HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - LB - 2004.04.27 URLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY rBURLINGAME
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Board of Trustees Agenda
April 27, 2004— 4.30pm
480 Primrose Road - Board Room
SUGGESTED ACTION
1.BALL TO ORDER
2.kROLL CALL
3.(.,WARRANTS & SPECIAL FUND Approval
4. MINUTES Approval
°V
5. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION Information
V,la Monthly Statistics for March 2004
Installation of Security Cameras (Memo)
News from the Capitol (March 30, 2004)
d. Proposed Children's Room Mural (8a)
e. Cancellation of May 2004 Trustees' Meeting
6. FROM THE FLOOR (Public Comments)
7. REPORTS Information
bra. City Librarian—Escoffier
mob. Foundation Report—Escoffier
Workshop for Library Supporters —McCormack
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
VA. Update on Evans & Brown Mural for Children's Room Discussion/Approval
Lb. Update on Increasing Scope of Outreach Program Discussion
9. NEW BUSINESS
cancellation of May 2004 Board of Trustees' Meeting Discussion/Approval
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS
11. ADJOURNMENT Adjourn
BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY
Burlingame Public Library
Board of Trustees
Minutes
March 16, 2004
I. Call to Order
President Catherine McCormack called the meeting to order at
4:30pm.
II. Roll Call
Trustees Present: Cecile Coar, Mary Herman, Catherine
McCormack, Carol Rossi
Trustee Absent: Dave Carr
Staff Present: Al Escoffier, City Librarian
Sidney Poland, Recorder
III. Warrants and Special Funds
The Trustees unanimously agreed to approve the warrants. M/S/C
(Herman/Coar)
IV. Minutes
�. The Trustees unanimously approved the minutes of the February
17, 2004 meeting. M/S/C (Rossi/Coar)
V. Correspondence and Attachments
A. Evans and Brown Mural - Eliminating the bulletin boards in
the children's room and replacing them with a mural is under
consideration. Evans and Brown, who designed the murals at the
Tiburon Library and are designing the donor book spines for
Easton, have given an initial estimate of$10,000 for the children's
mural. The Trustees requested this matter be agendized for the
April meeting and that Evans and Brown be asked to prepare a
proposal.
B. Outreach Program - An obituary on Gertrude Cummings,
who read over 500 books through the outreach program, prompted
discussion among the Trustees as to the possibility of increasing
the scope of the program. Trustee Rossi volunteered to help
coordinate the Outreach program with other service agencies and
noted that she had contacts who would deliver books. Trustee
Rossi suggested that "Outreach" activity be included in the
monthly statistic report.
VI. From the Floor
480 Primrose Road•Burlingame•CA 940io-4o83
Phone (650) 558=7474'Fax(650) 342-6295
VII. Reports
A. City Librarians Report - Highlights of Report
1. Easton Renovation - The Trustees viewed the tiles for
the period tile mural which will be mounted on a board,
framed and placed above the entrance to the children's area.
2. Easton Donors - The City Librarian sent a letter and
photo to major Easton donors apprising them of current
construction happenings.
3. Change of Hours for Main - Library will close Friday
at 5:00pm but will remain open from 1:00-5:00pm Sunday.
Monday through Thursday hours will remain the same.
4. Easton Hours - Easton will be open five additional
hours during the week. The schedule is as follows: Monday
through Thursday 2:00 - 8:00pm, Friday and Saturday
2:00 - 5:00pm, closed on Sunday. Evening story time will be
held one night during the week.
5. Baker & Taylor - The Library has contracted with
Baker and Taylor to catalogue adult fiction; books will be
"shelf ready" when shipped. Members of the Foundation
executive board have expressed an interest in funding the
Opening Day collection for Easton.
B. Foundation Report - The next board meeting is scheduled
`.. for April 81h. The Nominating Committee has proposed three
nominees to serve on the board. Ballots will be sent to each
member.
C. Budget Review - The City Librarian reviewed the following
budget matters.
1. Budget Reductions - At their February 28th study
session, the City Council accepted the Library Trustee's
request to keep Sunday openings by using the one time
insurance flood money for the book budget and using the
Library's share of the general fund to keep Sunday openings
for the current fiscal year. The City Librarian has submitted
this proposal in his budget.
2. Transit Occupancy Tax - This tax which is received
from the hotels has increased 1.1% over the same month last
year.
3. Golden Handshakes - Employees in the categories of
Librarians I, II, III and Library Assistants 1, II, III who are
eligible for the golden handshake will have until April 26th to
accept the City's offer.
