SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes of the August 19, 2002 meeting
These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes please contact the Town Clerk's office.
PRESENT: Gail Ryan, Babs Gardner, Charmaine Glew, and Carol Bingham. STAFF: Susan Bullock, Director; Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary. Friends Liaison: Liz Keppel.
The meeting was called to order at 7:25 P.M. by Gail Ryan, Chair. The minutes of the July 15, 2002 meeting were approved as presented. There were no additional agenda items and no public audience.
COMMUNICATIONS: Mrs. Bullock had a brochure from Libratects, information on joining The Center for the Book, a program from Water s Edge Spa regarding a program there entitled: "Intellectual Freedom in Time of War", and two newspaper articles related to libraries. She included in her packet a memorandum to the Board and Commission Chairpersons from Brandon Robertson, Assistant to the First Selectman, related to a legal opinion concerning minutes of Board and Commission meetings. It was Town Attorney DeCrescenzo's opinion that members who do not attend a meeting may vote to adopt the minutes of a meeting he/she did not attend provided they are sufficiently familiar with the minutes, and that said minutes accurately describe the happenings at the meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Personnel: Mrs. Glew reported the Director's evaluation has been completed and will be forwarded to Town Hall shortly. Friends: Mrs. Keppel reported Friends had no meetings during the summer but preparations continue for the Used Book Sale.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT: The staff has asked if the Library hours could be adjusted during Septemberfest. They are requesting the Library be open Saturday from 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. and closed Sunday. Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Board that the Library be open from 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Saturday and closed Sunday.
Preparations are underway for Septemberfest and Mrs. Bullock has spoken with Dale Cutler about doing a color rendition of the proposed addition, with a flyer explaining the expansion. Mrs. Bullock feels this will be a good opportunity to make the public aware of the expansion. It was felt an informational sign with bullets describing the expansion accompany the drawing. Mrs. Gardner moved the Library Board back Mrs. Bullocks's plan to display, at Septemberfest, library plans for the new addition. The plans will be accompanied by a flyer. The information being provided will be presented to Mr. Vincent and Mr. Mandell prior to Septemberfest. Second: Mrs. Glew. So moved.
Mrs. Bullock reported that parking lot lighting has been improved and the new HVAC controls are working very well. The summer intern has been conducting a parking lot survey that should help in determining the number of parking spaced needed.
No word yet from the State Librarian regarding Tom Vincent's request for an extension for the $500,000 building grant.
The database for the Hartford Courant will be funded for at least one more year.
Mrs. Bullock also reported that Friends has donated $800.00 for the purchase of books for children reading over 50 books this summer.
BUILDING PROJECT: Carol Bingham asked about the start of a fund raising committee for the proposed expansion. Mrs. Bullock briefly outlined an estimate of what money can be raised. Mrs. Ryan asked Mrs. Bullock to prepare an outline of funds available in the Gift Fund. It was the opinion of the Board that funds for the expansion should be administered through a Friends trust. It was agreed that options of different means of raising funds through corporations and foundations should be pursued. There was discussion on having an individual administer the funds and whether that person should be a volunteer, someone employed, or a party interested in doing it part-time. Mr. Mandell will be asked about the use of Town funds for a consultant. Mrs. Bingham moved that the Library Board have a special
meeting with the fund raising committee of Friends prior to Septemberfest. Second: Mrs. Glew. So moved.
BY-LAWS AND POLICY REVIEW: Mrs. Ryan and Mrs. Bullock will go over the staff's comments of the by-laws and policies. Discussion on the subject was tabled until next month.
At 9:15 P.M. Mrs. Gardner moved for adjournment. Second: Mrs. Bingham. So moved.
Eileen Sickinger
Secretary Pro Tempore
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