SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Minutes of August 21, 2006
PRESENT: Charmaine Glew, Bert Kaplan, Anne Erickson, Carol Bingham and Babs Gardner.
Staff: Susan Bullock, Director, Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary.
Public Audience: John Hampton, Selectman, Sara Batchelder, Chrissie Desopo, Lisa Candels and John Noelke.
The meeting was called to order at 7:25 P.M. by Mrs. Glew, Chair. Mr. Kaplan moved that the July 17, 2006 minutes be approved after adding Gail Ryan’s name to the list of those attending the July 31, 2006 meeting of the State Library Board. Second: A. Erickson. So moved.
Sara Batchelder, representing the Simsbury Committee to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., reviewed the history of the idea of having a sculpture made to honor Rev. King, who as a 15-year-old picked tobacco in Simsbury. The group would like the Library Board to accept the concept of the project and consider the sculpture as part of its expanded campus. She introduced John Noelke, the artist designing the sculpture, who gave a brief description of his resume’ and his interest in Rev. King. During the question and answer period that followed the statue was described as being designed for the outside and would be large in size, approximately 15 feet tall with a 3 to 4 foot span. The Board explained that even if it accepts the sculpture, the committee would have to present its plans to all the various design, planning
and review boards and commissions of the town before any final decision is made. The group is proposing the placement of the statue on the Library campus because they consider it the educational and cultural center of Simsbury. Concerns brought up during discussion were the need for fund raising for the proposal that might conflict with the Library’s current fund raising. Also, is the connection between the Rev. King and Simsbury strong enough to see the plan through and how would the statue fit into the landscaping of the Library grounds. The ultimate placement would be on the Hopmeadow Street (Rt. 10) side of the property, but there is a spot in the back of the property that would be visible as people entered the Library. Mr. Noelke did say he would consult with the architect and work with him to be sure their plans were compatible. The artist also said that the King family has been consulted and they appear to be favorably impressed and wish to be kept informed as the
project moves along. Other groups have shown an interest in the project including a school administrator and former tobacco workers. A meeting attended by Mrs. Glew and members of the committee with a tobacco workers group and the CT State Historical Preservation Organization discussed the project and while they have separate goals they could work together to honor Dr. King. The Library Board will take the project under advisement until its September meeting when it will get back to the committee.
As an additional agenda item Mr. Kaplan announced that Rep. Heagney has informed him of another State Grant in the amount of $5,000 to be used specifically for furniture. When all the information is available Mrs. Erickson will express the Board’s gratitude.
COMMUNICATIONS: Mrs. Bullock has replied to a patron who was concerned about the labeling on a DVD. In another instance a patron complained about pornography she witnessed on a computer being used by another patron. The Library’s policy was explained to her and the offending patron was spoken to about his improper use of a Library computer.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Friends: While Friends does not meet over the summer Mrs. Bullock shared the budget proposal she prepared for the funds they give to the Library. Personnel; Jackie Hemond resigned in August after accepting a position in Norwich. Susan Ray is now a full time reference librarian and Gertrude Owusu’s probationary period in Technical Services is complete.
Tom Vincent has asked for a staffing plan for the interim library.
The hiring of a professional to work on the web page is being considered. It would be someone who could create a page that could easily be updated by the staff.
Nancy Johnson will be coming to Septemberfest and will be visiting the Library’s booth at a time to be determined.
CHAIR’S REPORT: A public announcement on the HUD grant will be made as soon as all the information is in. Mrs. Glew requested a special meeting tentatively planned for August 29th to discuss pertinent issues not covered in the regular meeting.
FUND RAISING: Mr. Kaplan distributed a draft from the fund raising committee on the different categories and levels of contributions that could be considered for the expansion. He asked the Board to review it and make any comments prior to the fund raising committee’s meeting on August 30th. The committee did feel that the $15,000 to $49,000 level could be expanded. Work is ongoing on the large donor list, phone list and kick-off fund raising events.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT: A letter stating that the State Grant has been extended to August 2007 has been received. Mrs. Bullock shared a diagram of the proposed site to be used for the interim library. When the plans are finalized Rich Sawitzke will speak with the Board. Meetings are ongoing regarding the plans for the new building. Mrs. Bullock and Mrs. Ryan have met with moving and storage people and the staff is aggressively weeding. Mr. Cutler has offered suggestions on the labeling to be used for storage items. Books that might be put in storage will be accessible for RFID conversion when the time comes. No action could be taken at the recent Public Building Committee meeting because of the lack of a quorum. James Russo was introduced as the project manager for the expansion and Mr. Cutler did present his
completed building layout. The mechanical plans are in progress as well as the lighting project and ceiling heights.
Mrs. Bullock continues to visit other libraries to see their design and get ideas for furniture and equipment. She will contact various people about designers who have library design experience with the intention of hiring a designer to help with the overall interior design of the building.
InfoAnyTime has been added to library services. It can be accessed by anyone with a web browser and a session is conducted via an online chat. Available 24/7 it is a service for patrons and librarians alike.
Twenty Playaway digital audio books have been ordered. They are easy to use and contain only the book - nothing extra. Earphones for patrons wishing to listen to information via the internet have been purchased. The library computers must be reconfigured before they can be put into use.
Mrs. Bullock listed goals for 2006-2007 and asked for the Board’s review and if there should be any additions or changes. They will be discussed at the special meeting.
BUILDING: As stated the architect has given his final plans.
Upon review of the proposed site for the interim library the site being considered does have a meeting room that could accommodate up to 60 people. Any items purchased for use at this site will fit in with the expanded building.
Mr. Kaplan discussed the possibility of having a dedicated fishing space in the new building. It would be an area that holds the fishing equipment available to the public and he will look into possible funding. If approved, this space could possibly be used as a pilot program for other libraries.
TECHNOLOGY: Mrs. Bullock continues to research the RFID system and asked for a cost analysis of similar size libraries from a vendor she recently interviewed. They requested additional information on the Simsbury facility before completing the analysis.
Since bar codes are used on anything checked out it appears that nothing will be affected by changing to an RFID system. A particular concern was ConnectiCard.
The Connecticut Education Network (CEN) is very slow and it appears that it will be necessary to use two internet sources, one for the public and one for administration. Simsbury’s source has improved but it is still slow and the problem continues to be researched.
At 9:25 P.M. Bert Kaplan moved for adjournment. Second: B. Gardner. So moved.
Anne Erickson
Secretary
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