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| Norwalk Public Library Board of Directors Meeting Minutes |
NORWALK PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES / REGULAR MEETING / JUNE 12, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Mohan Tracy, President; Mary Pugh, Vice President; Stan Siegel, Secretary; Jannie Williams, Treasurer (7:10); Mary Mann; Charles McMullen; Lori Torrano;
STAFF: Les Kozerowitz, Library Director; Frank Ferro, Assistant Director
ABSENT: Regina Krummel; Grace Vetter
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 by the President.
MINUTES OF MAY 10, 2007
The following correction was made: On Page 1, last paragraph, 1st sentence, “Norwalk Educational Foundation” was changed to “Norwalk Education Foundation".
** Mr. McMullen MOVED to APPROVE the minutes as corrected.
** Ms. Mann SECONDED.
** Motion PASSED Unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
It was announced that Mrs. Krummel and Mrs. Vetter would not be present at this meeting.It
PRESIDENT’S REMARKS
The President said that she attended Mrs. Krummel’s Poetry Workshop on May 29th at NCC at which there were about 14 attendees and was impressed by Mrs. Krummel’s talent. Mr. Siegel reported that Mrs. Krummel presented the board with a check for $25 from her proceeds from the workshop.
At 7:10 p.m., Ms. Williams arrived at the meeting.
The President also announced that she attended the Mayor’s presentation of Lauren Tarshis’ “Read” poster on May 31st and found it very informative.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
MAIN LIBRARY ENTRANCEWAY PROJECT
Mr. Kozerowitz noted that the entranceway project was tabled at the last Council meeting pending review of financials of the successful bidder. The issue was presumed to be resolved by the time of this meeting and Mr. Kozerowitz hoped that the project would be approved later that same night so that a contract could be made and the project could be finished by next winter.
Mr.. Kozerowitz said that he met with the successful bidder on the air conditioner installation for the library’s auditorium earlier on the day of the meeting. It could take 6-8 weeks for the 25-ton rooftop unit to become available so it will not be in place for the heat of this coming summer.
Mr. Kozerowitz read a letter from Norwalk citizen, Richard Baker to Ann Tomlinson, Head of Children’s Dept. commending a staff member, Peter Jacobs who went above and beyond the call of duty to find a book for Mr. Baker’s daughter.
Mr. Kozerowitz reported that he spoke with James Lee, who is on the production staff of Harpo Films, Oprah Winfrey’s film company. Harpo Films may want to use the South Norwalk Library for the filming of ABC’s Primetime Movie, For One More Day based on Mitch Albom’s book by the same name. The filming would probably require the library to be closed for one day. The filming would be done between early July and mid August. Harpo Films is also looking at the East Norwalk Library as a possibility for filming.
Mr Kozerowitz asked the board if they were interested in making the library available for filming, assuming there is no financial cost to the library. Mr. Siegel suggested that the benefit to the library’s public relations outweighed the minor inconvenience that one day’s closing would have on the public.
** Mr. Siegel moved to APPROVE closing to enable filming by Harpo films.
** Mr. McMullen SECONDED.
** Motion PASSED Unanimously
HOLIDAY HOURS
Mr. Kozerowitz Presented the board with the Library Holiday Closings schedule for 2007-2008 for approval.
** Mr. Siegel MOVED to Approve Holiday Hours
** Ms. TORRANO SECONDED.
** Motion PASSED Unanimously
NOMINATING COMMITTEE/ PROPOSED SLATE OF OFFICERS
Ms. Pugh reported nominations as follows:
NAME
OFFICE TITLE
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
Stanley M. Siegel
President
Mayor
Mary Mann
Vice President
2nd Taxing District
Grace Vetter
Secretary
1st Taxing District
Mary C. Pugh
Treasurer
Mayor
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The President asked for nominations for the floor. No nominations were made.
** Ms. Pugh MOVED to Accept the Slate as Presented
** Ms. Torrano SECONDED.
** Motion PASSED Unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Ms. Torrano mentioned that, coincidentally, the Library Board moved its funds Wachovia to A.G. Edwards just before Wachovia acquired A.G. Edwards.
NEW LAW AFFECTING BOARD “DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE” DESIGNATIONS
Mr. Siegel reported that the state legislature passed several laws regarding libraries; among them one law described in the following paragraph which Mr. Siegel read aloud:
The new law eliminates antiquated language for library positions by designating the members of library governing boards as trustees and the administrative heads as library directors, thus eliminating confusion between local libraries, librarians and the state librarian and library directors and library boards of directors.
