HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - LB - 1978.12.19 BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
AGENDA
DECEMBER 19, 1978
TRUSTEES PRESENT:
TRUSTEES ABSENT: Trustee Hechinger, absent due to illness
BILLS :
Checks : $8,344.93
Special Fund: $988.96
I1iINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF NOVEMBER 21, NOVEMBER 30, AND
DECE'JBER 6, 1978
LIBRARIAN' S REPORT:
CORRESPONDENCE:
Letters to Mr. Warren Wickliffe from Burlingame High School
Adult Education Class.
Letter from Mrs. A. D. McIntyre regarding Easton Branch- Library.
Letter from A.A.U.W. regarding Easton Branch Library.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Easton Drive Branch:
NEW BUSINESS:
Regional Conference: -
ADJOURtiTIENT
NEXT BOARD MEETING SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 16, 1979 at 4 : 30 P.M.
BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY
MINUTES
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
NOVEMBER 21, 1978
TRUSTEES PRESENT:
Chairman Hechinger, Trustee Phelan, Trustee Weatherbe, Trustee Parsons & Trustee DeMartini
TRUSTEES ABSENT:
None
OTHERS ATTENDING:
Mrs. Joy Molder, Assistant City Librarian; Mrs. Mary Lang, President of The Friends of the
Burlingame Public Library; Mrs. Elaine White, Chairman of the Book Sale; Mr. Jerry Coleman,
City Attorney; Mr. Dennis Argyres, Finance Director; Mrs. Dolores Huajardo, Representing the
Citizen's Committee; Mr. Bill Nagle, Representing the Citizen's Committee; and Kris Cannon,
also Representing the Citizen's Committee, and Mr. Dennis Huajardo.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Hechinger on November 21 , 1978 at 4:40 pm.
BILLS:
Checks in the amount of $10,379.47 were ordered paid on a motion by Trustee DeMartini, seconded
by Trustee Parsons and carreid. Special Fund bills in the amount of $657.12 were paid on a
motion by Trustee Parsons, seconded by Trustee DeMartini and carried.
MINUTES:
Minutes of the Octover 17, 1978 meeting were read and approved as written and ordered filed.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT:
The Librarian's Report was discussed in conjunction with the Agenda items under Unfinished and
New Business.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Chairman Hechinger read through the correspondence which was mostly related to the Easton Branch
closing. He commented that there was an unusually large amount. Mrs. Bergsing stated that the
letter received from Mrs. Virginia Stodart was especially moving and very well written. She said
she would make copies for the Board members to read at the next meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
COMPUTERIZED ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND GENERAL LEDGER SYSTEM - MR. DENNIS ARGYRES: Mr. Argyres explained
to the Board members that the intent of going on computer to pay the bills for the Library and the
City of Burlingame is to simplify the accounts payable. He stated that there are four sources from
which the checks feed through the finance department every month and that trying to reconcile to the
bank statement is very difficult. He made mention that if a check were lost or stolen that it would
take months to even notice it gone. He further explained that the old system, as we use it now, is
outdated and just too time consuming. He said that the Board of Trustees could continue their past
procedure, in other words, approve the bills before payment is requested from City Hall. He didn't
mean to infringe on the authority of the Board members but merely to "Streamline the whole City" as
far as the check writing procedure is concerned.
BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY
MINUTES: NOVEMBER 21, 1978
PAGE TWO
UNFINISHED BUSINESS CONTINUED:
Trustee DeMartini agreed that this would be an expedient way of handline the accounts payable.
Trustee Phelan thought it was a great idea. It was unanimously agreed that it would save time
and effort and it was an overall good idea.
Mr. Argyres suggested that we check into the Interest on Checking Accounts with a minimum
balance to see if perhaps we could be gaining interest on the balance that is always left in
the Special Fund monthly. He said the minimum balance would have to be $2,000.00 and if we
could meet this specification that it would be to our advantage.
EASTON BRANCH LIBRARY: There were a few people from the Citizens Committee attending the meeting
of the Board of Trustees, mainly because they were under the impression that the Board was going
to make a decision as to whether or not to close the Easton Branch Library or keep it open.
Chairman Hechinger took into consideration that there was an option that the Branch could be
kept open 19 hours per week without cutting into the service of ,the Main Library. He asked if
this might be an alternative. Trustee Parsons asked if the $50,000.00 cost to run the branch
was a true figure. Patricia Bergsing stated that this was a figure quoted to cut back on the
budget, since it cost approximately $50,000.00 to run the branch, it was the most feasible cutback.
Trustee DeMartini addressed Mr. Argyres; could the cutback on the budget which is presently
$50,000.00 be doubled by June 1979? In other words, the Library has been forced to cut back a
set amount at this time, could funds be further cut at a later date which could affect the Library?
Mr. Argyres explained yes it could. He said that he has no control over the funds that the City
of Burlingame receives annually. Since Proposition 13 has passed, it could very easily be that
Burlingame might not receive as much money next year as they did this year and consequently will
have to make further cutbacks if this is the case.
A meeting for the Board of Trustees to consider Committee recommendations and any input from
the public was scheduled for Thursday evening at 7:00 pm on November 30, 1978 to be held at
the Council Chambers at Burlingame City Hall. An additional meeting for deliberation with no
public input was scheduled for Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm on December 6, 1978 also to be held
in the Council Chambers at Burlingame City Hall. Both of these rooms and dates have to be
confirmed.
There was a somewhat lengthy discussion regarding employee scheduling between Patricia Bergsing
and Trustee Parsons. Mrs. Bergsing was attempting to clarify just how the scheduling was done.
Since it is a very involved process it sometimes it difficult to explain briefly.
Citizens Committee member Kris Kannon stated clearly that they have done their share of investi-
gating the Easton Branch statistics, given their recommendations and have nothing else to contribute.
Chairman Hechinger wanted to know what input to expect from the public meeting next week. Mr. Nagle
offered his assistance if needed but the general consensus and overall opinion was that the Board's
meeting may only be to re-hash all that has already been said and done.
NEW BUSINESS:
C.L.A. CONVENTION - DECEMBER 2nd THROUGH DECEMBER 5th, 1978 IN SAN DIEGO: Librarian Bergsing
advised the Board that she will be attending the California Library Association meeting on
December 2, 3, 4, & 5, 1978 in San Diego. She gave the Board members an itinerary and literature
and explained that the members were welcome to attend the meeting at their own expense if they
wished to do so.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE GIFT OF THE 8mm SOUND MOVIE PROJECTOR FROM MRS. FERN PERIN: Mrs. Bergsing
stated that Mrs. Perin of San Mateo, California had purchased a brand new 8mm Bell and Howell
Sound Movie Projector for the Library. Chairman Hechinger signed a thank you letter to be
mailed to Mrs. Perin. The Library is very proud to own the new projector and expresses their
sincere thanks to Mrs. Perin.
BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY
MINUTES: November 21, 1978
PAGE THREE
ADJOURNMENT:
The open meeting was adjourned at 6:10 pm for a brief executive session. The next regular
meeting was scheduled for December 19, 1978 at 4:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
.
Patricia M. Bergsing
Clerk of the Board
PMB:jg:jt
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
DECEMBER 19, 1978
EASTON DRIVE BRANCH
The Board of Trustees held two special meetings regarding the Citizen' s Committee
Report on the Branch Library. The first meeting was a public hearing, and the
second was for the Board to reach a decision regarding its recommendation to the
City Council . The minutes of both meetings have been forwarded to all members
of the Board. Nothing further can be addressed regarding the Branch, until we
learn the outcome of the Council meeting on December 18.
C.L.S.A. FUNDS
Notice has been received from the California Library Services Board regarding
reimbursements for direct loans and inter-library loans for the first quarter
of the 1978-79 year. According to the report, Burlingame Library should receive
$6,348.32. The State Library staff reported at the recent California Library
Association meeting that they hoped to have the first payments in the mail by
January but it might be February or even March since this was the first time
and there was a lot of "red tape" to straighten out. They did reassure us that
all four payments would be forthcoming during this fiscal year. We have just
completed the second sample survey period, and I 'll try and have those figures
for your January meeting.
THEFT OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
At the last session of the Legislature, the section of the Penal Code relating
to Petty Theft was amended to include library materials. I am including a copy
of the law as it now reads.
STATE AND WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCES
There will be a White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services on
October 28 to November 1 , 1979 and a California State Conference on March 2-4,
1979. There will be a Regional Conference on January 27, 1979 in either
San Francisco or San Jose. At each level, delegates will be chosen to attend
the next conference. I have been asked to recommend two delegates from Burlingame
to attend the Regional Conference. Do you have suggestions? In most cases, the
trend seems to be toward individuals in the community with high visibility and
political awareness. I am enclosing two pages explaining the State Conference
Goals, the schedule of the meetings, and a description of the delegates desired.
The conference will be two-thirds lay people and one-third professionals.
CALIFORNIA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION CONVENTION
The annual C.L.A. Convention was held in San Diego, December 2-5, 1978. Four
members of the staff attended: Al Escoffier, Joy Molder, Pat Thomas, and myself.
With the exception of my expenses, everyone paid their own way since staff con-
ference expenditures were cut from the budget. The over-riding theme of the
conference was the crippling effects of Jarvis-Gann on public libraries throughout
the State of California and hoar to cope with diminished budgets and personnel .
The Los Angeles County Library System is scheduled to shut down completely in
February 1979 if the Legislature does not provide additional funds for special
districts. There were several programs on political activism, how to lobby, how
to change careers from the library field, and hoer to cut costs of operation.
Librarian's Report
December 19, 1975
Page Two
I am including summaries of the most important meetings prepared by Joy Molder , Al
Escoffier and Pat Thomas. They have covered the major programs very well .
it was an interesting and informative conference but a depressing one for public
librarians.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
I have agreed to act as a member of the advisory board for the State Friends of
California Libraries. Mrs. Meg Buckley of Belmont is President of the group this
year. Her major emphasis will be to try and get Friends groups more actively
involved. in the political process to support public library service in the State.
COMPUTER12ED ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND GENERAL LEDGER SYSTEM
December will be the first month for us to try out the Computerized Accounts
Payable and General Ledger System. We are working with the Finance Department
to develop forms and procedures which will provide the information you need to
approve the bills and still will conform with the reporting needs of the City.
It may take a "shake-down" period of a month or two to have everything working
smoothly.
RENTAL COLLECTION
As of Monday, November 20th, the Library has a rental collection. The initial
collection consisted of 26 titles (45 books) at a cost of $275.00. As of
December 8), we have collected $47.60. So far, public response has been favorable.
L.S.C.A. GRANT FOR COOPERATIVE TECHNICAL PROCESSING
The P.L.S. Board of Directors passed a Resolution to apply for a L.S.C.A. grant
to study the possibility of establishing a cooperative technical processing center
for all the libraries in the County. I have many reservations about this for
Burlingame, but the future economic situation may make it necessary. I 'll let
you know if the State Library approves the proposal .
DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES
Reference activity continued at a vigorous pace throughout the month. Class
visits, including individuals from 6th grade through adult, were given tours
and an introduction to the library and its services.
Marren ,,Wickliffe led an Burlingame High School adult school class on Tuesday
evening, November 7, on a tour of the library. A number of grateful students
responded with letters of thanks.
Two six grade classes visited our library on November 30 and December 7. Joan
Riordan-Leach gave a tour of the library and, following the tour, Sue Reiterman
discussed reference services and gave specific instruction in use of the Reader's
Guide to Periodical Literature.
McKinley' s and .Washington's first and second grades came -for their monthly visit.
A story was read to them and they checked out books.
Librarian's Report
December 19, 1978
Page Three
Marilyn Morrison attended a meeting of the P.L.S. Periodical Committee on
November 16. Due to Diana Reimer's resignation as Chair and new position
in Southern California, Marilyn will Chair the Committee and be responsible
over the next few months for the update forms for the P.L.S. (SFPL) Union
List of Periodicals. She is a verteran of this important P.L.S. resource,
which is vital to our periodical collection.
The kindergarten class from Roosevelt School visited the Branch for a story,
orientation, and to fill out applications. Many of the children were familiar
faces from Branch Story Hour.
PERSONNEL
Judy Gladys., began a talo-month maternity leave effective December 1 through
January 31 , 1979. Janice Tong has returned for these two months to provide
secretarial services in Judy's absence. We'll miss Judy, but its nice to
have Janice back.
f
r ,
i C f xl
sr
1977-197$ REGULAR SESSION Ch. 593
CREMES AND OFFENSES,-WM7EI+T II BRARY MATERIALS
CHAPTER 593
SENATE BILL NO. 2099
a An act to amend section 490,5 of the Penal Code,relating to theft.
f
LEGISLATIVE,COUNSEL'S DIGEST
Existing law provid", that petty theft of merchandise from a
merchant subjects a first-time offender to a mandatory fine of
not less than $30 nor more than $1,000 and possible imprisonment
not exceeding 0 months, or both. 1 minor may be required to per-
form public services by the juvenile court, and any person may be
i required to perform public service in lieu of the fine. Petty theft
of merchandise from a merchant by stn unemancipated minor
without regard to whether it is a first offense is imputed to his
parent or legal guardian who is jointly and severally civilly liable
i with the minor to the merchant for the value of the merchandise,-
damages of not less than$30 nor more than$300, and costs. Total
- damages including the value of the merchandise may riot exceed
$500. The collected fines are distributed in a specified manner.
Existing law also provides that a merchant may, without civil
or criminal liability, detain a person for specified purposes if the
merchant acted reasonably and had probable cause to believe that
the person is attempting to steal or had stolen merchandise from
the merchant's premises.
t This bill would provide the same sandt'►ons for the theft of
books or other library materials, as defined and would authorize
detentions for specified purposes. without civil or criminal lia-
bility,by a person employed by a library facility.
This bill would provide that neither appropriation is made nor
an obligation created for the reimbumement of any local agency for
any cost incurred by it pursuant to the bill because of a specified
reason.
The people of the ,State of California do enact as follows:
# SECTIO\ 1. Because of the rising incidence of library theft, libraries are suf-
fering serious losses of irreplaceable books, manuscripts, and other resources. In
order to preserve rare research materials for posterity, the Legislature finds that
it is necessary to provide libraries and their employees and agents with additional
legal protection to insure greater security for their collections.
SEL. 2. Section 490:5 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
490.5.
(at) Upon it first conviction for petty theft involving merchandise taken from a
merchant's premises or at book or other library materials taken from a library.
facility, at person shall be punished by a nuindatory fine of not less than fifty dol-
larx :and not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each such violation;
a:ntl ulny al-N-) be punished by intpri onuieut in the county jail, Dot exceeding six
Months,or both sacci►fine and impri.onuicnt.
(la) When :ut uneinanieipated minor's willful conduct would constitute betty. theft
Involving ❑u•rch:uulise taken from a nmerehutat's premises or a boot: or other libr;try
s materials taken front n library facility, any Da,�rchant or library facility who has
r brelt insured by such conduct may brine; a civil ;tenon against the parent or legal
deletlons by asterisks " • • • 2031
�... Ch. 593 STATUTES OF 1978
guardian having control and custody of the minor. For the purposes of such ac-
tions the misconduct of the unemancipated minor shall be innputed to the parent or {
legal guardian having control and custody of the ininor,* The parent or legal guard-
hill having control or custody of at► unemancipated ininor whose conduct violates
this subdivision shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor to * * * a
merchant for the retail value of his merchandise, if not recovered in nierchantable
condition or to a library facility for the fair market value of its book or other Ii-
braxy materials, phis dainages of not IeNs than fifty dollars ($ 0) nor more than ;
five hundred dollars ($500) phis coats. Recovery of such d iinuges may be had In j
addition to, and is not limited by, any other provision of law which limits the lia-
bility of it parent or legal guardian for the tortious conduct of at minor. An action
for recovers of damages, pursuant to this subdivision, may be brought in small i
claiui:s court if the total damages do not exceed the jurisdictional limit of such l
court, or in tiny other appropriate court; however, total dainages, including the
value of the merchandise or book or other library materials, shall not exceed five
s
hundred dollars($500)for each action brought under this section.
The provisions of this subdivision are in addition to other civil remedies and do
not limit merchants or other persons to elect to pursue other civil remedies, except
that the provisions of Section.1714.1 of the Civil Code shall not apply herein.
(c) In lieu of the fines prescribed by subdivision (a), any person may be required
to perform public services designated by the court, provided that in no event shall
any such person be required to perfoi" less than the number of hours of such
public service necessary to satisfyr the fide assessed by the court as provided by
subdivision (a) at the minlinum wage prevailing in the state at the time of sen-
tencing.
(d) All fines collected under this section shall be collected and distributed in ac-
cordance with Sections 1463 and 146:3.1 of the Penal Code; provided, however, that
a county may, by a majority vote of the luernbers of its board of supervisors, allo-
cate any amount up to, but not exceeding 50 percent of such fines to the county
superintendent of schools for allocation to local school districts. The fines allocated
shall be administered by the county superintendent of schools to finance public
school programs, which provide counseling or other educational services designed
to discourage shoplifting, theft, and burglary. Subject to rules and regulations as
may be .adopted by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, each county super-
intendent of schools shall allocate such funds to school districts within the county
which submit project applications designed to further the educational purposes ct
this section. The costs of administration of this section by each county superin-
tendent of schools shall be paid from the funds allocated to the county superin-
tendeat of schools.
(e)(1) A merchant may detain a person for a reasonable time for the purpose of
conducting an investigation in a reasonable manner whenever the merchant has
probable cause to believe the person to be detained is attempting to unlawfully
take or has unlawfully taken merchandise from the merchant's Premises.
A person eniploye<I by a library facility may detain a person for a reasonable
time. for the purpose of conducting in inve-tinaition in a reasonable inamner when-
ever the person employed by a library facility has probable cause to believe the
person to be detained is attempting to unlawfully remove or has unlawfully re-
moved books or library materials front the promises of the library facility.
i
(2) In making the detention a merchant or a person employed by a library facility :
may use it reasonable amount of nondeadly Force necessary to protect himself and
to prevent escape of the person detained or the loss of property.
5
(3) During the period of detention any itenis which a mcrchant or any items which
a person employed by it library facility has reasonable cause. to bf:lletie are un-
lawfully taken front * * * the premises of the merchant or library facility and
2082 Changes or additions In text are Indicated by underline
t N 1977-1978 I:EGUI Alt SESsio � 593
1
i + ccbich are in plain cich' May be examined by the merchant or person eml+►cry+`d by
a i
library Facility for the ptrrlrosese of ascertaining the o«'nersatlit thereof.
(.1) In any action for false arrest, Pare iuipri.oun eilt, or unlawful detell-
tion+ brought by ally person detained, by a merchant, it shall be at dcfeusc to such
t action tt[at the merchant detainin;; such lH rsou had probable cause to believe that
{ tike person had stolcn Or atteuiptpol to stent merchandise and that the cnerc•h.
1 acted rCasoltably under all the eircum.talices.
1ra ally action for false atrrest, fal to imprisonment, slander or uutau fug deteu-
tion bron;;i+t by any person. detained by a person •niployeal by a library facility, it
.hal( be a dlefense to such action that. the person employed by a library facility de-
taiiiii uCti person had prohablc cause to believe tilt Lite person hod stolen or
attempted to steal book,4 or lihrary nutterials and that the person en+ldoyod by a
! library facility acted reasonably under all the circumstances.
(f) As used is this section:
(1) "1Icrchamttise" means any personal property, capable of manual delivery, dis-
kplayed,held or offerW for retaiil sale by at cnercltant.
(2) "Merchant" means un Owner or operator, and the agent, consignee, employee,
leasee, or officer of an owner or operator, of any premises used for the retail pur-
chase or sale of any personal property capable of manual delivery.
(3) The terms "boot: or other library materials:' include any boot:, plate, picture,
photograph, engrriving, painting, d;rawhig;, map, iretvspaper, magazine. pamphlet,
broadside, manuscript, floc uiient, letter, .public record, microform, sound recording,
auiliovisnal m tteriat in any format, magnetic or other tape, electronic data process-
Ing record, artifact, or other documentary, written or printed material regardless
of ptty,icad form or charateteristic%, or any part thereof, belonging to, un 10,111 to, or
otherwise in the custody of a library facility.
