HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-18-2008
St. Lucie County Library Advisory Board
Minutes
February 18, 2008
The St. Lucie County Library Advisory Board meeting was called to order at 5:30pm in
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the 2 floor Conference Room of the Fort Pierce Branch Library by Chair Rudy
Widman.
Members present: Rudy Widman, Allen Miller, Carol Clover-Dawkins, Carnelle Clifton,
Eloise Cumings, Ethel Rowland and Susan Kilmer
Members absent: Marjorie Harrell, Michael Bausher
Minutes of the September 17, 2007 meeting were approved as mailed.
Susan discussed the expansion plans for Zora Neale Hurston and Morningside Branch
libraries – the program was given to the architect firm on February 14, 2008. Hurston
Branch is scheduled to be expanded by 5,000 square feet and Morningside Branch
Library is scheduled to be expanded by 15,000 square feet. The County owns the
property at both locations, additional parking will be needed at Hurston Branch and
Susan needs to review the interlocal agreement with the School District to see if parking
has been covered at Southport Middle School for Morningside Branch expansion.
Martin County Library update – Susan spoke with Donna Tunsoy, Martin County Library
Director, in early January 2008 at that time they had 502 St. Lucie County residents with
a Martin County Library card; they do not charge residents at Harbor Ridge for the use of
the library and they do have Martin County government employees who live in St. Lucie
County that they do not charge for the use of the library system. There are 61 Martin
County residents with a valid St. Lucie County Library privileges as of this date. Staff
has reported some grumbling from the public but for the most part the patrons have
accepted this change – as one letter to the editor pointed out the charge is less than $1.00
per week which isn’t such a bad deal.
Election of officers:
Rudy Widman was nominated for re-election as Chair of the Advisory Board and he
accepted.
Ethel Rowland agreed to serve as Vice-Chair for the Board.
Allen Miller agreed to serve as Secretary for the Board
New Business:
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Library’s budget is due to Management & Budget by March 3 – Department Directors
were instructed to reduce operating expenses, not to request new positions, new
equipment or any new capital expenses. Library supervisors have brought their budgets
in under last year’s dollar amounts but additional cuts may be necessary. Staffing for the
expansion of the sites will be a concern; there are currently 8 frozen positions with more
on the horizon due to retirements and students moving away for college.
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Strategic Planning will be held on March 12 and 13 at Tradition Town Hall – library
staff worked on a priority project list; new revenue streams; and a SWOT analysis for the
planning session. Several departments will be involved in the discussion of meeting
room fees, charges and policies.
Commissioner Craft will be recommending Linda Hudson-Bailey to replace Elizabeth
Mallonee on the Library Advisory Board.
Friends of the Library report: President Carnelle Clifton announced that the Friends of
the Library will be holding their annual volunteer luncheon on Monday, April 21, 2008 at
noon at the Backus Gallery. Commissioner Doug Coward now serves as the BOCC
representative on the Friends of the Library Board. The Friends will help sponsor Zora
Fest again this year with the festival taking place the last week of March 2008.
Library Director’s report – Susan reported that Port St. Lucie Branch will be closed
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March 17-21 for roof replacement with staff deployed to other locations. Several staff
members have lost family since mid-December with other staff rallying to help them get
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through this difficult time. The Library and Friends of the Library participated in the 2
annual Sundaes in the Park at Minsky Gym sponsored through Lifelong Literacy
Coalition. The Bookmobile was on site as well as the Waggin’ Tales program and the
Friends held a book sale. The Friends will hold a book sale during Jazz Week in front of
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the Fort Pierce Branch library between 11am-2pm Monday through Friday. The 8 brick
order has been placed with over 540 bricks now ordered. The Library hosted several
programs for Black History Month including Florida Humanities Council speaker Dr.
Carolyn Williams who spoke on the Civil Rights Movement in Florida; panel
presentation by Dr. Margaret Benton about Life in the Lincoln Park Area during the
1940’s, 1950’s, and 1960’s; as well as an African-American Genealogy and use of
cemetery records by the Treasure Coast Genealogy Society with Sam Gaines, Bill Yates
and Larry Lee as guest speakers. Morningside Branch’s monthly Café Kulture continues
to be a big hit with standing room only at this monthly event. Volunteer tax help began
at Lakewood Park, Morningside and Fort Pierce Branch libraries at the end of January
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and will run through April 15. This is a very popular program with people turned away
daily due to time limits and just not enough volunteer tax preparers.
Meeting adjourned at 7:00pm
Next Board meeting will be Monday, April 21, 2008 at the Fort Pierce Branch Library
conference room.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Kilmer/Library Director