HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - LB - 1968.03.19 MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE
BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
March 19, 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 Guthrie, Trustee Cohendet,
Trustee Lynes
Trustees Absent: None
MINUTES:
The minutes of the meeting of February 20, 1968 were read and approved.
BILLS:
Bills in the amount of $3,845.90'were ordered paid on a motion by Trustee DeMartini,
seconded by Trustee Guthrie, which passed unanimously.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT:
The Librarian's Report was read and ordered filed. Comment was made on the 11% increase
in circulation noted therein, and it was recommended that suitable publicity be given to
the forthcoming book sale.
COMMUNICATIONS:
None.
OLD BUSINESS:
Chamber of Commerce - It was recommended by Chairman Hechinger that we go on record as
cooperating fully with the Chamber of Commerce in sending them regularly our new lists of
business books received. This has been done for the past several months, and we shall
continue to do so.
Building Program - The Librarian's "Report on Building Consultants" was read and various
phases of it were thoroughly discussed. The Librarian noted that several architects had
dropped in the library in response to the notice in the "Pacific Builder" and they seemed
to be quite capable, but he thought it would be best to have a library consultant - hence
the emphasis on contacting librarians in the search for a consultant. It was brought out
that one dozen library consultants were contacted, but that only two were possibilities,
and one of these would be available only by summer, leaving Mr. Coolidge as our only
choice. The Librarian further stated that in his opinion Mrs. Margaret Troke would be
the best choice, but read a letter from her stating that she was unavailable due to lack
of time. Chairman Hechinger cited the Stockton report, written by Troke, as setting forth
a good method to deal with our problem, in that the librarian laid out what he considered
to be the needs of the library, and from that the Architect followed through. Trustee
Guthrie mentioned that the City Council would undoubtedly be expecting a long range plan
in the report indicative of our future needs; and that the Librarian and the consultant
should come up with one, especially since Burlingame will be stabilizing into a set
population city. Trustee De Martini agreed with this idea, mentioning the problem of
San Carlos which paid a consultant for a report and at a later date had to pay a consultant
for a re-evaluation of the previous report. The Librarian was asked if Coolidge would
make a long range plan together with him and the Board, and he stated that Coolidge would,
especially since he would be able to work with Spangle on it. He commended Mr. Coolidge
for his thoroughness and said that he was very methodical, citing the Sunnyvale project
and San Luis Obispo. It was brought out by Trustee DeMartini that the Council would want
an outside unbiased opinion and that apparently Coolidge would not be influenced by others.
The rest of the Board members agreed. The question was raised as to the price of the
report, and the Librarian stated that it was only $2,200. All agreed that this was reason-
able.
Chairman Hechinger broached the idea that our position would be better supported with at
least two proposals, but after discussion it was agreed that all possibilities had been
exhausted in that twelve different qualified people had been contacted. It was the opinion
of the Board that Coolidge would probably do a good job on the report and further, since
the cost of the report is not excessive, it is no¢mandatory that his ideas be adopted.
Trustee Cohendet moved that a copy of the Librarian's "Report on Building Consultants"
be sent to the City Council along with Coolidge's proposal and his qualifications, and that
we await the pleasure of the Council. Seconded by Trustee DeMartini and carried unanimously.
Gift Book Sale - The Librarian stated that the gift book sale would be held April 18, 19,
and 20 at the old Community Market on Burlingame Avenue. The Lions' Ladies and the library
pages will assist. Trustee Guthrie asked if anyone could volunteer to help, and the
Librarian said that we needed all the volunteers we could get.
Shelving - The Librarian informed the Board that he had a written bid from Remington Rand
which was considerably less than Odabashian. He described the various types of shelving
the bid entails; and brought out that he had a subsequent conference with the Remington
Rand Salesman during which the shelving specifications were revised and he was awaiting the
revised bid on this.
NEW BUSINESS:
Budget - There was an extensive discussion by the Board of the presumed merits and disad-
vantages of joining a cooperative system as mentioned in the Librarian's Budget Summary.
Several points were brought out: 1. A cooperative system would allow access to more volume
than is possible on a limited budget. This would allow our funds to stretch further.
2. With the cooperative, other types of books than our own specialties would be available
to our patrons. 3. Disadvantage - taxpayers might object if they wanted a particular
volume and it was on loan to another city. 4. Disadvantage - it would take more personnel
and time to implement this system.
The question was raised as to who locates a book that is missing. The Librarian stated
that the borrower's city would have the responsibility of finding it. He was asked if
the cooperation would be with cities or counties and stated it would be with cities only.
He was further queried if we would be interested in cooperation with San Francisco and
stated there was a possibility. There was no definite decision by the Board regarding the
cooperative system.
The Librarian explained to the Board the various contemplated changes in personnel during
the coming fiscal year, and brought out the fact that the actual number of positions would
remain the same. With regard to the operational budget, there was mention of the amount
of fine money and the work involved in chasing down books. The question was asked if the
book drop box decreased fines, and the Librarian brought out the fact that people are
traced and the fines must be paid anyway. Trustee Guthrie questioned the stead increase
in circulation and asked if present personnel were equipped to handle it. The Librarian
replied that we have handled even higher circulation, and that, in fact, crowded working
conditions cause much more difficulty than increased patronage. The increased cost of
books was discussed from various angles. It was mentioned that if we start a business
section in the library, there is a possibility that we may get some donations toward its
upkeep from business firms in the city. The problem of our janitorial contact was
investigated, and also typewriter repair service charges. It was mentioned that micro-
filming was 'a joint venture with the Advance Star and that microfilming of newspapers
is a usual item in every library budget. Trustee Cohendet moved that the Board accept
the budget as shown in the amount of $195,194. Trustee Demartini seconded the motion,
and it was carried unanimously.
Minutes March 19, 1968
Personnel Changes - Trustee DeMartini moved that Mr. J. Dennis Finney be reduced in rank
to Librarian II on the basis of recommendations from the Librarian after consultation with
the City Manager. Trustee Guthrie seconded the motion. Trustee Cohendet moved that an
amendment to the motion be made, changing the word "reduced" to "reclassified." Trustee
Lynes seconded the motion. Trustees DeMartini and Guthrie voted "No," necessitating a vote
by Chairman Hechinger, who voted "Yes." The motion was amended as above, and it passed
unanimously. The Librarian was instructed to inform Mr. Finney of this procedure in
writing.
ADJOURNMENT:
Trustee DeMartini moved that the meeting be adjourned. Trustee Lynes seconded the motion,
and it passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 P. M.
Respectfully submitted,
George Paul Lechich
Clerk of the Board