Library Board of Trustee Minutes 2
March 16, 2004
D. CALTAC Grassroots Library Politics Seminar - Rossi
The CALTAC seminar provided the attendees with ideas and
suggestions of possible ways for libraries to continue services
and raise funds during difficult fiscal times. Trustee Rossi
gave the Trustees a summary of the suggestions that
Burlingame Library might find useful.
E. Workshop for Library Supporters - Trustee McCormack
will attend the Literacy Through Music Event breakfast
March 24th.
F. Peninsula Community Foundation Investment Meeting
The City Librarian discussed the 3 funds that the
Foundation provides for its clients investment: Endowment
Pool, Advised Funds and Charitable Remainder Trusts. The
Roger and Jean Hunt Duncan Fund is 100% invested in the
Endowment Pool and the investment return is presently
10%.
VIII. Unfinished Business
A. Main Library Schedule - The Trustees unanimously
approved the new library hours, as presented, for the fiscal year
July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 with the understanding that when
the economic situation has improved, the Friday night hours will
�-- be reinstated. M/S/C (Coar/Herman)
IX. New Business
A. Easton Branch Schedule - The Trustees unanimously
approved the new library hours for the Easton Branch with the
expectation that Sunday openings will be instituted in the future
when the City's economic situation improves.
M/S/C (Herman/Coar)
X. Announcements
A. Question and Answer Brochure Annual Report - The
Trustees were pleased with the format our staff artist, Maryam
Refahi created for the brochure. Trustee Rossi suggested that a
brochure in a different color scheme and using the same format
should be designed for Easton.
B. Legislative Day - Trustee Rossi will attend this event to be
held in Sacramento on April 21 st; Trustee McCormack will attend,
if her schedule permits.
C. Change of Meeting Date - The Trustees requested that the
next Trustees' meeting be changed from April 20th to April 27th. A
formal notice of the meeting change will be prepared for posting.
Library Board of Trustee Minutes 3
March 16,2004
XI. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00pm. The next meeting of the
Library Trustees will be held April 27, 2004 at 4:30pm in the
Library Conference Room. M/S/C Rossi/McCormack
Respectfully Submitted,
Alfred H. Escofier
City Librarian
Library Board of Trustee Minutes 4
March 16,2004
BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY STATISTICS FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2004
registered Borrowers Previous month's total #Added Total Registered
Burlingame Adults 16,950 122 17,072
Burlingame Children 4,749 31 4,780
Hillsborough Adults 2,559 20 2,579
Hillsborough Children 1,298 9 1,307
Non-San Mateo Co. Borrowers 1,537 26 1,563
Totals 27,093 208 27,301
Circulation Activity Main Branch
Adult Print Materials 22,317 0
Children's Print Materials 12,792 0
Audio/Visual Materials 9,172 0
Circulation Totals
This month total Main 47,470 This month previous year *21,382 122% 1
"This month total Branch 0 This month previous year 6,014 -100%D
This month Grand Total 47,470 This month previous year 27,396 +-420/6)? p
Easton closed on September 29, 2003 *Main closed until 3/17/03 due to flood damage.
Reference Activity Inter Library Loans
Questions Directions Lent 2,933
Reference 3,640 518 Borrowed 2,574
Children's 1,550 626 TOTAL 5,507
Lower Level 1,282 1,966
Branch 0 0
TOTAL 6,472 3,110
Collections Main Titles Volumes Main Titles Added Branch Volumes Added
Adult Non Fiction 521 282 6
Children's Non Fiction 280 102 40
YA Non Fiction 0 0 0
Adult Fiction 258 212 0
Children's Fiction 142 70 4
YA Fiction 10 10 0
Cassettes Audio 8 7 0
Compact Discs 44 32 0
Videos 8 3 0
Children's Audio 0 0 0
Children's Video 0 0 0
Children's Compact Disc 7 0 0
nVD 44 24 0
aildren's DVD 9 0 0
TOTALS 1,331 742 50
BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY STATISTICS FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2004
PAGE 2'
