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