HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - LB - 1979.05.15 BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
AGENDA
MAY 15 , 1979
TRUSTEES PRESENT :
TRUSTEES ABSENT :
ALSO PRESENT :
BILLS :
Warrants : $10,384. 14
Special Fund : $2,444.36
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF APRIL 17 , 1979 :
LIBRARIAN ' S REPORT :
Letter to the Friends of the Burlingame Public Library
UNFINISHED BUSINESS :
Update on the 1979- 1980 Budget
NEW BUSINESS :
Revision of the Budget and Accounting Formats .
ADJOURNMENT :
Next Board meeting scheduled for June 19th , 1979 at 4 : 30 P . M .
BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES
APRIL 17, 1979
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Hechinger at 4:30 P.M. on the 17th of April , 1979•
ROLL CALL:
Trustees Present: Trustee Hechinger, Trustee DeMartini, Trustee Weatherbe, Trustee Parsons.
Trustee Absent: Trustee Phelan, due to an illness in her family.
Also Present: Joy Molder, Assistant Librarian; Mrs. Kristine Cannon, Member of the Citizen's
Committee; Mrs. Elaine White, Representative of the A.A.U.W.
BILLS:
Checks in the amount of $7,585.94 were ordered paid on a motion by Trustee Parsons, seconded by
Chairman Hechinger, and carried by those Trustees present. Special Fund bills totaling $581.64
were paid on a motion by Trustee DeMartini, seconded by Trustee Parsons, and carried.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the March 20th, 1979 meeting were approved and ordered filed.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT:
There was discussion regarding the Librarian's Report. Mrs. Molder was asked if there had been any
volunteers to help with the Summer Reading Club for the children. Mrs. Molder stated that four
applications had been requested and mailed out however they had not yet been returned. Mrs. Kris
Cannon requested at that time that an application be sent to her.
There was some question as to the method of counting "traffic" at the Easton Branch Library. The
Board asked that Librarian Bergsing look into a more accurate way of counting the people that use
the Branch as long as she is going to continue keeping up a statistic sheet on a daily basis.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Suggested Use of C.L.S.A. Funds Earned in 1978-1979: Librarian Bergsing suggested that the Board
review the project proposals and consider what might be done regarding the use of the funds available
from C.L.S.A. in the amount of $25,000.00.
After discussion regarding the other capital improvement requests, i.e.; the roof and foundation
repairs and the smoke detection system, the Board went over the suggestions submitted by Librarian
Bergsing regarding the physical reorganization of the public service areas with the use of the C.L.S.A.
funds. Trustee Parsons asked about what furniture was defective and Mrs. Bergsing replied it was
primarily the index tables in the Reference Room. Further questions were raised regarding a new
circulation system, and Librarian Bergsing informed the Board that a representative from Gaylord
Brothers, Inc., would be at the Main Library on Friday, April 20th at 10:00 A.M. to present a slide
demonstration and answer questions on their computerized circulation system.
After further discussion, Trustee DeMartini moved, Trustee Parsons seconded and the Board unanimously
agreed to present the capital improvement proposals to the City Council as written. They strongly
urged that the C.L.S.A. funds be used to upgrade the public service areas of the Main Library, and
that City funds be used to provide for the maintenance of the building and the installation of a
smoke detection system.
NEW BUSINESS:
Budget Requests for 1979-1980: Librarian Bergsing presented the Board with the new budget requests
that will be going to the City Manager on April 27, 1979.
Everyone agreed that it was a"bare-bones"budget and all hoped that operating expenses didn't increase
Budget Requests for 1979-1980 Continued:
too much as there was little room for it in the budget as presented. Chairman Hechinger stated that
the increase of 5.5% was a very low figure considering the inflation rate.
Librarian Bergsing requested that the Board consider the office equipment purchases to be taken
out of the Special Fund. After discussion, Trustee DeMartini moved that we purchase the equipment,
Trustee Weatherbe seconded the motion and the Trustees present carried the vote unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 P.M. with the next meeting scheduled for May 15, 1979.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia M. Bergsing
Clerk of the Board
PMB/jag
LIBRARIAN ' S REPORT
MAY 15 , 1979
BUDGET 1979-1980:
The Library' s proposed budget was submitted to the City Manager near the end of
April . I met with Mr. Schwalm and the Finance Director regarding the requests on May
7th. I ' ll have a complete update for you at your meeting. The City Manager is planning
to suggest to the City Council that they tour some of the departments and view first
hand the Capital Expenditure requests. Hopefully if they agree, the Library will be
included and this will take place some Saturday morning in June.
The Finance Director is proposing to the City Manager and City Council that the
1979-1980 budget be prepared in accordance with the new Governmental Accounting
Standards and that the Library, Recreation, Park and Retirement funds be combined
with the General Fund. I am enclosing a copy of his memo to the City Manager, and
you may discuss it at your meeting. In general , it appears to be merely a change in
accounting procedures but I thought you would want to be aware of it.
"TRAFFIC COUNT"AT THE EASTON BRANCH LIBRARY:
After the discussion at the last Board meeting regarding the problems inherent
in the sampling technique of counting people using the Branch Library, we endeavored
to find a more satisfactory method. Many unsuccessful attempts later, one of our
staff remembered and resurrected our old "counter pad" and we installed it at the Branch
as of May 1st. I ' ll have the results of the first two weeks of "counting" for your
meeting.
FOUNDATION REPAIRS:
Part of the work has been completed on the repair of the foundation around the new
addition. The . contractor ran into a problem near the ramp area where the cement was
faulty and still so wet that the caulking would not hold. He will have to return to do
some cement work as well as the caulking and the additional work will cost $150.00
bringing the total to $900.00. We are hoping this will solve the problem and more
extensive repairs will not be necessary.
