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WEST MELBOURNE PUBLIC LIBRARY
ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
March 22, 2007
Present:
JuliaDerrick, Chairman
Hal Rose, Vice-Chairman
Nelle Ayres
Stephany Eley
Marian Griffin, Director
Absent:
Marian Hughes, Secretary
Call to Order
Stephany Eley called the meeting to order at 7:13
PM.
Approval of Minutes
Hal Rose made a motion to approve the Minutes for
September 28, 2006, Stephany Eley seconded, and the
minutes were accepted.
Director's Report
The Director explained the current situation in the
Legislature regarding the proposed property tax cuts.
The legislature may call for a Special Session because
the proposed bills are so different from each other.
Hal Rose announced that he was going to Tallahassee
on behalf of the City of West Melbourne. Stephanie
Eley and Nelle Ayres thought the trip was probably
arranged for input on the tax issue.
The Director explained the County's budget process
has begun. The Director of Library Services has asked
all the library directors to submit budgets with the
same bottom line as last year.
Stephanie Eley asked what percent of the library
budget comes from local funding versus state funding.
The Director said that she will have to research
that and get back to her. A discussion ensued about
federal, state and local funding of libraries. Possible
causes and effects of the property tax roll back proposed
in the House were discussed.
Hal Rose said that some people's property taxes went
down this year, but West Melbourne has lowered their
percentage. The Director commented that there may
have been a cut in percentage or millage, but not
actual dollars.
Mr. Rose said taxes could not have gone up much because
of the 3% cap. He also said, because of new home construction,
West Melbourne has a larger tax base giving them more
tax dollars. The Director responded that a larger
tax base also creates a larger service base.
Stephanie Eley explained that the 3% cap only applies
to people who do not purchase a new home. When a house
is sold, taxes for the new owner are based on the
value at the time of the sale. Mr. Rose said the 3%
cap only applies to a house with homestead exception.
Further discussion of the inequity of how property
taxes are assessed followed.
The Director wrapped up the discussion by explaining
that the four library construction projects are on
hold until the tax issue is settled. In fact, all
county building projects not under actual physical
construction are on hold.
The Reading Festival
The Director reported on the success of the recent
Reading Festival. She described the park where the
festival was held and explained that she had been
in charge of arranging for Barnes & Noble to provide
and sell the authors' books. They did an excellent
job and grossed more than they normally did for similar
events.
John Nichol, author and illustrator of "Ant
Bully", and Roland Smith, popular young adult
author, signed books for patrons. Mary Jane Clark,
a mystery author, was snowbound in New Jersey and
could not make it, but is coming to Brevard in a few
weeks to do author talks instead.
The Big Read: To Kill a Mocking Bird
The Director reported that this event was also a great
success. Events were held at every library in the
county. Book discussions were held at each library,
some libraries aired the movie and some hosted larger
events. The West Melbourne library aired the movie
on two separate days. No one came for the book discussion
but four ladies came, mistakenly, for the movie. Bridget
Morton, the local scholar hired to lead the book discussion,
introduced the movie instead. West Melbourne Library
has a history of failed book discussion groups. The
Big Read was funded by a grant applied for by Patti
Portnowitz. She intends to apply again next year.
Stephanie Eley and
Nelle Ayers agreed that the Big Read caught on throughout
the county.
Nelle Ayers asked if we had chosen next year's book
yet. The Director explained that the grants are set
up around a pre-selected book title. Promotional material,
study guides, and copies of the book are provided
by the grant.
Julia Derrick said that the Big Read was talked up
a lot at Brevard Community College. There were signs
up in their library and instructions on how to participate.
Other
The Director said she recently established a standing
order for MP3 disks. She is also adding another new
format, the Playaway from Recorded Books. The Playaway
comes with a book pre-loaded and the entire unit checks
out to the patron. They do need batteries and headphones,
both of which are concerns that have not been fully
decided yet. For security reasons the Playaways will
be stored behind the Circulation Desk.
Stephanie Eley said the Playaway sounded interesting
and is willing to try them when they become available.
Nelle Ayers asked who chose the titles. The Director
responded that, with this particular standing order
plan, the titles are pre-selected.
The Director reminded the Board Members that the
libraries are requesting that they contact the Legislators
about the budget cuts and its effect on libraries.
Correspondence
There was no correspondence.
Unfinished Business
There was no Unfinished Business.
New Business
The Director showed the Board Members the book "Long
Overdue" which is a report on a national poll
about peoples' attitudes and use of libraries today.
Stephanie Eley asked to take a look at it first.
Announcements
There were no announcements.
Next Meeting Date and Adjournment
The next meeting was set for May 17, 2007.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ms. Marian Hughes
Secretary
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