SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Minutes August 18, 2003 Meeting
PRESENT: Bert Kaplan, Babs Gardner, Anne Erickson, Charmaine Glew and Gail Ryan. Susan Bullock, Director; Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary.
These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk’s office.
The meeting was called to order at 7:25 P.M. by Gail Ryan, Chair. Bert Kaplan moved the minutes of the June 16, 2003 meeting be accepted as presented. Second: A. Erickson. So moved. Bert Kaplan moved that Item 9: Invitation to Paul O’Sullivan of Nancy Johnson’s Office be added to the Agenda. Second: A. Erickson. So moved.
There was no public audience.
COMMUNICATIONS: Mrs. Bullock shared an article from Simsbury Life featuring “Take Your Kids Fishing Day”. She received a letter from Mr. David Goldman with congratulations on the recent awardfor the Business Resource Center. Mr. Sozaburo Okamatsu of the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry wrote Mrs. Bullock expressing his pleasure with Jennifer Keohane’s presentation to that group in Japan. Ms. Sharon Brettschneider, of the Connecticut State Library, sent a memo stating that a fee cannot be charged for Internet access, but there can be a fee for copying material. Ann-Marie Kaminsky has reported that circulation is beginning to inch up after a period of decline.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Personnel: Charmaine Glew reported that Mrs. Bullock’s evaluation has not been completed. Friends: Eileen Higham reported that the book collection is going well. Interesting programs are planned for the new year and the next Friends meeting will be in September.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Mrs. Bullock complimented the staff on the way they handled the ups and downs of a very busy summer. The energy management system has been working well and when a problem has arisen, it has been corrected. Volunteers and pages have completed the shifting of the collection. The shelves are still full but for awhile it will be a little easier to add books. Karen Rubnicky, a space consultant, has toured the building and will make suggestions on how to find additional space for what the Library carries besides books (videos, audio books, etc.). She will also make suggestions on the staff and storage areas, which are in great need of reorganization. Two faithful gardeners have maintained the sign area and entrances all summer.
When Rich Sawitzke returns from vacation plans will begin again on additional parking spaces. There is $30,00 available for this project.
The staff has presented their technology needs and when Rick Bazzano returns from his vacation, Mrs. Bullock will discuss these needs with him and then she will present a proposal to the Board.The wireless connection to the Internet is almost complete. There were a few glitches during installation but it should be up and working soon.
Since AOL has announced they will no longer support Netscape, a new platform for Internet browser and email will have to be found.
Sally Hartman is working on the acquisitions module and when it is operational information can be placed into the computer once – when being ordered. It will also enable patrons to put their reserve in as soon as a title is ordered.
Jackie Hemond and Karen Bushong both worked on very successful summer programs for teens and young children.
The attendance at the Tariffville Branch this summer increased in spite of the weather.
Programs for the new year are being finalized. One very new one being considered is a first-run foreign film showing. The films will be shown once a month, probably on a Friday evening, and will have adult content. Recorded Books, the organization providing the films, will be responsible for publicity and flyers.
Another new project being considered is emailing specific newsletters to patrons, based on their particular interest. This customized service is available from BookPage and is referred to as “push” technology. The current homepage would have to be enhanced so the newsletters could be linked to the Library’s catalog, and if a patrons see a title they were interested in, they could place the title on reserve immediately. To start, some of the specific groups targeted would be the Book Club and the Business Resource Group. Others would be added as interest increased. This would be the Library’s first foray into such advanced technology and it is being considered for one year. There would be no cost to patrons. Attached to Mrs. Bullock’s report was a memo from Sarah Koeinger regarding
“Make a Blanket Day”. This is a project being considered for sometime in February.
In June the Supreme Court ruled that libraries receiving federal funding must filter children’s Internet. (Children’s Internet Protection Act – CIPA) Since this library does not receive federal funding, it does not have to apply filters. A letter just received from Sharon Brettschneider, of the State Library, notified State librarians that filters do not have to be applied unless they want to. Mrs. Bullock shared a recent article from The Hartford Courant, “Librarians at the Gate”, related to CIPA and the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Mrs. Bullock felt Simsbury’s Internet Policy was valid.
SeptemberFest will be held September 5 – 7and the Library will again participate in the “Our Town” tent. The website and the many services available for twenty-four hours will be promoted. The building plans will also be on view and it was suggested that pictures showing the space needs be highlighted.
Mrs. Bullock discussed the huge cuts in the recent State Budget that affect libraries. The Capital Region Library Council (CRLC) no longer exists. There is now one organization called the Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC). The automated integrated library system is now known as Library Connection, Inc. (LCI). There is much confusion with all the cuts and some services will be affected.
Circulation was down a little in June and July. The Library was open one less day in July. There have been no complaints regarding the 8:30 P.M. closing time.
LIBRARY POLICIES: The Meeting Room Policy was discussed. Barbara Frederich, the Town Attorney’s associate, has suggested some changes in wording for better clarification. The Board discussed the meeting of the Ku Klux Klan held at the Wallingford Library and Mrs. Bullock is going to contact them about their new policy. The Board will vote on the policy pending further review for corrections and errors and any other changes that may have to be made.
INVITATION TO PAUL O’SULLIVAN OF NANCY JOHNSON’S OFFICE: Mr. O’Sullivan will be invited to a Board meeting to tell him of the expansion plans and see if there are any federal monies available.
B. Kaplan moved for adjournment at 8:55 P.M. Second: B. Gardner. So moved.
Anne Erickson, Secretary
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