CIRCULATION SYSTEM:
A representative from Gaylord Brothers, Inc. gave an excellent slide/lecture
presentation to the staff on April 20th on their automated circulation system. It was
one of the most complete and yet basic descriptions of an automated system that I have
heard. He will be back in California sometime in June and/or July, and if any of you
wish to hear him I ' ll try and arrange another meeting. Even if Burlingame decides not
to purchase such a system, it will give you a much clearer understanding of what it is
all about.
OFFICE EQUIPMENT:
The office equipment approved for purchase at your last meeting has either been
ordered or already received. In conjuction with that, the Library was able to dispose
of some old typewriters and tables at the Friends of the Library Book Sale. First we
offered the items to all City Departments (there were no takers) then we held a silent
auction. The City Hall contributed three old adding machines (the Library kept one) ,
one typewriter (we kept that. too! ) and a chair. Altogether we made $177.00. This was
enough to pay for the "new" reconditioned manual typewriter at the Circulation Desk.
We think its a good way to dispose of old furniture & office equipment and make a little
money.
Librarian' s Report
May 15, 1979
Page 2:
CLARION - C.L.A. NEWSLETTER ON LIBRARY FUNDING:
am enclosing an issue of the California Library Association's special newsletter
on Library Funding. Some of you may have seen this already, but this particular issue
has news of several bills being introduced in the Legislature which, if approved, could
have long range effects on the Burlingame Library.
One bill is to provide 70% State Funding for public libraries. Another is to remove
the right of free access to public libraries thus allowing local jurisdictions to levy
fees for use of local public libraries. I ' ll try and have a report on the progress of
these bills for your meeting.
P. L.S. ADVISORY BOARD:
The first meeting of the Peninsula Library System Advisory Board will be on the
evening of May 17th. The Advisory Board will meet in conjunction with the System
Board for this first time. The primary purpose will be to give the new Board members a
general introduction to the System, and the California Library Services Act, and to help
them get organized. You may wish to invite Burlingame's Representative, Mr. Nagle
to attend your Board meetings from time to time and inform you directly on the activities
of the Advisory Board.
P.L.S. NEWSLETTER:
I am enclosing the first issue of the new P.L.S. newsletter. I don' t know how
frequently the System staff is going to get this published but after 9 years we thought
it was nice to see a beginning.
FRIEND' S OF THE BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY:
The Friend' s of the Library had another successful booksale this month. They made
over $2,600.00. The best they have ever done, and a good time was had by all !
They are sponsoring two programs in June. On June 6th, they are having a film
and a talk on the ecology of San Francisco Bay by Mr. Stan Wilson from the Marine Ecological
Institute in Redwood City. On Saturday, June 23rd, they are sponsoring a four hour tour
of the South Bay on the Institute's 85 foot research vessel , the Inland Seas. The
tickets for the tour are $10.00 each with a limit of 40 people.
-COLLECTIONS:
During March, a survey of the use of the Business Reference Materials was conducted
in the Reference Room. The results proved informative, as well as necessary for future
planning.
As outlined in our original plan, the thrust of the program was to provide business
reference sources for the small investor. The survey shows we have done just that with
55% of our users utilizing the materials for personal reasons and another 30% for business
related endeavors. The items receiving the heaviest use are the periodically received
�-- items, indicating a desire for up to date information in the fast moving investment field.
The Martindale and Hubbell Law Directory, 1978 edition .(6 volumes) was received as
a gift this month from the Alumex Company of San Mateo• We are very grateful to them
for thinking, of us. This is a valuable and much used reference source, and it is very
helpful to have an up-to-date edition in Reference.
Librarian' s Report
May 15, 1979
Page 3:
STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC RELATIONS:
Many of the Reference Staff attended a workshop on the Computerized Community
Information Project, at the Burlingame Library on April 18th. The two hour workshop
was a review session covering the information in the file, new ways to access the file,
searching techniques, and tips on using C. I .P. The workshop was very useful in
sharpening skills on the computerized file.
On April 19th and 26th, respectively, Mrs. Reiterman and Mr. Escoffier attended a
one day workshop on legal resources for the public library, sponsored by C. I .N.
Speakers were two lawyer/law librarians including Stanford Law Librarian, Myron Jacobstein
who gave an excellent introduction and overview of the organization of law and legal
information sources. The speakers covered court decisions, statutes, and administrative
regulations at federal and state levels.
On May 3rd, Al Escoffier gave a presentation on Cooperative Periodical Selection to
a group of Northern California Community college librarians at the College of San Mateo.
The workshop setting was designed to acquaint community college librarians with the
cooperative programs currently being pursued in P.L.S. The reception was enthusiastic.
Joy Molder spoke to the Art and Music Guild of the Congregational Church of San
Mateo on Friday April 10th. Her program covered library services and resources as well
as book reviews. The talk was well received and highlighted some aspects of library
service the women were unaware of.
EXHIBITS:
During the week of April 23rd through the 30th, a display honoring Burlingame Public
Library' s Volunteers achievements was exhibited in the Main Library. The display included
photographs of volunteers on their jobs and a description of their major accomplishments.
April exhibits included: National Library Week; Burlingame Public Library Booksale;
The Sweet Adelines (singing group) ; 1906 Earthquake; National Book Awards; Consumer
Protection (hair dryer hotline) . In addition, watercolor paintings by Hillsborough artist
Bernice Brownson were put on display and will remain through June.
