SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Monday, March 19, 2007
PRESENT: Babs Gardner, Bert Kaplan, Charmaine Glew, Gail Ryan, Carol Bingham and Anne Erickson. Staff: Susan Bullock, Director and Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary. Joel Mandell, Bd. of Selectman Liaison. Fran Sethe from Friends.
The meeting was called to order by C. Glew, Chair at 7:15 P.M.. Bert Kaplan moved the minutes of the February 5, 2007 meeting be accepted with one correction: Under communications the fourth sentence should read: "...these funds were passed by the House but never the Conference Committee of the Senate, hence the money will not be forthcoming". Second: B. Gardner. The minutes were accepted as corrected.
ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEM: Under Communications add, Requests for Grant Funds.
COMMUNICATIONS: Gail Ryan passed to Mrs. Bullock information she had on the overdue fee policy of the Windsor Library.
Mrs. Glew shared Jan Madrak's letter of resignation effective at the end of the fiscal year.
Mr. Kaplan reported that on February 6, 2007 a request was made to Senator Lieberman's office for a $500,000 grant. It was sent to Colleen Shogan, one of the Senator's assistants. Mr. Kaplan will continue to monitor its progress.
Mrs. Ryan reported that a grant request in the amount of $325,000 was filed on February 23, 2007 with Congressman Murphy's office. This is for fiscal year 2008.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: There was no report from the personnel committee. Friends would like the Library Board to take a table at their annual meeting/author's luncheon in May. Gail Ryan reported for the Library Task Force that at the March Public Building Committee meeting it was decided that lightening protection would be removed from the expansion as a cost saving measure and it was noted that no other town building has this protection. The wiring installation for the fire alarm was kept in.
Mrs. Bullock passed around the minutes of the Building Committee's February 13, 2007 meeting. Fund Raising: Friends report that the response to their recent mailings have been favorable.
CHAIR'S REPORT: Future meetings of the Library Board will be held in the temporary quarters, in a area to be determined.
Mrs. Glew asked Mrs. Erickson to write to the Simsbury Garden Club thanking them for the flower arrangements they so faithfully provide the Library.
She also commented on how smoothly the move to the temporary quarters has gone. A flyer is available with information on the move and the new quarters.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT: There was no written report. Mrs. Bullock is very pleased with the cooperation received from the Town staff related to the move. Rick Bazzano is putting in the computer network and when it is complete all the books can be checked in and then put on the shelves. Any books that don't fit will be put in storage at Bank of America. Amodio movers were the movers of choice because of their experience and their substantially lower bid. Some of the furniture has gone to the new building, some to storage, some set aside for restoration and some to the town for disposal. Mrs. Bullock suggested that Board members look at the furniture to see what can be kept and redone for the new building.
OPERATING BUDGET: The proposed 2007-2008 budget remains the same
Building Opening and Donations were covered earlier in the meeting.
INTERIOR DESIGNERS: Three candidates have given presentations for the interior design of the building. JCJ Architects, Bostwick Architects and Furniture Emporium each presented proposals and there was discussion on the presentations and experience of each group. Also discussed was the approach to hiring a designer, the cost, not only the consulting services of the group chosen, but the cost of the materials they recommend - whether it be new or the current furniture refurbished. Following discussion the matter was tabled for this meeting so the Board can do more research and discussion will continue in April.
At 9:00 B. Kaplan moved for adjournment. C. Bingham second. So moved.
Anne Erickson, Secretary
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