SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Minutes of June 15, 2004 Meeting
PRESENT: Carol Bingham, Anne Erickson, Bert Kaplan, Charmaine Glew, Gail Ryan, Babs Gardner. Staff: Susan Bullock, Director; Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary. Kathy Miller, President of Friends.
These minutes have been approved by the Library Board.
The meeting was called to order at 7:20 P.M. by Carol Bingham, Chair. Bert Kaplan moved the minutes of the May 10, 2004 meeting be approved as presented. Second: C. Glew. So moved.
There were no additional agenda items and no public audience.
COMMUNICATIONS: Newspaper articles related to the Simsbury Muster, Friends Annual Meeting and Luncheon, and a Night of 1,000 Stars were shared. Mrs. Bullock also had a plaque presented to the Library by the S.T.E.P. program of Simsbury High School in recognition of the Library’s work with the students in that program.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Personnel: The Director’s annual review is due. Mrs. Glew will distribute the evaluation forms to the Board and when they have been returned will meet with the Personnel Committee (Mrs. Glew, Mr. Kaplan and Mrs. Bingham) to complete the evaluation. Friends: Kathy Miller reported about preparations for the annual book sale. Friends have a sub-committee in place that is discussing ways to help in the support of the proposed expansion. Carol Bingham will attend the June 18, 2004 meeting of Friends to bring them up-to-date on the building expansion.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Highlights of the written report that were discussed were the passing of the Town Budget, the success of the Simsbury Muster, Simsbury Take a Kid Fishing Day, and the Friday Night Filmfest. Mrs. Bullock has asked Friends for $37,000 for support of Library materials, programs and equipment. This is $2,000 more than in previous years. The April statistics were included in the report and May statistics will be forthcoming. In a comparison of the yearly statistics from May 2003 – May 2004, fees and fines decreased while there was an increase in copies. Fewer books were lost and Internet fees increased. The Connecticut Library State Grant, which goes to the Town’s General Fund amounted to $2,190.02 and ConnectiCard funds, which goes directly to the Library amounted to
$7,083.53.
Attached to the Director’s Report was a chronological list of the highlights of the 2003-2004 year. The Summer Reading Program is in full swing and Mrs. Bullock included flyers for the various programs. The children’s reading program has been changed this year with an expanded reading list. Elementary school students will be returning their lists directly to the classroom teacher in September.
In keeping with the increased involvement between the schools and Library, it was suggested that a meeting be planned with the new school superintendent. Mrs. Bingham will look into this and there was discussion on meeting with the school principals and representatives of the PTO’s, as well as the members of the different Town committees and boards. These meetings would target a large section of the community and inform them of the need for expansion. A final decision on the type of meeting or get-together was not reached. Educating the public of the expansion could be through an open house either at a regular meeting or a separate meeting. If mailings were considered, Friends would help.
In May Paul Henault of the Board of Finance met with Mrs. Bingham, Nick Mason of the Board of Finance, Mike Bradley of Zoning, and Joel Mandell of the Board of Selectmen to discuss the Grant application and the parking and building expansion. The Board of Selectmen did give approval to proceed with the State Grant application while not giving an exact amount on what the Town will provide for the expansion. The Board’s Ad Hoc Committee to prepare the Grant application was formed. Gail Ryan, Charmaine Glew, Susan Bullock, Kathy Miller and Anne Erickson will meet June 21st to the application process. Babs Gardner and Bert Kaplan will assist when needed.
PERSONNEL: Mrs. Bullock announced that Sally Hartman, Head of Technical Services, would be leaving the end of June to pursue her MLS Degree. Anne-Marie Kaminsky will coordinate the work of Technical Services until a replacement is found.
Members of the Secretarial Union have filed a grievance with the Town over the loss of hours by part-timers.
The 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 budgets were discussed during the Director’s Report.
SUMMER/WINTER HOURS: It was the consensus of the Board that the Library will remain open until 8:30 P.M. during the summer and then in September go back to closing at 9:00 P.M. On the July 4th weekend the Library will be closed on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, July 3, 4 and 5, 2004. On Labor Day weekend the Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday, September 5and 6, 2004. During Septemberfest (September 10 – 12) the Library will be open Saturday from 9:00 A.M - 1:00 P.M. Regular hours will start on September 13, 2004 (9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. Monday – Thursday, 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. on Friday and Saturday and on Sundays 1:00 – 5:00 P.M.) The hours will be posted throughout the building as the changes take place.
ROUTE 10 REDESIGN: Mrs. Bullock had the plans from the State Department of Transportation related to changing Route 10 (Hopmeadow Street) to a five lane highway in the vicinity of the Library. The Board is opposed to this change because of the inherent dangers in entering and exiting the property. Gail Ryan moved that Mrs. Bullock write to the State Department of Transportation opposing this proposal. Second: B. Kaplan. So moved.
At 9:05 P.M. Bert Kaplan moved for adjournment. Second: G. Ryan. So moved.
Anne Erickson, Secretary
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