HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - LB - 1970.06.16 MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE
BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
JUNE 16, 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 by Chairman Cohendet.
ROLL CALL:
Trustees Present: Trustee Cohendet, Trustee Hechinger, Trustee Lynes, Trustee DeMartini,
Trustee Phelan
Trustees Absent: None
BILLS:
Bills in the amount of $8,690.40 were ordered paid on a motion by Trustee Hechinger
seconded by Trustee Phelan. Other bills, to be paid from the Library Special Account,
were approved for payment. There was discussion, some with regard to power bills, which,
the Librarian warned the Board, will be doubled by the new addition. He explained some
capital expense and maintenance expenditures.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the meeting of May 19, 1970 were approved and adopted.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT:
The Librarian's report was read and ordered filed. This report brought out discussion on
the fines and fees, which will be covered under that heading. Note was made of the Puppet
show put on by the Children's Department.
OLD BUSINESS:
San Mateo Libraries Cooperative Project: The Librarian reported to the Board that all
delaying this is the final processing of the Joint Exercise of Power Agreement among the
cities; that all the city councils have actually agreed to it and the city attornies are
now involved in getting theformdrawn up and signed. He read the minutes of the last
meeting of the Association to the Board. Much of this covered agreements by the system
on fines and fees. In connection with this, there was some discussion by the Board on
the use of our cash register and the employee time involved in checking it.
Building: The Librarian stated that we were in the last stages of small alterations in the
blueprints and they will be ready for final approval shortly. Trustee DeMartini asked
if the council again had to approve the plans, and the Librarian informed him that they
would probably not - that the project would then be ready for bid. Chairman Cohendet
asked if the Board would be able to see the plans before they were put out for bid, and
was informed that they would. She also brought up the subject of the automatic typewriter
for the cataloging department and was informed that this department was now trying out a
new service - that of having catalog cards microfilmed - which so far had proved quite
satisfactory.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Librarian informed the Board that the Civil Service Commission had passed for the
position of library assistant two people who are now working as part-time library
assistants - Susan Roberts and Fonda Joyce. Trustee DeMartini moved that the Board
appoint them to the position of Library Assistant upon the recommendation of the Librarian.
Trustee Hechinger seconded the motion and it carried.
STEINBECK PROPERTY:
The Librarian informed the Board that, upon learning the Steinbeck property next to the
library parking lot was vacant, he had checked with the City Planner who told him it had
been put up for sale. The Librarian also talked to Mr. Steinbeck's daughter, and to the
City Manager Charles Schwalm about the property. Mr. Schwalm had recommended that it be
put up for the Council 's action for an addition to the city property, either for the use
of the library or the parking district. The Librarian noted that the matter would probably
come up in a study session soon. Upon a question by Trustee Lynes about the price of
the property, he estimated it would be around $65,000. There was some discussion of the
value of this lot as far as useage was concerned. Trustee De Martini questioned the
probability of getting the lot and was informed that it looked favorable.
Contra Costa County Junior College: The Librarian told the Board of his purchase of surplus
furniture and shelving from this college district in Martinez. This was purchased from
our capital equipment budget. He stated that there was still much more furniture and
shelving to be bought most reasonably which could be used in our new addition, the purchase
of which would be handled through the building addition costs. The greater bargains
would be in shelving, which of course, we need most. Trustee De Martini moved that the
Board allow the Librarian under his own cognizance to procure all furniture and shelving
which we could use in the new building from the Contra Costa College District. Trustee
Phelan seconded the motion and it carried.
Fines and Fees: The Librarian explained to the Board that under the proposed library
system, all of the libraries involved wished to standardize their fees - for example,
all children's books 3G per day, adult books 5� per day, art prints, $1.00 per day,
maximum amount of fee not to be more than the value of the book. He recommended that the
Board approve this standardization of fees. Trustee Lynes moved that we come in line with
all other libraries on fines as the system becomes operative and remain standard with the
cooperative costs. Trustee Hechinger seconded the motion and it passed. The Librarian
then told the Board of a recent discussion we had with the San Mateo Public Library, wherein
they had decided to raise their non-resident fees to $24.00 in order that the City not
furnish service to another community for less cost than to the citizens of their own
community. He stated he believed our non-resident cost is comparable, and it has not
raised from $14.00 for quite a few years. Trustee Lynes moved that we raise our non-
resident fees to $24.00; Trustee De Martini seconded the motion and it carried.
Friends of the Library: Trustee Phelan gave a comprehensive report on a recent organi-
zational meeting of the new Friends of the Library group. She spoke on the workshop,YYwa -
in San Francisco; and stated the objectives which the organizational group
had suggested. These include activities involving young people with the library; family
service type work, such as bringing books to shut-ins; help with books to non-English-speaking
people; organizing library book sales. Temporary committees have been appointed, as
was an acting chairman. By-laws are being set up and a nominating committee appointed.
Another meeting is to be held August 3 for further organization.
Adjournment: Trustee Hechinger moved the meeting be adjourned, Trustee Phelan
seconded and the motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 P. M.
Respectfully submitted,
Georg Paul Lechich
Clerk of the Board