M0LiTHLY REPORT
MONTH 4PRIL 1979
Outreach Activities
1. Volunteer Coordinator
A. Hours worked 43 3/4
2. Volunteers
A. Number of volunteers 12
B. Hours, contributed..;.,:'.-"- 57
3, Shut-in Patrons--Individual Visits
A. Number of patrons 26
B. Number of visits made 59
C. Items circulated 242
4. Shut-in Patrons--Institutional Visits
No. of Ila terial s
visits / Attendance / circulated
--• cc-_Rayvi e.,, s �(PtS I 54 15
;!rlir:q�•-� 0>t rerrent Inn I (PLS) -- 6
Vit, ; t •.haves^ - ;o; . {PLS } I L
F.
5. Totals (3 & 4)'
A. Shut-in patrons 1S7
B. Visits -made 68
C. Items circulaL.ed 235
Corrrnents/ac tivi ties:
in April a number of our volunteers were on vacation 2nd to s-rve all
patrons, fewer deliveries were rade and more books delivered on t ;p;^ visits.
We are now receiving books from the rental collection For use in
In April we also had an exhibit in tha foyer of ih> library rcr
l 4..-)lunt-�-r week; ?icturei of our outreach volunt>ers :ind a listing o- ihelr
v collactly: acco'il:Alsh^encs pier;
EASTON BRANCH LIBRARY
�- PATRON COUNT
Daily Hourly
Date and Day Hours: 2:30 3:30 4:30 5:30 6:30 7:30 Total Average
Monday, 4/9/79 15 12 10 6 3 6 52 8.67
Tuesday, 4/10/79 13 24 12 5 4 4 62 10.33
Wednesday, 4/11/79 6 2 4 2 14 3.50
Thursday, 4/12/79 4 6 7 17 5.67
Monday, 4/16/79 9 9 6 5 3 7 39 6.50
Tuesday, 4/17/79 10 20 14 4 6 8 62 10.33
Wednesday, 4/18/79 5 6 4 15 3.75
Thursday, 4/19/79 3 9 7 19 6.33
Monday, 4/23/79 10 12 11 8 4 6 51 8.50
Tuesday, 4/24/79 8 31 15 7 5 4 70 11 .67
Wednesday, 4/25/79 6 9 4 2 21 5.25
Thursday, 4/26/79 3 8 11 22 7.33
Monday, 4/30/79 12 14 7 5 5 4 47 7.83
Tuesday, 5/01/79 9 12 22 2 45 7.50
Wednesday, 5/02/79 1 3 10 2 16 4.00
Thursday, 5/03/79 2 6 6 14 4.67
Monday, 5/07/79 9 11 8 5 33 5.50
Tuesday, 5/08/79 4 12 8 4 3 7 38 6.33
Totals: 129 206 166 57 33 46 637
Hourly Average: 7. 17 11 .44 9.22 4.07 3.30 4.60
The totals for 5/9/79 and 5/10/79 were: -Wednesday, 5/09/79: 108 people in 4 hours
-Thursday, 5/10/79: 75 people in 3 hours
-Mat Counter
CIRCULATION MAIN BRANCH
Books:
Adult, Non-Fiction 11732 408
Child, Non-Fiction 1278 232
Adult, Fiction 9112 967
Child, Fiction 1894 "T3�
TOTAL: 24016 TOTAL: 2041
Periodicals: 1475- 323
Pamphlets (Incl . Maps & Sm. Press: 365 -0-
TOTAL: 1840 TOTAL: 323
Moving Pictures: I -
Audiorecordings (Incl . Rec. s Cass.) 1274 -0-
Art Prints: 45 -0-
Equipment Loaned: 3 -0-
Slides: -0- -0-
TOTAL: 1342 TOTAL: -0-
TOTAL CIRCULATION: 27,198 + 2,364 = 29,562
Total 1978 Circulation: 32, 110 7.9 % Decrease
Average Daily Circulation, Main Library: 1007 3.77 Increase
Average Daily Circulation, Branch Library: 13 gr 3.65 Decrease
REFERENCE STATISTICS:
Total Reference Questions: 2,688 ILL Borro:led: 110 GRAND TOTAL OF
ILL Lent: 155 REF. ACTIVITY 2953
ILL Total : 65
REGISTRATIONS: AS OF April .30, 1979 ADDITIONS WITHDRAWALS TOTAL REG. PLS PATRONS TO
Adults: 1-8-,529 288 _ 239 18,578 DATE: 7,120
Children: 3,088 45 63 3.070 Increase of 69
Hillsborough: 2,823 79 -0- 2,902
Other Non-Res. Patrons 290 82 87 285
TOTAL: 24,730 494 389 24,835
ACCESSIONS AND WITHDRAWALS: Added Discarded
AS OF: 3/31/79 VOLUMES/TITLES VOLUMES/TITLES VOLUMES/TITLES VOLUMES/TITLES
Adult,Non-Fic. : 132,236 - 96,780 284 - 153 184 - 62 132,336 - -96,T7-1
Child, Non-Fic: 17,731 - 13,647 22 - 8 110 - 3 17,643 - 13,652
Y.A. , Non-Fic: 3,234 - N.A. 5 - N.A. 3 - N.A. 3,23 - N.A.
Adult, Fiction: 46,995 ` 39,627 78 - 32 59 - 6 _ -4.7 0 - 39,E
Child, Fiction: 13,236 - 9,509 65 - 19 64 - 20 13,287 - 9,56
Y.A. , Fiction: 2,04 - N.A. 6 - N.A. 39 - N.A. 2,571 - N.A.
