Minutes of Library Commission Meeting
February 5, 2004

Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #1 PUBLIC COMMENT
An anonymous member of the public noted that they had been unsuccessful in an appeal of their lawsuit against the Library concerning the manner in which public comment was provided. Mr. Peter Warfield submitted a handout to the Commissioners outlining what he found to be inadequacies with the Library's online system.

Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #2 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 6, 2003
An anonymous member of the public commented that this person would no longer submit citizen public comment summaries as the Secretary had not been attaching them to every copy of the Minutes as required. This person then cited examples in the Minutes of what they found to be misrepresentation of what was said in the way the report was edited. Mr. Peter Warfield commented that the Minutes blurred rather than obliterated important matters and left out details.

COMMISSION discussion of AGENDA ITEM # 2 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 6, 2003
Commissioner Coulter remarked that the wording of the motion approving the Library Wall of Heroes seemed more specific regarding the page 9 quotation than he recalled. Vice President Steiman suggested keeping the text as presented noting that while the motion had included a reference to the quote in question, the intent of the motion was to allow Commissioner Coulter latitude in the decision to retain or replace it.

MOTION: by Commissioner Bautista, seconded by Commissioner Strobin for approval of the Minutes of the regular meeting of January 6, 2004.
ACTION: 5-0 AYE (Bautista, Coulter, Higueras, Steiman, and Strobin)

City Librarian Susan Hildreth began with information not noted on the agenda, announcing that President Higueras had been successful in resolving the awkward situation regarding the Library's Chagoya Mural, where the artist had not been fully paid for his work. President Higueras announced that Enrique Chagoya, the famed Latino artist, had, despite being offered payment for the remaining $13,000 owed on the mural, decided to make a gift of it to the Library.

The City Librarian then reported details regarding the topics and a brief schedule for the Library's Wednesday’s at Noon Brown Bag Lecture series. Ms. Hildreth noted the series highlighted and provided training to members of the public on information available through the Library's website. The City Librarian then reported on the very successful opening of the "Reversing Vandalism" Exhibit, the 125 days of activities, including Phil Frank "Farley" cartoons" and an essay By State Librarian and former City Librarian Dr. Kevin Starr in observance of the San Francisco Public Library's 125th Anniversary on June 7th, and other current exhibits and programs.

Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #3 CITY LIBRARIAN’S REPORT
An anonymous member of the public commented on the complexities and various meaning that could be gleaned from the "Reversing Vandalism" Exhibit noting that its focus through art on diversity of views concerning insides and images of books reflected our heritage and said much about what we were about. Mr. Peter Warfield found the Brown Bag lectures providing bibliographic resource training for members of the public good and the "Reversing Vandalism" Exhibit worthwhile.

Commission discussion of AGENDA ITEM #3 CITY LIBRARIAN’S REPORT
President Higueras provided some background on the difficulties that resulted when a change of Presidential administration in Mexico resulted in the new administration declining to honor its predecessor’s commitment to pay $13,000 owed to the artist for a mural honoring Latino writers created by respected Hispanic artist Enrique Chagoya for the Library. This painting had been commissioned by and presented to the Library in 1998 as a gift honoring San Francisco's Mexican-American community from the Republic of Mexico. President Higueras reported, when it became clear that the Mexican Administration would not honor its predecessor’s commitment, the Friends of the Library had offered to purchase the painting. Instead, Mr. Chagoya had chosen to present the mural to the Library as his gift. The City Librarian and Library Public Affairs Chief Marcia Schneider reported that an Art Commission resolution of thanks and a Board of Supervisors resolution in appreciation of Mr. Chagoya's generous gift were possible and that appropriate changes in signage would be made to acknowledge his gift of the mural to the Library.

Library Finance Director George Nichols presented a detailed background discussion of overall budget and revenue issues and then outlined details of the Library's proposed 2004/05 budget (copy attached).

Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #4 PROPOSED 2004/05 LIBRARY BUDGET
An anonymous member of the public commented that there was no mention of the Mayor’s suggestion for a voluntary 15% pay reduction for City employees and discussed this person’s thoughts concerning the expenditure of Prop E, (Library Preservation Fund) monies for non-library uses. Mr. Peter Warfield expressed puzzlement with the way RFID was being addressed in the proposed budget. Mr. Warfield commented that the proposed budget was problematic, and suggested it de-emphasized books.

Commission discussion of AGENDA ITEM #4 PROPOSED 2004/05 LIBRARY BUDGET
Vice President Steiman lauded the proposed increase in the book budget and noted that there could be ongoing cost savings benefits in addition to more efficient tracking of materials that could recommend using an RFID system. Ms. Hildreth proposed to provide information concerning all aspects of RFID at a Forum proposed for a time certain 6:00pm during the next Library Commission meeting of March 4th. The City Librarian noted that this was an important decision that the Commission should deliberate thoughtfully and be fully comfortable with before the Library went forward with a new system. In response to a question by Commissioner Bautista, Mr. Nichols proposed to inform her of the City's policies concerning investments. In response to a question by President Higueras, Mr. Nichols noted, that the proposed budget reflected an assumption that the employee 7% pick up of retirement costs would continue this year; and, if that should change it would mean an additional $2.5 million in costs to the Library. In response to President Higueras question regarding funding RFID, Ms. Hildreth noted that the timing was particularly opportune and most cost effective to integrate the new system when developing plans for the major POE related improvements underway at the Main Library. The City Librarian noted that the BLIP projects would also be a perfect opportunity to integrate it into the branches. Ms. Hildreth also pointed out that, following any Commission decision regarding RFID, there would certainly be additional discussion of it during the Board of Supervisors budget process. In response to President Higueras concerns regarding maintaining a prudent budget reserve, Mr. Nichols and Ms. Hildreth reiterated that a change regarding the retirement giveback issue would significantly impact what was an adequate if not optimal budget reserve. Responding to comments by Vice President Steiman and Commissioner Bautista, the City Librarian observed that a spectrum of views on RFID would be heard from at the March 4th Forum and noted that additionally both the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor would have a role in determining if the Library should go forward with the system.

Chief of Branches Donna Corbeil presented a detailed background slide presentation (copy attached) on the Library's Tool Lending Center and provided a summary of its history since 1999 and under the original contractor, the San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners (SLUG). Ms. Corbeil noting that the original concept was proposed by former City Librarian Regina Minudri, modeled after an equally successful example Ms. Minudri had begun while City Librarian of Berkeley. Ms. Corbeil reported creation of the Tool Lending Center was approved by the Board of Supervisors after introduction by Supervisor Barbara Kaufman with the support of Mayor Brown. Ms. Corbeil reported that the new contractor, the SF Clean City Coalition, chosen through the City's Request for Proposals (RFP) process, had reopened the Tool Center at the original location after a six month hiatus. Ms. Corbeil then introduced Ms. Gia Grant, Executive Director of the SF Clean City Coalition.

Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #5 TOOL LENDING CENTER REPORT
An anonymous member of the public offered an alternative view of the history of the Tool Lending Center. Mr. Peter Warfield agreed with the previous speaker’s observation that the Tool Center was not a core function of the library.

Commission discussion of AGENDA ITEM#5 TOOL LENDING CENTER REPORT
Vice President Steiman pointed out that there had been discussion of the new arrangements at the Tool Lending Center by the Commission and noted that it had been clear from the beginning, given the popularity of the program, that, had the Commission not approved funding the Tool Lending Center, the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors would have. Ms. Hildreth noted that there were many supporters of the Tool Lending Center in the community that would certainly come to the Commission to speak in support of it being continued. The City Librarian noted that the cost was capped at $175,000 per year and noted that Mayor Brown had strongly supported the Tool Center since the program was proposed by former City Librarian Regina Minudri. President Higueras suggested that it would be up to future Library Commissioners to decide if the program could continue to be supported. Ms. Gia Grant, Executive Director of the SF Clean City Coalition, rose to respond to questions by Commissioner Coulter outlining the neighborhood beautification and improvement work that her organization performed for the City. Ms. Grant reported that hundreds of calls had been received when it was announced that the Tool Lending Center would reopen and noted that its programs complemented perfectly the effort to support direct neighborhood involvement in community beautification her organization existed to promote. In response to a question by Commissioner Bautista, it was reported that there were 3,000 cardholders with the Center, and that its tools were cataloged and tracked and any losses were the responsibility of the borrower. Additionally, Chief of Branches Donna Corbeil proposed to seek ways to include neighborhood youth and their families in the Tool Center activities. Vice President Steiman concluded the discussion by observing that this was a popular program that served a real need and that should sufficient funds be available in the future, she could support it as an enhancement to the Library's services.

Martín Gómez, Executive Director of the Friends of the Library, reported to the Library Commission concerning a number of upcoming events including a "Cooks with Books" lecture and a City Arts and Lectures program by Katherine Harrison, rescheduled from last year, which marked the completion of the longstanding relationship between the Friends of the Library and City Arts & Lectures. Mr. Gómez announced the beginning of the Friends 2004/05 grant cycle, calling attention to $800,000 available for grants to support Library programs.

Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #7 FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT
(None offered)

Commission discussion of AGENDA ITEM #7 FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT
In response to questions by President Higueras, Mr. Gómez reported the Friends were considering various options to produce their own literary series in the future. Additionally, Mr. Martín Gómez provided a brief update on the Friends ‘Capital Campaign for the Branch Libraries activities.

(None presented)

President Higueras, in response to Commissioner Bautista noting a recent experience where the Main Library's exterior lighting was not turned on a dark evening, requested a update report on general Main Library security issues by Facilities Director Rich Walsh and Security Chief Rachel MacLachlan. Commissioner Bautista also expressed interest in visiting the new Library Support Services facility at 190-9th Street.

Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #12 NEW BUSINESS
An anonymous member of the public noted that issues of security around the Main Library and in the Civic Center were of concern. Mr. Peter Warfield suggested that Mr. Walsh's report also address increased elevator service costs

President Higueras proposed that the Commission adjourn the meeting in honor of the late Anne Kincaid, a retired staff member and former Coordinator of Adult Services and Head of the Humanities Department, who worked at the San Francisco Public Library from 1962-1997. Anne's incredible knowledge of books and materials, love of reference work, and good cheer in approaching new assignments will be long remembered and respected. She will be deeply missed. Anne requested no flowers and no memorial service. Donations in her memory can be made to Kaiser Hospice, 4131 Geary Blvd., 3rd floor; SF 94118. Donations can also be made to a book fund in her memory. These donations should be sent to Marcia Schneider, made out to the San Francisco Public Library.

Public comment on ADJOURNMENT
An anonymous member of the public lauded the career with the Library and exemplary public service of the late Anne Kincaid.

MOTION: by Commissioner Streets, seconded by Commissioner Steiman that the meeting be adjourned In memoriam of the late Anne Kincaid, a longtime and respected member of the library staff who passed away on January 28, 2004.

ACTION: 5-0 AYE (Bautista, Coulter, Higueras, Steiman, and Strobin)

The meeting was adjourned at 6:32pm.

The Public Comment Summary Statements included in these Minutes are authorized by San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.16.

These summary statements are provided by the speaker. Their contents are neither generated by, nor subject to approval or verification of accuracy by, the San Francisco Public Library Commission.

The number of members of the public who spoke anonymously at this meeting. 1

Public comment available for viewing in pdf format.