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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: