SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Monday, May 15, 2006
PRESENT: Bert Kaplan, Gail Ryan, Charmaine Glew, Babs Gardner, Carol Bingham, Anne Erickson. Staff: Susan Bullock, Director and Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary.
The meeting was called to order at 7:25 P.M. by C. Glew, Chair. C. Bingham moved the April 19, 2006 minutes be approved. Second: G. Ryan. So moved.
There was no public audience.
COMMUNICATIONS: Bert Kaplan is the volunteer who will be available to drive people to vote on the referendum on May 16th.
She received a letter from a parent whose child felt uncomfortable during a recent visit to the library. Mrs. Bullock has been in touch with the parent and Mrs. Glew will speak with the Chief of Police about how stalkers should be handled in the building. A committee will be formed to address this issue and a meeting scheduled for a later date.
A recently published letter with negative overtones about the planned expansion will be handled by Mrs. Glew. She will also prepare a letter to go to the staff about what they can or cannot say about the referendum while on the job. A letter from a dissatisfied patron was discussed and Mrs. Glew will reply.
Saturday, June 3rd the Friends of Connecticut Libraries will hold their annual meeting and the Board is invited to attend.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mrs. Glew reported that at the Friends annual meeting a new slate of officers was elected. May-Anne Tirone-Smith was the featured author.
The extension letter for the State Grant must be sent by Tom Vincent and received by the State before July 1st.
BUILDING PROJECT: Dale Cutler attended the May 8th Building Committee meeting. He was asked to start the specific plans for the expansion following the referendum. Mr. Cutler has suggested that Friends prepare a written statement clearly stating how any funds they raise for the extension can be spent. This should go to all the necessary town committees and commissions. He also suggested that the Board do the same for the funds from the State Grant. Mr. Cutler is scheduled to speak to the staff on Wednesday, May 17th.
On Friday, May 26th, the Mechanical/Electrical Committee will meet at 5:30 P.M. in the Library.
CHAIR’S REPORT: Mrs. Glew thanked Friends, Simsbury Citizens for Library Renewal and the Library Board for all their hard work on the building project. It was suggested that the Board send letters to these groups and the newspapers thanking everyone for their support. The next meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be May 22nd.
Mrs. Glew asked Mrs. Bullock about the next steps to be taken in the building phase. She replied that the next phase will be the actual construction plan and she will be meeting with Rich Sawitzke and Dale Cutler to discuss this. Placement of the Library during construction has not yet been decided. Mrs. Glew will also be in touch with Mr. Sawitzke about these plans.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Mrs. Bullock distributed her written report most of which was covered during the meeting. She did report that Barbara Gibson, Farmington Library Director, has offered to speak with key staff members and the Board about the “next steps” following the referendum. A tentative meeting has been scheduled for late May.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND HOURS: It was the consensus of the Board that the Library will remain open on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
BUDGET 2005-2006 remains on target. The electricity line item might be affected when the AC goes on.
BUDGET 2006-2007 will have an increase in funding if the referendum passes.
CIP: Covered earlier.
At 8:30 P.M. C. Bingham moved for adjournment. Second: B. Kaplan. So moved.
Anne Erickson, Secretary
| 