(4) The term "library fneility" includes any public library; any library of an
educational, historical or cleenio.ynary institution, organization or society; any
nntseum; any repositOr v of public.recordi.
(g) Any library facility Shall po t5 entrance and.exit a conspicuous sign to
read as follows:
I\ ORDER TO PRFVrNT THE TIIEVr OF BOOKS AND IABRARY MATE-
RIALS, STATE LAW ACTHOR1Zh:S TIIE DETI•:NTIO`v FOR A REASON >IX
PI�11101) OF AN PE1:S0N USING.TIIESE F:�CITATIES 'S SPIsC`CED OF COJI-
MITTING"Llt3i ARA THEFT" (PE'N CODE,SECTION'490-5).
i
SEC. 3. Notwithstanding Section 0.9.31 of the Revenue and Taxation Code,
there shall be no reimbursement ptirsuant to that section nor shall there be any ap-
propriation made by this act because the Legislature recognizes that during any
# legislative session a Variety of changes to laws relating; to crimes and infractions
), may cause both increased and decreased costs to local government entities and
school districts which, in the aggregate, do not result in'sigttificsut identifiable cost
i changes.
Approved Sept. 7, 1978.
Filed Sept. 8, 1978.
E
2083 QQ
deletions by asterisks
L
t
t
CL^: CQ 73,F'tC
`.. DFC-2�-10. 2 - 5, 1978
SU_111M QF i+mp MT-GS
I. Technical ServIce Chapter Program: 'tCutting the =stard whi?e vitt'.:--7,,
the costs; the balancing act in tech services.',
The-r-orn ng and afternoon sessions included saveral librarians who,
reported on automated services, state of conditions in libraries and
the effect on technical services, the importance and involwvment of
tecnzincal services librarians in the total librar7 operation, auto-
rated
utorated card catalogs, and in general, cost effectiveness and analysis
in post-Proposition 13 libraries,
IT.. California Society of Librarians Program: "Lib-,--z7 fu;uz-es: to - or
not to be? non that's a question.=t
Four men spoke on the future and its i. ct on libraries: lelayne Bouchat (sp?i,
USC; I•`addia P. Deddeh, California Assembly-man; Wayne Wedina, Brea City
"_aragar; and Richard Cutting, California Department- of Finance. Mr
Fouchet s-aoke on, the societal chann2s that -will be occuring and their
i.=pact on the library, Technical cringes, the law and goverrentzl
regulations, education, =oral respa^sibl y, wo1's ethics, any demo-
grapucs are al1 having and u-111 conte to have an effect ia-i the field.
1 r. Deddeh i=,.)Iored ;us as -librarians ans to beco e active and voice our needs
and concerns to our legislators s so that they have a fix- i derstar.ding
of uhat is immortant to the people. 11r. t•Tedine gave the aud.enca
a dose of reality from the city manager's perspective. We, as l;brace
professionals.. mist learn to use modern technology and mst be prep.-----d
to utilize cost cutting technology. Mr. Cutting spoke of Goa. Bro m t s
approach to cost cutting and tbat we must concentrate on quality not
quantity.
III. California Socity of Librarians: "How to recycle youx- 11,aS."
Toni St. Jas , Consslltant, California Fmployrent Develo=ent Dam,
spo'-xe on the sU-11 s needed to get the job you :rant or to chs ge jobs.
Her talk centered on attitY:des, pre-interview preparation, interview-
ing., and rotivation. An e-xcellent presenia'lon.
TV* Concerned Librarians Opposing Unprofessional Trends (CLn ) : t1 :"cat the
hell,
they shoot sitting ducts, don't they?"
Gerald Shields, Assistant Dean, School of Inform, 'ion and Library
Studies, SU?rf-Buffalo, sponte on the attzt,.des and mage of libraiians.
A p_rimry therse was to sID apologizi n,- for being a ?ib urian,
speak out and be remnemlbered, and start lobbying for the profession and
its concerris. In additl on to his talk, he arsiisred questions frog the
audience for 11 ho,xrs. h dyramilc speaker. (I have a cassette tape
of th.::,.s program which i tm happy to s Laxe.)
-2-
V. Library Develop-ent and Standards Co ;.ttee: J c Libraries
Association'5 mission statement."
Dr. Peter Hiatt, Director, School of Librarianscnip, university of
►ashington, as E_hair of the Goals, Guidelines, and Standards Comet--
tee of ALA, gave CI..3 attendees a su=- . ary of the Co_=itteals ti:orlic
to date in revising Public Library Standards. Fart of the standards
are due in the Fall of 1979 and will consist of signi i cant charges
over the 1966 s_snd4ards which eve not drastically charmed since the
late 197+0's. The standards will be "audience oriented".. ttP?,annT mg.
or i_ented,21 llantl ci pata proftot cutout,tt and tl r eflact,-local cort ^ ty
conditions and needs.t.
VI. GU Opera General session.
After brief comments by CL_ President Ursula Mayer and others, tha guest
speaker, Virginia Ha ton., was introduced. 1:rs. Hamilton, a chi?dren t s
author, spoke on the various ear.�.�,v i;,.�luence s on her 21 i e and how
they are. ,psrt
orayed in her stories. She spoke as she w�_tes, articu?ate
} ly
and
ti'l'I. Day Area Social Respoasiblities Ro,.md Table (SUT) :Panel Di:im_,ssloa:
"Politics for sarvi-m-10"
C'lera Stanton Jones, formar Director, Detroit Pifolic Library and now
W.:-ting professor at i,'C Berkeley Library School, spoke of her e=meriences
in �et-oit and it drastic l,udget cuts. tars. Jones bea.e
can exp'
F t. obiVl ing her local state legislators mud justifying tzP necessity
of fol -Dan-dad public li.br✓r?es. The renel of Califomia Librarians
.poke of their budge-, problems and their sty te5y with budget cyte.
VITT_. Go.,ernent Relations Com i-tee Prog^mm: "Fundi*- Public Libraries. ;
Clarence R. 'halters, Chair of the Co= ttea, Sy Silver, State Library
Coaoultant, and D ivid Sabsay, Sono. County Librarian, reported on
the current funding stattas of libraries in Cal.fornia and the =ethods
of funding. Reports also included the work- of the Comte tutee with
legi s7 ators and carat to ex-sect for F'r 1979-80 for state funding.
