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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Library Promotion Committee 02/18/2004CITY OF PALM DESERT LIBRARY PROMOTION COMMITTEE MINUTES February 18, 2004 3:00 P.M. — Administrative Conference Room ****************************************************************************** I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Beasley convened the meeting at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Joan Beasley, Chair Beverly Bergh Betty Carapellese Ella Manor Francoise Rhodes, Vice Chair Bobbie Rosenberg Staff Present: Rachelle Klassen, Staff Liaison Gail Santee, Recording Secretary Others Present: Jean Benson, Council Liaison Sheila Gilligan, Assistant City Manager, Community Services Beth Ziegler, City Librarian Mary Arnold, Volunteer Coordinator Lynn DeSantis, Library Events Coordinator Barbara Bowie, Manager, Desert Library Zone III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR APPROVAL of Minutes of the Regular Meeting held January 21, 2004. Action: Member Bergh moved, seconded by Member Carpellese, to approve the January 21, 2004, minutes as presented. The minutes were approved 6-0. LIBRARY PROMOTION COMMITTEE Minutes February 18, 2004 V. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION of Proposed Fiscal Year 2004/05 and Fiscal Year 2005/06 Budgets Ms. Klassen distributed a memo and chart containing the proposed budgets for the subject fiscal years. The memo noted that staff had been advised to prepare a set of priorities where 28% of each budget could be eliminated. Ms. Gilligan stated that the State of California is in a sizeable budget crisis. The State may go to municipal governments to help it meet its expenses the beginning of the Fiscal Year 04/05, July 1, 2004. Not knowing exactly what they are going to do, they have talked about taking the cities' sales tax. The sales tax is the largest portion of the City's revenue. The City gets one cent of every dollar. If the State takes half of the City's sales tax, it will loose $7 million of funding out of a $32-36 million budget. In addition, the State could go after the City's Redevelopment Agency funding. Last year they took $2 million along with another $2 million this year; it is proposed to be about $3.5 million for next year. The State has said "give us your sales tax and we will give you back an equal amount in property tax, but we will only pay you twice a year." While they have come forward with a program to take the sales tax, they have not come back with a program of how they would refund that money. The vehicle license fee is a large part of the City's budget, in excess of $1.4 million. We are okay this year, but don't know what may happen next year. Ms. Gilligan went on to explain that the City Manager is being very cautious in how the City will move forward. The City is very sound financially, yet, it needs to budget with these possibilities in mind. If the State goes through with its current plans, it will take 28% of our budget. Therefore, staff has been asked to budget for next year as usual, but also to compile a list of items that could be cut (if need be) that equal 28%. The cut may be Tess than 28%, but the 28% cannot be based on capital items, as they are one-time issues. Bookmobile: Ms. Klassen noted the bookmobile cost is currently $10,000. She wondered what would happen if it were cut to twice a month from the current weekly schedule; however, that service schedule probably would not be practical. Ms. Bowie reported that at this point the number of visitors to the Bookmobile has been lower than expected. For the first half of February, figures show there had been 49 people coming on board with 24 reference questions asked. There has been a move to start a Palm Desert Country 2 LIBRARY PROMOTION COMMITTEE Minutes February 18, 2004 Club Book Club on board. Only two members showed up for that meeting. People are coming by to ask questions, but are not frequenting the service yet. Member Carapellese mentioned that timing might be bad as Palm Desert Country Club was in the throes of dealing with a big development. She felt that, in time, more people would begin using the Bookmobile. Ms. Bowie suggested that if there needs to be a budget cutback, perhaps the Bookmobile could be discontinued at this time and be re -instated at another time, i.e., when Freedom Park is open. Three Additional Hours: A survey of Library patrons in 2000 indicated a desire to have the Library open at the same time every day. Therefore, in FY 2000/01, the City agreed to fund hours on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (previously the Library was open on Thursdays only from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.). The Library is now open on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Discussion followed that the three hours at the Library were more important than the Bookmobile. The Bookmobile could always be re- instated. It was also asked if a room could be rented in the Palm Desert Country Club Clubhouse in which a library could be placed. Computer Lab Instructor: Three classes a week are being offered with space for 5 people each and they are always full. These classes are free; there is a fee for most other classes being offered in the Valley. The Library's classes are very basic and the others are more advanced. The Joslyn Senior Center offers classes for a fee, and they are not basic; Computer U. rents the space and holds the classes. Discussion followed that if this service were cut, patrons would have other places to go for training. Chairperson Beasley noted if the Events Budget ($9,000) and Volunteer Programs ($3,000) were cut in half, The Friends of the Palm Desert Library would make a commitment to pickup the other half ($6,000) for one year in order to maintain them. This may allow keeping the Computer classes. Ms. Klassen summarized that should the budget reductions be necessary, the Library Committee would be willing to make the following changes: The Bookmobile for one year, $10,000 Half of the Volunteer/Events Programs, $6,000 (which will be reimbursed by Friends of the Palm Desert Library) 3 LIBRARY PROMOTION COMMITTEE Minutes February 18, 2004 - The Computer Instructor, entirely or part thereof, $18,000 If needed, cuts could be made in the Furnishings/Equipment Replacement budget in order to keep the Computer Instructor. Member Rhodes felt the Computer program was important because it draws people into the Library. The five students in each class are usually the same people. These are not the same computers being used by the public for e-mail purposes. Action: Member Rosenberg moved, seconded by Member Manor, to recommend approval of the Budgets as presented and offer the following items to meet potential budget reductions: The Bookmobile for one year, $10,000 - Half of the Volunteer/Events Programs, $6,000 (which will be reimbursed by Friends of the Palm Desert Library) The Computer Instructor, entirely or part thereof, $18,000 The final decision will be made if and when budget reductions are asked for. The motion carried 6-0. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VII. OLD BUSINESS None VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Council Member, Mayor Jean Benson Council Member Benson reported the next Zone meeting would be held in March. B. Librarian's Report, Beth Ziegler Ms. Ziegler distributed January 2004 and January 2003 comparison statistics. She noted the Door Count figures were lower this year probably due to the fact the COD Library was closed the entire month of January 2004. The number of Internet Use workstations was reduced from 15 to 14, as one of the Youth Area computers has been out of order and removed. It will be replaced. According to a memo received from Luther Brady, the Riverside County Library System Automation Manager, "14 new Dell desktop computers will replace 14 dumb terminals. All of the existing 4 LIBRARY PROMOTION COMMITTEE Minutes February 18, 2004 desktop computers that are below Pentium III in processing speed (all but 2 computers) will be replaced by new Dell desktops. This will bring the total desktops to 40." Due to other changes, the Library will be equipped to handle up to ten additional desktop computers. These changes will be made by September and are being paid for by grant funds. Ms. Cheryl Tut McLendon has just started in the position of Computer Technician. She will be at the Palm Desert Library two days out of the week. She is supervising classes and the volunteer instructors. Ms. McLendon will also be teaching classes. C. Event Coordinator's Report, Lynn DeSantis Mr. DeSantis reported on the following events: February 18, 6:30 p.m. — the Coachella Valley Scholars Speak series is presenting Penny Usherwood, Associate Professor of History and Political Science at COD and Middle East specialist. Her topic will be Saudi Arabia. Her last presentation was well attended. March 3, 6:30 p.m. — The Banjo Man is returning. During his last visit, he brought his two -year -old granddaughter who also played the banjo. It was well received. March 10, 6:30 p.m. — O'Jay Venagus, Education Director of the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum will speak about local Native Americans and the tribes' differences. March 11, 6:30 p.m. — Well-known author Victor Villasenor will speak about his struggles to teach himself to read, about growing up in a barrio, and learning to take pride in his heritage. He wrote Rain of Gold, a book high school students often read. March 21, 2:00 p.m. — Due to receiving requests for opera presentations, the Library has scheduled "Afternoon of Opera" with European opera singer, Claire Plowman and pianist Peter Osbaldeston performing Schuman's song cycle Frauenliebe and Leban and other songs. March 24, 6:30 p.m. — Sandra Scofield, best-selling author of the memoir Occasions of Sin, will explain how to build your own memoir. Monday Nights, 6:30 p.m. — The Natural Science Collaborative will present its Winter Series of interactive talks and workshops. Computer Classes — These are one-time, small classes for beginners. Topics cover 1) How to Use a Computer, 2) Word Processing, and 3) Internet and E-Mail. April 14th — The Library's sixth annual Fun Festival will be held. D. Volunteer Coordinator's Report, Mary Arnold Ms. Arnold distributed the February issue of Library News noting the 5 LIBRARY PROMOTION COMMITTEE Minutes February 18, 2004 special article regarding Bert and Connie DeVries, both volunteers in the Library. Ms. Arnold gave a breakdown of the number of volunteers and what they do: 6 volunteers work in the Children's Section. 8 volunteers work at the front desk — answering phones, tag books for the Friends book sales. 8 volunteer Friends work with donated books, on the Internet, or with the events. 18 volunteers are designated "shelvers". 6 volunteers conducted Children's Story Time. 5 volunteers working in the Work Room - mended, jacketed, cleaned books to ready them to go out on the shelves. 7 volunteer teens worked on weekends, earning their school -related Community Service hours. 2 volunteers are serving 9 people who are homebound/ill. 2 volunteers work primarily on events. 2 volunteers work on computer training. That is a total of 64 volunteers. E. Budget Review Group, Bobbie Rosenberg Nothing further. Discussed under New Business. F. Friends of the Palm Desert Library, Joan Beasley Chairperson Beasley reported a nice donation had been received from the Internet group. They are looking at what it can be spent on. G. Committee Chair, Joan Beasley None H. Committee Members None I. Staff Ms. Klassen reported a letter would be sent to the Desert Sun to thank them for their improved coverage of Palm Desert. Jennifer Larson, the Desert Sun reporter assigned to Palm Desert, will be commended in that letter. 6 LIBRARY PROMOTION COMMITTEE Minutes February 18, 2004 IX. ADJOURNMENT Member Rhodes moved seconded by Member Bergh, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m. The next meeting will be scheduled for March 17, 2004, at 3:00 p.m., in the Administrative Conference Room. Respectfully submitted, 1 At 10) Lori Wimbish Recording Secretary 7