TOTAL: 216,086 -159,563 X60 - 212 . 459 - 91 216,087--159;684
PAMPHLETS ADDED: 197 MAPS ADDED: -0-
PAMPHLETS DISCARDED: 191 MAPS DISCARDED: -0-
TOTAL: 16,737 TOTAL: 1214
RECORDINGS: AS OF: 3131779 ADDED DISCARDED AS OF: .4/30/79
UNITS / TITLES UNITS / TITLES UNITS / TITLES UNITS / TITLES
Disc's: 4701 / 3906 30 / 28 -0- / -0- 4731 / 3934
Cassettes: 518 / 403 1 / 1 -0- / -0- 519 / 0
TOTAL: 52t9 / 4309 _31 / 29 -0-_/ -o- 5250 / 4338
DEPOSITED ':11TH THE CITY TREASURER: MAIN: 1668. 13
BRANCH: 22. 55 TO L: 1690.68
MEETING ROOM FEES COLLECTED IS DEPOSITED: $ 95.00 TOT/',L : 1785.63
SPECIAL FUND MAY 1979
CHECKING ACCOUNT:
DATE DEPOSITS WITHDRAWALS BALANCE
4/17/79 Balance Forward: 622.32
4/19/79 318.00
4/26/79 272.35
5/03/79 270.30
5/10/79 246.75
5/15/79 1500.00 (transfer from Nor-Cal Savings)
5/15/79 2444.36 785.36
�-' SAVINGS ACCOUNT:
4/17/79 Balance Forward: 9,628.06
5/15/79 Transfer to B of A checking: (1500.00) 8,128.06
CITY OF BURLINGAME BUDGET STATUS REPORT 4-30-79 24
12 MONTH Y-T-D Y-T-D CUR f-Ifu UNEXPENDED UNENC %
ACCT DESCRIPTION APPRUP. ESTIMATE ACTUAL AGIUAL VARIANCE BALANCE ENCUMBERED BALANCE UAL
LIBRARY
750010 SALARIES 232,501 193,750 191► 171 19,273 2,579 41,330 0 41,330 18
750013 PART-TIME 144,008 120,010 117,053 11,639 2,957 26,955 0 26,955 19
750110 OFFICE EXPENSE 5,940 4,950 4,909 162 41 1,031 0 1,031 17
750120 SPECIAL DEPARTMENTAL EXPENSE 4,830 4,030 3,490 307 540 1,340 0 1.340 28
750121 BOOKS AND MAPS 67,298 56,080 32,106 3,631 23,974 35,192 0 35,192 52
750122 PERIODICALS 7,450 6,210 7,276 1,176 1x066- 174 0 174 2
750123 BINOING 2,850 2,380 1,145 158 1,235 1,705 0 1,705 60
750124 CATALOGING 3,032 2,530 1,868 431 6b2 1,164 0 l,lb4 38
750125 RECORDS AND CASSETTES 31610 3,010 2,398 7 612 1,212 0 1,212 34
750130 SMALL TOOLS & EQUIPMENT 225 190 2b 3 164 199 0 199 88
750160 CUMrtUr;1CATION5 2,2321,860 1,450 145 410 782 0 782 37
750170 UTILITIES 16,522 13,770 10,546 1,117 3,224 5,976 0 5,976 3b
750190 BUILDINGS&GROUNDS MAINTENANCE 5, 170 4,310 20321 156 1,989 2,849 0 2,849 55
750200 EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE 866 720 339 177 381 527 0 527 61
750201 EQUIP MAINT-AUDIO VISUAL 250 210 151 2 59 99 0 99 39
750202 EQUIP MAINT-SECURITY SYSTEM 240 200 333 0 133- 93- 0 93-
750210 PROFESSIONAL X SPECIAL SERVICE 21400 2,000 0 0 2,000 2,400 0 2,400 100
750240 DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS 217 180 200 75 20- 17 0 17 8
750250 TRAVEL 300 250 125 33 125 175 0 175 58
750251 CONFERENCE & MTGS-LIBRARIAN 250 210 205 0 b 46 0 46 18
750290 OTHER CHARGES 75 60 68 0 8- 7 0 7 10
750E,00 CAPITAL OUTLAY 3,000 3,000 2,573 0 427 427 0 427 14
TOTAL LIBRARY 503,266 419,910 379,753 38,492 40,157 123,513 0 123,513 25
I
April 23, 1979
TO: City Manager
FROM: Finance Director
RE: Revision of Budget and Accounting Formats to Conform
With New Accounting Standards.
The National Council on Governmental Accounting has just
issued new accounting standards for cities . Basically, these
are revisions of our existing standards which are attempting to
simplify governmental accounting and make it more compatible
with private sector accounting. These revisions have resulted
from studies of the New York City deficiencies and, simply,
the fact that governmental financial statements are very
difficult for the public to understand.
The major item which will affect Burlingame' s current system is
the number of special revenue funds. Currently, we have
administratively established separate funds for Library,
Recreation, Park, and Employee Retirement. This was required
when the City established separate property tax rates for each
of these activities . The new accounting standards require
�- that we maintain the "minimum number of funds necessary" and
that special revenue funds may be used only when the monies
are legally restricted. Since we no longer have separate
tax rates for these funds and the funds are not legally
restricted, these funds must now be combined with the General.
Fund.
This action makes good sense from both an accounting and an
understanding standpoint. All of the funds that must be combined
are dependent upon the General Fund for most, if not all ,
of their support. We would also be able to review in one fund
status of all our operating departments except the Water and
Sewer Enterprises , which are still required to be separate
funds . Within the General Fund we would still maintain separate
revenue and expense accounts for the Library, Recreation, Park,
and Employee Retirement Departments ; so that from a budgeting
standpoint only the fund summary statements would be changed.
RECOMMENDATION
That the 1979-80 budget be prepared in accordance with the new
Governmental Accounting Standards ,and the Library, Recreation,
City Manager
4/23/79 _ 2 _
Park, and Employee Retirement funds be combined with the
General Fund. Separate revenue and expense accounts will be
maintained within the General Fund so that the activities of
the combined fund will still be clearly identifiable . Since
there are no existing ordinances establishing our current
funds, no formal City Council action will be needed to implement
this change. I recommend that Council review this matter for
their information.
Dennis Arg res'"
Finance Director
DA:bg
CC: City Librarian
Park Director
Recreation Director
City Attorney
LIBRARY
FUNDING
CALIFORNIA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION I 717 K STREET, SUITE 300 I SACRAMENTO,CALIF.95814 1 916-447-8541
April 13, 1979
Number 4
LIBRARY FUNDING BILL INTRODUCED PROPOSAL TO KILL FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Senator James Nielsen (R-Woodland) has intro- Assemblyman Eugene Chappie (R-Yuba City) has
duced a measure to provide longe-range funding introduced a bill which literally would re-
for California public libraries. The bill, move the people's right of free access to
SB 958, provides for 70% State funding and the public libraries of California. AB 1456
30% local funding of a foundation library pro systematically excises the word "free" where-
gram, estimated at $10 per capita in 1979-80. ever it appears in the several library au-
The cost of the foundation program would be thorization acts, thus allowing local city
increased each year by the rise in the con- councils and boards of supervisors to levy
sumer price index, and for each library by any fees for any use of local public libraries.
population increase in its service area. The It is supported by the County Supervisors
measure wooud be applicable to city, county Association of California (CSAC) and vehe-
and district libraries. mently opposed by CLA.
e full text of the bill is not in print at The very text of the bill is devastating to
As date, but should be shortly. it will con- anyone who understands the value of the free
tain language reaffirming the principle of public library in a democratic society. Fol-
local control of the government and adminis- lowing are some excerpts:
tration of public libraries. State funds will
be calculated by a simple formula which can be "Section 18701 of the Education Code [CLSA]
applied in advance by local officials, and the is amended to read:
payments made automatically by the State Con-
troller from a special public library fund. "The Legislature finds and declares that it
is in the interest of the people of the state
CLSA AMENDMENTS PROPOSED to insure that all people have free-and con-
Senator Nicholas (D-Oakland) has introduced a venient access to all library resources and
bill, Sia 916, to eliminate the maintenance of services that might enrich their lives, re-
effort provision of the California Library gardless of where they live or of the tax
Services Act, and to continue indefinitely the base of their local government."
consolidation grants to local libraries. The "Section 18960 [Municipal Library Act] is
first change is necessary because of uncertain amended to read:
local funding in the post-Proposition 13 era.
The second is in keeping with the State's in-
terest in encouraging consolidations where "Every library established pursuant to this
g 9 chapter shall be � accessible to
more cost-effective units result. Both the
CLS Board and CLA strongly support the measure. the inhabitants and
nonresidents of the municipality....
THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT
. .WHAT TO D0: If you are shocked at this pro-
'�.veral proposals are under consideration by posal communicate your feelings to Assembly-
e Legislature for funding local govern- man Chappie and members of the Assembly Lo-
ments, including schools, on either a short- cal Government Committee which he chairs.
range or long-range basis. SB 186 by Senator The Committee will hear AB 1456 May 9• In
Rodda has progressed the farthest, expected to addition to Chappie members include: Rober`
pass the Senate any day. It is essentially a C. Frazee (San Diego Co.), John T. Knox
continuation for another year of the 1978-79 (Contra Costa Co.) Henry J. Mello (Monte:�_y
"bail-out, buy-out" measures, with a slight & Santa Clara Cos.), Carmen Perino (San
increase In funds. SB 550 by Senator Holmdahl Joaquin & Stanislaus Cos.), Marilyn Ryan
is the Governor's version of the same approach, (Los Angeles Co.), Sally Tanner (Los Angeles
For a comparison of these bills see the Feb- Co.), John E. Thurman, Jr. (Stanislaus &
ruary 16 issue of CLARION. Merced Cos.), and Norman S. Waters (Alpine,
Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nono, Sacra
The Governor has a long-range proposal, also mento, San Joaquin & Tuolumne Cos.).
being authored by Senator Holmdahl, which as-
-ig.ns to cities and counties a larger share of SB 31 SIGNED AT $30 MILLION
;rrent sales taxes and dedicates property Governor Brown signed SB 31, reducing the
taxes to school districts. Speaker McCarthy appropriation from $35.7 to $30 million. The
has proposed using sales taxes for schools and funds have been distributed to counties
leaving property taxes for cities and counties. which have eligible districts, including el-
Finally, there are two major long-range school igible county free libraries. A clause in
the. law allows supervisors to reimburse
finance measures, SB 234 (Dills) and AB 8 . counties for any of "their" funds made avail-
(Greene). Aswith Senator Nielsen's bill for able to eligible districts, so libraries.
libraries these face uphill battles this year. must .still make their cases.
No. 1 April 1979
THE PENINSULA LIBRARY SYSTEM
40 1%TMBLEY DRIVE
DALY CITY, CA 94015
EW.... LETTER
Reference: The PLS Reference Center assists
t
Jim Henson i res with "tuffys" -- questions that
take more time or resources than your library
PLS has its 9th birthday coming October 1st. has available. The reference service includes
Since its formation in 1970, PLS has evolved answers, training, indexes, directories,
into a tool all member libraries use in liaison, and a program of acquiring reference
serving their residents. Although 90% of materials.
all public libraries in California are mem- Information and Referral I&R
bers of systems, not everyone is familiar ( ): If a person
with them so the following is a quick needs help, which of the hundreds of agen-
course on one of the 1$ California systems -- cies in San Mateo County will provide it?
