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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-12-1997 Library Commission Minutes Saratoga Library Commission Meeting Community Room, Saratoga Community Library November 12, 1997 4:00 p.m. Action Minutes I. Call 1;o Order The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. II. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Foscato Grantham, Manzo, McLaughlin, Sessler, Towse Commissioners Absent: Ceppos, Others Present: Larry Perlin, Mary Jean Fenn, Bill McDonnal, Carolyn King, Janet McLaughlin, Brian Gwens, Ruth Gipstein, Susan Fuller, Julie Farnsworth, Nancy Howe, Stan Bogosian, Irene Jacobs, Brian Godbe, Godbe Research & Analysis staff III. Report on Posting of the Minutes: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda was properly posted on November 6, 1997. IV. Approval of Minutes 0. f Augg~$t 27, !997 & September 23~ 1997 Meetings Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion to approve the minutes of August 27, 1997 with minor corrections. Commissioner Grantham seconded the motion and the motion camed. (5/0) Commissioner Foscato made a motion to approve the minutes of September 23, 1997 with minor corrections. Commissioner Sessler seconded the motion and the motion carried. (6/0) V. Old Business: Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion to address New Business items prior to Old Business items in order to accommodate the guest speaker and members of the Friends of the Saratoga Library who had come to hear the presentation. Commissioner Towse seconded the motion and the motion carried.(6/0) VI. New Business: Brian Godbe of Godbe Research & Analysis was present to report his finding of the market research that his agency had conducted in order to access the feasibility of a library expansion in Saratoga funded by a bond measure. Members of the Board of the Friends of the Saratoga Library were present, in addition to the City Manager, members of the Library Expansion Committee in addition to County and City staff. Copies of a draft report prepared by the firm were distributed. Mr. Godbe and his assistant reported that a two-thirds majority is required to pass a bond measure and that since the ballot tests that were conducted in Saratoga did not come close to this level of support, the proposed library expansion would probably not be successful if it was placed on the ballot in June of 1998. Mr. Godbe recommended to conduct an aggressive educational campaign before proceeding with a ballot measure. There was discussion among the Commission as to the alternatives that now faced the group regarding the library expansion. Ignore the results of the study conducted by Mr. Godbe's firm and place the measure on the ballot in June of 1998; Abandon the idea of expanding the library altogether; Begin aggressively educating the public by utilizing a consultant and focus groups; · Get a financial match from the community to build the expansion since the community would not be willing to fund the project completely via a bond measure; Include library service hours as part of the bond measure since maintaining library services received the highest ranking in library-related issues that were tested; Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion to recognize and thank the Friends of the Saratoga Library and members of the Library Expansion Committee for having invested time and money to help the proposed expansion of the library. Commissioner Towse seconded the motion and the motion carried. (6/0) Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion that the Library Commission advise the City Council to table any actions related to the expansion of the library and that they direct staff to notify the architect to immediately cease any work related to the expansion. Commissioner Grantham seconded the motion and the motion carried. (6/0) Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion that the Library Commission explore improved usage of the current library space. Beginning in January, the Commission should begin exploring different possibilities so that it can assure the community that optimum use is being made of the current facilities. Commissioner Towse seconded the motion and the motion carried. (6/0) Staff was directed to draft a memo to the City Council outlining these motions to be presented at their next scheduled Council meeting~ Commissioner Manzo, Chair of Library Commission, asked the group to come to January's meeting with a list of the top ten priorities and problems facing the Saratoga Library. Old Business (continued from V): All present members of the Commission agreed that the three items that had been listed under Old Business; Expansion Timetable, Focus Groups and Library Consultant should be tabled until a future meeting when the group had had an opportunity to explore alternatives to the Library Expansion. VII. Reports Susan Fuller, County Librarian: Ms. Fuller reported that the County is in the process of preparing annual and quarterly reports. Marcia Manzo. Library Commission Ch.air: Commissioner Manzo shared that before the January meeting a sub-committee should begin drafting a presentation that will mark the beginning of the public education process and she recommended Commissioner McLaughlin to lead the sub-committee. Doily, Bame.s, Community Librarian: Nancy Howe, reporting on behalf of Dolly Barnes, shared that this year alone the library had trained 175 people on the Internet. Irene M. Jacobs. City Staff Representative: Ms. Jacobs announced that Larry Perlin had been selected as the new City Manager. Cathy Foscato, Friends of the Saratoga Library: Commissioner Foscato reported that the next "New Books Day" would be held the day after Thanksgiving during the Open House downtown being held from 6-9 p.m. Sally Tows.e, Library Foundation: No report VIII. Adjournmerit Commissioner Towse made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Foscato seconded the motion. The motion carded and the meeting was adjourned at 6:29 p.m. (6/0) Prepared By: I ne~M. Jac~obs' (~~- City Staff Represen ive