AUGUST 10, 2006

ATTENDANCE: Mohan Tracy, President; Mary Pugh, Vice President; Stan Siegel, Secretary; Lee Levey; Charles McMullen; Mary Mann

STAFF: Les Kozerowitz; Tom Shadlich; Sherelle Harris; Dave Hepworth (7:55 p.m.)

OTHER: Carolyn Marr. Telesco Secretarial services

CALL TO ORDER

President Tracy called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

MINUTES OF JULY 13, 2005

The corrections to the minutes are as follows:

On page 2, 1st paragraph, 1st sentence, remove the word “a”. On page 2, 3rd paragraph, 2nd sentence, change the word “filled” to “advertised”. On page 2, 8th paragraph, 2nd sentence, remove the words “will be”. On page 3, 2nd paragraph, 1st sentence, change the word “appropval” to “approval”. On page 4, 2nd paragraph, 3rd sentence, change the words “need to” to “would”. On page 5, 5th paragraph, last sentence, change the word “suggest” to “suggested”.

** Mr. McMullen MOVED to APPROVE the Minutes of July 13, 2005.

** Mr. Levey SECONDED.

** Motion PASSED unanimously.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mr. Kozerowitz said that he was notified that Ms. Williams and Ms. Vetter will be unable to attend the meeting this evening.

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS (MOHAN TRACY)

President Tracy discussed the Teen Advisory Board – Teen Room construction and the Silent Auction. The auction was held to help with the purchase of furniture for the room. She also mentioned that there was good publicity in the paper
PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments.

LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT (LES KOZEROWITZ)

Mr. Kozerowitz said they are still addressing the personnel hiring process. Mr. Ferro is working with the Branch staff to interview and hire the part-time staff in anticipation of the SoNo branch opening. They will be interviewing candidates for the three vacant full-time positions, a Children’s Librarian, a Cataloguer, and a Library Clerk. All three positions are currently being advertised, and he understands that the response has been very good.

Mr. Kozerowitz reported that an anonymous donation of $5,000 was received for use by the Teen Advisory Board for use in the Teen Room. It was suggested that it be used for, or part of it, to buy a large flat-screen TV and DVD player, with sound system, for the teens. The TV would most likely be wall-mounted and well-protected from damage. The Teen Room will only be used under supervision by an adult staff member. The donor will be advised of the Board’s appreciation of the donation.

NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Finance Committee Report (Jannie Williams)

As Ms. Williams was not present, there was no financial report.

b. Building/Land Use Committee – Lee Levey

Mr. Levey said he met with the architect who is continuing to work on the front entrance to the Mail Library. There is a new design that has been worked out, and instead of a rectangular configuration, it is now curved. The band above the doors and windows will be used for signage, Norwalk Public Library. He understands that they are working on the construction drawings in order to get it out to bid by early September.

Mr. Levey announced that he has been asked to submit his resignation from the Library Board so that he can join the City’s Planning Commission. He had been asked to join the Planning Commission to assist in new development plans. He explained that it would be considered a conflict to remain on the Library Board and join the Planning Commission, as Library business would come up before the Planning Commission He asked that, with the Board’s approval, he would like to stay on as a consultant for the purpose of serving as the Board’s Building and Land Use Committee.

President Tracy, in speaking for the Board, indicated that Mr. Levey will be missed. Mr. Levey said he will miss everyone on the Board after being with them for 5 ½ years. Mr. McMullen said that Mr. Levey, in addition to Mr. Siegel, had been a great advocate of the SoNo Library. President Tracy suggested that the Board honor Mr. Levey’s request to serve and a non-Board member of the Building and Land Use Committee.

** Mr. Siegel MOVED to accept Mr. Levey’s resignation, with regret, in appreciation for his years of service and his determination to continue in the best interests of the Library. Mr. Siegel also MOVED to suggest that Mr. levey continue as consultant to the board on architectural matters as a non-Board member, (Chair), of the Building and Land Use Committee as President Tracy recommended.

** Ms. Mann SECONDED.

** Motion PASSED unanimously.

The Board members then reviewed the drawings on the Main Library front entrance that Mr. Levey provided. Mr. Levey indicated that the timeframe is still on track despite minor setbacks.

c. Marketing/21st Century Fund (Stan Siegel)

Mr. Siegel included a picture of the new Main Library directory sign that has been mounted on the “Plaque Wall” just past the Circulation Desk.

Mr. Siegel reported that as of this evening, more than 185 bricks for the “SoNo Library Book Walk – Pathway to the Future” have been sold. He expects that, the way the orders have been coming in, we will have over 200 sold by next week, and they will then be able to place the minimum-brick order. The bricks most likely won’t arrive prior to the Library reopening, but every brick purchaser will receive an invitation to the Library reopening, where he plans to have a list of brick donors published. The bricklaying ceremony hopefully will take place approximately a month, to a month and a half, after the Library reopening, a date to be set with the Board’s approval. That would enable more time for a press conference, as well as making the bricklaying a separate and distinct ceremony aside from the Library reopening.

