SunnyvaleRTC

The Board of Library Trustees met in regular session in Council Chambers, 650 West Olive Avenue at 7:04 p.m. with Jim Griffith presiding.

Director Barrow informed the Board that the RTC includes five facility scenarios:

Director Barrow provided the Board with a brief overview of the RTC which included Renovation/Expansion of Existing Library; New Main Library Construction; Branch Library; exploration of funding through General Obligation Bond; Mello Roos; and Senate Bill 156. The Board was provided with a letter from Sunnyvale School District Superintendent Joseph W. Rudnicki expressing continued interest in the potential of placing a branch library at the Columbia Neighborhood Center. Director Barrow also provided an overview of staff recommendations.

Director Barrow answered Boardmembers’ questions regarding Mathilda Ave./El Camino Real facility scenario possibility; school district survey and student involvement in the study process; funding; California State Library budget and grant process; Senate Bill 156; General Obligation Bond funding; Mello Roos funding; and the November election.

A member of the public inquired on the construction cost for the Santa Clara and Cupertino Libraries. Staff will report the cost to the Board.

Boardmember Shinseki moved, and Boardmember Pathak seconded, to recommend to Council Alternative Nos. 2, 7 and 8. Alternative Nos. 2, 7 and 8 follow as:

Alternative #2: Explore the costs and other considerations to build a 143,500 s.f. new main library on the Civic Center Campus on City-owned property currently occupied in part by the Sunnyvale Office Center.

Alternative #7: Do not build a branch library. Instead, develop alternative methods of delivering cooperative public library services with school districts, as well as other delivery distribution methods to enhance services to students and community members throughout Sunnyvale, as part of the Library of the Future strategy.

Alternative #8: Conduct a community opinion survey to determine potential public support for the Sunnyvale Library of the Future, and to develop recommendations related to funding strategies, and also to develop a timeline for presentation to voters; and return to Council on June 12, 2007, or to a subsequent meeting, for approval.

Chair Griffith offered a friendly amendment that while Alternative Nos. 2, 7 and 8 are the Board’s recommendation, that Alternative Nos. 3, 4 and 5 not be excluded in case Council shows interest in funding them. Vice Chair Lilly stated that numerous factors favor Alternative Nos. 2, 7 and 8. Chair Griffith withdrew his friendly amendment.

Motion carried unanimously.

Chair Griffith stated that he is unavailable to speak to Council at their Tuesday, April 24 meeting and inquired if another Boardmember would be interested in speaking to Council on behalf of the Board’s position. Vice Chair Lilly volunteered.

Director Barrow provided the Board with an overview of the draft 2007/2008 fines and fee schedule. Revisions in fiscal year 2007/2008 include changes to the processing fee for lost or damaged paperbacks, boardbooks, magazines, pamphlets and books. The fines for overdue materials are recommended to remain the same during fiscal year 2007/2008, however, will be re-examined for fiscal year 2008/2009.

Chair Griffith opened the public hearing, and there being no public testimonies, closed the public hearing.

Director Barrow informed the Board that Sunday, April 15 through Saturday, April 21 is National Library Week. In celebration of National Library Week, Boardmembers will be greeting patrons as they enter the library. Library staff will be providing library patrons with a 15 minute Behind the Scenes at the Library tour, personalized bookmarks, and a special program Dream Green Kitchens will be held on Wednesday, April 19 from 7 – 8 p.m. with Author Jennifer Roberts. Boardmembers have signed up for two-hour time slots during the week. Cookies will be provided.

Chair Griffith opened the public hearing and there being no public testimonies, closed the public hearing.

The California Library Association (CLA) sponsors the annual Library Legislative Day which brings library issues to the attention of State representatives and the Governor. Library Legislative Day is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18 in Sacramento, CA. On that day, public, school, academic and special librarians, along with Commissioners, Trustees, Friends and other library supporters, will deliver the library message to their representatives. Boardmembers interested in attending should notify Library Administration.

The annual Library Issues Breakfast co-sponsored by the Peninsula Library System and the Silicon Valley Library System and their System Advisory Boards will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2007 from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Stanford Park Hotel. Dr. Robert Martin will speak about his experience working with the Institute of Museums and Library Services. The breakfast is an annual event attended by Council members, Library Trustees, Friends of the Library, System Advisory Board Members, City Managers and Library Directors from member libraries in the two cooperative systems. Boardmembers interested in attending should notify Library Administration.

Vice Chair Lilly commended Library staff for all their work on the Library of the Future Project.

§ The Friends of the Library generated approximately $6,300 at their book Sale on Saturday, March 10.

§ Approximately 175 people attended the Storytelling Festival on Saturday, March 17.

§ The Sunnyvale Library’s podcast site was featured on an Idaho news channel recently. In addition, staff have been receiving calls from other libraries to learn how we have set up podcasting. A librarian from Columbia University will feature Sunnyvale’s site in an upcoming book to be published this year on Web 2.0 topics for libraries.

§ The next Board of Library Trustees meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 7 and will be held in Council Chambers.