IX. rOL12ZCil and Congress of C_ 1 i0="x::3 ?c�b1 iC i'�. "c2 T .ST,�'o .2i"s Gow'OZ2: ''
Meeting: "Star as of !=q le..en tation of C1 SA.tt
In addition to a slide sho,4 on California Library Systems presented
by Jim Henson of PTS, a report was given by Liz Gibson of the CLSr
Off ice on the current status of CLS A_ funds, suxveys, rei brarsem-ents to
libraries of CLS A f"Lids, etc. The etibers o i'.the CL SBoard also vas
present to answer (Taest-i ons concerzaLn-r- their decisions for allocating,
ft�s.
im 12/8/7b
December 8, 1978
To: Patti Bergsing
From: Pat Thomas !�r
Re: California Library Association convention, San Diego, 1978
As one of the officers of the Technical Services Chapter I helped plan the day
long meeting on "Cutting the Mustard While Cutting the Costs: the Balancing Act
in Technical Services". We asked 9 speakers to assess the impact of the Jarvis-
Gann Initiative on their operation and/or how to cope. The meeting was well-
attended, indicating that the subject discussed was of current interest, and we
received a favorable reaction from many of those attending.
We also had an "open house" on Saturday evening for technical services employees
to have an opportunity to exchange ideas and get to know each other informally.
I attended the organizational meeting for the Bay Area Chapter. The By-Laws Commit-
tee, of which I am a member, presented the goals and objectives statement to those
assembled for their reaction, and now will proceed to write the by-laws to present
for a vote by summer. We were pleasantly surprised by the nu:�ber of people who
attended indicating potential interest in the group.
Another meeting which I attended that I found valuable was that of the Chapter of
Academic and Research Librarians on twiddle management. Their topic was applicable
to libraries of all types, and I found their comments were thought provoking.
Because she was unable to be there, Nancy Lewis of the San Mateo County Technical
Processing Center asked me to attend the Users Meeti.a- sponsored by the OCLC
Western Services Center. OCLC, Inc. is the acronym corporate name for the data
base company through which the County Library catalogs their books and obtains
their catalog cards. The meeting concerned itself with quality control problems
and additional services being offered, and I found it informative. The County
Library permits me to use their OCLC terminal as a bibliographic tool for hard to
find information.
"Funding Public Libraries" sponsored by the Government Relations Cor aittee
presented a number of statistics on where California libraries are today. A recent
survey showed that California libraries are operating on an average of 837 of their
1977/78 budgets, of this amount 11% are one-time or carryover funds. Estimati
inflation at 7% this year, library budgets are expected to be. at 65% of 1977/78
budgets next year.
Cities fared better than counties at 90% average of 1977/78 bud ets. Counties
broke out this. way: Funding Sources
General Fund Counties - 102% of 1977/78
Property Tax Counties - 78% of 1977/78
City/County Libraries - 827. of 1977/78
Special Districts 64% of 1977/78
San ?Mateo County is at 6,1%y of 1977/70.
Alternative methods. of library funding were discussed. Despite funding,
questions such as fees for service, minimizing. Sacramento`s control, and local
decision-making are all key issues in funding of library service.
A- ed H. Escofier
MONTHLY REPORT
MONTH November 1978
Outreach Activities
1. Volunteer Coordinator
A. Hours worked 50
2. Volunteers
A. Number of volunteers 12
B. Hours-. contributed 47
3. Shut-in Patrons—Individual Visits
A. Number of patrons 35
B. Number of visits made 58
C. Items circulated 229
4. Shut-in Patrons--Institutional Visits
No. of Materials
visits / Attendance / circulated
A. Bayview Cony. Hosp. 2(PLS) 51 3
B. Burlin5a a Hacienda . 2(P� L` S). 31
C. Burl. R tz:xement Inn. 1(PLS). 4
D. Hillhaye4 Co-Fiy. Hosp. l(PtS)1(BPL) 18 2
E. Marion Convent . l(BPL) 16
F.
5. Totals (3 & 4)
A. Shut-in patrons 135
B. Visits made 66
C. Items circulated 254
Comments/ac tivi ties:
This month volunteers began delivering books on an added day per week.
Deliveries will continue to be made on Wednesdays and Fridays as in the past,
as well as Thursdays. Volunteers are .informing a number of patrons with visual
problems about the Talking Books program and.encou aging eligible individuals
to try out this service. A number of volunteers were on vacation this month and
our institutional. service was somewhatdisrupted by holidays etc. We did add
two new shut-in patrons, `� i!/{ • ,�
CITY OF BURLINGAME
BUDGET EXPENDITURE
LIBRARY FUND ACCOUNT NUMBER 03-750
FOR MONTH OF : pECEMRFR 137
ct This To Budget
�.mber Month Date Allowance Balance
11 Offi_ce. Expense 2,775.49 3,958.12 5,940.00 1 ,981 .88
12 Special . Department. Expense 614.02 2,215.51 4,830.00 2,614.49
12 . 1 Books and Maps 2,609.22 14,201 .20 67,298.00 53,096.80
12 . 2 Periodicals 172.60 5,131 .84
7,450.00 2,318.16
12. 3 Binding 170.75 595.46 2,850.00 2,254.54
12 . 4 Cataloging
15.14 351 .43 3,032.00 2,680.57
12 . 5 Records and Cassettes 140.58 1 ,274.55 3,610.00 2,335.45
13 Small Tools & Equipment -0- 22.81 225.00 202.19
16 Communications 160.54 900.38 2,232.00 1 ,331 .62
17 Utilities 932.45 5,837.34 16,522.00 10,684.66
19 Maintenance of Bldgs. & Grnds. 108.02 1 ,180.01 5,170.00 3,989.99
Maintenance of Equipment -0- 120.17 866.00 745.83
20 . 1 Operations of Equipment
63.24 250.00 186.76
20. 2 Maintenance of Sec. System 333.00 333.00 240.00 (93.00)
21 Professional & Special Svcs. -0- _0_ 2,400.00 2,400.00
24 Dues and Subscriptions 95.00 125.00 217.00 92.00
25 Travel 6.12 59.20 300.00 240.80
25 . 1 Conf. & Meetings - Librarian 172.00 204.50 250.00 45.50 -
29 Other Charges
40.00 40.00 75.00 35.00
80 Capital Outlay -0- -0- 3,000.00 3,000.00
TOTAL: 8,344.93 36,613.76 126,757.00 90,143.24
STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER 1978
CIRCULATION MAIN BRANCH
Books:
Adult, Non-Fiction 10,480 772
Child, Non-Fiction 1_245 424
Adult, Fiction 8, 177 1 ,452
Child, Fiction 2,063 760
TOTAL: 21 ,965 TOTAL: 3,408
Periodicals: -1 , 531
Pamphlets (Incl . Maps & Sm. Press: 275 1
TOTAL: 1 ,613 TOTAL: 532
Moving Pictures:
Audiorecordings (Incl . Rec. & Cass.) 1 ,077 40
Art Prints: 48 -0-
Equipment Loaned: 11, -0-
Slides: 24 -0-
TOTAL: 1 , 160 TOTAL: 40
TOTAL CIRCULATION: 24,738 + 3,9$0 _ 28 18
GRAND TOTAL CIRCULATION: 1977 Circulation 28,718
Increase
Average Daily Circulation, Main Library: 951 % Decrease
Average Daily Circulation, Branch Library: 166 '
TOTAL DAILY CIRCULATION AVERAGE: 11117
REFERENCE STATISTICS: ---
Total Reference Questions: 2,023 ILL Borrowed: 69 GRAND TOTAL OF
ILL Lent: 115 REF. ACTIVITY 2,207
ILL Total : 184
REGISTRATIONS: AS OF Oct. 31 , 1978 ADDITIONS WITHDRAWALS TOTAL REG. PLS PATRONS TO
Adults: 18, 162 463 274 18,351 DATE: 6,754
Children: 3,035 66 50 3,051 Increase of 75
Hillsborough: 2,471 48 -0- 2,519
Other Non-Res. Patrons 272 61 1 332
TOTAL: 23,940 638 325 24,253
ACCESSIONS AND WITHDRAWALS:
AS OF: 10/ 78 VOLUMES/TITLES VOLUMES/TITLES VOLUMES/TITLES VOLUMES/TITLES
Adult,Non-Fic. : 131 ,405 - 96,007 293 - 205 76 - 15 131 ,622- 96, 197
Child, Non-Fic: 17,654 - 13,511 41 - 35 29 - 5 17,666- 13,541
Y.A. , Non-Fic: 3,208 - N.A. 6 - N.A. 3 - N.A. 3,217- N.A.
