SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING
Wednesday, April 19, 2007
PRESENT: Anne Erickson, Babs Gardner, Carol Bingham and Charmaine Glew. Staff: Susan Bullock, Director and Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary.
The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Glew, Chair at 7:30 P.M. The minutes of the March 20, 2006 meeting were approved.
COMMUNICATIONS: Mrs. Bullock shared a letter from Mary Louise Jensen of the State Library Service Center to Tom Vincent, First Selectman. It included instructions on the procedure the Town must follow if an extension is needed for the state grant. Mrs. Bullock has spoken with the architect, Mr. Cutler, and Ms. Jensen, and arrangements will be made to inform the State Library Board prior to their July 31, 2006 meeting about the anticipated start date for the building expansion.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mrs. Glew reported that Friends annual luncheon will be held on May 10th. May-Anne Tirone-Smith, author of Girls of a Tender Age will be the guest speaker. Night of 1,000 Stars is scheduled for April 27th. Book collection for the annual book sale will start after Memorial Day.
Mrs. Glew also reported that the Simsbury Citizens for Library Renewal (SCLR) has a new website - www.renewsimsburylibrary.org. Also, SCLR will be sending out postcards prior to the referendum urging residents to vote “yes” for the expansion.
BUILDING PROJECT: The Public Building Committee will begin the process of hiring a project manager for the expansion. A revised budget from Mr. Cutler is included in the Director’s packet.
CHAIR REPORT: Mrs. Glew asked Mrs. Erickson, secretary, to write a thank you note on behalf of the Board, to Jan Madrak for the volunteer luncheon held April 12th. Chaired by Mrs. Madrak, the staff prepared a very successful luncheon.
On April 23rd, the Avon Art Association will sponsor an Art and Poetry Reception in the Program Room. The poems will be read by their authors and they will be related to the pictures on display.
On May 9th, Rennie McQuilken will be recognized as Simsbury’s Poet Laureate.
Mrs. Glew also congratulated Mrs. Madrak and the staff of the Children’s Department for its Award of Merit for Outstanding Public Library/School Summer Reading Partnership.
She also took this opportunity to thank the Board members and Friends for all their support at the various public meetings these last few months.
May 2nd will be the Annual Town Meeting at Simsbury High School.
Mrs. Glew informed the Board that SCLR would like to set up two tables in the Library to disseminate information about the expansion prior to the referendum. The request meets the criteria of the Library Board’s policy on such matters, page 27, section K.
Carol Bingham moved that the Simsbury Citizens for Library Renewal put up two tables in the Library containing referendum information on the Library expansion starting May 3rd. Second: A. Erickson. So moved.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT: At the Public Library Association’s meeting Mrs. Bullock had the opportunity to speak with vendors promoting self-checking in-and-out of books.
She attended a meeting at the Wilton Public Library that covered shelving, furniture, displays and signage.
She extended congratulations to the Children’s Room on their award, as well to Friends for being awarded the Focused Project Award from the Friends of Connecticut Libraries. This award was for Friends 20th Birthday Party celebrations.
The benefit Concert of Music by Juliana Hall raised $1,120 for the building project. Mrs. Bullock and the Board expressed their thanks to Ms. Hall and her family for their generosity in planning and performing the benefit.
Included in the Director’s packet were important dates regarding library activities.
Circulation is down and some of this can be attributed to the difficulty of stacking and shelving books.
BUDGETS: 2005-2006 is on target and 72% spent. Collection numbers from 2001-2005 were reviewed. There have been no changes in the proposed 2006-2007 budget.
Mrs. Bullock noted that the date for the “Take Your Kid Fishing” has been changed to June 2nd.
CIP was covered earlier.
At 8:40 P.M. Carol Bingham moved for adjournment. Second: B. Gardner. So moved.
Anne Erickson, Secretary
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