Other Material Volumes Added Total Held
'adult un-cataloged books 378 7,320
hildren's un-cataloged 100 6,789
books
Foreign Language un- 8 683
cataloged
D nix Deposit to City Treasurer Main $9,897.60
Branch* 0
Total $9,897.60
*Easton Closed
Main and Easton Deposits Revolving Account Rental Main $185.25
Revolving Account PLS Video Main ) $ 18.25
Trustees Special Fund Photocopies (Main)** $985.75
**Easton Closed
Estimated User Traffic 30,648 Daily Average 989
Community Room Adult*
TOTAL MEETINGS HELD 8 240
Adult Library Programs Attendance
gctures, Film Series etc. 2 76
ook Groups 1 10
Childrens and Young Adult Attendance
Pre-school programs 10 475
Toddler 12 824
Class Visits 8 181
Preschool Visits 11 228
Special Program Dan Stone Author's Event 1 55
Total 45 1,763
Children's Reference Questions 1,550
Children's Directional Questions 626
Total 2,176
Easton Branch Closed for Remodel
Internet User Sessions
**Hour& 1/2 Hour Express Children's Total
6,504 2,227 388 9,119
**This includes both hour and half-hour Internet terminals.
I—
Attention All Staff
Library Security System Installed
April 13, 2004
The Burlingame Public Library is installing a new security system in the
main library to help provide greater security for the building; it's contents
and library users.
Cameras will be installed on all three floors of the main library.
Videotape technology will capture user traffic through the front door and
elsewhere in the building where collection losses have been occurring.
The present system, installed 7 years ago, has not proven adequate to
curtail the loss of high interest items such as DVD's and other popular
materials.
The use of the new system will be unobtrusive, similar to systems used
on other government buildings and retail establishments. Signs are
posted indicating that the library building does have video recording
devices in place.
`-- If you have questions or concerns, please see your supervisor or myself.
Thank you.
Al Escoffier
City Librarian
Escoffier, Al
From: Susan Negreen [snegreen@cla-net.org]
ent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 5:46 PM
'ro: CLA Listserve- CALIX
Subject: [CALIX:2114] NEWS FROM THE CAPITOL
March 30, 2004
TO: CLA MEMBERS/ SYSTEMS/ NETWORK CONTACTS
FROM: Mike Dillon, CLA Lobbyist
Christina Dillon, CLA Lobbyist
RE: NEWS FROM THE CAPITOL
I. LIBRARY BOND BILL PASSES FIRST COMMITTEE WITH BI-PARTISAN
SUPPORT
Last week, the Senate Education Committee considered SB 1161 by Senator
Dede Alpert (D-San Diego) which would provide $2 billion in general
obligation bonds for the construction and renovation of public
libraries, subject to voter approval on the November 2004 ballot. In
her opening remarks, Senator Alpert, who is also a member of the Senate
Education Committee, called SB 1161 "a very important measure for
California's libraries. " She then noted that while Proposition 14,
approved by the voters in 2000, to provide $350 million in bonds for
library construction, has been "a wonderful thing for library
ommunities around the state.there were $550 million worth of requests
in the last cycle. " Senator Alpert, as a member of the bond
construction board, has been troubled by the enormous amount of requests
for funding, and the inability to award a sufficient number of grants
due to the lack of available bond dollars.
Noting the sensitivity of the state's current fiscal climate, Senator
Alpert acknowledged that the 11$2 billion contained in the measure now is
a dream, and probably an unrealistic one. However, I hope to keep the
measure alive and continue talks with the legislature and the
Administration. " Senator Alpert said that she would be willing to
consider different structures for the bond, such as placing half of the
dollar amount on the November ballot, and the second half on the March
2006 ballot, similar to what was done with the school bond. She added,
"Because we waited a decade to put a library bond on the ballot, we had
so much pent up demand. " Senate Education Chair, Senator John
Vasconcellos noted that if Senator Alpert was hoping to place SB 1161 on
the November ballot, "We would have to move it through the process
quickly, although I am not opposed to doing that. "
Testifying in support of the measure was Anne Cain, CLA Legislative
Chair and Contra Costa County Library Director; Ann Cousineau, Chair of
the 2000 bond effort and Solano County Library Director; and Susan
Hildreth, CLA President and San Francisco Public Library Director. The
lobbyist for the school library association, Jeff Frost, also lent his
support, calling the joint use piece of the existing bond "very
'-)eneficial. "
Senator Vasconcellos, as a courtesy, allowed Senator Alpert to put her
bill up for a vote, rather than place the bill on the traditional
Education Committee "suspense file, " due to its large cost. He added,
1
"SB 1161 is not going to suspense because to fast track it to the
ballot, Senator Alpert needs to negotiate with the Governor. " The bill
passed out on a bi-partisan, unanimous vote of those present, with the
following Senators voting "aye: " Chairman Vasconcellos, Vice Chair
'ruce McPherson, Richard Alarcon, Dede Alpert, Wes Chesbro, Jeff Denham,
,,..setty Karnette, Pete Knight, Gloria Romero, and Jack Scott.