S: The PLS Community Information Project (CIP)
I— knows! Over 1 ,500 agencies are in the CIP
WHAT IS A COOPERATIVE SYSTEM? A cooperative computer data base and the right one is as
system is two or more public libraries close as your teletype.
entering into a written agreement to imple- Outreach Services; PLS has a Librarian, staff
ment a regional program of service under the help, a bookmobile, and programs for your
provisions of the California Library Serv- residents that can't come to the library --
ices Act (CLSA) . convalescent hospitals, community centers,
WHY HAVE A SYSTEM? A system enables librar- retirement communities, schools. The PLS
Bookmobile provides books, story hours,
ies to share resources for the benefit of film programs, and much more to the residents
their users. of all member libraries. Each week your
WHAT DOES A LIBRARY--AND ITS USERS--GET library has a bookmobile program to serve
FROM A SYSTEM? First, there's equal access: your residents.
A user with your library card has the right Film Services: PLS provides over 100 16mm
to use the services and loan privileges of films to your library in rotating packets
all member libraries on an equal basis with (as well as projectors and services) . It
their residents. includes the largest collection of Spanish
Communication/Delivery: PLS provides communi- language films on the Peninsula.
cation/delivery services that allow the quick More: PLS provides the framework for staff
request, delivery, and return of materials. members in your library to meet regularly
ILL Services: PLS provides a bibliographic with those who do the same job in other
libraries -- reference, ILL, circulation,
inter BIBCEN) -- a locater service for cooperative selection, and INFORAMA. PLS
.e holdings of all member libraries. Now,
�o make it even more useful , this file is is the focus for the Cooperative Information
Network (CIN) and the Bay Area Reference
being converted to machine readable form. Center (BARC) . We contract with Stanford
z
and U.C. Berkeley for access to their col - Mary Ginnane, student intern from SJUS
lections and provide a wide range of other Library School , has completed the PLS por-
services. tion of the forthcoming CIN Union List of
Indexes & Abstracts. For the remainder of
...noes this sound like a lot? It's only part the school year she will work in the PLS
of $260,000 of annual System services Reference Coordinator's office helping with
available free to all member libraries and reference questions and other related tasks.
not one dollar comes from local property We are delighted to have her -- and pleased
taxes. that she will earn credit for her work with
PLS this semester.
PLS is eight member libraries -- and the
eight libraries together are the Peninsula PLS was well represented at BARC's recent
Library System. "Hodgepodge" workshop. A total of 29
people attended from seven of our member
libraries. Transaction will be sent to
all participants; extra copies of the kits
are available from the PLS Reference Office.
The bibliographies are being checked against
the UF, and titles not owned by any PLS
library will be considered at the Reference
Committee's April meeting.
Questions received recently included:
How to: jitterbug; disco; start a
law library; grow mushrooms; carve
carousel animals; make model steam
engines; do "rosemailing".
Info on: jukebox schematics; world-
REFERENCE COORDINATOR'S COLUMN wide illiteracy 1900 to present;
largest "permissable" U.S. flag;
Joan Larson and a regular repeater - significance
of the position of horses' feet in
The pilot edition of CATALIST is now in equestrain statues.
each of our 8 member libraries. We will (Answers available on request)
be discussing its potential use at future
Reference and ILL Committee meetings.
BIBCEN finds it useful for a/t requests, ILL activity seems to be increasing very
and the subject index is a resource for gradually. Total a/t requests in February
reference questions. In addition to its 1979 were 51% of the total for February 1978,
use as a finding list, it also serves as an increase since July 1979 when the compari-
an example of our own future PLSA OM cat- son was only 40% of that same month last year.
alog, since our fiche edition will be
patterned after CATALIST and our holdings REMINDER: '
will eventually be included in the CDB Please use the yellow labels on everything
(California Data Base) . Although, for (books, envelopes, etc. ) being sent via
the present, most a/t's are still channelled PLS Delivery. We now have labels for C.I .P.
through BIBCEN, each library is keeping a and BIBCEN, in addition to those for each
record of ILL's resulting from their own member library. Be sure to write in the
use of CATALIST. name (or department) of the person who
should receive the item. "Red Dragons" are
Eight PLS library staff members are en- delivered the same day IF the destination
rolled in the cataloging class taught by comes after your library on the PLS route;
CSM's Gregg Atkins as part of its Library otherwise they are delivered the next morn-
Technology course. BIBCEN manager, Margery ing. On occasion some things go astray --
'ennington; Barbara Moll , Judy Van Buskirk, if, by mistake, your library receives
"and Denyse Carillo (from MPPL); and Lupe material intended for another, please phone
Prado, Valida Holmes and Elena Garibaldi (RCL) Margery Pennington at BIBCEN (349-2253) so
spend each Monday night learning "how-to- that an "emergency" delivery can be arranged
do-it" . if necessary.
V
Es I P.H I NTUUT
Nancy Crabbe As many of you know, the C.I.P. slide shows
that we use are available to you, too.
