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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - LB - 2003.02.18 BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY Burlingame Public Library Board of Trustees Minutes February 18, 2003 f7- Call to Order ail 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 Staff Present Al Escoffier, City Librarian, Sidney Poland, Recorder " Public Present Cathy Somerton, Children's Librarian, Jane Dunbar, President of the Burlingame Library Foundation III. Warrants and Special Funds The Trustees unanimously agreed to approve the warrants. M/S/C (Rossi/McCormack) , IV. Minutes The Trustees unanimously approved the minutes of the January 13, 2003 meeting. M/S/C (Herman/McCormack) The Trustees unanimously approved the minutes of the February 4, 2003 meeting. M/S/C (Rossi/McCormack) V. Correspondence and Attachments Correspondence mailed in the Board packets was reviewed. VI. From the Floor - Cathy Somerton - Part-time Children's Librarian for 19 years - Cathy expressed her views as to why the Easton Branch Library should be closed instead of renovated. Cathy compared 2002 usage and circulation statistics for both Easton and the main library, together with the fiscal implications of Easton operations, to support her concern that keeping Easton operational would compromise the services at the main library. 48o Primrose Road•Burlingame•CA 94010-4083 Phone (650) 558-7474'Fax (650) 342-6295 VII. Reports �-' A. City Librarian's Report - Al Escoffier - Flood Damage - All floors of the Library incurred substantial water damage on President's Day, February 17th. The flood was caused by a broken valve located in a utility closet on the public terrace. Twenty five thousand gallons of water flowed through the library for an undetermined amount of time until it was discovered around approximately 7:30pm. 1. General Damages - Physical damage to date is as follows: loss of numerous ceiling tiles on all floors; sheet rock on main level needs to be replaced, carpets on lower level may not be salvageable; some chairs need to be refinished. 2. Material Loss - The majority of book loss was in the oversize section with the photography section being virtually a total loss. Cookbooks and gardening sections also incurred losses. Books on tapes losses amounted to approximately 100 titles. 3. Technical Equipment - The phone and electrical systems, as well as the computers, are in operative condition. 4. Operating Procedures - Full time and Permanent Part Time staff will work their regular hours Hourly staff will be called in to work as needed. The Easton Branch will be open on a temporary basis from 10:00am to 6:00pm until the re- opening of the main Library. B. Foundation Report - President Jane Dunbar expressed her concern regarding the $190,000 cost overrun for the Easton project. She felt that the Foundation could still reach its original pledge to raise $200,000 but was not in a position to increase its commitment to the project. VIII. Unfinished Business A. Effect of Budget Reductions on Patrons - Budget cuts to the Library have been greater than any other City Department. The public will see a reduction in a variety of services. 1. Service Hours - Service hours to the public will be reduced by eleven hours. New hours will begin July 1, 2003 as follows: Monday through Thursday 10:00am - 9:00pm; Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm; Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm, Sunday 1:00am - 5:00am. (No change of hours for Sunday.) Library Board of Trustee Minutes 2 February 18, 2003 2. Hourly Staff- Hourly staff will be reduced by 40%. At this time there has been no definitive determination of how many of the hourly staff will lose their positions. Full time staff will have increased shifts on public desks. 3. Middle Manager Positions - The middle manager positions in the Children's and Technical Services Departments will be eliminated. Additional hours will be needed in the Children's Department. 4. Administration Department - Administration will lose an Account Clerk Two position. 5. Adult Programs - Fewer adult programs will be held. B. Easton Status Report 1. Cost Overrun - At the last meeting held with the architects of Dahanukar Brandes, the estimated renovation costs for Easton showed an estimate of$190,000 over the original cost. 2. Design Changes - In an effort to bring project costs into line, the Easton committee eliminated the Cabrillo Terrace and changed the proposed lighting plan. These changes reduced the overrun to $130,000. 3. Next Steps in Renovation Process - The City Librarian will request Phil Monaghan, City Engineer, to review the project to determine any possible cost reductions. Introduction of an outside party to perform Value Engineering is also a possibility. 4. Renovation Completion- The City Librarian advised the Trustees that in his opinion it is not possible to proceed with the renovation unless the project is completely funded beforehand. IX. New Business A. Options for Building Support for Easton Branch 1. Jane Dunbar suggested that the Foundation send a letter to donors advising them of the current status of the Easton project and informing them that Easton donations have been placed in a 6 month CD. 2. At the request of the Trustees, the City Librarian will contact Richard Hall of the State Library and inquire as to whether Easton might qualify for library building funds under Proposition 14. Library Board of Trustee Minutes 3 February 18, 2003 B. System Advisory Board Member - Jane Dunbar has �-- resigned as the Library's System Advisory Board Member. Trustee Herman moved that the Board of Trustees recommend to the City Council that Trustee McCormack be appointed to be the new representative. M/S/C (Herman/Rossi) X. Announcements A. President Gurthet will send a letter from the Library Trustees to selected newspapers thanking the community for its support to the Library during the flood restoration process. B. The Trustees agreed to hold a special meeting on February 25th in order to officially change the date of the March meeting to March 25, 2003. C. President Gurthet announced that he would not seek reappointment to the Board of Trustees when his term ends in June 2003. D. Trustee McCormack suggested asking a high school student to sit on the Library Board in an advisory capacity. XI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:00pm M/S/C (Herman/Rossi) The next meeting of the Library Board of Trustees is scheduled for March 25, 2003 at 4:30pm in the Library Conference Room. Respectfully Submitted, Alfred H. Escoffier City Librarian Library Board of Trustee Minutes 4 February 18, 2003