Special meeting on restored county funding and ownership of gifts

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SUMMARY OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HERMOSA BEACH FRIENDS OF THE
LIBRARY HELD AT THE LIBRARY ON NOVEMBER 1, 1994
ATTENDEES: Betty Evans, Myron Gazin, Pat Gazin, John Hales, Steve Hoffmann, Bill Malone, Charlotte
Malone, Al Valdes, Ron Schneider.
REPORT ON THE ACTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON OCTOBER 14, 1994
Ron reported that 22.5 million dollars had been "found" to pay for a return to 1993 service in L.A. County
libraries through June 1995 and possibly thereafter with 10 million from the general fund. The Board took note
of the vociferous public reaction to the closure of the libraries. Ron pointed out that less than 1% of the county
budget goes for operation of the library system.
Although some libraries will open on November 14, our target date is December 6, because of the need for
staffing to meet county billeting allowances, which are: 1 CLM; 1 Children's Librarian; 1 Assistant Librarian; 5-
7 Aides(All to be part-time, each working no more than 32 hours per week); and 3 Pages.
Ron rejected suggestions that volunteers could be used to perform pages duties (mainly shelving of books), or
that the libraries could open sooner while awaiting full staffing. He cited confidentiality of information in the
data base in the first instance and a preference to wait for the full complement of staff authorized by county, in
the latter case.
The library will be open for 45 hours per week: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday hours 10:00 A.M. to 8:00
P.M.; Friday, 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.; Saturday 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
REEVALUATION OF GIFT POLICY
No longer may our contributions be "on the fly", because the county is aware of, and frowns on, this practice of
keeping books out of the computer and unavailable to the entire county. In the event of our withdrawing, Ron
assures us that he can deliver to us all books donated since September 1993. All of these donations are listed in a
card file and easily accessible. Ron advised it is also possible to withdraw and deliver to us the California
Collection.
Since the "gift policy" of the county requires that all donations become the property of L.A. County, Ron was
requested to learn if there exists a "loan" policy. If we were to purchase a multi-media information system, could
we install it in the library on a "loan" basis?? Ron will report on this.
The questions of removing books from "on the fly" status and future gifts will be addressed at the next regular
meeting (Thursday, Dec. 15 at 7:00 P.M.)
Security at libraries county-wide is still ineffectual, unable to prevent the "disappearance" of books, videos and
other materials.
NOTE: By telephonic poll in late Nov., the majority of elected officers authorized expenditure of $150 from
Belasco Fund. ($100 for Christmas program and $50 for Children's bookmark contest.)
Charlotte Malone, Recording Secretary