SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes of Meeting of February 21, 2001
These minutes are for informational purposes only.
PRESENT: Bert Kaplan, Anne Erickson, Barbara Gardner, Charmaine Glew, Carol Bingham, and Gail Ryan, Chairperson. Staff: Susan Bullock, Director; Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary.
Bev Payne, Friends Liaison.
The meeting was called to order by Gail Ryan, Chairperson at 7:15 P.M. in the Program Room of the Library. Bert Kaplan moved the minutes of the January 8, 2001 meeting be approved with one correction: Under Budget 2002 change: Some new services have been included to “Some Library services have been expanded” - ... Second: Anne Erickson. So moved.
There were no additional agenda items and no public audience.
COMMUNICATIONS: Gail Ryan shared the following: a brochure from the CT State Library regarding a workshop by Sandra Nelson entitled “Managing for Results”, information from Libratects on Building Project workshops to be held in April and May, material from the CT Library Association on a conference for trustees, and material from the CT Center for the Book. Mrs. Bullock shared a letter from the CT Historical Commission related to building projects adjacent to historic sites (in this case the 1820 House). The letter has been forwarded to the architect. She had information from Mary Louise Jensen, State Library Building Consultant, on submission of the grant application being delayed going to the Bond Commission. Mrs. Bullock received a letter from a trustee of the Jewell Trust that was in reply to her
question of whether there were any restrictions on the distribution of their funds. There are none and the Library did not receive any funds this past year. She received a memo from Mrs. Mielert regarding the Board of Selectmen’s approval of the $100,000 funding to proceed with the next phase of the building program. After reviewing the most recent flyer from Fitzgerald’s, it was decided to write a thank you to Warren Boyle for the coverage of library happenings in the community events column. Mrs. Bullock also had a copy of Voices, a northwest Connecticut community newspaper, in which there was a front-page picture and an article inside of the person giving the recent Chinese cooking program at the Library.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: There was no Personnel Committee Report. Friends: Bev Smith reported that next year there will be four issues of Doorways. Friends will be initiating a web-site that will enable the community to keep abreast of their activities. It has also been decided to increase dues starting in the fall and the new slate of officers will be published in the next Doorways.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Mrs. Bullock will be mailing her written report to the Board. She did note that in January circulation was up 5,000 over last year. The January Read-Away had 234 families participate. Mrs. Bingham asked about the removal of security strips and Mrs. Bullock stated that it was found they were not cost effective. Magazines alone are not disappearing nearly as much since it is now possible to get so much through the Internet. The Children’s Department reported that 75 parents participated in the Nursery School Program in January. The Children Department’s report listed the many storytimes held for children of all ages.
Mrs. Bullock urged the Board to try to attend the Lobbying Workshops held at the State level – there is a breakfast at 8:00 A.M. March 14th at the Farmington Library, a pot-luck supper for legislators from 4:30-6:30 P.M. at the State Library Museum on March 21st and one item on that agenda will be the Connecticut Digital Library.
Bert Kaplan also reminded the Board of the Take Your Kid Fishing Day scheduled for June 1st during National Fishing Week.
BUDGET 2001-2002: The Board had come to this regular meeting from a budget workshop with the Board of Selectmen. A 3.3% budget increase in the Library’s budget was granted.This increase will include a 28% increase for children’s materials and a 12% increase for adult materials.Also, Sunday hours will start in September. The increase will allow for duct cleaning in the building.
BUILDING PROGRAM: As mentioned earlier the Board of Selectmen approved the $100,000 expenditure to continue with the design plan of the building project. Called a 30% plan this will include the parking lot expansion plan as well as more detailed work and cost estimates of the proposed project. Rich Sawitzke will be the contact between the Library and Town committees working on the project to keep things running smoothly.
GUIDELINES FOR ART EXHIBITS: Mrs. Bullock informed the Board that their is nothing in the guidelines about the content of exhibits. She will send out copies of the guidelines with the Director’s Report and the subject will be discussed further at the next meeting.
At 8:25 P.M. Bert Kaplan moved for adjournment. Second: Babs Gardner. So moved.
Anne Erickson, Secretary
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