II. ASSEMBLY HEARING ON TELECONNECT FUNDING - ASSEMBLYWOMAN
PROPOSES BUDGET LANGUAGE REGARDING MANDATORY INTERNET FILTERS
Last week the Assembly Budget Subcommittee Number 4 on General
Government met to consider the issue of the Teleconnect Program under
the Public Utilities Commission budget. As the background paper for the
subcommittee hearing references, "The Teleconnect Program provides
discounts on telephone service, and other advanced telecommunication
services that provide access to the Internet (such as DSL services) to
schools, libraries, and qualifying hospitals, health clinics, and
community-based organizations. Currently, the program provides a 50
percent discount regardless of the particular qualifying service or
recipient. The service carrier applies this discount to the qualifying
entity's telecommunications bill. The service carrier then submits
claims to the PUC to be reimbursed for the discounts provided. "
The issues before the subcommittee were: 1) Is the Teleconnect Program
successful, and if so, should it be continued? 2) The legislature
"borrowed" $150 million from the program last year to help balance the
state Budget. Should General Fund dollars be provided to help backfill
the "loan" that has yet to be repaid to the Teleconnect Fund, and should
the PUC use its authorization to increase the surcharge rates? 3)
Should libraries participating in the Teleconnect Program be required to
participate in E-Rate as a condition of receiving funding? 4) Should
'eleconnect discounts be targeted based on need (e.g. inner cities,
'-- -rural areas, low-income communities, etc. ) ?
Currently, the Department of Finance is recommending that the
subcommittee neither authorize a modest backfill for the Teleconnect
Program, nor authorize the PUC to increase the surcharge on rates to
fund the program. Subcommittee Chairman, Assemblyman John Dutra
inquired of the DOF, "Is it your intent to kill the program?" The
representative from Finance stated, "No, but the PUC data and the actual
expenditures have been wildly different. We are not comfortable making
a finding that the PUC needs additional funds. " The PUC has received
complaints that the Teleconnect should not have had such a significant
unspent surplus of over $150 million last year, when the dollars were
supposed to be available for schools, libraries, and other applicants.
Chairman Dutra told the DOF, "Without the surcharge, it kills the
program. There is no impact on the General Fund. And, unless you are
going to write a check personally, it kills the program. " The
Department countered, "We feel they can restructure the program and do
it within existing resources. " The PUC agreed that there have been
problems with the accounting side of the Teleconnect Fund, noting that
the "numbers have been all over the map. The problem is invoices from
carriers, etc. We think it is resolved now. " Subcommittee member,
Assemblywoman Sarah Reyes argued, "Isn't it true they can get E-Rate
dollars? It is a much easier process than Teleconnect. I agree with
the Administration that we can't ever get accurate information from the
PUC. There was a huge surplus unused last year and we took it. It is
frustrating knowing that some can go to E-Rate under the easier system. "
'-'The comments by Assemblywoman Reyes sparked opposition from the school,
library, and community-based organization representatives, who countered
that E-Rate applications are incredibly difficult and complicated to
2
fill out - with even the Department of Finance representative adding
that it takes 40 hours to complete the application. During testimony by
CLA, we added that in addition to the complexity of the applications,
many libraries choose to not participate in E-Rate because it requires
iltering of Internet terminals as a condition of receiving funds, and
�LA believes filtering is a local control issue. Almost immediately
after CLA had concluded testimony, Assemblywoman Reyes stated, "I am
supportive of Budget Trailer Bill language to require filters in
libraries as a condition of receiving Teleconnect Funds. There is no
reason children should be looking at porn. Mr. Bermudez (referencing
subcommittee member Assemblyman Rudy Bermudez) and I were just talking
about it. " (It should be noted that Assemblywoman Reyes authored
legislation in 2001 to require libraries that receive state funds and
provide Internet access to minors to purchase, install, and maintain
filtering software that limits access to obscene or pornographic
material. The bill was strongly opposed by CLA, and ultimately died in
the Assembly Appropriations Committee. ) The subcommittee did not
address Assemblywoman Reyes' comments regarding Internet filters, but
CLA will be working to oppose any efforts to link the Teleconnect funds
with mandatory installation of Internet filters.
