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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-20-1996 Library Commission Minutes Saratoga Library Commission Meeting City of Saratoga March 20, 1996 7:30 p.m. Action Minutes I. Ca!! to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:36 p.m. II. ROl! Call Commissioners Present: Ceppos, Grantham, Manzo, McLaughlin, Sessler, Towse Commissioners Absent: Foscato, Ceppos (notified absence) Others Present: Dolly Barnes, Susan Fuller, Irene Jacobs III. RePort on ~osting of Commission Agenda Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda was properly posted on March 15, 1996. Notification of the change of the regular meeting date from March 20th to March 27th was posted on March 7, 1996. IV. Approval of Minutes of February 28? 1996 Meeting Commissioner Grantham made a motion to approve the minutes as read and Commissioner Sessler seconded the motion. The motion carried. V. Old Business A. Foundation: Sally Towse reported to the Commission that the Foundation had decided to host a reception for "key" people in the community who could be financially supportive of the Foundation and its efforts. The Board was thinking about possibly taking pictures of both the Saratoga Library and the Los Altos Library and comparing the two. Commissioner McLaughlin recommended that the Foundation take it one set further and ask the Friends of the Library to sponsor a Serendipity bus trip for the group to the Los Altos Library so that they could see the difference first hand B. Bookdrop: Susan Fuller reported to the Commission that she had followed through with the Commission's request that she get a cost estimate of the physical changes to the library that had been proposed by Commissioner Manzo in January. Her assistant had estimated that the changes would cost approximately $80,000. Ms. Fuller explained that she had alternative ideas that could possibly work for less money. The alternative idea entailed bringing the bookdrop farther out in to the Community Room and have two bookdrops with collection bins underneath them. The proposed extension would insulated which would keep most of the noise out. Two four foot doors would be attached and this need alternative would only cost between $10,000-$12,000. The cost of the project would be covered by a "Community Fund" budgeted by the County. The proposal was met with enthusiasm by the Commission. Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion that Susan Fuller pursue the mentioned changes to the bookdrop, Commissioner Manzo seconded the motion and the motion was carried. C. WQrk Session: The Commission discussed the tour of the Los Altos Library and how it had reaffirmed how badly the Saratoga Library was in need of many improvements. Commissioner Grantham recommended that Commission's goals be updated during the work session since the Commission was on schedule with its original goals outlined in its Vision 2020 statement and had already completed several items listed. Commissioner McLaughlin invited the Commission to hold the work session at his home but, Susan Fuller had concerns that this could possibly be violating sections of the Brown Act. Irene Jacobs was going to ask the Deputy City Clerk to see if this was possible. In the meantime, the Commission decided that the work session would be scheduled for June 1, 1996 in the Administrative Offices at City Hall. The ideas to be discussed at the work session would be: 1. Needs Assessment 2. Update Vision 2020 3. Library Expansion 4. Funding 5. Ideas from Los Altos Tour cont. VI. NeW Business A. Los Altos Library: There was lengthy discussion of the many ideas and questions that were generated as a result of the tour of the Los Altos Library. One of the issues that was discussed revolved around the need and appropriateness of a Community Room under the current tight accommodations of the library. Commissioner Manzo made a motion to table the discussion until the work session when the necessary time could be devoted to the issue. Commissioner McLaughlin seconded the motion; the motion carried. Commissioner Manzo brought it to the attention of the Commission that it had not yet elected a Vice-Chair to serve with her as the new Chair of the Commission. Commissioner Grantham nominated Commissioner Sessler and Commissioner McLaughlin seconded the motion. The motion was carried. VII. Reports Susan Fuller~ County Librarian Susan Fuller passed out proposed fee revisions that were considered, at the county level, on an annual basis. The law prohibits libraries for charging for basic services, but it does allow libraries to charge for additional services. The county staff's recommendations to the Board would be to make certain fee reductions (i.e. Holding Fees) as a way to say Thank you to the Community for Measure G. The Commission did not agree with the recommendations for they felt that the fees were justified; the gesture would not be noticed; and the County Library was loosing money. Commissioner Sessler made a motion to share the Commission's position on the issue with the Citizen's Advisory Committee, via our representative Sally Towse. Commissioner Manzo seconded the motion and the motion was carried. Dolly Barnes~ Community Librarian Dolly Barnes reported that the circulation was 64,000 volumes in January and 62,000 volumes in February. Irene Jacobs, St~ff to the Commission Irene Jacobs reported that she was in contact with the City of Temecula who had written to the City Council in December requesting support to regain State funding that has been withdrawn for Community Libraries. She would report further once she had more information. Sally Towse, Chair Commissioner Towse shared that she would not be able to attend the April meeting because she was going to be out of town. viii.0ra! and Written CommunicatiQDs None. IX. Adjournment There was a short reception to welcome the new Chair, Marcia Manzo and to the thank the outgoing Chair, Sally Towse. Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Grantham seconded the motion. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Prepared By: I~ne M. Jacob~/ Administrative~nalyst