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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - LB - 1970.11.17 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BURLING'AME PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD No 17, 1970 CALL TO ORDER: A regular meeting of the Burlingame Public Library Board was held on the above given date. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P. M. by Chairman Cohendet. ROLL CALL: Trustees Present: Trustee Cohendet, Trustee Phelan, Trustee Hechinger, Trustee DeMartini Trustees Absent: Trustee Lynes (excused) MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting of October 19, 1970 were approved and adopted. With regard to the transportation of books from the Branch library, both Trustees Phelan and DeMartini questioned the liability of the City and/or the Library and Board of Trustees in the event of bodily injury or property damage by the driver of the transporting vehicle. The Librarian stated that the driver himself would be covered by Workmen's Compensation, and it was agreed that probably liability would be taken care of under the City's blanket policy. However, the librarian will look into this and report to the Board at the next meeting. BIL'_S: Bills in the amount of $4,744.69 were ordered paid on a motion by Trustee Hechinger seconded by Trustee Phelan. LIBRARIAN'S REPORT: The Librarian's report was read and ordered filed. Regret was expressed at the illness of Dennis Finney, Reference Librarian, from which he is not expected to recover. CORRESPONDENCE: There was no correspondence. OLD BUSINESS: Purchase of Steinbeck Propertx: The Librarian informed the Board that the City Council had agreed to purchase the property; their offer had been accepted; and at the Council Meeting of November 16 City Manager Schwalm had been instructed to proceed with the purchase. He spoke briefly of his visit with Mr. Steinbeck just before his death; and stated he did not know how soon the house would be demolished for the use of the parking district. In reply to a question from Trustee Phelan, he stated he thought the parking lot would hold about thirty cars in addition to those left in the present lot. Refurbishing of Library: The Librarian informed the Board that Mr. J. H. Comey, library consultant, had given the City Council at a study meeting his estimates for library furnishings and his fee for consultation and other services. This would be 5% of the total gross of materials and services, the amount to be a minimum of $3,000 and a maximum of $4,000. The City Council had then asked Mr. Comey to submit more specific figures in order that a contract may be put together. This has been submitted and accepted by the City Council and the City Attorney has been instructed to draw up the contract. The Board then discussed the extra cost of the rug replacing tile in the old building and the decoration of the large beam in the future reference room. The Librarian stated the Council would take up this subject at some future meeting. NEW BUSI!IESS: C.L.A. Convention: Trustee Phelan gave a very comprehensive report on this recent convention in Los Angeles. Some of the highlights were her attendance at: Session on Children's Literature: The publis has many criticisms in this area, particularly with regard to sex, violence, racial values, physical problems, and moral values. The public even questions "What is a classic?" It was brought out in this session that 50% of criminals are juveniles, 10% of these are less than 16 years of age, and the impace of libraries in counteracting this is great. Library Buildings Section: One of the salient points of discussion was the question, "Is a main library important in the canter of a city?" Trustees Meeting: During this meeting the importance of the library trustees' jobs was stressed. The value of a good working relationship between the Board of Trustees and the City Council is great. It was stated that the job of the Board is to make responsible recommendations, take full responsibilities for the plant, book department and staff; and keep all meetings at a high level. Mrs. Phelan stated that there has been some discussion on the Trustees forming a separate division of C.L.A. Friends of Library Meeting: Mrs. Phelan found this quite informative, and felt that she had gained a great deal from attending this convention in relation to her responsibilities as a trustee. The Librarian mentioned the membership meeting, in which was discussed the possibility of changing the structure of C.L.A. from a line organization into separate divisions; for example, the professional librarians in one group and business administrators and trustees in another group, with overlapping responsibilities. He spoke of the variety of the exhibits and of how valuable they were to those attending. Holt Report. This report was discussed and it was agreed that it made no great contribution to our building p-ogram, with the point being made that most library consultants are well versed in library organization per se, but do not know enough about architecture and practical structural applications for library buildings. Friends of Library Book Sale: The Librarian reported that about $650.00 was realized from this sale. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:40 P. M. on a motion by Trustee Hechinger seconded by Trustee Phelan. Resp�ctfull submitt , George Paul Lechich Clerk of the Board