LIB 07-15-03City of Cupertino
Library Commission
Regular Meeting
July 15, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
At 7:03 p.m. Eno Schmidt called the meeting to order at Cupertino City Hall, 10300 Torre
Avenue, Conference Room A, Cupertino.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners: Eno Schmidt, Janet Riddell, Kathy Stakey and Yuhfen Diana Wu.
City/County Library Staff: Mary-Ann Wallace, Melinda Cervantes, Carol Atwood
Absent: Sheila Mohan
Guests: Richard Lowenthal, Ralph Quails
MINUTES
Commissioner Stakey moved to approve the minutes from the June 17, 2003 regular meeting
with Commissioner Riddell second. Motion passed unanimously.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
STATUS REPORT ON NEW LIBRARY PROJECT
Ralph Quails met with the Commission and addressed the questions in the packet. The
Committee asked about wireless capability and Richard Lowenthal suggested that this project
could be referred to the Telecommunications Commission. Ralph will present an update to
the City Council at their August 4th meeting and discuss the possible value engineering items
that could be added back to the project. The Commission will endeavor to send a
representative to the meeting, even though no deliberation by the Commission will have been
possible without copies of the report of Mr. Qualls being provided in advance, to express an
opinion on these decision points.
Kathy Stakey asked about the addition of an aquarium. Ralph stated that this is an addition to
the budget and would be paid for by a prospective donor.
CITY OF CUPERTINO LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Mary Ann Wallace gave the commission an update on June activity for the temporary library.
New hours start in July (two hours less per day on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday). The
summer reading program already has 1743 children signed-up and 185 teens. Last week
there was a drop in craft program with over 130 kids. The final summer reading program
will be at the Quinlan Center on August 5th. In addition, there is a teen photographer contest
this summer. The library is upgrading to the Horizon Software on August 6 - 8th. Self-check
out is 24% for the entire year but has gone as high as 36% per month. Circulation for the
month of June was approximately 158,000 items.
COUNTY LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Melinda Cervantes stated that volunteering time to the campaign is extremely valuable to its
success. The biggest push will be in January and February 2004. She reviewed the new
software packet to be used by the library system and stated that it will be as close to a 24/7
system as possible. Melinda also discussed the opening of the Saratoga library.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Keeping Our Library Strong Campaign - Richard Lowenthal, vice-chair of the
election committee, stated that they are in the informational stages of the campaign and
are putting together the election information for the March 2004 ballot. The library
assessment district will end in July 2005 so they need to replace the funding to ensure
continued services with a Mello-Roos district. Richard reviewed a summary of an
independent survey taken by Bregman & Associates as to voter preferences. The
campaign will cost about $250,000 and another $416,000 for the election itself.
Donations are now being accepted and Ed Hoffman volunteered to head up the Cupertino
campaign with a kick-off date in August.
B. Library Survey Results - Mary-Ann Wallace reviewed the survey results, which were
very positive, especially in the areas of check out process, customer service and on-line
catalogue (see attached recap). The Commission asked that the survey run through the
summer months since customers are still turning them in.
C. Cupertino General Plan Task Force - Kathy Stakey commented that the task force is
extremely well organized. Steve Piasecki and Ciddy Wordell facilitated in addition to
three guest speakers.
10. OLD BUSINESS
A. Report on JPA Meetings - Richard Lowenthal stated that the JPA budget has been
approved. The new Saratoga library was open on June 21st and it is a big library. He
welcomed visitors to the library site.
B. Sister City Library - Diana Wu has no plans to visit this year.
C. Friends of the Library - Kathy Stakey stated that the board was looking at a
contribution of approximately $75,000 to the new library. She stated that it is time to
move off the naming issues and build enthusiasm in the community again re: the
campaign.
D. Library Foundation - Eno Schmidt said that there is about $150,000 raised and/or
pledged. Otherwise, the campaign has somewhat been on hold until the naming policy
was settled.
E. Mayor's Tea - no update. Cancelled through August.
F. Calendar - No update.
G. Iris Chang Book Review - Diana Wu stated that the event pulled over 120 people with
only one week of publicity. The Commission was extremely happy about the turnout and
the interest in the community.
H. Agenda Building for Commission meetings -
1. Richard Lowenthal asked that a Commission representative attend all Council
Meetings where a library item appears on the agenda. He wants to hear
recommendations and opinions at the August 4th Council Meeting report on the
library from Ralph Qualls. A subcommittee of Eno and Kathy will review the
staff reports provided to them and endeavor to present their recommendations to
City Council at that meeting.
2. The Commission reviewed the rest of the agenda building items and discussed
modifications to the calendar.
11. REPORTS BY COMMISSIONERS
A. Commissioner Riddell asked Carol to check on the status of the directional signs to the
temporary library.
B. Commissioner Wu stated that she would accommodate a tour of the new San Jose library
on August 14th at 10:30am.
C. Commissioner Stakey stated that Barbara Nesbet is running for Simitian's seat in the
Assembly.
D. Commissioner Stakey will request a change in the address of the new library.
12. OTHER - No report.
13. ADJOURNMENT OF THE MEETING
The meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
Carol Atwood