CALL TO ORDER:

President Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:34 p.m. in the Library Board Room.

ROLL CALL:

Present: Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Hostetter, Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Britt, and Ms. Lee

Al Milo, Library Director
Jim Armstrong, City Manager
Bob Hodson, Director of Engineering
Jo Menely, President, Friends of the Library
Betty Schwarzkopf CPS, Administrative Secretary

MINUTES OF JULY 26, 2001:

Mrs. Mann moved and Mrs. Britt seconded that the Minutes of July 26, 2001 be approved. The motion carried.

3. WARRANT REGISTER FOR AUGUST 2001:

Ms. Lee moved and Mrs. Mann seconded that the August 2001 Warrant Register in the amount of $37,381.77, be approved. The motion was approved.

EXPENDITURE SUMMARY FOR AUGUST 2001:

The report was filed. With 16.7% of the fiscal year complete, 9.8% of the department's budget has been expended or encumbered.

REPORTS:

1. Library Director

   Director Milo reported that Jason Woods has been hired as a Library Technical Assistant II at the Hunt Branch. Patricia Steinemann has also been hired as a part-time Technical Assistant I for the Administration Office.

   There was discussion regarding a pending contract with an independent security guard company. Board members expressed concern of the public's perception of a uniformed security guard in the library. The Board requested that the issue be placed on the next agenda for discussion before the contract is signed.

   Director Milo displayed an alabaster book sculpture donated by Dr. Donald Bauman. A thank you letter was sent to Dr. Bauman. A member of the Board will acknowledge the donation at the City Council meeting on September 18.

2. Friends of the Library

   Mrs. Menely distributed copies of the September issue of the Friends Newsletter. The Friends recently pledged $5,000 for the purchase of large print books.

3. Library Foundation

   Mrs. Britt reported on the free jazz concert that the Foundation is sponsoring at the Hunt Branch on September 23. She also expressed her appreciation and enjoyment of the recent Foundation reception for present and former Board members held at the home of Dick and Cynthia Foster.

ACTIVITY REPORT FOR JULY 2001:

The report was filed.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Short Street Signal Light Relocation

   Director of Engineering, Bob Hodson, described a blueprint of the proposed relocation of the signal located at Short Street. The proposal is to move the signal in order to access and egress the driveway of the Senior Center and the Amerige Park athletic field. A discussion followed regarding a path and directions to the Main library. Mr. Hostetter suggested that the City provide a directional sign to the Library at the intersection of Short Street and Commonwealth Avenue. If the signal relocation is approved, Short Street might return to a two-way street with a right turn only onto Commonwealth Avenue. Mrs. Johnson suggested that during the first month of transition, a crossing guard should be provided. Mr. Hodson responded that perhaps a police cadet could be stationed there initially.

City Manager, Jim Armstrong, announced that he has accepted a position as City Administrator for the City of Santa Barbara and will be leaving the City of Fullerton. The City Council will appoint an Acting City Manager for the interim of the recruitment and appointment of a new City Manager.

2. September 2nd Main Library Closure

   Mrs. Mann moved and Mr. Hostetter seconded staff's recommendation that the Main Library be closed on Sunday, September 2, the day prior to Labor Day. The motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Integrated Library System Update

   Director Milo reported that the City Council approved the new Integrated Library System. The $360,000 contract with epixtech will be signed. Tentatively the system will be available to the public by March 2002.

2. Joint Planning Meeting

   Mrs. Johnson reported that a joint meeting of the Boards of the Foundation & Friends, and the Board of Trustees will be held following the completion of a needs assessment study.

3. Joint School-Public Library Research

   Mrs. Britt reported that she and Mrs. Johnson would be visiting the Pasadena Library system on Wednesday, August 29. She also reported on her recent visit to the Maple School.

   There was a discussion regarding the Literacy Volunteers of America and Laubach. Director Milo will invite Jim Roberts of the Placentia Library District to attend the September Board of Trustees meeting and share his knowledge of library-based literacy programs.

4. CALTAC Workshop Registrations

   Director Milo will register all five board members to attend the meeting in Cerritos on September 29, 2001. There will be a tour of the Millennium Cerritos Library.

5. Public Library Fund Update

   Director Milo said the State appropriation for Fullerton's share of PLF was reduced by Governor Davis by $15,000 (i.e., from $213,000 to $198,000). The per capita also went down from $1.66 to $1.55. The governor attributed the reduction to a decrease in the State's surplus due to the energy crisis.

6. Proposition 14 Background

   Director Milo distributed a time line and review of Proposition 14. He said the needs assessment study is projected to end in December, although the City Manager believes that deadline to be too ambitious.

ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS:

Mrs. Britt moved and Mrs. Mann seconded that the donations in the amount of $544.91 be accepted. The motion was approved. The donations included $500 from La Vonne Quigley for the Bookmobile.

CORRESPONDENCE

There was no correspondence to report.

BOARD MEMBER ROUND TABLE:

Mrs. Johnson requested the Board's consideration for a part-time position. She suggested the title Community Activity Coordinator. She recommended applying for literacy grants and requesting that the Foundation match the amount to fund the position for one year. The coordinator's duties would be to oversee the literacy program, community outreach programs for young adults, publicity, teen volunteers, and a teen advisory board. If the position proves to be valuable, consideration could be given to making it permanent in the future.

Mrs. Britt suggested an on-line book club for teens.

Copies of an article by Bruce Hostetter for California Libraries were distributed.

Mrs. Mann asked if it was possible to renew books via the Web. Mr. Milo said yes it was. However, the existing software is cumbersome and should be improved with the new automation system. He also mentioned that renewals can be made by phone.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

There were no comments.

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Lee moved and Mr. Hostetter seconded that the meeting adjourn at 4 p.m. The motion carried.