SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Minutes of January 6, 2003 Meeting
These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's office.
PRESENT: Gail Ryan, Carol Bingham, Anne Erickson, Charmaine Glew and Susan Bullock, Director, Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary, Joel Mandell, Board of Selectmen Liaison.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Gail Ryan, Chair. There was no public audience.
Carol Bingham moved the minutes of the December 16, 2002 meeting be approved with one change, under Director's Report the sentence should be: "New stacks will be installed." Second: A. Erickson. So moved.
Carol Bingham moved for the addition of Item 8A to the Agenda, Update Simsbury's Plan of Development. Second: C. Glew. So moved.
There was no public audience.
COMMUNICATIONS: Gail Ryan shared a magazine article, "Threat of Patriot Correctness and Libraries." Mrs. Bullock had the article of her interview in Simsbury Life. She also shared the article, "Library Trades "Shh" for "VaVoom", which talked about library myths. Copies of Mrs. Bullock's communications to State Legislators on the Governor's proposed cuts to library services were distributed. There is no definitive word on where the cuts stand at this date.
There were no committee reports.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT: There was no written report. Mrs. Bullock distributed the Library's narrative for the Connecticut Library's Excellence in Public Library Service Awards describing Simsbury's Business Resource Center. The SCTV program featuring the Library has been taped, but no date for its airing has been scheduled. At a January 2nd meeting with Mr. Vincent and Mr. Kane, Department Supervisors were informed of a budget deficit and a freeze has been placed on Town spending.
BUDGET 2003-2004: A spending cap of 4.25% has been placed on all budgets for the new fiscal year. More union contracts may be settled since this cap was put in place and this could further impact budget planning. It is unknown how the State's budget cuts will effect electronic databases. Mrs. Bullock explained that there are requirements for libraries to receive federal funds. If the proposed state budget cuts go through the state will not meet these requirements causing the loss of federal funding. For example, ConnectiCard funds could be eliminated. Aside from the funding cuts, services could also be cut. Mrs. Bullock suggested that cutting materials to meet the cap would not be in the best interests of the Library. She suggests that evening and weekend hours be shortened. These
hours are covered by part-timers. She noted that programs would be affected if the building opened later. Her suggestion is to close the Library at 8:30 P.M. on Monday - Thursday and eliminate thirteen (13) Sunday hours. Since there is a mix of full-time and part-time staff on Saturdays these hours would remain the same. The Board agreed that the consistency of closing at the same time was a good idea. Where necessary, adjustments to evening programming would be made. The Board reviewed the proposed budget and Mrs. Bullock answered questions related to it. It was the consensus of the Board that the 4.25% cap be met. It was agreed that the building would be opened 35 Sundays instead of 38, with Mrs. Bullock deciding on the dates the building would be closed. On Monday - Thursday the Library will close at 8:30 P.M. Mrs. Bingham moved that the Library Board accept the proposed 2003-2004 budget to meet the 4.25% increase cap, with the
understanding that part-time hours will be reduced. Second: C. Glew. So moved.
UPDATE SIMSBURY PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT: The Board reviewed the statement on the Library in the Planning Commission's Plan of Development. As Mr. Mandell stated, the plan of development is essentially how the town s land is used and the Board changed the statement to read: The Simsbury Public Library, located at 725 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury Center was dedicated on December 8, 1985. It is open to service the needs of the town as determined by the Board of Directors and a full-time Library Director. It is a true full-service library with business reference resources, computer equipment, and a children's library with associated services. The building has 21,300 square feet of space and was built to a twenty-year plan. The Board of Directors hired a consultant who ascertained the need
for 20,000 additional square feet for the next twenty years. An architect was hired. He determined that there is enough land in the current location for expansion. The expansion is slated for 2005-2006.
INTERNET POLICY: Anne Erickson distributed a copy of a revised Internet Policy she prepared. The Board reviewed it and suggestions for some minor revisions were made. The material will be typed in its new format and rechecked by Mrs. Erickson before the Board adopts it.
The Patriot Act and Library Policy agenda items were tabled for this month.
At 9:30 P.M. Anne Erickson moved for adjournment. Second: C. Bingham. So moved.
Anne Erickson
Secretary
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