Mr. Siegel mentioned that an additional, unencumbered donation to the 21st Century Fund of $2,000 was received from Mohan and David Tracy. That brings the Fund total close to $200,000 of the goal of $250,000. He said they still have potential contributors for the 21st Century Fund. He, Mr. Kozerowitz, and Sherelle Harris met with the representatives of Stew Leonard’s, to discuss the Children’s Library signage. He noted that Ms. Harris has joined the Board meeting this evening to participate in the review the plans and progress for the Library reopening. There will be a press conference on or about August 30 for the naming of the Children’s Library as the “Stew Leonard III Children’s Library”. He said that Stew Leonard’s will provide the sign, and they will also decorate the activity room by hand-painting the walls with appropriate characters, figures, shapes, etc. “Stewey the Duck,” as the mascot, will be available to the Library for functions. He said they have received good press from the Hour. There is a minor challenge regarding coverage in the Norwalk edition of the Advocate. The Norwalk Citizen-News has been very cooperative.

Mr. Siegel said that the READ Program is going very well. There are posters of Dr. David Levinson, President of NCC; Ms. Judy Glazer, a prominent local author; Mayor Moccia; Governor. Rell; former Mayor Bill Collins; Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Sal Corda; BMHS MVP LaCrosse Player Peter McNichols, and several other local celebrities, officials, and other that will become READ posters participants. As soon as the South Norwalk Branch Library is reopened, the READ posters will be released to the Press on a scheduled basis. Mr. Siegel indicated that we now have the capability of producing the posters in a size as large as 22 x 34 at a 5th of the price of commercial printing.

Mr. Siegel received a pledge from Mr. Passero, President of Klaff’s for a contribution of $5,000 to the 21st Century Fund.. There will be a plaque placed at the “SoNo Library Book Walk – Pathway to the Future” lampposts that will indicate the Klaff’s contribution.

He said that there will be signage indicating various areas of the Library. The logo of the Norwalk Public Library will be put on the air conditioning unit on the roof, as well as an “Enjoy Your Library” banner. The awning designed to cover and indicate the two main entrances is scheduled to be installed prior to the South Norwalk Branch Library reopening.

Mr. Siegel said that originally the Norwalk Veteran’s Committee planned to provide the money for the flagpole. The Chair of that Committee has asked, instead, that the flagpole contribution come from the Knights of Columbus, South Norwalk. Mr. Siegel thought that the contribution be accepted and suggested that the ceremony take place on or about Columbus Day, to which the Board agreed.

The South Norwalk Branch Library reopening flag-raising ceremony, will be managed by a contingent from the Connecticut National Guard which will take place on Saturday, September 16, 2006 at noon. That flag will stay up until the arrival of the other two flags, planned to be provided by Governor Rell – a flag that few over the state Capitol -- and by Congressman Shays – a flag that few over the White House. The flagpole will be illuminated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The two flags may be part of the official flagpole dedication with the Knights of Columbus.

d. South Norwalk Branch Library Reopening plans/progress

Mr. Siegel said that the Connecticut National Guard will provide a 10’ square tent, this will save nearly $1,000 for not having rent a tent. Stew Leonard’s will provide refreshments. Ms. Torrano is working on resolving the traffic issues. There was some discussion regarding the entertainment -- to have some small local musical groups play throughout the event. The local drill team “Motion” will perform.

Mr. Siegel suggested the following schedule: at 11:00 a.m., the Mayor and other dignitaries will cut the “ribbon” followed by appropriate, brief, speeches. At noon, the flag will be raised. The Library will then be open for visitation only, and the public will be guided by Staff members. Book borrowing will not be available during the reopening day. The South Norwalk Branch Library will be open officially on September 19. It was mentioned that the challenge will be keeping the parking lot free of cars, and it was suggested that, as may be useful, the staff be carpooled from the main branch, or have them reimbursed if they paid for parking. He said contacts are being made so that the weed-overgrown strip between the parking lot of the Library and the AT&T building will be cleaned up. He said that the Mayor’s office is handling certain invitations – Governor Rell, Congressman Shays, etc., and said that the Board will develop its own list of invitees. The invitations will be sent out during the last week of August. There will be a special insert in The Hour two days prior to the opening, and they will provide a 1,500 copy overprint of the insert as a reopening souvenir. He said the book covers did not prove to be practical but the Board will have specially marked metal bookmarks to give as souvenirs. Ms. Pugh said she will provide helium balloons and other decorations ads may be appropriate.

President Tracy said that Mr. Siegel has done a monumental task in preparing and coordinating the arrangements for the opening, and she hoped that everyone could help out with the final arrangements as well as the during the day of the ceremony.

ADJOURNMENT

** Mr. Levey MOVED to ADJOURN.

** Mr. McMullen SECONDED.

** Motion PASSED unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, subject to Board approval:
Stanley M. Siegel. Secretary, Norwalk Public Library Board of Directors

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