology Center at the Fairview Branch. 

Report on the Youth Technology Center

The Youth Technology Center is comprised of eight laptops with wireless Internet access.  Software includes Mircosoft Office, Mavis Beacon typing tutor and two ALA award-winning games.  Hardware and software was purchased with a $25,000 grant from Verizon.  Online tutoring is available via tutor.com.  Weekly 45-minute classes are held to improve the students’ computer skills. The center is open at the Fairview Branch Library from 3-6 pm Monday – Thursday. 

In October 374 students used the center to do homework, research on the internet, listen to music videos, e-mail friends and family around the world and play games.

The Board discussed several articles from various library journals. 

Nationwide Current Library Trends - Review of Library Journal Articles

Secretary’s Report

As reported earlier by Vice Chair Edwards some changes are needed in the case statement written for the Friends fundraising campaign for the new Main Library.  The case statement includes fundraising for some items that are funded by the budget for the new Main Library.  The Friends may not raise money for funded items.  Funds in addition to those in the budget may be raised. 

Hershey Communications – Case Statement

The Board discussed the draft of the Santa Monica Historical Society Lease. 

Santa Monica Historical Society Lease

The Board reviewed a letter from the Smithsonian American Art Museum regarding the Stanton Macdonald-Wright mural. 

Letter from Smithsonian American Art Museum

The Library Board asked that the following items be included in next Library Board agenda:  Vice Chair Edwards will report on the Friends meeting with Susan McCarthy, City Manager; report on the Holiday Programs; update on the Main Library Building Project; Library Mid–Year Budget discussion. 

Agenda Building

Chair Breisch adjourned the meeting at 8:10 pm.

Adjournment

Attest:

Approved:

Winona Allard

Kenneth Breisch

Secretary

Library Board Chair