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