With the inauguration of the PLS newsletter, They take 10-15 minutes -- depending on how
we look forward to sharing news and infor- much you ad-lib -- and come with prepared
mation about C.I.P. to a broader group than script. (We usually schedule a 30-minute
presently receive C.I.P. UPDATE. presentation time, including time for
introductory comments and follow-up ques-
COMING SOON: The long-promised C.I .P. work- tions. ) One of them also is available with
s ops ave been scheduled for April . We a synchronized cassette tape. The shows
are appropriate for Friends, other commun-
will do the same one 3 times, so you can
city groups, or as a refresher for your own
hoose the one that's closest and/or best
staff, especially those not on the refer-
scheduled for you. These workshops will ence desk. Call Sue, Jackie, or Nancy for
not be hands-on training, but will be dis-
cscheduling, or to arrange for one of us to
ussion, information-sharing and problem-
make a presentation. C.I.P. also has a
solving sessions which will be open to all
library staff (not just the reference "scrap book" of C.I.P. memorabilia we'll
people) . Flyers with more detail should be happy to bring along.
have reached you by the time the news-
letter is out. Dates, times, and places
are:
Tues. , April 17, 1 :30-3:30 p.m. GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE: On March 2-3, Jackie
South San Francisco Pub. Library and Nancy staffed an exhibit at the Gover-
Meeting room (W. Orange). nor's Conference on Libraries in Sacramento.
Wed. , April 18, 9-11 a.m. Because of last-minute scheduling changes,
Burlingame Pub. Library meeting room. delegates, alternates, observers, etc. , did
Tues. , April 24, 9-11 a.m. not have much time to visit booths, so we
Menlo Park Pub. Library meeting room. did not see as many people as we had hoped.
Even so, we did enjoy seeing the people who
GETTING THE WORD OUT: It has been refresh- could stop by, including many non-librarian
in to notice t e recent increase in C.I.P. delegates -- and enjoyed the luxury of
g
activity in the libraries. Librarians have having time to talk extensively with manypeople. We had our portable terminal with
all become virtual pros at searching and us, which we logged into TELENET, and did
seem to be finding new ways to use C.I .P. some fascinating searches. Aman from
all the time. And now the community grape- Modesto with 2 adopted Korean daughters was
vine has it that libraries have some infor- curious to know what resources we listed
mation that people didn't know they had. which had Korean-speaking staff or provided
On-going PR takes several forms: public services specifically for Koreans. And
service announcements on radio and TV, slide there was an exchange with a man very much
shows to community groups, and word-of- involved in telecommunications technology
mouth. Whenever we talk to people about about someday having community information
C. I.P. , we inevitably get questions about (among other things) available to people
other library services. We're delighted in their own homes via 2-way interactive
to do our share to promote library serv- public television. Are you ready for that?
ices other than our own!
4
titles. Codes for each library (or branch,
in the case of SMCO) will be listed after
OUTREACH OUTLOOK each record (author and title both) showing
Susan Holmer which library owns what title. It event-
ually will be the equivalent of the union
With one article describing the PLS file in your own library, on microfiche
Outreach Project having already appeared and with a microfiche reader very simple to
in the September issue of Western CiLtK and operate as a part of the package. You'll
others scheduled to appear in forthcoming be able to find locations of books for your
issues of New Notes of California Libraries patrons (or show your patron how to search
and A9in9, an HEJT—publication, your L�S mut- for himself) when your copy is out, or when
reach Project is well on its way to becoming the book they want is not owned by your
one of the best-know such programs in the library.
nation. Your Outreach Project was also
recently made the beneficiary of an $8,300 Now for some Witty gritty news of the project.
grant by Bay View Federal Savings and Loan. Since its inception in September 1978 when Pam
Dayton and I were hired, Pam (who formerly
Apart from publicity and grants, the Out- worked in Circulation and Children's Dept.
reach Project continues to expand the number at RCPL) has been busy separating the cards
of stops within the respective service-areas in the drawers of the Union File into 2 sec-
of member libraries and to expand the scope tions, post-1973 copyright and pre-1973 copy-
of its programs. Among the more recently right. The COM Catalog will cover only post-
added programs are a series of book talks 1973 books. If you think that was not much
taking place at two convalescent hospitals of a job, bear in mind that there were a
in Menlo Park. The reading tastes of pat- total of 375 drawers and each card in each
rons in these locations vary widely with drawer had to be checked for imprint date!
biographies and animal subjects showing When we got desperate for a while, we pressed
favor. Film programs remain popular as al- Margery Pennington of BIBCEN and Sonja Moss
ways with a new film program just getting of SMPL into service temporarily. Now that
underway at the Carlmont Convalescent Hospital that's done, Pam is in the process of search-
in Belmont. ing for LC numbers for any post-1973 card
where the LC number (or LCCN) is missing from
Thanks to Bay View Federal , the general the card.
health and viability of your Outreach
Project is assured for awhile longer and All PLS libraries are now adding LCCN to the
will continue to seek ways and means of new cards they send in. If there is no LCCN
improving programming and service. in the book, then an ISBN can be copied in
pencil onto the card. If the book has no
number it helps us greatly if you pencil in
a short note to BIBCEN to that effect. Some
libraries use cards purchased from various
COM CAT NEWS vendors (Brodart, Josten's, etc. ) which have
euQ
the LCCN printed on it. Pam has discovered
Lenore Bouras that sometime this number is not the ture
LCCN even though it looks just like one.
The PLS Com Catalog has turned out to be Brodart cards, for example, sometimes list
a most interesting project and a learning what looks like an LCCN, but with 2 letters
situation for all of us involved in the either right before or after it. Will you
planning and operating of it. We hope to check any LCCN on a printed card against
keep you all informed of its progress another source? - the book itself, prefer-
through this column. Eventually, the ably, but if not, some other listing? If
finished product will be the creation of you have any questions, about anything at
our own PLS data base (sounds exciting all to do with the conversion project,
already, doesn't it?) , a computerized mas- please call Pam or me at BIBCEN, 349-2253
ter list to be updated regularly of all PLS and we'll be glad to answer - or try to!