Adult, Fiction: _ 46,922 ` 39_,277 147 - 90 135 - 10 46,934- 39,357
Child, Fiction: 13, 133 - 9,428 150 - 14 113 - 13, 170- 9,402
Y.A. , Fiction: 2,685 - N.A. 3 - N.A. 1 - N.A. 2,681- N.A.
TOTAL: 215,007- 158,497 640 - 344 357 - 70 215,290-158,497
PAMPHLETS ADDED: 41 -- MAPS ADDED: 45
PAMPHLETS DISCARDED: -o- MAPS DISCARDED: 10
TOTAL: TOTAL: 1 , 170
RECORDINGS: AS OF: Oct. 31 , 1978 ADDED DISCARDED AS OF: Nov. 3 , 1978
UNITS / TITLES UNITS / TITLES UNITS / TITLES UNITS / TITLES
Disc' s: 4497 / 3741 59 / 54 20 / 14 4536 / 3781
Cassettes: 491 / 375 -0- / -0- 7 / -0- 484 / 375
TOTAL: 4988 / 4116 59 / 54 27 / 14 5020 / 4156
DEPOSITED WITH THE CITY TREASURER: MAIN: $1 ,392.93
BRANCH: 111 .34 TOTAL:.,, $1 ,504.27
MEETING ROOM FEES COLLECTED & DEPOSITED: $ 107.00 TOTAL: $1 ,611 .27
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
RE: EASTON BRANCH LIBRARY
1st Option--
1. Cut the Branch Library to 19 hours
per week -- estimated savings $29,432. 00
2. Do not replace the half-time vacant
Cataloging position 8, 323 . 00
$37,755. 00
The above passed by 4-0 vote of. the Board. Trustee Hechinger
absent .
2nd Option--
1. Cut the Branch Library to 19 hours
`-. per week -- estimated savings $29,432. 00
2. Do not replace the half-time vacant
Cataloging position 8,323 . 00
3. Close the Main Library on Friday
nights from 6-9 P.M. 3,500. 00
$41,255. 00
The above passed by 3-1 vote of the Board. Trustee Deldartini
voting no. Trustee Hechinger absent .
Patricia M. Bergsing
City Librarian
PMB: jt
BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 1978
CALL TO ORDER:
The special meeting was called to order by Secretary of the Board,
Trustee DeMartini, in the Council Chambers of the City Hall , on
December 6, 1978, at 7 : 00 p.m. Trustee DeMartini led the Pledge
of Allegiance to the Flag and reported, with regret , that Chairman
Hechinger was in Peninsula Hospital and could not attend the meeting.
ROLL CALL:
Trustees Present : Trustee DeMartini, Trustee Parsons, Trustee Phelan,
Trustee Weatherbe
Trustees Absent : Trustee Hechinger, absent due to illness.
Acting Chairman DeMartini noted that two members of the Citizen ' s
Committee were present and commented that the hearing for public input
had been held on November 30, 1978 and this meeting was limited to the
Board' s discussion of the Ad Hoc Committee ' s report and additional input
received on that report . He listed information to be considered as
1) the report itself; 2) input from the offices of the City Manager,
Finance Director , City Attorney, and City Librarian; and 3) contributions
from Council, City Manager, Finance Director, City Attorney, and the
Library Staff , specifically, a memorandum dated November 30, 1978 re-
garding the Easton Branch Library. He read portions of the staff
memorandum regarding costs to run the Branch Library at 15 to 20 hours
per week including the statements that : "if the Board and the Council
wish to continue operating the Branch Library for at least another year,
this can be done for approximately $15, 000 to $20, 000 per year , depending
on the hours the Branch is open. Interestingly enough, as we developed
the figures, it became apparent that in general terms, the operating
schedule did relate to costs. We agree with the Committee assumption
that it works out to approximately $1 , 000 per hour per year to operate
the Branch. " and "It is the unanimous opinion of the professional staff
of the Library that service at the Main should not be reduced to support
the Branch. "
Mr. William W. Scott , a member of the Citizen ' s Committee,
OUT wished to speak and Trustee DeMartini informed him that this
was not a public hearing and public testimony was OUT OF
OF ORDER at this time. The gentleman felt there could be a
violation of the Brown Act and Chairman DeMartini granted
ORDER him the floor, noting it was the opinion of the Chair that
such testimony was OUT OF ORDER. Mr . Scott referred to the
Brown Act , Section 54 . 956, regarding Special Meetings , and
read portions of it to the Board. He felt that discussion
of anything but the Ad Hoc Committee' s report at this meet-
ing was a violation of the Brown Act as such information
MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 1978
PAGE TWO
OUT should have been brought up prior to or during the
OF hearing so that the public could comment on it . He
ORDER felt the memorandum was submitted through the "back
door" .
All statements made by Mr. Scott were OUT OF ORDER.
The Board may set its own agenda and input from the
Librarian is the same as from the City Manager to
Council.
Trustee DeMartini stated that such discussion by the Board was in order
and noted that even Mr. William Nagle, Co-Chairman of the Citizen ' s Com-
mittee, had mentioned the previous week that if the Board felt there
were other options or suggestions that might be feasible that they also
be considered. The Board agreed that discussion of the staff ' s memoran-
dum was in order. The Board discussed the various options at length,
including the options contained in the Committee' s report as well as
other alternatives.
Responding to several questions about the memorandum, Librarian Bergsing
confirmed that the $30, 000 - $35, 000 savings by reducing the hours of
operation at the Easton Branch did not include the Friday night closing
of the Main Library or the non-replacement of the half-time cataloger .
Trustee Weatherbe was concerned that this figure would not come near
the $50, 000 requested by Council . It was noted that the memorandum was
not a recommendation, but an example of what the savings would be if
the Branch were run with reduced hours. Librarian Bergsing emphasized
that the staff was not recommending any cuts in the Main Library.
Trustees Phelan and Weatherbe agreed that keeping the Branch open between
19 and 22 hours with the non-replacement of the half-time cataloger and
closing of the Main Library on Friday evenings was a feasible option.
It was noted that though the Branch could operated with reduced hours ,
the same services would continue to be provided, i . e. class visits,
story hours, book chats, etc. The costs could be absorbed by the Main
Library in having a librarian go to the Branch to conduct those programs
at scheduled times. Responding to further inquiries, Librarian Bergsing
explained the suggestion that the Branch be closed on Saturdays was based
totally on use, noting that Mondays and Tuesdays were its heaviest days,
Fridays and Saturdays the slowest and Wednesdays and Thursdays falling
between those ranges. In response to a question from Trustee Parsons,
she noted that more children could be using the library on Saturdays
with a corresponding drop in usage by non-students, but this information
was not readily available. She felt the hours could be flexible and
changed if it was found that another schedule was desirable. She
emphasized that consistency was important so the public knew the hours.
Responding to a question from Trustee Weatherbe regarding C. L.S .A. funds,
Mrs. Bergsing stated it had not been decided how those funds would be
used, but they would probably recommend adding to the book budget , the
periodical budget and possibly some part-time clerical help in cataloging.
She noted that the first payment of approximately $6, 300 is expected in
January or February. She further explained that all the figures are a
general concept . For example, if it is recommended that the Branch be
MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 1978
PAGE THREE
kept open 19 or 20 hours per week on a given budget , these costs will
increase depending on salary increases and inflation costs, etc. She
stated that she hoped that the Council would not expect the current
library budget to absorb these increases or this would require further
reductions in hours and services.
Trustee DeMartini emphasized that there was no attempt being made to
"run something through" and referred to the Ad Hoc Committee ' s recom-
mendations for Options A, B, C and D which represented a 97o to 247o
reduction in the Main Library ' s usage. He stated that Easton Branch
serves approximately 5-6 thousand people in a city of approximately
28 thousand and that the Board serves the entire city having responsi-
bility to the city as a whole. He felt the Main Library offers out-
standing service. He noted that the Finance Director had no idea if
State Funds would be more, less, the same, and there could be the
possibility of. a 107o cut in State Funds . (It was noted that these
figures were cuts for the 1979-80 fiscal budget . ) He stated his
opposition to any cuts to the Main Library. It was pointed out that
with the reduced hours, it would be possible to keep the Branch open
until July. Trustee Parsons wondered whether the Board was discussing
cutting $50, 000 from the 1979-80 budget . It was determined this was
correct . Trustee Weatherbe felt that since no one really knew what
the financial picture was for the future, emphasizing it could get
better, that closing a library, selling the property, and disposing
of or selling the materials would be hasty action--she felt people were
"running scared" . Trustee Phelan agreed that if funds were available
and if it was possible, we should keep it open as long as we could.
Trustee Parsons worked out a schedule she thought could be feasible
and felt Saturday was an important day for the Branch to be opened.
The Board agreed that consistency was important so as not to confuse
the public.
The Board considered specific options included in the Ad Hoc Committee ' s
report as follows:
OPTION A: Trustee Parsons stated she was in favor of the hours of opera-
tion but questioned the income from P.L.S . and C.L.S .A. and whether this
income was assured. Trustee Phelan agreed to Items 1 , 2 and 3 , but was
opposed to those items concerning income, stating she specifically op-
posed the use of these funds towards keeping the Branch open. She
emphasized that there was too much at stake in the entire library system
and it had taken too many years to build up the excellence offered by the
Main Library . Trustee Weatherbe ' s main objection was that this option
would save some money but this would be offset with income that is not
assured. Trustee DeMartini agreed only with Items 1 and 2 , stating he
frankly did not approve of Option A.
OPTION B: Trustee Weatherbe stated she preferred Options C and D because
they cut less from the Main Library and yet kept the Branch open 19 hours.
Trustees Phelan, Parsons and DeMartini opposed Option B.
MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 1978
PAGE FOUR
OPTIONS C AND D: Trustee Phelan felt this option would take too many
hours from the Main Library and was opposed to opening the Main Library
at 10 a.m. ; she preferred a 9 a.m. opening. Trustee Weatherbe stated
she preferred Option D to C, noting less hours would be reduced and the
schedule would be less confusing. Trustee Parsons questioned Item 4 of
Options C and D, adding three hours from the Friday night closing. Mrs .
Bergsing explained that total hours given in "D" included the three hours
for the Friday evening closing at the Main; she also noted a typographical
error that there was a reduction of five hours on Saturdays, not three as
written in the report . Trustee Parsons agreed the hours should be kept
uniform, feeling that a 5 p.m. closing on Fridays would make three days
closing at 5 p.m. and three days at 9 p.m. She was opposed to closing
Saturday mornings and suggested no change on Sunday; with hours on
Monday, 12-9 p.m. ; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. ; and
Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Trustee Phelan stated she would
still prefer a 9 a.m. opening on weekdays with 1-5 p.m. on Sundays and
that was her only change to Option D. Trustee Weatherbe was concerned
that the Board was still not meeting the Council ' s direction of $50, 000.
The Board agreed that this was possibly not a set figure and Council
would consider the Board' s recommendations. Trustee DeMartini stated
he found "D" and any of the four options unacceptable because it would
cut the hours of operation from the Main Library. Trustee Weatherbe
questioned Trustee DeMartini ' s position to close the Branch rather than
cutting hours at the Main. She stated that San Mateo Library operated
on a 63-hour week before Proposition 13 and she understood they have
reduced those hours, and that Burlingame' s Main Library currently
operates on a 73-hour week. She felt a reduction to 64 hours a week
would provide the service required by the community and would still
keep the Branch open. Trustee DeMartini felt that this would be the
beginning of reducing the Main ' s operation, emphasizing its services
affects the entire community, not several thousand. Trustee Weatherbe
stated that 20`�o of the population of Burlingame was a large segment and
that the Branch served not just people in the Easton area but people
from Hillsborough and Millbrae as well as other parts of Burlingame.
