HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - LB - 1968.05.21 MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE
BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
MAY 21, 1968
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 Hechinger.
ROLL CALL
Trustees Present: Chairman Hechinger, Trustee De Martini, Trustee Lynes
Trustees Absent: Trustee Guthrie - has moved from the city and is no longer on Board.
Trustee Cohendet excused on account of illness
MINUTES:
The minutes of the meeting of April 16, 1968 were approved and adopted.
BILLS:
Bills in the amount of $2,906.98 were ordered paid on a motion by Trustee Lynes, seconded
by Trustee De Martini and passed unanimously.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT:
The Librarian's report was read and ordered filed. Particular attention was paid to the
mention of the newly acquired shelving. The Chairman and trustees queried the Librarian
as to pricing, supplier, and installer, etc., and he gave his rationale for the source and
details of installation and clean-up. The Board members examined the shelving itself and
agreed that it was quite satisfactory both in pricing and appearance. The supplier has
yet to adjust part of the shipment in which the wrong type of shelving was sent.
Chairman Hechinger asked for more information on some of the personnel changes.
COMMUNICATIONS:
There were no communications.
OLD BUSIN"ESS:
Building Program: The Librarian mentioned the special joint meeting of the Council and the
Board on June 12 for the purpose of interviewing the prospective library consultants. He said
that Mr. Coolidge and Mr. Wight will be here and possibly Mr. Holt if he can adjust his
schedule, and that some of the councilmen would like to have the interviewing done in the
Council chambers. The Librarian pointed out that if the Board approved they could have
their regular meeting early at the Library and then adjourn to the Council Chambers for the
special meeting with the Council. With reference to the proposed addition, the Librarian
stated that actually it would be better to have an addition at the present time than a new
building, since the patronage picture may change shortly. Trustee Lynes asked what would
account for the change - joining a system? The Librarian replied that the needs of the city
may dictate that a new branch be built, and emphasized its possible value, in which case
the traffic pattern for the Main library would change considerably. The Chairman asked if
the High School used the Easton Avenue Branch much, and he was informed that they did to
a considerable extent. More accurate information will be available after the library study.
Trustee Lynes brought up the point that the School Board has passed Phase I of the Library
Development Program - that they will have about 5,000 books now and a paid librarian.
Trustee De Martini mentioned that this lack of sufficient library facilities was a large
problem at Mills, and it was generally agreed that most school libraries in this area need
a great deal of improvement. The Librarian mentioned that Burlingame Library's ratio of
books per capita was far superior to most libraries on the Peninsula. Chairman Hechinger
queried about the success of the book sale and was informed by the Librarian that the
Library had grossed over $1,000 on it and that a service agency had picked up the few books
that remained unsold. The Board members agreed that they would meet with the City Council
on the 12th of June.
Budget: The Librarian stated that the budget had not yet been passed by the City. He
mentioned that we might be short in the Library fund and that our fines will be less than last
year's, due to more efficient collection from patrons of overdue books. He also spoke
of the cost of collection, and mentioned that remaining monies from several funds in our
present budget will be in general expended by June.
NEW BUSINESS:
Peninsula Library System: Copies of the tentative plan of service for this system were
distributed, and it was discussed in detail. The Librarian noted that the funds for reim-
bursement of members for library materials and imbalance of service seemed quite adequate,
and that members can drop out on thirty days notice if they are dissatisfied. Chairman
Hechinger questioned several areas of the financial report, which the Librarian explained,
and Trustee Lynes asked the origin of the income. The Librarian stated that it was a federal
grant, and that the weakest part of the projected budget might be the imbalance of service,
although on paper it looks sufficient. He went on to explain that even at present we do
have a type of cooperation with other libraries, in that each library tries to specialize
in a certain area - Burlingame, Russia, satellites, and natural history; San Mateo, travel
books, etc. - and all share in this material by means of interlibrary loan. The adoption
of this system would merely put this effort on a business-like basis and make it easier.
He stated that he was in favor of it because the same amount of money would come to us as to
the others. Trustee Lynes brought up the matter of cost to us, and the Librarian stated
it would cost us nothing - that our income would probably be $10,000 - $12,000 more by
virtue of this plan. Trustee De Martini wondered if consideration of this project fell within
the scope of the City Council, and when informed that they should consider it, suggested that
copies of the proposal be given to them and their reaction noted at the joint meeting. It
was agreed that this would be done. The Board decided at this point that we would hold our
regular Board meeting at 7:00 P. M. and go to the Council Chambers at 2:00.
San Francisco - San Mateo Demonstration Project: Copies of this system plan were also
distributed and discussed. It was pointed out by the Librarian that this program would be
completely carried out by the San Francisco Public Library, and it was set up to determine
the use of reference materials by independent cooperating libraries; and would be expanded to
increase the reference collection, speed up its availability, provide more expert staff, and
the use of teletype to transmit answers to difficult questions with alacrity. A Federal
grant would furnish the expense money. He mentioned some of the good points, one of which
would be that their reference system would be more complete and sophisticated with regard
to certain subjects, such as the business section, and this would obviate our setting up an
elaborate business section of our own. Trustee Lynes stated that he thought we might as
well try it for a time, since it would not cost us anything. The Board members agreed that
the Council be given copies of this proposal also for their reaction. There was a question
from Trustee Lynes as to whether these two programs could be combined. The Librarian replied
that they would dovetail, supplementing each other. The Board members discussed the various
types of plans considered in the past and agreed that subsequent plans have smoothed out the
rough edges. Their feeling was that both of these plans are worth considering.
ADJOURNMENT:
Trustee Lynes moved that the meeting be adjourned. This was seconded by DeMartini and carried
unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 2:30 P. M.
Respectful submitted,
George 'Paul Lechich
Clerk of the Board