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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-1998 Library Commission Minutes Saratoga Library Commission Meeting Saratoga Community Library, Community Room January 28, 1998 7:30 p.m. Action Minutes I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. II. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Ceppos, Foscato, Grantham, Manzo, McLaughlin, Sosslot, Towse Commissioners Absent: none Others Present: Julie Farnsworth, Dolly Barnes, Irene M. Jacobs, Ruth Gipstein, Janet McLaughlin, James M. Gwens, Mary Jeanne Fenn Report on Posting of the Minutes: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda was properly posted on January 22,1998. IV. Approval of Minutes of November 12. 1997 Meeting Commissioner Foscato made a motion to approve the minutes of November 12, 1997 with minor corrections. Commissioner Sessler seconded the motion and the motion carried. (6/0) Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion to reverse the order of listed agenda items so that Old Business would be discussed after New Business items since the items listed under Old Business could not be resolved prior to the brainstorming session. Commissioner Towse seconded the motion and the motion carried. (6/0) The Commission Chair asked Janet McLaughlin of the Friends of the Saratoga Library to assist her in facilitating the meeting by listing all the ideas that were shared during the brainstorming session. VI. New Business Brainstorming Session: Optimizing Current Space: The chair of the Library Commission, Commissioner Manzo, reviewed with the group recommendations from the Friends of the Library that had been included in the Commission packet. The Friends had identified problems with the library and had recommended possible solutions to these problems. (List attached) The staff of the Saratoga Library also conducted their own brainstorming session and copies of the results were distributed for review by all prosont.(List attached) The Commission thanked both groups for their participation and informed them that what was discussed tonight would be added to the lists that had been created by both the Friends and Library staff members. The group then participated in a brainstorming session in order to identify problems, prioritize the issues and then arrange to have a consultant advise the group as to what options exist to remedy the problems. (List attached) Old Business: Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion that the Commission request of the County that they hire a space consultant to give the group an assessment and advice regarding the utilization of current space inside the existing shell of the library building and, in addition, request that the County cover the cost. Commissioner Ceppos seconded the motion and the motion passed.(6/0) Julie Farnsworth explained that if approved, one of the consultauts that had been recently hired by the County to work on other libraries that were currently being built or renovated within the County, would be hired on an hourly basis. Ms. Farnsworth thought that the consultant would need approximately four day's to evaluate the building. Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion to postpone the discussion of focus groups until the Commission received an initial assessment from a space consultant. Commissioner Towse seconded the motion and the motion passed. (6/0) VII. Reports Susan Fuller, County Librarian: Ms. Farnsworth reported that circulation has increased 32% County-wide and this is an area that the County will look into further. The County will need to review the library system's long-range plan since inflation has taken its toll on Measure A funding and therefore will not go as far as originally expected. Marcia Manzo, Libraw Commission Chair: Commissioner Manzo shared that she had been elected chair of the Community Advisory Committee for the Joint Powers Authority (JPA). She announced to the group that the March Library' Commission Meeting would be held at the Book-Go-Round in honour of the Friends of the Saratoga Library who will be celebrating their 15'h anniversary this March. Dolly BarBes, Community Librarian: None Irene M. Jacobs, City Staff Representative: Ms. Jacobs updated the Commission to new developments at City Hall regarding the continuing reorganization. Sally Towse, Library Foundation: There has been some discussion that perhaps the Foundation could merge with the Friends of the Library and thus work together in order to get the big dollars that is needed for Library improvements. Cath. y Foscato, Friends of the Saratoga Library: Janet McLaughlin reported on behalf of the Friends that they had invited William T. Quick, a fiction writer, to as the guest speaker for their February program. The Book-Go-Round is now open every day and profits are increasing an average of $1,800 to $1,900 per month. VIII. Adjournment Commissioner Foscato made a motion to adjoum the meeting and Commissioner Sessler seconded the motion. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 9:29 p.m. (6/0) Prepared By: Irene M. Jacobs City Staff Representative