She further stated that if it came to closing the Branch or the Main
Library for 3 hours on Friday nights, as far as value received, there
was no comparison. Trustee DeMartini agreed with Trustee Phelan ' s
earlier statements about protecting the excellence that had taken
years to build and felt this should not be jeopardized. Trustee
Weatherbe agreed that the Board was there to maintain an excellent
library system, but felt the Branch was an important part of that
system and that three hours on Friday evening (which is a slack time)
could be given up.
Trustee Parsons felt it would be feasible to keep the Easton Branch open
19-20 hours per week and not replace the half-time cataloger to keep
everything going until June, thus giving the Branch another six months
to operate. She also stated she did not object to closing the Main
Library three hours Friday evenings. Mrs. Bergsing emphasized that
the Board was considering two different budget years, and there was
still about $10, 000 that must be reduced this year which must be ac-
commodated. She felt there was not a problem this fiscal year, but the
problem was the next fiscal year.
MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 1978
PAGE FIVE
Trustee Parsons felt there was a certain amount of agreement on the part
of the Board which could be the basis for a recommendation to the Council
and moved that "We (the Board) present to the City Council , as our first
priority in all options (presented in the Ad Hoc Committee ' s report ) ,
that 1) reduction of Easton Branch operation to 19 hours with a savings
of $29,432 and 2) non-replacement of the half-time cataloger, with a
savings of $8, 323 ; for a total savings of $37 , 765. Trustee Phelan
seconded the motion. Upon discussion, Trustee Weatherbe expressed con-
cern that the motion did not include an additional alternative if the
Council was not satisfied with the $37 , 000 reduction that further
savings would be possible with reduction in Main Library hours on
Fridays. Trustee Parsons withdrew her motion to consider possible
re-wording and then decided the motion should be acted upon as stated
because "first priority" indicated there were other possible priorities
if this was not adequate. Acting Chairman DeMartini called for a vote
and the motion carried 3 to 1 , Trustee DeMartini opposed; however, upon
reconsideration, Trustee DeMartini voted in support of the motion,
making it a unanimous vote 4 to 0, Trustee Hechinger absent .
As a further recommendation to Council , Trustee Weatherbe moved that
"if this amount is not adequate savings , I would recommend closing the
Main Library on Friday evenings from 6-9 p.m. with an estimated savings
of $3, 500 which would effect a total savings of $41 ,255. Trustee
Parsons seconded the motion and it carried 3 to 1 , Trustee DeMartini
opposed. Trustee Phelan felt the record should show that this possible
reduction in the Main Library ' s operation would not set a precedent .
Trustee Weatherbe stated that she would like to reiterate a recommenda-
tion that volunteers be used at the Easton Branch for jobs that do not
require technical skill . The Board agreed that the days and hours of
operation would be left up to staff , noting that usage be a factor .
The possibility of different schedules for summer and winter could be
considered.
Each Board member made a brief closing statement : Trustee Phelan stated,
"I feel very strongly that as a member of the Board of Trustees that we
are representing the entire library system and I would hope that the
members of the Ad Hoc Committee feel that way--we have studied the
recommendations very carefully. I hope that we have left things as
open as possible for the staff because they are the people that are
_ going to have to work with it . They are going to have to fit time and
staff members, money, books and everything else into the set-up we have
given them and it is up to City Council to foot the bill , so I hope we
are giving them something to work with. "
Trustee Weatherbe agreed with those statements, noting the Committee
was a great deal of help and felt the recommendations did not greatly
reduce the hours of operation for the Main Library, yet kept the Branch
open enough hours so that it- could be used, and reduced the budget by
a possible $41, 000.
MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 1978
PAGE SIX
Trustee Parsons agreed with her two colleagues. She thanked the Ad Hoc
Committee and added she would not like to see the Main Library closed
on Sunday, which had been suggested, but instead remain open from 1-5 p.m.
She added she would actually not like to see the Main Library cut at all ;
but , if necessary, her first priority would be Monday 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
She emphasized the importance of maintaining the availability of the Main
Library ' s facilities to everyone in the community.
Trustee DeMartini felt no cut should be made at the Main Library. He
added that if he were the only one making the decision, that the Branch
would close on January 1 . He felt the Board and the City Council could
be getting into a corner, an unviable situation brought on by a pressure
group, which could jeopardize the Main Library and jeopardize the budget
allowance for increases in salaries and materials. He thanked the Ad Hoc
Committee, members of the library staff , and members of the Board; and
then concluded the meeting wishing Chairman Hechinger a speedy recovery.
ADJOURNMENT:
Upon a motion by Trustee Parsons, seconded by Trustee Weatherbe, the
meeting was adjourned at 8: 35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia M. Bergsing
Clerk of the Board
PT,IB:of : j t
SPECIAL MEETING
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
November 30, 1978
MINUTES
POLL CALL:
Trustees Present: Trustee DeMartini , Trustee Hechinger, Trustee Parsons,
Trustee Phelan, Trustee Weatherbe
Trustees Absent: None
A special meeting of the Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:00 P.M.
on Thursday,. November 30, 1978, in the City Hall Council Chambers by Chairman Hechinger.
The purpose of the meeting was to receive comments and recommendations from the public
on the report of the Citizens Committee to "Save the Easton Branch Library".
After introductory remarks by the Chairman, the City Librarian reviewed the four
options presented by the Committee. Chairman Hechinger then asked for comments
from the audience. The follo.Jing citizens spoke: Mr. William Scott, Mr. Frank
Pagliaro, Mrs. Harford, Mrs. Tina Cain, Mr. Dennis Huajardo, Mrs. Anne Alexander,
Mrs. Delores Huajardo, and Mrs. William Nagle. The general tenor of the remarks
was to save the Branch Library because it was providing a valuable service to
resident, of Horth Burlingame, particularly, children and senior citizens. The
Co-Chairman of the Citizens Committee, William Nagle, stated that the committee
had tried to be as reasonable as possible, and that he hoped the Board would
consider any options to keep the Branch open.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia M. Bergsing
Clerk of the Board
PMB:j t
CITY
BURUj4q ME
.o
ATIM JUNK"',
-C, ktP Tits of Wuriinpmr
SAN MATEO COUNTY
CITY HALL- 501 PRIMROSE ROAD
CHARLES F. SCHWALM BURLINGAME,CALIFORNIA 94010 TEL:(415) 342-8931
CITY MANAGER
November 21, 1978
Library Board of Trustees
Burlingame
Re : Easton Branch Library
Dear Members of Burlingame Library
Board of Trustees :
City Council referred the Ad Hoc Committee 's report
on the Easton Branch Library to you for your con-
sideration. Council will appreciate if you can have
your recommendations back by December 18, 1978.
Material goes to Council on December 14 , 1978 so it
would be appreciated if your decision can be received
by then.
Also, if you can hold your deliberations in the
evening and notice the time and place of said meeting,
persons interested in this subject can be accommodated .
Very truly yours,
a es Fwa m
'City Manager
CFS/sn