January 20, 2010

Chair Sue Cauthen called the meeting to order at 8:03 PM. As there was no quorum, the meeting continued as an informal gathering, per the San Francisco City Attorney’s current Good Government Guide (2007-08 Edition: pp. 17, 95). Member Margaret Lee’s meeting notes and handouts from San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) and the Episcopal  community service attendees were accepted as part of the record.

Members Present:  Ted Bamberger, Sue Cauthen, Roger Kallen, Margaret Lee, Neil Mills, Clarice Moody, Gladys Soto, Dan Weaver (three vacancies)            
 
Members Absent: Enne Braun, Lucille Cuttler, Houston Garcia, Linda Guitron, Jan Seeman, Peter Warfield

Invited Guests: Lindsey Eng, Convent of the Sacred Heart; Henry Pan, Galileo Academy

Library  Budget: Branch Library Improvement Program: Update

Chief Financial Officer John Doidge and Deputy City Librarian Jill Bourne
discussed measures SFPL is taking to address the city’s $522 million shortfall for the 2010-11 fiscal year and the $45 million shortfall in the current fiscal year.     
SFPL is short about $2.1 million for  the current fiscal year and about $7.1 million for FY 2010-11, which begins July 1.  SFPL is looking at a selective hiring freeze, fringe benefits, and operational economies to address the fiscal deficit.

The budget goes to the Library Commission in February, to the Controller 2/22 and to the Mayor March 1. The supervisors then consider the budget, which must be completed by July 1. Cuts are determined by assessing priorities and SFPL invited the LCAC  to state its spending preferences.

SFPL’s priorities include retaining open hours and collections (but not increasing them),
technology,  facility management, public safety and staff training.

LCAC members  expressed a preference for strong collections, reading programs and outreach to the public to publicize library services.

Senior Services

Kathy Lawhun, chief of the Main Library and coordinator of SFPL’s 50-Plus effort, outlined  the  new program for seniors.  Services were consolidated into a unified body chaired  by Karen Strauss. Annual budget it $10,000.  50-Plus is not asking for more money as it is not needed.

Programs range from computer instruction and senior-focused programs (e.g., Mental Aerobics) to books by mail, art for elders, social security counseling and films.   A  Senior Fair is set for May 8 to celebrate National Older Adult Month.

Cooperation and partnership with senior centers is critical. Example: Meals on Wheels helps to distribute flyers.  Further cooperation:  Department of Aging, City College, AT&T, and Mercy Housing at Mission Bay.   An $11,500 grant will go to the library accessibility toolkit, which includes a magnifying glass and a signature guide.

Public Comment:

Episcopal community service representatives  Josie McGann and Amy Brokering  shared the following information about their activities:

McGann is director of Senior Resources and Brokering a program coordinator at ElderWISE. They said their groups train volunteers to visit homebound seniors, operate a program for seniors who do not use email, and work to build relationships, including frequent home visits, incorporating the vision-impaired as well.

Announcements and Concerns:

Ted Bamberger reported that The Hospitality House on Leavenworth Street in San Francisco could provide art supplies for seniors.

The SFPL Senior Fair will be on May 8, 2010, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Main Library.

Margaret Lee cited the need for more educational and social opportunities, such as workshops in art, culinary, exercises, reading, and computer.  

Bookmarks:  Linda Guitron is following up on the library’s action to prepare and distribute these.

Bamberger suggestions to increase outreach, particularly keeping in contact with our respective supervisors.  He also urged taking advantage of technology with links to supervisors’ newsletters.   

There was a seven minute recess at 7: 30 PM. Clarice Moody left the meeting.

The meeting resumed at 7:37 PM. .  
There was a discussion on the necessity of full attendance so a quorum is achieved. A quorum is nine members. Eight were present. Absentees excused 1/20/10: Cuttler, Garcia and Guitron due to illness; Seeman, out of town; Warfield absent without excuse because he did not respond to the quorum call or attend the meeting.

Members discussed the three vacancies (D3-Chiu; D8-Dufty, technology seat-SFPL) and steps being taken to fill them.

Prospective member Henry Pan said he would assist LCAC in setting up a Facebook page. Cauthen checked the Sunshine ramifications: such a site is appropriate as long as there is not interaction among the members.

Suggested item for the next meeting agenda:

Commendation: Kathy Lawhun, Chief of Main/Fifty-Plus Team Coordinator.  A senior services resolution will be developed to commend Lawhun  for her creativity in providing a viable and growing 50-Plus program with extremely limited resources: a budget that that is only 1% of the total budget.

Adjournment:   The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 PM