SANTA MONICA PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
Minutes of the REGULAR Meeting of April 6, 2006
To Be Approved
A REGULAR meeting of the Library Board was called to order by Chairperson, Edward Edwards, at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 6, 2006 at the Administrative Conference Room, Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica.			Call to Order
PRESENT:	Boardmember Breisch, Chairperson Edwards, Boardmember Field and Boardmember Oppenheim		Roll Call
ALSO PRESENT:	Susanne Peterson, Librarian with Santa Monica Malibu Schools; Celia Carroll, Ocean Park Branch Manager; Larry Carroll, Husband of Celia Carroll; Catherine Ronan, Fairview Branch Manager; Joan Amesbury, retired Library Office Assistant; Sylvia Anderle, Librarian I; Sibyl Trubin, Community Member; Jon Arenberg, Chair Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library; Greg Mullen, Acting City Librarian; Rachel Foyt, Administrative Analyst
The Board discussed Item VI Security in the Library and heard communications from the public.			Communications from the Public
The Library Board received a letter from Celia Carroll, Ocean Park Branch Manager, expressing a need for more exterior lighting and requesting a uniformed security staff member for the Ocean Park Branch for all open hours.
Greg Mullen, City Librarian, reported that Ms. Carroll was assaulted at the Ocean Park Branch by a patron, Melvin Hardy. This assault launched the concern for safety and security at the Libraries and throughout City Departments. Mr. Mullen has been working with the City Manager’s office, the Police Department, Risk Management and the City Attorney’s office regarding security at the Libraries.
Celia Carroll addressed the Board thanking them for the Library Rules of Conduct. Ms. Carroll spoke about the difficulties staff have had with Melvin Hardy and the issue of safety at Ocean Park.
Ms. Carroll requested a dedicated Inspector, a vehicle for the Inspector and an evaluation of the exterior lighting at the Ocean Park Branch. She further requested that the Library Board hold their meetings at the Branches and tour the facilities.
Susanne Peterson, Librarian with Santa Monica Malibu Schools, spoke about safety at the schools and changes in the security of the last few years.
Larry Carroll, Celia Carroll’s husband, spoke in support of dedicated security personnel at Ocean Park.
Catherine Ronan, Fairview Branch Manager, spoke about security at the Fairview Branch. Ms. Ronan agreed it would be helpful to have a security presence for several hours a day.
Sylvia Anderle, Children’s Librarian I at the Fairview Branch, spoke about her experiences working at both the Fairview and Ocean Park Branches and is in favor of a dedicated security person for the Branches.
Joan Amesbury, retired Library Office Assistant, spoke about a need for better lighting in the parking lot at Ocean Park.
Sybil Trubin, community member, spoke about her experiences working at the Ocean Park Branch.
Jon Arenberg, Chair of the Friends of the Library Board, spoke about his concern that the Libraries be a safe place for patrons, children and City staff.
Mr. Mullen explained that since the incident the Inspectors have begun regularly patrolling the Branches. Currently they spend several hours at the Branches in the evenings. Additionally the Police Department has increased patrols at the Branches especially the Ocean Park Branch. City Manager, Lamont Ewell, is focusing on safety in the City, an appropriate way to respond when dealing with difficult people and things that can be done to improve safety and security at City of Santa Monica facilities.
In prosecuting Melvin Hardy the City Attorney’s office requested less jail time in exchange for a 3 year stay away order for all the Santa Monica Libraries.
Chair Edwards closed the public comment section of the Board meeting at 8:16 pm. Board discussion followed. The Board felt it is important to determine the best way to deal with the security issues at the Branches and how best to allocate resources in support of security.
The Board would like to see an analysis of what the security needs are at the Branches, including an itemized list of the facilities’ problems and how those issues will be addressed.
Boardmember Oppenheim made a motion to approve the minutes of the Library Board meeting of March 2, 2006. Boardmember Field 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 Board, reported to the Library Board on recent Friends activities. The Friends Board is rethinking the membership mailer for the Grow the Friends direct mail campaign. The Friends Board has begun a six month pilot program to reimburse Bookstore volunteers for parking. The Friends are in search of a new Vice Chair since Susanne Trimbath retired from the Friends Board in March.			Report from the Friends of the Library, a Library Support Group
The SAM software module includes a flex time feature to allow patrons to extend their on-line time for another hour when demand for the internet is lower. When internet demand increases patrons would be limited to one hour. Library staff will test software throughout the month of May.			Discussion of One Hour Internet Use Time Limit
Tabled until the May Library Board meeting.			Report on the Santa Monica Public Library Docent/Guide Program
Library staff is expecting a revised draft of the Santa Monica Historical Society Museum next month.			Update on the Santa Monica Historical Society Museum Lease
Chair Edwards reported on the CALTAC Workshop in Library Leadership he attended in March.			Report on the March 11 CALTAC Workshop in Library Leadership
Tabled until the May Library Board meeting.			Discussion of Possible Program with the League of Women Voters
No report.			Nationwide Current Library Trends - Review of Library Journal Articles
The position for Assistant City Librarian has been bulletined. First round interviews are expected to take place in late April.			Secretary’s Report Opening of the Assistant City Librarian Position
The periodicals in the popular materials area have been switched from a subject classification to alphabetical classification. Comments from the public have been favorable.			Alphabetizing of Periodicals
The carpet cleaning contract started as of April. Carpets at Main are now spot cleaned each week and high traffic areas are cleaned each month.			Main Library Maintenance Update
The maintenance crew that was at the Public Safety Facility has been transferred to the Main Library and Branches. Library maintenance should begin to show improvement.
Library staff is postponing implementation of the wireless phone system for telephone reference due to a technical problem.			Wireless Phone System for Telephone Reference
The International Interior Design Association honored the Library with the Calibre Environmental Award for excellence in sustainable design.			Receipt of the Calibre Environmental Award 2006
The Library Board asked that the following items be included in next Library Board agenda: update on security at the Libraries; report on the Library docent and guide program; update on the Santa Monica Historical Society Museum Lease; discussion of possible program with the League of Women Voters; implementation of the wireless phone system for telephone reference; discussion of a schedule for holding Board meetings at the Branches; Library Board plaque; report on Citywide Reads; one hour internet use time limit.			Agenda Building
Boardmember Oppenheim moved to adjourn the meeting. Boardmember Breisch seconded the motion. The motion was approved in a unanimous voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.			Adjournment
Attest:		Approved:
Greg Mullen		Edward Edwards
City Librarian		Library Board Chair