SANTA  MONICA  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  BOARD

 

Minutes of the REGULAR Meeting of July 1, 2004

To Be Approved

       

A REGULAR meeting of the Library Board was called to order by Chairperson, Kenneth Breisch, at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 1, 2004 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:

Nancy O’Neill, Principal Librarian for Reference Services and Rachel Foyt, Administrative Analyst

   

The Board discussed a communication it received from Ilse Rosenstein. Ms. Rosenstein complaint is that patrons should not be required to give their mother’s maiden name as a form of identification when renewing a library card.

 

Communications from the Public

Nancy O’Neill, Principal Librarian for Reference Services, explained that patrons do not have to give their mother’s maiden name as identification. They can choose any password.

   

The Board would like to see the written policy from circulation regarding identification requested for obtaining or renewing a library card. Chairperson Breisch will send a letter to Ms. Rosenstein in response to her complaint. The Board also suggested that Greg Mullen, Acting City Librarian call Ms. Rosenstein.

   

Boardmember Oppenheim made a motion to approve the minutes of the Library Board meeting of June 3, 2004.  Vice Chair Edwards seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Approval of the Library Board Minutes

Jon Arenberg, Chair of the Friends of the Library, gave a report to the Library Board on the Friends June 14 meeting. The Friends are focusing on organizing and adding volunteers to their membership. A volunteer meeting is planned for the end of September at Angel’s Attic. At the meeting Friends Boardmembers will talk to potential volunteers about opportunities within the Friends organization. The Friends plan to provide volunteers as docents as well as for activities related to the new Main Library move.

 

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

The Fairview Paver Campaign is coming to an end. The campaign has raised more than $40,000 for furniture and fixtures for the Fairview Branch Library. The next steps will be to order the pavers and hire a contractor to install them.

   

Ms. O’Neill updated the Board on the Main Library building project. Select Library staff members toured the second floor of the new building. Morley, the construction contractor, is currently pouring the cement pillars for the second floor. The sidewalk is now closed along Santa Monica Blvd. from Lincoln through 6th Street.

 

Main Library Building Project Update

The Board reviewed a book of samples for furniture finishes and fabrics, fixtures and shelving for the new Main Library.

   

The Board discussed the Santa Monica Public Library privacy policy and asked for clarification on the ability of vendors to track information. Boardmember Oppenheim made a motion to approve the policy as amended and per Chair’s review. Boardmember Field seconded the motion. The motion passed in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Approval of the Santa Monica Public Library Privacy Policy

The Board heard a report on the customer satisfaction survey. The Library staff at all locations and the facilities at the Temporary Main Library are getting good reviews. The favorable reviews of the facility stem from the elimination of excess baggage and the overall cleanliness of the facility.

 

SMPL Customer Satisfaction Survey Results

The Board reviewed several library journal articles covering current Library trends.

 

Nationwide Current Library Trends - Review of Library Journal Articles

   

Secretary’s Report

A Topping Off Ceremony will be held on August 10 to celebrate putting the roof on the new Main Library building. The celebration will be held at the site from 11:30 to 12:30. Attendees will have the opportunity to sign a beam which will be hoisted by crane and put into place on the roof of the building.

 

Main Library Topping Off Ceremony

The Library is partnering with the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica to highlight voter information and awareness. Some new materials have been ordered and a display will be assembled.

 

Voter Information & Awareness

In response to budget cuts the Literacy program has been eliminated and two staff members have been relocated in the restructuring. The program is no longer funded through state grants and has been on the decline over the past few years. Staff has referred inquires to other sources that are available in the community.

 

Library Staff Changes

Library staff is working with the Environmental Programs Division (EPD) of the City on sustainability. EPD has budgeted funds to purchase books and periodicals for the Library. One subject area that was targeted for materials was urban planning. Staff is also purchasing materials and working on ways to incorporate sustainability into programs for youth.

 

Library Partnership with Environmental Programs Division

Conservators will inspect the Stanton Macdonald Wright mural panels in July in Washington. A report on the cost of restoration is expected by mid August. Once the panels have been examined they can be shipped to Los Angeles and stored until conservation is complete. A formal loan request is being made by the Library to the Smithsonian American Art Museum Director.

 

Stanton Macdonald Wright Mural Update

The Library Board asked that the following items be included in the next Library Board agenda:  a report on the Topping Off Ceremony, a follow up discussion on the customer satisfaction survey and a discussion on identification or password needed to register for a Library card.

 

Agenda Building

The Library Board voted to take a hiatus in August. The next meeting is September 2, 2004.

   

Boardmember Field moved to adjourn the meeting.  Boardmember Oppenheim seconded the motion.  The motion was approved in a unanimous voice vote.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:02pm.

 

Adjournment

Attest:

Approved:

   

Greg Mullen

Kenneth Breisch

Assistant City Librarian

Library Board Chair