HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Library Trustees 2017-06-13 MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
SAN RAFAEL LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2017
DOWNTOWN LIBRARY MEETING ROOM
6:00 P.M.
SARAH HOUGHTON, SUBSTITUTE CHAIR, PRESIDING
MEMBERS PRESENT: JOSH LIBRESCO
JAIMI CORTES
DOUG VAN GESSEL
MEMBERS ABSENT: CAROL MANASHIL, CHAIR
MELANIE LEAVITT CANTARUTTI
OTHERS PRESENT: SARAH HOUGHTON, DIRECTOR
HENRY BANKHEAD, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
PAM KLEIN, DOWNTOWN LIBRARY ADULT
SERVICES SUPERVISOR
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved unanimously on a motion by Van Gessel and a second by
Libresco.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
May minutes were approved unanimously on a motion by Libresco and a second by
Van Gessel.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
STAFF PRESENTATION
Pam Klein discussed the start of the adult summer reading program as well as the
recent activities of the Teen Advisory Board. She also presented a packet of materials
highlighting the library’s history from 1887-1909 (when the Carnegie building was
opened).
CORRESPONDENCE
None
REPORT FROM LIBRARY DIRECTOR
Personnel Updates
Recruitments for the three vacancies have closed and staff are reviewing the
applications.
City Council Actions
On May 15th, the City Council agreed to form a new Special Library Parcel Tax
Committee.
On June 5th, the City Council unanimously voted to support the continuation of the
library facilities project.
Facility Updates:
A project to conduct a top to bottom assessment of the Downtown Library facility was
approved as a top priority item in the coming fiscal year’s Capital Improvement
Projects list from Public Works.
Library Activities
CENIC Gigabit Ethernet Connections Update
This project continues to have delays, though to comply with the terms of the grant
funding both libraries must have installation completed by the end of June.
Downtown Library Children’s Services Update
On April 22nd, we kicked off the Dia de los Ninos celebration at the Downtown
Library. Youngsters and families were able to enjoy face painting, bubbles, sidewalk
chalk, music, and a free book giveaway. Pickleweed had a Dia event one week later on
April 29th, with 350 attendees. Also on April 29th, the Downtown Library featured Ane
Carla Rovetta who presented a Harry Potter Herbology program in collaboration with
our good friends at Falkirk.
Together San Rafael
The City of San Rafael has launched a new initiative for all employees called Together
San Rafael. This initiative’s purpose is threefold: 1) bringing staff and management
together figure things out cross-departmentally, rather than through a top down
approach, 2) empowering all City employees, regardless of position or tenure, to share
and implement their innovative ideas, and 3) celebrating the innovation happening
every day in our departments.
Pickleweed Supervising Librarian Recognized at City Employee Recognition Luncheon
Pickleweed Supervising Librarian Josh Alperin was the recipient of the Innovation
Award from the City for his work on the Reading Buddies project.
Library’s 130th Anniversary Celebration
The 130th anniversary celebration of Library Services in San Rafael on June 3rd was a
success with over 600 people, including many families with children. The Marin
Independent Journal also provided some positive coverage:
http://www.marinij.com/general-news/20170603/san-rafael-library-hits-130-years-of-
service-looks-to-expand
REPORTS FROM LIBRARY SUPPORT GROUPS AND OTHER RELATED GROUPS
Friends of the Library: The Friends’ annual library lawn booksale is Saturday, June 17th.
SRPL Foundation: The Foundation Board has not met since the last Trustees meeting.
Special Library Parcel Tax Committee: The Committee has not met since the last
Trustees meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
School library card drive update—Assistant Director Bankhead gave an update on this
project. The MOU with the schools was signed some time ago, but we have yet to
receive the student data from the school IT staff. We had hoped to get cards to all
students by the end of the school year but that did not happen. We are aiming to launch
the project when school commences in August and are looking at possibilities of
making the process more seamless for the students.
2017/2018 final annual library budget—Director Houghton presented the library’s final
budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Questions were asked about the increased
spending on physical materials and whether or not the libraries had space to house the
materials, and the increases in the building maintenance contracts and office supplies
line items.
Library facilities project update—Director Houghton discussed the next steps for this
project: issuing an RFP for bird’s eye view footprints for 3 sites in Downtown, 3 sites in
Terra Linda, and a Pickleweed branch expansion. Cortes asked for a timeline on this
and Houghton replied that the hope would be to finish the RFP in the next month and
have it approved and issued in approximately two months.
Libresco asked how the Farmers Market outreach is going. Library staff and volunteers
from our affiliate groups have been present at three markets so far and will be attending
every other week for the entire market season.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Sarah Houghton