LIB 03-05-08City of Cupertino
Library Commission
Regular Meeting
March 5, 2008
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 7:04 p.m. Commissioner Miller called the meeting to order at Cupertino City Hall,
10300 Torre Avenue, Conference Room 100, Cupertino.
2. ROLL CALL
Commissioners: Ram Gopal, Ron Miller, Kathy Stakey, Susanna Tsai
City/Coun , Library Staff: Carol Atwood, Ja-Lih Lee, Melinda Cervantes
Absent: Janet Riddell
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Stakey moved to approve the minutes as amended of the special meeting
of January 16, 2008. Commissioner Tsai seconded and motion passed unanimously with
Riddell absent.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Miller clarified the role of the Commission and their relationship with the
County and Community Librarians. He stated that they are volunteers that report to the
City Council. He also explained the rules of the Commission as set forth under the
Brown Act.
Mr. Cohen stated that he wanted the Commission to take more interest in his concerns
and that the Commission is the venue for citizens to come and express concerns in an
open environment. At three minutes, Commissioner Miller thanked him for his
comments and Mr. Cohen refused to stop talking, raised his voice and accused the
Commission of not listening to him. Carol Atwood requested that Mr. Cohen be
respectful and to stop talking. Mr. Cohen lost his temper and left.
5. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Carol reviewed pages Sa and Sb in the packet. She stated that the windows may be fixed
and will verify with Terry Greene.
6. CUPERTINO COMMUNITY LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Ja-Lih Lee reviewed the attached monthly report.
7. COUNTY LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Melinda Cervantes reviewed attached the monthly report.
8. STAFF REPORTS
Carol gave a summary of the library fundraiser status (attached) and requested input from
the Commission regarding the auction and other items.
March 5, 2008 Library Commission Minutes Page 2
9. OTHER REPORTS
Commissioner Stakey attended the City Council meeting and reported that Mr. Cohen
asked the Council to overhaul the Commission because he didn't believe anyone was
doing their job.
Commissioner Miller reported on the CALTAC seminar and stated that there was an
excellent speaker on marketing.
10. OLD BUSINESS
A. Computer Room Use, Non-Operational Printer, Disruptive Behavior Policy
This item was put on the agenda so that Mr. Cohen could comment. He was told
at the beginning of the meeting that he could speak for 10 minutes on this item.
Mr. Cohen, however, left the meeting immediately after oral communications.
Ja-Lih Lee noted that the library was upgrading its computer system and that the
printer problem should be corrected soon. Ja-Lih stated that there are three other
areas for use in addition to the teen area. She also distributed the Santa Clara
County behavior policy.
B. Parking
A shortage of parking spaces was discussed. The Commission will ask the
Council during their budget process for additional parking to be added to the
unfunded CIP list. Carol will look into overflow parking from Hunter/Storm,
Symantec and agreements with private owners.
C. Bookdrop
Commissioner Miller met with Dave Knapp and Terry Greene to discuss the
status. The City now needs to go to formal bid on this project because of the
amounts received on the informal bid. The library will be able to re-deploy staff
to more direct service once the automated bookdrop is completed.
D. Friends of the Library
Commissioner Stakey reported that $5,000 was contributed to the bookmobile.
Election of officers -Commissioner Stakey is now president. The last book sale
resulted in a $12,000 profit.
E. Library Foundation
The Board wants to look into the possibility of writing grants for internal
operational improvements for more seating, CD holders, slot panels for art
displays, and other projects.
March 5, 2008 Library Commission Minutes Page 3
11. NEW BUSINESS
A. Vision Literacy in Santa Clara County
Ja-Lih Lee introduced members of Vision Literacy. The Commission viewed a
short video entitled "Enrique's Story" about a man struggling with literacy.
Representatives from Vision Literacy then discussed the program that serves
about 1,500 people last year. In Santa Clara County, one in four or five have low
literacy skills and the statistics are up to 30% for the state.
12. CALENDAR
The Commission reviewed the calendar as prepared by Commissioner Gopal. All
appropriate changes will be made.
13. AGENDA BUILDING
Reinstatement of quarterly general update to City Council.
14. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m.
Carol Atwood
Staff Liaison