HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-23-1997 Library Commission Minutes <~" ~11~
Saratoga Library Commission Meeting
Saratoga Community Library
July 23, 1997
7:30 p.m.
Action Minutes
I. Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Grantham, Manzo, McLaughlin,
Sessler, Towse
Commissioners Absent: Ceppos, Foscato
Others Present: Dolly Barnes, Julie Farsworth, Michele Alaimo
(Saratoga News), Irene Jacobs, Marguerite Fischer (Saratoga
resident and retired librarian)
III. Report on Posting of Commi~siQD Agenda
Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda was properly
posted on June 20, 1997.
IV. Approval of M iautes of July 23. 1997 Meeting
Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion to approve the minutes
of July 23, 1997 as written. Commissioner Towse seconded the
motion and the vote carried with a unanimous vote. (5/0)
IV. Old Business
a. Polling:The Commission Chair shared that at their last
Board of Director's meeting, the Saratoga Friends of the
Library had reconsidered the funding of a poll for the library
expansion. The Commission had been invited by the Friends to
attend their next board meeting that was scheduled for August
6, 1997 at 3:30 p.m. to discuss the issue.
There was discussion among the Commissioners about the
importance of the poll. Julie Farnsworth, Deputy County
Librarian, shared that according to studies from the State
Library System, there was a 30% increase in passage of ballot
measures when a professional campaign consultant was used.
b. Campaign Coordinator: The Commission shared ideas of
possible campaign coordinators to run the political campaign
supporting the bond passage for the library expansion. The
Commission is interested in finding a strong person to run t~e
campaign since they are aware that as a Commission they will
be unable to participate in the campaign once the measure is
placed on the ballot.
c. Summary Reports of Library Tours: Although interviews for
the architect had already been completed, the Commission was
asked by their chair to complete their summary reports of the
libraries that they had visited so that their comments would
officially be documented in the expansion file.
Saratoga Librarian, Dolly Barnes, recommended that the
Commission continue to visit the newer libraries that had not
yet been visited in order to gather further ideas to share
with the architect regarding those elements that they would
like to see in the expanded library.
V. New Business
a. Friend's August Meeting: Item discussed earlier under Ira.
b. Possible Commission PhaSe Out: Staff member Jacobs
explained to the Commission that this item had been placed on
the agenda so that the Commission could discuss the
feasibility of phasing out the Library Commission in light of
the newly formed Joint Powers Authority and the role of the
Library Expansion Committee. Considering the budget cuts
currently being faced by City Hall, this possibility was being
explored by staff in an effort to cut costs related to staff
time. Staff was questioning if there was a possible
duplication of efforts by different library related bodies.
The response from the Commission was a strong disagreement to
the possibility that this option even be considered. The
Commission recognized that "justifying one's existence" was a
healthy issue to consider but that this was not the
appropriate time in light of the pending expansion.
Commissioners asked who had requested that this be placed on
the agenda and shared their thoughts regarding the role of the
Commission. Staff was reminded that each Commissioner had
been asked by Council to serve as a Commissioner and that
staff had never made a concerted effort to explore the true
role of the Commission and the issues that they addressed.
Julie Farnsworth, Deputy County Librarian, explained that the
JPA meets a total of eight hours per year and that in that
short amount of time they are unable to address local issues.
Therefore the County heavily relies on the various City
Commission's to take part in and have a strong presence in
local library concerns and issues.
Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion that the Commission send
a letter to the Council requesting that they take the
necessary steps to restore their faith in the role of the
Commission especially during this expansion process. The
motion was seconded and approved (5/0).
VI. Reports
Julie Farnsworth, Deputy County Librarian: Julie Farnsworth
informed the Commission that next Thursday, July 31, 1997
representatives from Gilroy would be picketing the Saratoga
Library as they had with other libraries throughout the County
to protest the access of pornography on the Internet.
At the July 2, 1997 Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting
Commissioner McLaughlin, who was serving as an alternate for
Marcia Manzo, made a motion to support the Library and their
stand on free access to the Internet. There were no seconds
made to his motion. The CAC's final recommendation to the JPA
board was that there should be a study group formed in
addition to having staff offer alternatives.
Dolly Barnes. Community Librarian: No report
Marcia Manzo, chair of the Library Commission: No report
Irene M~ Jacobs, city staff Representative:Staff member Jacobs
updated the Commission on her job transfer within the city
related to most the recent re-organization.
Cathy Foscato. Friends of the Library: Not present; no report
Sally Towse, Library Foundation: No report
VII.Oral and written cQ~munication~: Marguerite Fischer, a resident
of Saratoga was present at the meeting to share with the
Commission her concerns that the needs of the adult
population, especially the elderly, be considered during this
expansion. She felt that more attention had been placed on
the needs of Saratoga youth and the adult population had been
"pushed out".
In response, Commissioner Towse suggested that perhaps a Focus
Group on the Library Expansion could be held at the Senior
Center to receive input from Saratoga's mature population.
VII I. Adjournment
commissioner McLaughlin made a motion to adjourn the meeting
and Commissioner Sessler seconded the motion. The motion
carried and the meeting was adjourned at 9:17 p.m. (5/0)
Prepared By: