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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - LB - 1969.01.21 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD January 21, 1969 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 7:20 P. M. by Chairman Cohendet. ROLL CALL: Trustees Present: Chairman Cohendet, Trustee Amstrup, Trustee Lynes, Trustee Hechinger, Trustee De Martini Trustees Absent: None MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting of December 17, 1968 were corrected to show Trustee De Martini excused on account of illness, and then approved and adopted. BILLS: Bills in the amount of $5,096.40 were ordered paid on a motion by Trustee De Martini, seconded by Trustee Amstrup and carried unanimously. LIBRARIAN'S REPORT The Librarian's report was read and ordered filed. There was a general discussion on the circulation of new books purchased. Chairman Cohendet stated that she had noted on several recent visits to the library that some new books had not been taken out much, and was there a method of determining their useage over a given period of time? The Librarian replied that there was no practical way this could be done without taking too much staff time; however, that there were several reasons for some new books not circulating - they had not been given much publicity; they were not actually particularly good; they did not suit the community need at a certain time. He added that it is difficult to anticipate the needs of the community; ani in reply to a question by Trustee Lynes about the useage of review lists, stated that our books are bought months before they are published and we have only the Kirkus Index, Library Journal and Book List, and others to guide us. Trustee De Martini asked about the percentage of unsuccessful books - fiction specifically - and it was agreed that only about 5% are poorly circulated. Chairman Cohendet, in reply to her question, was informed that new books ordered are received as soon as they are published. COMMUNICATIONS: There were no communications. OLD BUSINESS: San Francisco Cooperative Reference Project: The Librarian informed the Board that there has been no action on this project lately, but that the San Francisco Library is in the process of revising it., San Mateo Municipal Libraries Cooperation Project: The Librarian stated that Karl Uollmayer, City Librarian, Redwood City, is working on a list of items to present to the County Representative before a regular meeting is called to convey the various cities' viewpoints. This report will include the reasons why the cities did not join a system under the Spangle report; the dissatisfaction of the cities when the County Librarian appeared at Sacramento against the system without telling anyone about it; and the fact that the County formed a system of its own without informing the cities. The purpose of the meeting is to try to find some way in which there could be a system set up that would meet with the approval of the State. This meeting should take place within the next month, and the Librarian said that Mr. Vollmayer is hoping that one of the Burlingame Trustees can appear along with the City Manager. Chairman Cohendet queried as to exactly whom the cities were to meet, and the Librarian replied that there would be Vollmayer, the Assistant County Manager, and possibly the County Librarian. There was further discussion on the fact that apparently the State has always favored the Counties, even though the County Libraries have no power over the cities, and that the cities are concerted in their effort to have a library project without the County Library, partly due to the fact that much of the County monies would be devoted to the administrative and not enough would go to the subsidiaries. Library Survey Report Trustee Hechinger opened the discussion with the statement that the big question was if the report was conclusive enough i'or us to make a recommendation as to which way we can go. He stated that in his opinion, it was not. Trustee Amstrup concurred in this opinion, and presented the idea that possibly we should get an architect, lay down to him what we need in the way of space, and have him tell us if this could be done with the present building or if we should have a new one. Trustee De Martini stated that we bought a report that was going to draw conclusions but that we did not get one, and he personally would like to go on record as being opposed to spending any more money on it. The Board agreed that in general they were not satisfied with the report in that it was not definitive enough. Trustee Lynes asked if we had not outlined specifically what we wanted from this report in our correspondence with various library consultants. It was again agreed that this was true, but that we had not received it from the Holt report. Trustee Amstrup reiterated that only an architect could give us an answer, and Trustee De Martini noted that when the Recreation Department had a professional consultant, they were given a conclusion. After lengthy discussion, it was agreed that the Board should draw up a report based on the Holt survey which they deem will best meet the needs of the City of Burlingame; and that they should have a joint meeting with the City Council for discussion and evalua- tion of this report. NEW BUSINESS: There was no new business. ADJOURNMENT: Trustee Lynes moved that the meeting be adjourned. Trustee Hechinger seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 P. M. Respectfully submi ed Geor a Paul Lechich Gejore Clerk of the Board