5
AACRit catalogs and also with implementation of
Lenore Bouras AACR II by all libraries. Over and over
again the suggestion was made by the
The effects of AACR II will be felt not speakers: PLAN for 1981 and AACR II!
just by catalogers, but all library staff Attend workshops, if possible, on t e
who use the card catalog, not to mention effects of AACR II on the cataloging
the library patron. process, the reference process, and on
the ultimate user -- the library patron.
All libraries now catalog books by the Discuss AACR II with library staff. LC
current code, AACR I, which was adopted in has announced they are in the process of
1967. In 2 years AACR II will be the new planning some publications and/or work-
code and some cataloging rules will change. shops to help libraries with the change-
Anyone who has had a change to look at the over and they will be announced in future
full set of AACR II rules, just published, PLS newsletters.
can tell you how complicated the new version
is. It is a thicker book, arranged differ-
ently than AACR I, and some rules will � .
change drastically. ,
To list just a few examples of changes:
names of firms or institutions (corporate
entries) may be changed. "Bowker, R.R."
will become "R.R. Bowker"; "Pittsburgh.
Carnegie Library. " will become "Carnegie PEOPLE NEWS:
Library of Pittsburgh"; "California.
University" will become "University of Jackie Eastman, PLS Secretary, is expecting
alifornia". the birth of her baby.. This is a first for
Jackie who will start her maternity leave
Libraries which choose to stick to AACR I April 27th. Karen Rollin, SMPL's former
because the cataloging seems simpler will Business Reference Librarian, reports that
find that, since LC, OCLC, or any commer- she is enjoying her new job as Reference
cial card service will change to AACR II Coordinator for SBARN. Maureen Trimm, System
they will have to type in (or over) the Coordinator for SBCLS, is currently on
main entry printed on the cards they maternity leave following the birth of
receive; cataloging followed from daughter, Margaret, March 7. Sue Kaplan
"Cataloging in Publication" in the book (Reference/RCPL) is also on maternity leave -
itself may not agree with AACR I and they son Benjamin arrived on March 9. Evelyn
will be doing more and more original Woodrull formerly SMPL/AV is now at the
cataloging. Saga Corporation in Menlo Park in charge of
their Marketing Library. Janie Watson,
If libraries change over to AACR II in another ex-PLS person (DCPL/Reference ,
1981 they will need to make some kind of reports in the MOBAC newletter that she has
a "SEE ALSO" or other linking note for taken back her maiden name of Barnard.
their card catalog every time they process Jane Program Manager for CLASS On-
a title where they also have something in Line Reference Services (former PLS/CIP
their collection under the old entry. Director) and Don Light, SMCO Alcoholism
Administrator, will be married on June 17
Several librarians from PLS libraries in San Francisco. MPPL's Pat Mersman
attended a 3-day seminar in San Francisco returns from a year's leave of absence on
called Closing the Catalog",
, co-sponsored April 2, to take up adult services duties
by CLASS and ALA. Attending were Pat Thomas rather than her former juvi role.
f BPL; Nancy Lewis and Teri Stafferford LIBRARY NEWS:,.-.f SMCO; Lenore Bouras of PLS. The meeting
was concerned primarily with the effects MPPL has installed a security device (3M)
of automation and the plans of some which makes a total (with SMPL & BPL) of
libraries, including LC to close their three PLS libraries having such a system.
s
'% r-RLEN0FqR of EVENTS &I'
4 11 PLS ILL Meeting .� 5/3-4 CLSB - Sacramento
/ g
Burlingame Public Library 5/4 Burlingame Friends of Public
meeting room. 2-4 p.m. Library Book Sale
I&R Forum Workshop, all day, Members of Friends onlyBurlingame, Pu b. Lib. Community
at Canada College, I&R inter- Room, 6-9 p.m.
viewing, developing a resource
file, disseminating resource 5/5 Burlingame Friends of Public
information. Library Book Sale
Burlingame Pub. Lib. Community
4/17 C.I .P. Workshop
So. San Francisco Library Roam, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
meeting room (W. Orange), 5/6 Burlingame Friends of Public
1 :30-3:30 p.m. Library Book Sale
Burlingame Pub. Lib. Community
4/18 C. I.P. Workshop Room, 11 :00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Burlingame Public Library
meeting room, 9-11 a.m. 5/18 Northern Calif. Technical Processor's
4/19 CIN Legal Seminar group meeting jointly with CLA's
San Carlos, 9-5:30 p.m. Technical Services Chapter.
All day
4/24 PLS Reference Committee Meeting Topics: Acquisition and Cataloging
Location to be announced and Publication. At Hayward State
1 :30-5 p.m. , Reference book 5/19 CLA FORUM and CLA Bay Area Chapter
selection. meeting.
C.I.P. Workshop X San Jose Public Library
01. Time to be announced
Menlo. Park Public Library FORUM topic: "You and Legislation"
meeting room, 9-11 a.m.
4/26 CIN Legal Seminar 5/22 PLS Reference Committee meeting
Los Gatos, 9-5.30 p.m. Location to be announced
1 :30-5 p.m.
PLS Board Meeting
5/24 PLS Board Meeting
6/13 PLS ILL Meeting (tentative)
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480 Primrose Road,Burlingame,CA 94010 40 Wembley Drive,Daly City,CA 94015 Civic Center,Menlo Park,CA 94025 881 Jefferson Avenue,Redwood City,CA 94063
San Bruno Public Library-588.7726 San Mateo City Ubrary-574.6950 San Mateo County Library-573-2056 South San Francisco Library-873-8000
701 West Angus.San Bruno,CA 94066 55 West Third Avenue,San Mateo,CA 94402 25 Tower Road,Belmont,CA 94002 840 West Orange Ave.,So.San Francisco,CA 94080