SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes of February 13, 2002 Meeting
These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes please see the Town Clerk's Office.
PRESENT: Bert Kaplan, Charmaine Glew, Carol Bingham, Anne Erickson, Babs Gardner, and Gail Ryan. STAFF: Susan Bullock, Director; Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary. Friends Representative: Eileen Higham.
Gail Ryan, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:15 P.M. The minutes of the January 10, 2002 Special Meeting were accepted as presented. There were no additional agenda items and no public audience.
COMMUNICATIONS: Mrs. Bullock shared letters she received from Betty and Fred Smith of PEO Sisterhood, and the artist whose work was exhibited at the Library in January. Both parties praised the cooperation of the staff and thanked them for their help and kindness while they were at the Library.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Eileen Higham reported for Friends that the recently revised Articles of Association were to be presented at Friends' February 14, 2002 meeting. On May 20th Friends will hold a reception for their Main Donors. Joan Hedrick of Trinity College will be the guest speaker.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT: There was no written report. Mrs. Bullock passed out a list of the Board's home & e-mail addresses to check for accuracy. She also shared the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association, which includes a statement on meeting room policies. A copy of this will be included with the Board's minutes next month. As of January 7th there was a lockdown on the desktop PC's used by the public. This prevents an override of the system - creating higher security, as well as making life easier for staff.
Mrs. Bullock has been giving thought to the Library becoming more involved in the community. One activity being considered, in conjunction with the Simsbury Historical Society, would be historical re-enactments. This could be held on the Historical Society's property. She has spoken with a representative of the Society and they did express an interest in the idea. Following discussion with the Board, Mrs. Bullock will continue to look into this type of an event.
Another idea that came up for discussion was a community-wide calendar. None is available at the moment and the Board felt listing townwide meetings and activities would be a service to the community. A two-month period was suggested. It could be available on the Internet as well as a written calendar distributed throughout the Town. Mrs. Bullock will look into this also.
The Town s proposed 2002-2003 budget was discussed. At one point a 10% across-the-board cut was proposed but this did not work out. A new budget, as of February 12th, was distributed this evening. Substantial cuts in part-time help townwide is proposed. These types of cuts affect the Library and Recreation Department the most. If allowed to go through this would have a substantial affect on programming. When a program is being run it is the part-time staff who runs the floor. Volunteers can not work or take over a job that a union person does. Other means of reducing the budget were discussed, one being the reduction of hours the building is open. For example, closing at 8:00 P.M. on Thursday evenings or opening at 10:00 A.M. each day. However by opening later five children's programs would
be eliminated. Closing at 8:00 P.M. each evening would limit the use of the Program Room in the evenings. Mrs. Bullock will work on this to arrive at a schedule that is the least disruptive. Mrs. Glew asked about database reduction, but to eliminate these, e.g., Reference USA or Gale, would have a very negative impact on the patrons use of the Library. Mrs. Bullock will keep the Board informed about the Selectmen's decisions on the budget situation.
Mrs. Bingham asked about the work on the HVAC controls and Mrs. Bullock hoped the work could be done soon. The necessary money transfers have taken place and it is hoped final approval from the Selectmen regarding the Grant money from CL&P will take place at their next meeting.
Mrs. Bullock reported that the cost estimate for the building expansion would be available soon. It is hoped that it will go before the Public Building Committee on March 4th. Mrs. Bullock spoke at a recent Men's Retirement Luncheon about the building expansion. The presentation met with a mixed reception. The Board discussed revising the presentation and bringing it more up-to-date. It is hoped that someone from the community will be available to help in development of the new presentation. Members will try to make some contacts and it will be brought up at the next Friends meeting.
Charmaine Glew moved that the Meeting Room Policy agenda item be tabled. Second: Babs Gardner. So moved.
Members were asked to attend the March 4th Building Committee meeting.
At 8:30 P.M. Bert Kaplan moved for adjournment. Second: Carol Bingham. So moved.
Anne Erickson, Secretary
| 
