SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes from Monday, March 22, 2004 Meeting
These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk’s office.
PRESENT: Gail Ryan, Ann Erickson, Charmaine Glew, Bert Kaplan, Babs Gardner, and Susan Bullock, Director, Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary, and Kathy Miller from Friends.
The meeting was called to order at 7:20 P.M. by Gail Ryan, Vice-chair. Charmaine Glew moved the minutes of the February 23, 2004 meeting be accepted with the following changes: Under Director’s Report, the expansion money is in the 2005-2006 First Selectman’s plan and in the last paragraph, non-profit groups may mention in their publicity where their meeting is being held. Second: A. Erickson. So moved.
There were no additional agenda items and no public audience.
COMMUNICATIONS: Notes from Shelley Spoering and Anne-Marie Kaminsky regarding their attendance at the Public Library Association conference in Seattle, WA were read. Articles from Simsbury News and Farmington Valley Post were also shared.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Kathy Miller reported that the Friends pot luck supper was a success and will become an annual event. Three Board of Selectmen attended as well as members from the Library Board and Friends Board. Those attending were asked to put questions in writing they might have about the Library’s proposed expansion and answers will be prepared in pamphlet form. Bert Kaplan suggested, and the rest of the Board agreed, that Tom Vincent be invited to attend the next Board meeting (April 19th). It was also decided to change the dates of the May and June meetings to May 10th and June 15th
DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Mrs. Bullock reported that Carol Bingham met with Paul Henault, Chairman of the Board of Finance, prior to his board’s March 15th meeting. Mr. Henault had several questions and the Library responded – the questions and answers were attached to the Director’s Report. Mr. Henault has said he will convene a committee made up of members of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Library, Planning and Zoning Boards to determine how the expansion fits in the Board of Finance guidelines. Names of those on the committee had not been forwarded to Mrs. Bullock prior to this evening’s meeting. Since the Library Board has not made a formal presentation to the Board of Finance regarding the expansion, Mrs. Bullock is willing to work on preparing something with the help of
the Library Board. At this point Mrs. Bullock and Mr. Sawitzke would be resources to the committee being set-up by Mr. Henault. It was noted that statistics were down in February, probably due to the building being closed an extra day this month. Mr. Vincent has requested more information on staff scheduling. The task of creating an organizational and scheduling chart is a challenge because of the size of the staff and numerous programs provided by the library.
BUDGET 2003-2004: The part-time budget is over extended at this point and there is concern about having enough money available the rest of the fiscal year. In reviewing the budget sheet the Board looked for areas where money could be found to make up the shortfall. Every attempt will be made not to cut back on part-time hours. The Director will speak with the Human Resources Department to see if someone who has contracted for 9 – 12 hours a week can collect unemployment if they are cut. She will review the situation with the staff member responsible for scheduling part-time staff.
BUDGET 2004-2005: The public hearing on the new budget is scheduled for March 30th and so far the proposed budget appears unchanged.
Mrs. Bullock reminded everyone of the Legislative Pot Luck Supper on April 7th.
BUILDING PLAN: It was the consensus of the Library Board that they will respond to written questions prepared by the committee being set-up by Mr. Henault.
SENIOR DISCOUNT: Mrs. Bullock received a letter from a resident regarding forgiveness of overdue fines to senior citizens. Currently there is no policy to forgive these fines and the Board felt that the staff should use their best judgment in hardship cases. There had been some inconsistencies in the way senior fines were being handled.
At 9:15 P.M. Bert Kaplan moved for adjournment. Second: A. Erickson. So moved.
Anne Erickson, Secretary
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