HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-26-1984 Library Commission Minutes• SARATOGA LIBRARY COMMISION
MEETING
26 September ].984
Commissioners Present: Beverett, Gandrud, ICanemura, Mahler, Moss, & Wood
Library Staff Present: Barbara Campbell & Lois Thomas
City Staff Present: Joan Pisani
The September 26, 1984 meeting of the Saratoga Library Commission was called to
order by Chairman Moss at 7:37 p.m. in the Community Room of the Saratoga Library.
The minutes of the August 22, 1984 meeting were approved as read.
Barbara Campbell and Commissioner Beverett reported on their Sept. 14, 1984
meeting with Saratoga City Manager, Wayne Dernetz. Ms. Campbell gave:Mr. Dernetz
a copy of the library's 1984-85 budget. Ms. Campbell also elaborated on the
questions asked by Mr. Dernetz: 1)With regard to the interest on the library
fund, Ms: Campbell noted that the county library runs a negative/deficit spending
until the property taxes are distributed. Interest on the library fund in 1082
would have been $20,000; interest for 1983, $7000. Every year the interest varies;
sometimes it is negative, some time, positive. Once the library fund is formulated
to include interest, the library system would be locked in to that extra amount,
regardless of its negative or positive fluctuation. 2)Accordng to the division
of monies after Proposition 13, 4.6~ of every dollar should be directed to library
funding, instead of 2.b~ as calculated by the county. Barbara Campbell stated that
special assessment allocations take some of the funds, which~:are reassigned propor-
tionally to various county services, including the library. 3) Ms. Campbell will
determine the balance of monies available at the beginning of the fiscal year and
the expenditures. 4) She will also find out how county overhead is calculated.
5) The City Council unanimously wants Sunday library services, especially since the
Council had authorized $17,000 in city monies to reduce the 1984 85 deficit. Barbara
Campbell h~-s proposed that Sunday services begin in January 1985 and continue for
1i~G7e''&~ until the end of the schnol year. The Cost would approximate $6000 for
staffing anu utilities. The City Council will be presented with a list of options
in preparation far the joint study session scheduled for October 8, 1984, including
the advantages and $'.i.c~~~nt~CtJe~._of funding Sunday services with a reduced budget.
-~~ q ~ ~~~~~essful in informing
Commissioner Beverett added that he felt the meetin ~a~
Mr. Derneta about the intricacies of library funding and services~.and in maintaining
communication between the county library system and the Saratoga Cit Council.
He recommended that the proposed resolutions-fihat he subml.tted at the Au'~st 22, 1984
meeting be withdrawn. `°~,~
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Commissioner Mahler suggested that the Commission consider more aggressive funding ~•.,,~
requests based on priorities of library service. Ms. Campbell stated the opinion ~~
that a tax override may be the only way that the county library can provide the
level of service that the Community wants. To bring the funding up to pre-Proposi-
tion 13 levels, raising $.250,000 per year in extra revenues, the 13,000 parcels in
Saratoga, Monte Sereno and the unincorporated areas can be assessed $19-$20 per
year.
Joan Pisani reported that the drawing for the library parking lot will be drawn up
during the winter and construction begin in the Spring of 1985. The Council will
determine before Oct. 9, 1984 if the land belongs to the City or to the library.
The City Council decided to allow no parking on Saratoga Avenue in front of the library.
To meet fire safety regulations, a lighted EXIT sign will need to be installed in
the children's section of the library. Since monies are not in the budget, the City
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Council will be asked for funds for the installation.
Se~nber 26, 1984 - 2
Barbara Campbell distributed t~a~the Comtd~,ssioners information about the South Bay
Cooperative Library System and the reciprocal service agreements.
Lois Thomas gave Commissioners information about the library's volunteer program.
Comtii~,ss~~.oner Mahler questioned the policy of closing the book drop during operating
hours. Ms. Campbell explained that keeping the book drop open would be more
staff_~intensive, produce more wear-and~tear on the books, and require more staff
time in mailing out overdue fines.
The September 26, 1984 meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
MarilC~~n M"a K nemu~
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