SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Monday, October 22, 2007
PRESENT: Bert Kaplan, Gail Ryan, Charmaine Glew, Babs Gardner, Carol Bingham and Anne Erickson. Susan Bullock, Director, Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary.
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 P.M. by C. Glew, Chair. B. Kaplan moved the minutes of the September 24, 2007 Special Meeting be approved. Second: A. Erickson. So moved.
There was no public audience.
C. Bingham moved that item 6E, Discussion on a Dedicated Area for Fishing/Boating, be added to the agenda. Second: B. Gardner. So moved.
COMMUNICATIONS: G. Ryan has heard from Rep. Chris Murphy's Legislative Director and there has been no advancement on the House and Senate appropriations bill. B. Kaplan shared a history of the progress of the bill and the procedures followed before passage. Mrs. Ryan also shared an article from the Boston Globe on the changes taking place in libraries today. C. Bingham discussed a recent article in the New York Times that was of a similar nature.
Mrs. Glew had a copy of Mr. Vincent's letter to a patron unhappy with a recent event in the Children's Room.
Brandon Robertson is looking for the Board's report for the Town's Annual Report. A copy of last year's statement was distributed so the Board could make any additions or changes for this year's report.
Mrs. Glew also had a copy of Mr. Robertson's letter regarding the e-mail accounts recently set-up for Town elected officials. Discussion followed on the process necessary to get into these accounts.
Mrs. Bullock has sent a letter to Cheryl Gerrish of the Hartford Foundation thanking them for their recent grant.
The Library received a bequest of $1,000 from the estate of Theodore Malova to be used for books.
Carolyn Keily has informed all Board's that agendas for both regular and special meetings must be in her office twenty-four hours prior to the meeting.
A letter from Kathy McAffee, The Marketing Motivator, is in the Director's packet. It praises the good work of Jennifer Keohane, Business Resource Librarian.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Friends: Babs Gardner reported that George Boissard, Friends Liaison, is recovering from his recent surgery.
Plans for the grand re-opening are in progress.
The Friends November 7th meeting will feature author Ron Powers, who will speak on "Mark Twain: Making Him Fresh Again."
Personnel: MaryLou Wigley and Patrick Dougherty have been hired as part-time circulation assistants.
Decorating Task Force: The task force is finalizing decisions on furniture choices. Anne Erickson suggested that no more than 24 carrels be ordered because of the placement of seating areas. Another task force meeting is scheduled for Friday.
Building Committee: The outside of the building is almost complete and construction is still on schedule. The Board toured the site Saturday, October 20th and were pleased with what they saw. Barbara Joslin is looking for a graphic artist to prepare a logo for the new chairs. The original artist is unable to prepare one because of family illness.
Mrs. Bullock reported that the retaining wall for the lower parking lot is being built. Two sets of floor to ceiling walls in the Children's Room cut visibility and light. The architect has stated that for a cost of $3,500 two of these can be cut out to allow for more light. Mrs. Bullock has preliminary drawings from the architect to show what can be done. B. Kaplan moved that arches be added in the Children's Room wall, with the approval of the Decorating Task Force. Discussion centered on the arches opening up the area allowing for more light and giving the area an added architectural feature. The motion was seconded by B. Gardner and passed unanimously.
Mrs. Bullock brought to the Board's attention that columns in the Program Room are 14" x 14" and will
obstruct the view of about 12 out of 150 people.
The project superintendent for Montfort Bros. has quit and the former project manager, Leo Dusautels, is the interim superintendent. His former position has not been filled.
Carpet delivery is expected to come after February 11th with the furniture to follow.
Dedicated Fishing Area: B. Kaplan has brought before the Board a proposal by the Recreation, Boating and Fishing Foundation the idea of setting aside in the Library a dedicated space to advertise boating and fishing in the United States. It would be a prototype of a project that could be put in place in other libraries thought the country. Grant money to libraries would be provided through the organization with the support of the Fishing and Wildlife Service. Discussion centered on setting aside dedicated space for one organization when there might be other groups interested in doing the same thing. The proposal is in its formative stage and Mr. Kaplan will provide more information at the next meeting.
CHAIR'S REPORT: Mrs. Glew reported that nothing has been done about the plugs for the computers and there is still no technology contract. The letter accepting the Hartford Foundation Grant has been signed and sent. There will be a meeting with Kevin Kane in April to review dealing with the grant monies. Friends have asked Mrs. Glew to get a letter from the Town accepting their donations by the time their fiscal year ends. She asked that a letter be sent from the Board acknowledging the Friends contributions.
The Simsbury Beautification Committee has offered to be a part of the landscaping projects and Bert Kaplan moved the Board accept the Simsbury Beautification Committee's offer to plant and maintain some of the gardens at the new building. Second: C. Bingham. So moved.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT: There will be many opportunities for landscaping when the building is complete. It has been suggested that garden clubs and donors be encouraged to donate a lawn sprinkler system. The sprinkler system was taken from the budget when it became necessary to reduce it.
Mrs. Bullock is going to look into what other libraries did for their grand openings. Starbucks has offered to provide coffee and other vendors will be approached for contributions. Inquiries will also be made about getting coffee pots for the new building.
The Library was able to obtain over 400 children and adult DVDs at $1.00 apiece from Hollywood Video which is closing. The Hayes Collection is to be restored, catalogued and returned to storage at Bank of America until the re-opening.
The Library will close at 5:00 P.M. the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and will be open regular hours on Saturday and Sunday.
At 9:10 G. Ryan moved for adjournment. Second: A. Erickson. So moved.
Anne Erickson, Secretary
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