Lastly, Assemblywoman Reyes noted that she would "not be supporting
anything on the digital divide until some of my communities take part in
this [Teleconnect Program] . " She highlighted several communities in the
Fresno area including Mendota and others that "aren't connected and
don't even have a library. " Note: CLA was subsequently told that
Mendota is serviced by the Fresno County library.
If you would be affected by Assemblywoman Reyes' proposal, please take a
moment today to write Assembly Budget Subcommittee Chair, John Dutra and
urge he and his subcommittee reject efforts to draft Budget Trailer Bill
anguage linking the Teleconnect Fund eligibility to the mandatory
installation of Internet filters.
The Honorable John Dutra
Chair, Assembly Budget Subcommittee Number 4 on General Government
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA. 95814
III. SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKING GROUP - DISCUSSION OF SPECIAL
DISTRICTS AND MORE FINANCING "TOOLS" FOR LIBRARIES?
Recently we reported that Senator Tom Torlakson has engaged a working
group of city, county, and special district lobbyists to assist him and
other members of the Senate Local Government Committee in coming up with
a massive local government reform plan that would protect local revenue
and perhaps give locals more tools and discretion over their funding.
Last week, Senators Torlakson, Ross Johnson, and Bruce McPherson, along
with the working group, heard presentations regarding special districts:
what constitutes an "enterprise" district vs. a "non enterprise"
district, how many are reliant upon the property tax, and what kind of
services they provide.
During discussion regarding removing special districts from the property
tax, the lobbyist representing the special districts noted that fire
protection districts are 70% reliant on the property tax, and mosquito
vector control at 80%. CLA added that the libraries, most notably the
o-called "ERAF Orphan" libraries, that are heavily dependent upon the
'property tax, would suffer tremendously. Senator Torlakson posed the
question, "Why should you all be exempt from a property tax shift?" A
representative from the water agencies responded, "Independent special
3
districts did not create the state's spending problem. Please don't
come to local taxpayers and ratepayers to solve the problem. "
The last portion of the. meeting focused on the debate between fees and
axes. Senator Torlakson noted, "With the fees, you don't have
,, ..,Iroposition 218 issues, you go to ratepayers, you have hearings, etc.
Do the cities, counties and special districts need better tools like
fees or taxes? Is there consensus with the cities, counties, and
special districts regarding enabling local governments to face voters
with proposals using a lower vote threshold, where the tax is targeted
for specific services?" The representative for the California State
Association of Counties noted that the constitution currently requires a
2/3rds vote for a specific tax, and only a majority vote for a general
tax increase, (the "Trust Me Taxes") when history shows it should be
just the opposite. Senator Torlakson later asked, "Regarding
libraries, for example - why not a 55 percent vote for passage of their
issues? Why not put that on the table? Why should just schools have
that authority? Libraries provide important educational, after-school
services. This Governor is very big on after-school programs. One
school in my district, shut down the school library and there are no
after school services because of the $2 billion cut to Proposition 98
(school funding) . Can we give more tools to libraries, and parks and
recreation districts?" We thanked Senator Torlakson for raising the
issue, and said that we would welcome additional revenue raising options
for libraries.
Senator Torlakson concluded by noting that the working group would spend
the next meeting, (to be held later this week) addressing the issue of
revenue swaps (i.e. trading a portion of the sales tax and the vehicle
license fee, for an equivalent amount of the property tax) . He said
that the intent of the working group was to get as much work
ccomplished before the legislature's Easter Break, which commences
`- rpril 2 and runs through April 11. Senator Torlakson is proposing to
have recommendations incorporated into a legislative vehicle by April
14. We will keep you posted as details continue to develop relative to
the working group.
s.,
4
8a: Proposed Children's Room Mural
Project Concept:
The idea of a mural for the Children's Library was conceived over 9 years
ago when we were planning the new main library to help make the
Children's Library a special destination for local children. With all the
responsibilities of getting the library open to the public, we were unable
to plan or execute it.
The theme of the proposed murals would be based on children's book
illustrations from the first quarter of the 20th century. Artists such as
N.C.Wyeth, Arthur Rackham, Howard Pyle and Maxfield Parrish, creating
a fantasy landscape evoking the style and traditions of these illustrators
in order to tie the murals to the period of the library's architecture.
Donor Recognition
The murals would be a permanent tribute to Roger and Jean Hunt
Duncan, donors of the major endowment of real estate to the Library in
the 1980's, on which the Duncan Children's Room was built. The
permanent endowment is now managed by the Peninsula Community
Foundation.
We have been in contact with the professional muralists, Evans and
Brown, who executed murals for the San Francisco Public Library, and
the Dublin and Tiburon Public Library children's rooms.
