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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Library Trustees 2017-11-14 MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
SAN RAFAEL LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2017
DOWNTOWN LIBRARY MEETING ROOM
6:00 P.M.
CAROL MANASHIL, CHAIR, PRESIDING
MEMBERS PRESENT: CAROL MANASHIL, CHAIR
JOSH LIBRESCO
MELANIE LEAVITT CANTARUTTI
JAIMI CORTES
DOUG VAN GESSEL
OTHERS PRESENT: SARAH HOUGHTON, LIBRARY DIRECTOR
HENRY BANKHEAD, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
PAM KLEIN, DOWNTOWN LIBRARY ADULT
SERIVCES SUPERVISOR
MIRIAM WALLEN, DOWNTOWN LIBRARY ADULT
SERVICES LIBRARIAN
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was amended to include approval of the September 2017 meeting minutes, and
unanimously approved on a motion by Cantarutti and a second by Libresco.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September minutes were approved unanimously on a motion by Van Gessel and a second by
Libresco. October minutes were approved unanimously on a motion by Cantarutti and a second
by Van Gessel.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Sally Seymour introduced herself and stated that she was interested in how the parcel tax funds
were being spent. Houghton relayed the basics of the measure’s budget and funding priorities,
and suggested the annual Parcel Tax Committee’s report to City Council as a way to review
expenditures over time.
STAFF PRESENTATION
Pam Klein introduced the Downtown Library’s new Adult Services librarian, Miriam Wallen.
Klein also reported on some of the recent and upcoming programming coming out of the Adult
Services division.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
REPORT FROM LIBRARY DIRECTOR
Personnel Updates
The library has three new staff members! Peter Warden and Cheryl Meeker are working as part-
time Library Assistants in the Downtown Circulation Services division. Miriam Wallen is
working as a full-time Librarian in the Downtown Adult Services division.
City Council Actions
• On September 18, City Council approved establishment of the Kenneth Edlin Memorial Fund
in the amount of $385,000.
• On October 16, City Council approved establishment of the Robert and Lorraine Joses
Memorial Fund in the amount of $1,282,726.
Reading Buddies
The Reading Buddies program has started back up for the school year at both libraries. Reading
Buddies pairs adult and teen volunteers with elementary school aged youth (grades 1-3) for 20
minute appointments. During the appointment, the child will practice reading with their Reading
Buddy one-on-one, and receive help and guidance with difficult words, comprehension, and
other reading skills.
Math Club
Join us for Math Club at the Downtown Library! Math club provides students the opportunity to
practice and train their math skills in a fun and non-competitive environment. Students work on
level-appropriate assigned work to strengthen their foundation and learn useful tricks. On-going
on Thursdays* @ 4-5pm, 9/28-12/14. For students in grades 4-7.
3D Printers @ the Library
The Library received two Lulzbot Taz 3D printers through a grant from the California State
Library. Library staff is currently developing a policy to govern the public use of this equipment
but hopes to launch a series of programs at both libraries in the very near future.
Virtual Reality – It’s Back
The Library received a Vive virtual reality system (this is in addition to the Oculus Rift we
already had). Both were funded through a grant from the California State Library. Staff is being
trained on how to use the new equipment, but the hope is to re-launch a series of virtual reality
events using both sets of equipment.
REPORTS FROM LIBRARY SUPPORT GROUPS AND OTHER RELATED GROUPS
Friends of the Library: The Friends Board approved two requests for children’s programming
funding at their November meeting. They are planning for the Rare and Special Book Sale in
January. The Friends Board’s December meeting has been canceled.
SRPL Foundation: The Foundation’s annual meeting took place last month and was well-
attended and well-reviewed. Sean Reinhart from Hayward Public Library spoke about their
library’s process to build a new 21st century library. The Foundation’s annual funding appeal is
being sent out this week.
Special Library Parcel Tax Committee: The new committee met with two members from the
previous committee and three new members. New members were oriented to the committee’s
responsibilities and library operations. Brinckerhoff and Lee are drafting the annual report to
City Council. The committee will meet again in late November.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Library Facilities Planning Project Update
Libresco and Houghton discussed the selection process for the architectural firm for the next
phase of the project—producing bird’s eye views of a Pickleweed Library expansion, three
different Downtown sites, and three different Terra Linda sites, including cost modeling for
capital, furniture, fixtures, and equipment, and any additional operating costs. After interviewing
the top three of the six applicants, the City will be contracting with Noll and Tam for this project.
A draft contract has been sent to the City Attorney’s Office for review. Houghton hopes to have
the contract to City Council in January. An unidentified member of the public raised concerns
about the existing Downtown Library structure and trees, and questioned library use levels and
how the money from the Special Library Parcel Tax was being spent. Houghton answered his
questions as best as the time in the meeting allowed for.
Quarterly Budget Report from Q1 2017/2018
The fiscal year is 25% elapsed, and 25% of the budget (both general fund and special library
parcel tax) has been expended. Spending in all areas is on target. Houghton answered questions
about how the City is ensuring that the special memorial funds are remaining with the library for
library use.
Quarterly Strategic Plan Report from Q1 2017/2018
The Library’s achievements and progress on strategic plan initiatives to date through September
2017 were presented. This plan runs through the end of the 2018 calendar year.
Quarterly Outreach Report from Q1 2017/2018
The Library’s outreach initiatives to date through September 2017 were presented. Much time
was dedicated to outreach at the Downtown Farmers’ Market.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:09pm.
Respectfully submitted by Sarah Houghton