LIB 03-02-05
City of Cupertino
Library Commission
Regular Meeting
March 2, 2005
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 7:05 p.m. Janet Riddell called the meeting to order at Cupertino City Hall, 10300
Torre Avenue, Conference Room E, Cupertino.
2. ROLL CALL
Commissioners: Kathy Stakey, Ron Miller, Sheila Mohan, Susanna Tsai, and Janet
Riddell.
City/Countv Library Staff: Mary-Ann Wallace, Melinda Cervantes, and Carol Atwood
Absent: None
Guests: Hema Kundargi, Fine Arts Commission
3. MINUTES
Commissioner Tsai moved to approve the minutes trom the February 2, 2005 regular
meeting with Commissioner Stakey's second. Motion passed unanimously.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Everyone introduced themselves given the newness ofthe two commissioners.
5. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Tsai received an e-mail inquiring about checkout limits. Mary Ann
Wallace will send her the information to respond directly.
6. LIBRARY PROJECT AND HOURS OF OPERATION
Carol Atwood discussed the request to SCC for a change of staffing hours trom Tuesday
to Sunday. Melinda Cervantes responded positively but asked that the Library consider
the change subsequent to the election results. Carol explained the history of Sunday
hours and why the City is using these dollars to repay the furniture and fixture obligation
first.
Carol and Melinda updated the commission on the new library building and stated that a
good portion of the punch list has been taken care of. They are still making modification
to the lighting in the children's area. The library is functioning very well compared to
other grand openings according to Melinda.
7. CITY OF CUPERTINO LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
There were 55,124 visits to the library in January (gate count) and 186,930 in circulation
with the library open only five days per week versus seven last year. We have reclaimed
the top spot in circulation in the County. Self-check represented 95% of checked out
items. In addition, 1,128 new library cards were issued. See Mary Ann's written report
for additional information.
8. COUNTY LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Melinda Cervantes stated that the JP A Board decided on a mailed ballot with two
measures - one with an amount of $33.66/yr and a second that would only go into effect
if the first one passed that asks voters to consider an additional support level of $ 12/yr to
restore hours and services. The library has prepared a fact sheet on both measures in
English, Spanish and Chinese and ballots were printed in five languages. The Board
meeting on February 3 will address the budget. If Measures A and B both fail, they will
be eliminating 60-70 positions. If only Measure A passes, we keep the status quo. Ifboth
Measures pass, the library will reopen on Monday's and re-instate the book budget.
The JPA has published its second newsletter with the goal of three to four each year. It
has been well received and goes to every household. In addition, the web site has a new
BLOG (latest SCCOOP) announcing upcoming programs and events.
Other items:
a) National Library week is the second week in April.
b) "March is for the Birds" is the theme for the month with programs offered at the
Library.
c) Legislation Action Day is April 20, 2005.
d) Over 2,000 people attended programs on Silicon Valley Reads countywide and it was
a very successful program partially due to the author.
e) Santa Clara County Library has received one million dollars from the Virginia
Whipple Estate for the Los Altos Library.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Library Commission Orientation Task Force
Janet and Kathy addressed the group on the development of an orientation packet
for new commissioners which would include tours and discussions on the Brown
Act. Carol will see if the City Clerk has a summary of the Brown Act and
Melinda suggested that Gay Strand address the group on budget and other issues.
B. Mayor's Quarterly Meeting with Commissions
Sheila presented a written summary of the meeting and Carol clarified some of the
information for the group.
C. Library Commission Handbook
Janet asked for an electronic copy so that she and Kathy could review and update.
10. OLD BUSINESS
A. Fine Arts Liaison Subcommittee
Hema Kundargi reported that the subcommittee met with Mary Ann Wallace
concerning art in the library. They want art that is rotating and visible for
community involvement. They will work directly with Mary Ann and Melinda as
the library has an art policy and limited wall space.
B. Friends of the Library
Kathy Stakey stated that the Friends will have an election of officers on February
7. The book sale was a great success and raised $6,200. In addition, they will be
placing a box for donations of used cell phones in the lobby as a way to raise
additional funds. They anticipate that they will be able to raise at least $2,000 per
year. Since some library users had requested a pay phone to be installed, Kathy
suggested that the Council look into installing one near the entrance to the library.
The Board voted to fund $2,500 of books to send to Hsinchu City for our Sister
City program. She will be looking at postage and may ask the City to pay for that
portion of the cost.
C. Library Foundation
The Committee continues to raise funds for library furniture and fixtures and held
three fund raisers since January: the Super bowl party, New Year's party and "Just
for Us Girls" party.
11. Calendar
Janet distributed and asked for comments and volunteers to staff the library campaign
telephone tree
12. AGENDA BUILDING
Sheila requested that the group send any requests to her.
13. REPORTS BY COMMISSIONERS
Sheila stated that she had received an e-mail from Pat Rogers stating that Quota Club has
nominated the Friends, the Foundation and the Library Commission for a CREST award.
Melinda stated that there was no precedent in the County library system for hanging
pictures of Council members in the library.
14. OTHER
Carol stated that due to the current hiring freeze and its effect on staffing, that she would
only be able to provide personal support to the commission every other month. She asked
that the commission consider several options, including meeting semi-monthly and stated
that staff will be addressing this with the other commissions as well. Discussion followed
with the commission continuing this item to their April meeting.
15. ADJOURNMENT OF THE MEETING
Sheila Mohan adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m. to April 6.
~~
Carol Atwood
Director of Administrative Services