DRAFT MINUTES
SUNNYVALE board of Library Trustees
JANUARY 9, 2006 

The Board of Library Trustees met in regular session in Library Program Room A, 665 West Olive Avenue at 7:06 p.m. with Jim Griffith presiding.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:                   Thomas Flaherty

Jim Griffith

John Lilly

Kathy Meagher

ABSENT:                     Roland Wanigatunga (excused)

STAFF PRESENT:     Deborah L. Barrow, Director of Libraries

Jane Dimpel, Acting Recording Secretary

SCHEDULED PRESENTATION:       None

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:

None

CONSENT CALENDAR:

1.A) Approval of Draft Minutes of 12/5/05

1.B) Approval of Agenda

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD:

None

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS:

2. Update on Sc[i]³:

Library Director Deborah Barrow provided information regarding her conference with Martha Sneed of the  United States Patent & Trademark Office.  No decision has been made at the USPTO regarding the request by Cogswell College to become a Partnership, the future of Sc[i]³, or the future of the Partnership program.  Many changes are taking place in personnel at the USPTO, and their emphasis is on the use of the Internet for training and document delivery, and reducing pendancy time for Patent requests that are filed.  Martha said that 24% of their budget is spent on services to partnerships, they recoup only 18% from the partners and the program represents only 1% of their work product.  As a result it is felt that due to budgetary impact, the Partnership Program is under careful scrutiny by the USPTO.  Martha advised that a final decision is to be made by higher level officials.

A graph was provided showing the history of Sc[i]³’s financial trends from 1995 to the present time.  Discussion ensued regarding the inadvisability of continuing the program after June 30, 2006, due to the continued need for a subsidy.

Director Barrow mentioned that the Library is considering the implications of remaining a Patent and Trademark Depository Library. Adult Services has indicated that they could continue the PTDL services without additional staffing costs for regular library services. The only costs above the current costs for regular library reference services could be approximately $5,000 per year. This includes a $50 per year service fee to the USPTO required of PTDLs, approximately $3,000 for the required annual training at the USPTO and approximately $2,000 in miscellaneous costs.

Director Barrow reported that continuing as a PTDL could be seen as a “win/win” situation.  The Library’s original association with the USPTO was as a Patent and Trademark Depository Library. Subsequently the Library became a partnership library thereby developing the Sc[i]³ program.  By reverting back to only being a PTDL, the City could continue to show support for technology and innovation without the annual subsidy for the more extensive services associated with Sc[i]³.

Board Member Griffith asked about the space requirements for the PTDL. Director Barrow indicated that if Sc[i]³ were to be discontinued some space would be released to the Library but as a PTDL, the Library would continue to use some of the existing space that houses the collections that are required to be available at a PTDL.

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

3. Results of Council Study Issues:

Deborah Barrow advised that City Council met on December 15 to define and prioritize Study Issues for all City Departments.  The Library has one new Study Issue, “Status of Internet Access Service Delivery at the Library”, and one continuing Study Issue, “Library of the Future”.  The Study Issue recommended by the Library Board on Corporate Partnerships was considered under the Community Development Department’s Issues as “Explore Corporate Sponsorships, Donations and Partnerships with City Departments”, and was ranked #22 out of 50 issues for them.  WiFi is ranked as the #2 Study Issue, “Wireless Services at City Hall and the Library”, for the IT Department. 

4. Council Legislative Policies Review:

The Library has ten Legislative Issues to be reviewed by City Council on 1/10/06.  The 10^th one; “Support passage of the California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 2006”, will be up for a vote in June. 

Discussion ensued regarding the issues of state funding and/or reimbursement. 

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

5. Review Feedback Cards:

Director Barrow presented a report of feedback from library patrons categorized by specific programs.  Many of these comments were regarding computers and internet scheduling, furniture replacement, cell phones, e-mail notification of late fees, DVD collection.  On the whole, the comments were very positive.  Feedback cards and responses are placed on display to the public in the display case in the lobby after the appropriate Library Manager responds to them.

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

6. Day in the District:

Day in the District is scheduled for January 27 and February 3, 2006.  The California Library Association and the California School Library Association sponsor the Library Day in the District.  This is an opportunity for Board members and staff to visit State Legislators in their legislative district offices.  Appointments are being made, and Deborah Barrow will advise what appointments are available.

7. Caltac Training

Deborah advised that she is no longer available to attend the Caltac training on Saturday, February 4, 2006, due to the Budget Restructure Council Workshop being rescheduled for this date.  We will attempt to reschedule the training.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

·         BOARDMEMBERS OR COMMISSIONERS ORAL COMMENTS

Chair Griffith advised that he spoke at the December 13, 2005, City Council meeting regarding the Library Study Issues. 

Boardmember Flaherty highly recommended attendance at the System Advisory Board Breakfast on Saturday 3/25.  The speakers will be CLA lobbyists Mike and Christina Dillon.

·         STAFF ORAL COMMENTS

Director Barrow noted the following:

• February will be Silicon Valley Reads month throughout Santa Clara County.  The books to be highlighted are When the Emperor was Divine by Julie Otsuka and The Souvenir by Louise Steinman.  Friends of the Sunnyvale Library provided funding so that the Library could purchase several copies of each title.  This Proclamation is to be read at the City Council meeting on January 31, 2006.
• An RTC which will go to City Council on January 10, 2006,  called “Explore Locations for Community Gardens and Special Agreement with Sustainable Community Gardens”, was distributed.  Concern was expressed regarding the usage of land along Charles Street north of W. Olive Avenue, and how this might affect possible future Library growth.
• Brochures were distributed to Boardmembers regarding a Caltac Workshop regarding Library advocacy to be held on Saturday, February 25, 2006, in Cupertino.  As registration is due by February 11, 2006, Boardmembers were asked to advise if they were interested in attending.
• More information will be supplied regarding the Legislative Issues Breakfast in March at the next Library Board meeting on February 6, 2006.
• Maria Pan, the Library Patron who spoke at the December 5, 2005, Board meeting regarding making Internet access available for people who need to use word processing software, was contacted by Library staff as promised, and her concerns about word processing computers in the Library were answered to her satisfaction.
• The Link+ project is moving along very well.  E-commerce will be set up for convenient payment of fines and fees soon.
• Library staff is working hard to prepare for Budget Hearings with the City Manager in two weeks.

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS: 

None

ADJOURNMENT: 8:44 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Deborah L. Barrow

Library Director