Cost Effectiveness
In the seven years since we have been in the building, the large size of
the children's room bulletin boards have become a workload issue. We
spend three to four thousand dollars a year in staff time to maintain the
boards. We would like to do a permanent installation to enhance the
room and reduce staff time for graphic arts maintenance. We would
reduce the bulletin board to a much smaller space on the east wall of the
room, saving staff time and costs in the long run.
Project Description:
Evans & Brown would design and execute murals for the several
designated walls in the Children's Library. The "bulletin board" wall and
walls in the story telling bay are the focus for this estimate. The murals
will start at the top of the bookcases and will range in height to just
below the ventilating grill on the bulletin board wall and to below the
.., beams on the story telling wall bays.
This project would be divided into phases:
1) Design Phase: The process leading to finished working drawings
and color maquettes. All logistics, research, scheduling and
material purchases are taken care of at this stage.
2) Painting Phase: The actual painting of the artwork from the
approved designs takes place at this stage. Artwork will be painting
on canvas in the Evans and Brown studios and installed on the
library project site.
3) Installation/On-Site Phase: The installation and fine-tuning of the
artwork at the project site is done at this stage.
4) Fee: $ 25,180
Budget Impact: Several major donations to the Trustees, which cannot
be used for library operations, could be targeted to complete the mural.
An unexpected bequest for $ 20,000 is expected from the O.E.E.
Anderson estate of San Mateo later this year which could also be used.
Alfred Escoffier
City Librarian
April 12, 2004
9a:•Consider Cancellation of Trustee Meeting in May
Due to vacations schedules, I am proposing we cancel our Board of
Trustees meeting in May 2004. Our meeting in April is late: April 27th, so
there would not be a great deal of business in May. We would go ahead
with our June 15th meeting as scheduled.
BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY
City Librarian's Report
April 27, 2004
Easton Renovation Status
The Easton renovation is continuing with roofing and framing nearly complete. We are
looking at the first week of May for installation of windows, and the second week in May
for sheet rock installation. We will be able to save the original maple floor; it will be
sanded and refinished to bring it back to life once again.
In the meantime, the Library Foundation Executive Board has recommended giving a gift
of$ 30,000 for an Opening Day Collection to the Branch. This recommendation will be
presented for full board action on April 29th. This collection-includes books in all areas:
adult, children's,picture books, and media. The collection will be completely cataloged
and processed by our vendor and be shelf ready for opening day. This is a great gift of
good reading for our community from the Foundation!
Work is continuing on interior color selections and final placement of computers and
other telecommunication devices. The new branch will have the connectivity for 10
public workstations, a self-check machine, fax machine and copy machine.
Budget Status
The departmental budgets have been submitted to the City Manager for approval and
publication. Budgets will be submitted to Council later in May. The highlights of the
library budget have been outlined in earlier communications with the Trustees. Major
public impacts include: Friday evening closure, $50,000 reduction in the book budget (to
be made up by using flood insurance funding) and a reduction of 1.5 FTE. "Golden
Handshake"retirement decisions are due to Human Resources on April 26th. We will
have a better idea of how many staff members will be accepting this offer. We expect
between one and three-staff members will accept the offer. Depending on the outcome of
these decisions, staff will be further reduced and some backfill and perhaps hiring will be
necessary.
Children's Mural
We are bringing back the Children's Mural idea for your review this month. I have asked
Evans and Brown to do a mock up of what they would see for the space. We are also
working with Evans and Brown on the Donor columns for the entry to the Easton
Children's Room.
Technical Services System Overview
Al Escoffier and Barry Mills participated in a system wide seminar on shared technology
advances in the Peninsula Library System. PLS libraries are already participating in a
shared database, shared purchase of online databases, and shared technology
48o Primrose Road•Burlingame•CA94oio-4o83 1
Phone(650) 558-7474Fax(650) 342-6295
coordination. New areas of sharing proposed for the future include: shared acquisitions,
`.. shared collection development, sharing recycling of outdated materials via Amazon.com.
More of these shared activities will be possible with the installation of the Integrated
Library System currently undergoing a selection process by member libraries.
Upcoming Events:
• National Library Week, April 12-18
• Word for Word Children's Program, Saturday, April 24, 11 AM
• Burlingame Art Society Juried Exhibition, April 30-May 2"a, Lane Room
• Foundation Board Meeting, April 29, 4:30 PM (Rescheduled)
Alfred Escoffier
City Librarian
April 12, 2004
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