SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk’s office.
Minutes of the September 15, 2003 Meeting
PRESENT: Bert Kaplan, Babs Gardner, Anne Erickson, Charmaine Glew and Gail Ryan. Susan Bullock, Director; Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary.
The meeting was called to order at 7:25 P.M. by Gail Ryan, Chair. Bert Kaplan moved that the August 18, 2003 minutes be approved with two changes: correct spelling: Karen Ribnicky, and delete double “the” on page 2. Second: C. Glew. So moved.
There were no additional agenda items and no public audience.
COMMUNICATIONS: Mrs. Bullock reported that the application for “The Sixties” grant was not accepted.
She has received word that Jay Sontag, of the Sontag Fund, has passed away.
A letter from Automated Acquisitions Module, regarding triplicate book orders has stated that money will be refunded. A brochure regarding Libratects meetings at the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library in Stony Creek, and the Cornwall Library. A notice from the Connecticut Library Association about four workshop sessions on Internet filtering was also shared. A symposium on Intellectual Issues and the Patriot Act is scheduled for September 25th. The article in the Commentary section of The Hartford Courant was also shared.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mrs. Glew reported that the Used Book Sale was very successful. The final tally was not complete, but it appeared to be even more successful than last year.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT: The Library’s participation at Septemberfest was well received. Mrs. Bullock acknowledged the hard work of the staff who participated. She thanked Fleet Bank, sponsors of the Our Town Tent, the Library’s homebase, and, Friends, who financed the prizes.
The Pre-school Carnival was very well attended again this year.
Reports of the Teen and Children’s Room Summer Programs were in her packet.
The wireless Internet is now available at the Library for those with Ethernet cards.
The Friday Film Fest will become a reality starting in January, facilitated by Deborah Fowler. These will be first-run foreign and independent films.
Since the Connecticut Library Consortium has received so little funding the staff will have to do extra work in order to continue cost-saving, cooperative projects.
Work is in progress to have Bookletters in operation by November. This service will bring the resources of the Library, through its website, to its patrons.
Two visitors from Japan spent a day at the Library in early September. They had heard Jennifer Keohane speak in Tokyo. Following an extensive tour of the Library, they visited places of interest in Simsbury.
Circulation and attendance were both down in August. This is probably related to the shortened library hours and the one less day the building was open.
The final 2002-2003 budget was reviewed. Mrs. Bullock reviewed the Library’s givebacks to the Town. Fines collected during this period declined. There may be a change seen with fees now in place for Internet copying.
Mrs. Bullock has spoken with the Director of the Wallingford Library regarding their Meeting Room Policy. A copy was attached to her packet and it is also available on their website. Wallingford’s Director highlighted and reviewed some of the policies she felt would be of particular interest to Simsbury. A new Bill of Rights from the American Library Association will be available next month, as well as questions and answers on CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act).
Mrs. Bullock has not spoken with Rich Sawitzke regarding the parking lot problems. She will discuss with Joel Mandell the Zoning Board’s decision not to approve the parking lot extension. The Library Board is willing to revise the plans for more spaces, if necessary.
The issue of the Library using Boy Scout Hall for some of its programs also came up. When the Hall is used, custodial help has not been available and the Library staff must set up. It was suggested Mrs. Bullock discuss the issue with Steve Markie.
A copy of the Young Writers Club Book was shared.
A representative from Nancy Johnson’s office was not available this evening. Paul O’Sullivan of her office will be invited to the October meeting.
LIBRARY POLICIES: Editing has not been completed.
At 8:30 P.M. Bert Kaplan moved for adjournment. Second: A. Erickson. So moved.
Anne Erickson, Secretary
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