Simsbury, CT - Board of Directors Meeting

Present: Bert Kaplan, Babs Gardner, Anne Erickson, Charmaine Glew, and Gail Ryan. Staff: Susan Bullock, Director; Jennifer Keohane, Business Outreach Librarian; Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary. Friends Liaison: Bev Payne.

Gail Ryan, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:20 P.M. Bert Kaplan moved that the minutes of the March 19, 2001 meeting be approved with one correction: Under Communications, Library loan should be interlibrary loan. Second: Anne Erickson. So moved.

Since there was no public audience Mrs. Bullock requested that the Business Resource Center presentation be moved up on the Agenda. The Board was agreeable to the change and Ms. Keohane, Business Outreach Librarian, proceeded with her presentation. She brought the Board up-to-date on the activities in the Business Resource Center (BRC) and reviewed the list of highlights distributed at the March meeting.

Ms Keohane has given presentations to civic organizations and educational institutions. She has become involved with Simsbury High School’s Career Day and will be participating in the High School’s job shadowing program. The outreach programs continue to expand and many non-profit groups are using the Resource Center as an aid in promoting and enhancing their organizations.

The Resource Center is to become the Farmington Valley satellite for S.C.O.R.E. Two programs Ms. Keohane discussed were the Entrepreneurship for Women and Investing 101. Attendance at the various programs has increased and “repeat programs” will be introduced. Databases for mailing lists for businesses and individuals is up to 300+. It is hoped that in May or June the BRC will start a collection of Audio Business Books To Go. The collection will start with about six books with more books added in the future.

Some of the services provided by the BRC to small businesses include, how to start-up a business, legal information for business and business finance, as well as economic information – e.g.: data for a sales force presentation. Ms. Keohane was asked about state or federal funding for some of these projects and Mrs. Bullock stated she has already spoken with the state’s Economic Development Commissioner on how libraries can get funding. When asked who seeks her assistance, Ms. Keohane mentioned inventors, as well as those seeking information related to energy and energy resources. Aid to small businesses, entrepreneurs, career exploration, background searches for companies investigating data for their individual needs, are just some of the varied groups provided assistance by the BRC.

Mrs. Bullock also informed the Board that at the Connecticut Library Association Conference, the Economic Vitality Taskforce of CLA, chaired by Ms. Keohane, presented a program on business resources on the Internet.

COMMUNICATIONS: Recent articles in newspapers and magazines were shared: Simsbury Life had an article on the expansion plan, Connecticut Town and City had an article during National Library Week on the Windsor Library; The Boston Globe featured the Boston Public Library’s Research Department. Mary Miller passed on an article from The Wall Street Journal regarding the change in copyright laws and Luise Bernkopf shared an article on saving books and the deterioration of library materials. Mrs. Bullock also received an e-mail on FCC filtering.

On May 16 the Connecticut State Library will sponsor a workshop at the Bridgeport Public Library, North Branch, on Marketing As If Your Library Depended on It, and Presentation Skills. If any Board member was interested in attending funds would be available through ConnectiCard funds. A member of Friends will also be invited.

Bert Kaplan moved that ConnectiCard funds be used for those attending the Continuing Education Program on Marketing and Presentation Skills, May 16 at the Bridgeport Public Library. Second: Babs Gardner. So moved.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal informed libraries throughout the State that the Baker & Taylor Co. had overcharged for books over the years and their fine was distributed to those affected. Simsbury Public Library’s check was in the amount of $4,597.00 and will be placed in the gift fund.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Bev Payne reported the last Doorways was mailed from West Simsbury. Friends are working on an appreciation award for the Night of a Thousand Stars given by the Connecticut Friends of Libraries. The Library Board is going to send a thank you note to Liz Keppel, Chairman of the Night of a Thousand Stars.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT: The highlights of the report were discussed, among them being the successful transition to SIRSI from CARL. The new public catalog system, IBISTRO, is in the works and will be in operation soon. National Library Week was very busy. ICONN.org, a collection of full text databases is now available and will be discussed further in May. The CT Library Association Conference was excellent. Among the vendors visited, Mrs. Bullock learned that the Dupont Flooring Systems has a machine that can lift stacks of books when carpets are to be changed. It is self-insured but does require the purchase of Dupont Flooring.She also shared a catalog from Harpswell House that sells recognition systems for donor walls.

BUDGET 2000-2001: There is a freeze on Town funds, due largely to energy costs. Mrs. Mielert has asked how each department will cover deficits from their own budget and how much money could be turned over to the general fund. She has frozen two line items, one being conferences, causing concern for staff members who have already signed-up and put out their own money to attend conferences expecting reimbursement. This has been the traditional procedure. Other ways of finding this money are being researched. The Book Budget has not been touched yet – and will not be unless the Town really needs it.

BUILDING PROGRAM: There is still no news from Mr. Sawitzke on the architect's contract. In the contract it was stated that the built architects plans are needed and Joanne Pierce will be contacted to aid in the search. Dale Cutler left the display boards of the building project with Mrs. Bullock. They were exhibited at the legislative potluck supper. Mrs. Ryan asked Mrs. Bullock to discuss with Mr. Sawitzke the encumbering of money necessary for the parking lot extension to Boy Scout Hall.