SunnyvaleRTC

The Board of Library Trustees met in regular session in Council Chambers, 650 West Olive Avenue at 7:05 p.m. with Jim Griffith presiding.

Boardmember Shinseki moved, and Boardmember Meagher seconded, to excuse the absence of Vice Chair Lilly. Motion carried unanimously.

Chair Griffith requested that item 1.A be pulled from the Consent Calendar and be considered separately. Boardmember Pathak moved, and Boardmember Shinseki seconded, approval of item 1.A as presented. Boardmember Meagher abstained due to her absence from the April 4 meeting.

Boardmember Shinseki moved, and Boardmember Pathak seconded, approval of item 1.B as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Director Barrow provided the Board with an update on the status of the project. At their meeting of April 24 Council approved alternative numbers 2, 7 and 8 with modifications. She provided the Board with an overview of Council comments/suggestions regarding the facility scenarios study. Consulting firm Anderson-Brulé Architects is currently working on conceptual plans for a library facility. Library staff will be working with consulting firms Tramutola/Godbe to compile a community opinion survey. The phone survey will measure the interest in the library and will be based on Sunnyvale voters. The next Library of the Future presentation to Council will be at their June 12 meeting. Director Barrow answered boardmembers’ questions regarding the survey, ballot measure timeline, and project timeline if approved by Council at their June 12 meeting.

The City Council Budget Workshop is scheduled to be held on Thursday, May 24. The City Budget Public Hearing is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, June 5.

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

Boardmember Griffith moved, and Boardmember Pathak seconded, for the Board to address City Council at their June 5 meeting to encourage Council’s support of the Library of the Project when approving the City’s budget. The motion carried unanimously.

Administrative Librarian Steve Sloan provided the Board with a brief overview of the draft RTC regarding authorization to allocate 2006/07 PLF monies. The RTC will be presented to Council at their Tuesday, June 5 meeting. Discussion ensued regarding the funds allocated to the Library of the Future project.

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

Boardmember Pathak moved, and Boardmember Meagher seconded, to recommend to Council Alternative 1 which approves Budget Modification No. 47 in the amount of $77,095 and the State Public Library Funds for use in the following special project categories: Library of the Future, Collections, Inform the Community about Library Resources, and Improvements to Library Services. Motion carried unanimously.

Director Barrow informed the Board of a California State Library grant opportunity through the library consortium. Sunnyvale Public Library has been selected to represent Silicon Valley Library System which allows the Library to participate in a study, with other libraries, to deliver library materials to patrons via postal mail. The grant will be overseen by the Library System’s Office and if approved will grant Sunnyvale Library $25,000 for additional staff.

Boardmember Shinseki moved, and Boardmember Meagher seconded, approval of grant application submission. Motion carried unanimously.

Director Barrow informed the Board that at their meeting of May 1 Council approved RTC 07-148: Clarifications to Council Policy Governing Boards and Commissions. More information will be forthcoming when the final policy is issued.

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

Director Barrow invited boardmembers to assist staff to handle the Library information table during 2 hour time slots at the Health & Safety Fair on Saturday, May 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Columbia Neighborhood Center. Boardmembers Meagher, Pathak and Shinseki will be available to assist. Program flyers, booklists, and promotional library items will be provided. The Board will discuss the Sunnyvale Library of the Future with the public.

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

Director Barrow thanked boardmembers for their participation in National Library Week. During the week, Library staff provided 500 personalized bookmarks and provided backroom tours to approximately 30 patrons. Boardmembers shared comments they received regarding customer service and cell phone use.

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

Boardmember Shinseki provided an overview of the annual volunteer recognition event on Tuesday, April 24 at the Senior Center. He said it was an impressive event and well-received.

Chair Griffith shared his observations of the Martin Luther King Library in San Jose. He also encouraged boardmembers to visit newer neighboring libraries to explore what services are available and what functions the facilities are providing.

Boardmember Pathak shared comments received from Council regarding the Library of the Future project.

§ Library Legislative Day was held on Wednesday, April 18. Administrative Librarian Steve Sloan met with Assemblywoman Sally Leiber and Legislative Aide James Schwab in Senator Elaine Alquist’s office. Discussion topics included the Library of the Future project and Public Library Foundation funding for Sunnyvale.

§ On Friday, April 13, the Library received more than 200 new Chinese books from local Chinese newspaper, the World Journal. Librarian Amy Hsu selected the books and worked with their representative.

§ Use of the online payment option is increasing. During the first full accounting period of operation (Period 9), the Library received $2,565 by credit card payments, and by Period 10, the Library had received $4,826.

§ A coffee cart is tentatively scheduled to open on the Library plaza during the next few weeks. The services will be provided by “The Divine Cup” and the contract will be overseen by Parks and Recreation.

§ The Library’s web site received a facelift this month. The redesign strives to provide better navigation, more content features, and a better balance between images and text.

§ There have been six new podcasts since the last Board meeting, including a video podcast of Dream Green Kitchens, a co-sponsored program between the Library and Public Works.

§ This year’s annual Library Issues Breakfast will be held on Saturday, May 12 from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Stanford Park Hotel. Guest speaker is Dr. Robert Martin.

§ The next Board of Library Trustees meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 4 and will be held in Council Chambers.