HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - LB - 2002.12.17 BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY
Burlingame Public Library
Board of Trustees
Minutes
December 17, 2002
I. Call to Order
President, Andrew Gurthet, called the meeting to order at 4:30pm.
II. Roll Call
Trustees Present: Cecile Coar, Andrew Gurthet, Catherine
McCormack, Mary Herman and Carol
Rossi
City Attorney: Larry Anderson
Staff Present: Alfred Escoffier, City Librarian
Pat Harding, Library Services Manager
Sidney Poland, Recorder
Public Present: Mr. Lee, Patron
III. Warrants and Special Funds
The Trustees unanimously agreed to approve the warrants. M/S/C
(McCormack/Rossi)
IV. Minutes
The Trustees unanimously agreed to approve the minutes of the
November 19, 2002 meeting. M/S/C (Herman/Coar)
V. Correspondence and Attachments
Correspondence and Attachments mailed in the Board packet were
reviewed.
A. Duncan Trust Fund Activity Statement - The City Librarian
clarified that monies in the Duncan Fund can be used for any need
that the Trustees deem beneficial to the Library. The Peninsula
Community Foundation Grant Committee must approve a written
request for funds by the City Librarian. He noted that it was not
the intention of the Duncan Trust to be used for on-going Library
operations but to supplement Library services.
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VIII. C. Unfinished Business Item 8c Disciplinary Action
for Library Patron, Mr. George Lee - A motion was made to move
item 8c to this point of the agenda, as Mr. Lee had arrived for his
hearing. M/S/C (McCormack/Rossi)
1. Request for Disciplinary Action of Mr. George Lee -
Pat Harding, Library Services Manager, passed out Internet
Rules for the one hour Internet, 15 minute express Internet
and explained her position, as well as that of the Reference
staff, in regard to Mr. Lee's continual disregard for Library
policy relating to the 15 minute express Internet. She
requested that the Trustees ban Mr. Lee from the Library for
one week. The following information was given to the
Trustees.
a. Mr. Lee has continually over stayed his 15
minute limit time periods. On November 22nd he
surpassed the time limit by 20 minutes and later in
the afternoon by 40 minutes. Even though a time
clock was installed to help patrons monitor their time,
Mr. Lee did not conform to the 15 minute policy.
b. Other patrons have continually become upset
and angry over Mr. Lee's constant abuse of the 15
minute policy. Pat Harding expressed concern that an
incident might occur and someone could be injured.
�.
C. When approached by Reference staff to leave the
terminal, as his time was over, he has often been
argumentative, uncooperative, and on one occasion
used obscene language.
2. Mr. George Lee Addressed the Board of Trustees
Mr. Lee commented as follows:
a. He once stayed 42 minutes but he checked to
make certain that no one was waiting. It was his
understanding that if no one was waiting, he could
continue.
b. He plays games on the Internet, becomes very
involved and has difficulty stopping, if he is at a
particular level in the game. He said he noticed that
other patrons stayed on passed their 15 minutes.
C. As far as using "obscene" language, Mr. Lee
stated that he did not use "obscene" language but he
did tell a Reference librarian that he felt the librarian
was discriminating.
3. Comments and Discussion by Trustees
a. Pat Harding advised the Trustees that a 15
minute timing out program would be installed on a
trial basis in the future, which will give the patron a
`- warning signal and then the screen will return to the
web page.
Library Board of Trustee Minutes 2
December 17, 2002
b. The express stations are not set up for long term
projects and most patrons adhere to the 15 minute
express policy.
C. It is the obligation of the patron to monitor his
own time.
d. If no one is waiting for the station, patron can
stay on but must leave immediately if another patron
arrives.
e. Most patrons adhere to the Internet policy and
do not cause problems but Mr. Lee's behavior stands
out.
4. Conclusion of Hearing - Trustee Rossi made a motion
to support Pat Harding's request to suspend Mr. George Lee
for one week beginning December 18th to December 26th with
the hope that now the procedures have been explained, Mr.
Lee will be able to conform to the Internet policy. M/S/C
(Rossi/Herman)
5. Post Hearing - The Trustees requested that Internet
Policy be placed on the agenda for the January meeting.
VI. From the Floor - There were no other public comments.
VII. Reports
�.. A. City Librarian's Report - The City Librarian reviewed his
report highlighting the following items:
1. City Budget Reduction - On December 9th, Al Escoffier
presented a draft budget proposal to the Library staff. The
staff asked questions and offered other suggestions for
budget cuts.
2. Proposed Reductions For the Library
a. Reduction of service hours to 11 hrs. per week
which will result in cutting approximately 10 FTE
staff.
b. Staff reductions cost out at 20% of FTE. The
total reduction is $600,000, or a 20% cut in the
Library budget.
C. City manager has recommended closing Easton
and reducing middle management staff by two
employees.
d. Cuts made in 2002 include $24,000 from the
book budget, $5,000 in audiovisual materials, and
foregoing the use of on- call employees who have filled
in for vacations and illness in the past. The financial
result has been that in December the Library was
6.5% under budget.
Library Board of Trustee Minutes 3
December 17, 2002
B. Foundation Report - Carol Rossi
1. Election of Officers will take place at the January 9,
2003 Annual Meeting.
2. Trustee Rossi encouraged the Library Trustees and the
Foundation to put the venue for the 2003 Employee
Achievement Award Dinner out to bid. Tentative date is
December 8, 2003.
VIII. Unfinished Business
A. Change in Trustee Meeting Date For January 2003
Trustee Herman made a motion to change the January 21St
meeting to Monday January 13, 2003 at 4:30pm. M/S/C
(Herman/Coar)
B. Interlibrary Loan Fee Increase - Trustee Rossi made a
motion to increase the Interlibrary Loan Fee from $3.00 to $5.00.
M/S/C (Rossi/Herman)
C. Hearing of Mr. Lee Moved for Discussion/Action After
Item V of the Agenda
D. Draft of Budget Reductions - The Trustees discussed the
draft budget cut proposal and expressed concern over the possible
closure of Easton. The Trustees inquired into the possibility of
increasing the amount of the Hillsborough contract, which will be
re-negotiated in June 2003. The City Librarian stated that he will
contact the City Librarian of San Mateo in the early part of 2003 to
discuss the contract.
IX. New Business - There was not any new business.
X. Announcements
XI. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:00pm. M/S/C (Rossi/Herman)
The next meeting of the Library Board of Trustees is scheduled for
January 13, 2003 at 4:30pm in the Library Conference Room.
Respectfully Submitted
Alfred H. Escoffier
City Librarian
Library Board of Trustee Minutes 4
December 17, 2002