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| Norwalk Public Library Board of Directors Meeting Minutes |
FEBRUARY 8, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Mohan Tracy, President; Mary Pugh, Vice-President (7:10); Stan Siegel,
Secretary; Regina Krummel; Mary Mann; Charles McMullen; Jannie Williams; Grace
Vetter.
STAFF: Les Kozerowitz, Library Director; Frank Ferro, Assistant Director; Dave Hepworth.
RECORDER: Cheryl Telesco, Telesco Secretarial Services
VISITOR: Alana Steinberg, Master of Library Science, student.
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by the President.
MINUTES OF JANUARY 11, 2007
The following correction was made: On page 4, 2nd paragraph, last sentence, “are” was corrected to “is”.
** Mr. McMullen MOVED to APPROVE the Minutes as corrected.
** Ms. Williams SECONDED.
** Motion PASSED unanimously.
Ms. Steinberg introduced herself to the Board members.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Tracy said that on at the South Norwalk Branch Library on Tuesday, the Friends celebrated their 25th anniversary. Mayor Moccia delivered a proclamation naming February as the “Friends of the Norwalk Public Library Month”. The Library Board presented a plaque to the Friends for their contribution of $25,000 to the branch renovation. The plaque indicated the naming “The Friends of the Norwalk Public Library Community Room”. Many members of the Library Board were present.
Ms. Tracy said that she attended the Capital Budget hearing yesterday. She spoke briefly and asked for the City’s continuing support.
Ms. Tracy said that earlier in the day, she and Mr. Siegel went to a Festival of Words meeting.
Mr. Kozerowitz announced that Mrs. Torrano had informed him that she would be unable to attend tonight’s meeting.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Kozerowitz said that one of the two boilers at the Main library failed and will have to be replaced, at a cost of approximately $34,000. The City’s Finance and Purchasing Departments have been very helpful with this emergency repair.
Mr. Kozerowitz said that the Capital budget hearing was held before the Planning Commission last night. The Finance Director recommended funding carpeting, HVAC and sidewalk repair.
At 7:10 p.m., Ms. Pugh arrived at the meeting.
Mr. Kozerowitz said that the final Capital budget would be approved by April 15th.
Mr. Kozerowitz said that the entryway project was on hold for two weeks. Regarding the Phoenix, two bids came in for a base, with the lowest price coming in at $4,900 from the DeCocco Company. A price to pick up and transport the sculpture will be received from this firm next week.
Mr. Kozerowitz said that he and Mr. Ferro attended a demonstration of a self-checkout unit. Each unit costs approximately $13,000. They are waiting for more information. This would not be used as a way to eliminate or reduce staff; it would allow them to redeploy staff in other ways to enhance public service.
Mr. Kozerowitz said that, last week, the people counter was installed at the branch. From last Wednesday to yesterday, they averaged 286 people per day coming into the building, as compared to 841 for the Main library.
Regarding the entryway, Mrs. Vetter pointed out that this project is under-funded. Mr. Kozerowitz said that the next step would be to proceed to the City for extra funding. This project is approximately $60,000 more than was budgeted.
Mr. Kozerowitz distributed information on “My Library Dv”, a video service they are experimenting with. He hoped everyone would use it. There is a six month free trial, and after that, it will cost approximately $8,000 per year. Each available video can be downloaded on the cardholder’s computer for seven days and renewed if necessary.
Mr. Kozerowitz noted that they had discontinued their audio book download program.
Mr. Kozerowitz said that Liba Techs brings together architects and libraries when libraries have been renovated. They will be doing that at the South Norwalk Branch Library on September 19th with participation from their architect. He will submit an article to Connecticut Libraries magazine in June regarding this project.
Mr. Kozerowitz said yesterday, they received $110 from the “First Tuesday’s Book Club” in appreciation for the use of the conference room.
Mr. Kozerowitz said he had received the “Live Homework Help” statistics. Last month, there were 308 students served, and the average session lasted 33.43 minutes.
Mr. Kozerowitz distributed statistics generated by the Pharos System that manages the public computers in the library. Mr. Kozerowitz said that there were 3,081 print jobs with 6,047 pages printed.
NEW BUSINESS
CELL PHONE/LIBRARY DIRECTOR
Ms. Pugh said that Mr. Kozerowitz is using his personal cell phone for library business. She thought it might be valuable to have a cell phone with other uses. Mr. Kozerowitz said he used Palm software to manage his calendar. The Trio is the only one that uses the Palm software.
Mr. Siegel said they would be adding a phone capacity to the Palm. Many libraries provide their key personnel with a PDA. The cost would be less than $100 per month.
Mrs. Vetter asked if Mr. Ferro also needs this; Mr. Ferro said he did not.
Mr. McMullen said this should be paid for by the operating budget rather than the Board. Mr. Kozerowitz said it would have to come out of the phone budget, which is very tight. Dawn will check on whether the $1,200 cost could be paid for through the operating budget.
Discussion took place on the feeling that this should be paid for by the City. Purchasing the device, which should cost approximately $100, should be through the Board.
** Mr. Siegel MOVED that if the Library can use funds for the monthly charges
from operating expenses the Board would purchase the PDA/Phone.
** Mr. McMullen SECONDED.
** Motion PASSED unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
Ms. Williams said that the funds are doing very well. She asked Joe Mastrianni to meet with the Board at the end of the quarter. Ms. Williams said that Ramer funds have not been separated. Mr. Kozerowitz said he would be asking for an expenditure from this fund in the next month or two to make up a shortage in the branch children’s budget.
SNBL “HOURS” TASK FORCE REPORT
Ms. Pugh distributed and reviewed the branch library user survey. She recommended putting it on line. Discussion took place on both the public and staff surveys and various suggestions were made regarding changes.
MARKETING REPORT
BUILDING SIGNAGE/LIGHTING
Mr. Siegel said that the new signs are on the Main Library and those on the Branch will go up when the weather is better. They are looking into lighting the sign and the flagpole.
Mr. Siegel said that he and Mr. Kozerowitz met with Jack Cavanaugh, a distinguished journalist and sportswriter, whose newest book is “Tunney”. He agreed to being the subject of a “Read” Poster and present a copy of his book to the Library at the same time that his “Read” poster is put up. A press conference will be arranged with Mayor Moccia unveiling the poster.
LIBRARY LEADERS UPDATE
Mr. Siegel said that he is crafting suggested bylaws based on Norwalk Education Foundation bylaws.
FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
Mr. Siegel said that the Friends Board was very pleased with the event on Tuesday night. The Friends also held their meeting, at the Branch that night. They are interested in expanding their capacity over and above the book sales. Mr. Siegel suggested they offer a home-bound book service and the Friends are interested in providing this service. He also talked about a “greeting” volunteer service both at the Main library and the branch. The Friends are interested in looking into this as well.
THE BIG READ/FESTIVAL OF WORDS
Mr. Siegel said he met in Bridgeport on Tuesday with Shelton, Bridgeport, Norwalk and Ansonia. He brought back 850 copies of “To Kill a Mockingbird”. A procedure will be worked out for distributing these books. The Big Read will be kicked off on March 31st with the Festival of Words, where there will be a workshop on “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Charles Shields, the biographer of Harper Lee will be the keynote speaker.
ADJOURNMENT
** Mr. McMullen MOVED to ADJOURN.
** Mr. Siegel SECONDED.
** Motion PASSED unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, subject to Board approval:
Stan Siegel, Secretary, Norwalk Public Library Board of Directors
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