Ms. Pugh reminded that the bricks for the SoNo Library Book Walk will have to have the same change applied before they are made.
** Mr. Siegel MOVED to Amend the Bylaws so that the Norwalk Public Library Board of Directors would be Replaced with Norwalk Public Library Board of Trustees, and that the Norwalk Public Library Board Directors would by Norwalk Public Library Board Trustees.
** Ms. Pugh SECONDED.
** Motion PASSED Unanimously.
MAIN AND WALL STREET FESTIVAL ‘07
Mr. Siegel announced that the Wall Street and West Avenue “Association” have asked the library to join them in their festival in July. Mr. Siegel suggests that a table be set up outside the library, staffed by the Friends to provide information and sell library merchandise. Ms. Pugh suggested a band to attract visitors. A vote will be cast once more information is gathered.
OLD BUSINESS
BOARD FOUNDATION 501(c)(3)
Mr. Siegel asked for the board’s approval for hiring Foundation Group, Inc. (501c3.org) as the Foundation’s legal entity for a fee for Not for Profit status of approximately $950.00 and $250.00 for a State of Connecticut Certificate of Incorporation as a nonprofit corporation -- a total estimated cost no to exceed $1,500 (plus State and IRS filing fees) compared to other, estimates received for that same service in the amounts of several thousands of dollars.
** Ms. Pugh MOVED to Approve up to $1,500 to hire Foundation Group, Inc. (501c3.org) to handle the Norwalk Public Library Foundation, Inc. State and Federal Filings.
** Ms. Mann SECONDED
** Motion PASSED Unanimously
TECHNOLOGY CENTER PROPOSAL UPDATE
Mr. Siegel reported that a letter was sent to Xerox asking for funding for the Technology Center.
PHOENIX SCULPTURE UPDATE
Mr. Siegel reported that the Phoenix sculpture (The Spirit of Norwalk) is complete and its foundation is in place. The contractor is holding the statue until a date is set.
Mr. Siegel suggested that the mayor and other public figures be invited, and a ribbon cutting / unveiling event be held and asked the board for a date proposal.
Mr. Kozerowitz suggested a Wednesday because the library opens on Wednesday at noon and a crowd will already be present.
Mr. Siegel suggests a target date of June 27th, depending on the Mayor’s availability.
Mr. Siegel presented several logo designs by a student at Norwalk Community College, Adrian Pardo, all of which feature a phoenix rising from a book.
Ms. Torrano suggests making NPL more of a watermark to bring the phoenix closer to the foreground.
The logo issue is tabled.
MARKETING REPORT
FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
Mr. Siegel discussed The Friends of the Norwalk Public Library System Book Sale. They netted about $5000 which is slightly lower than the Friends’ previous book sale which could be attributed to a last minute date change.
THE BIG READ/FESTIVAL OF WORDS – 2008 NEA GRANT
Mr. Siegel reported that he had a meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 14th at 2:00 with the City Grants Coordinator to discuss applying for a National Endowment of the Arts grant for the year 2008. The book chosen for consideration for the grant is Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. Festival of Words will partner with NPL for The Big Read. The Festival of Words will be held in conjunction with The Big Read throughout the campaign period.
RECENT EVENTS / MEDIA COVERAGE / “READ” CAMPAIGN / BUMPER STICKERS
Mr. Siegel talked about the Bradford poster to promote summer reading program.
Mr. Siegel said that the sale or distribution of bumper stickers should be left to the Library Administration.
BROOKSIDE SCHOOL LIBRARY PACKET
Mr. Siegel reported that Brookside School Library had about 400 people at an event where they had distributed 150 special Norwalk Public Library Packets and that Branch librarian Reggie St. Fort discussed the services and advantages of having a Norwalk Public Library Card and using the Library’s facilities.
CLA BOARD / ACLB
Mr. Siegel said that he became a member of the Connecticut Library Association (CLA) Board as co-chair of their Development Committee.
Mr. Siegel also reported that he attended an Association of Connecticut Library Boards meeting earlier in the day and the ACLB is having its Annual Conference on Oct 12th from 9-3 at the Water’s Edge in Westbrook, CT. The theme of the conference will be “Library Board Boot Camp” and will educate attendees about the basics of running a Library Board. Mr. Siegel will be presenting a Marketing Workshop . He will provide the Board with all the relevant details of the event including Scholarship and Awards programs. Mr. Siegel also indicated that he has produced and maintained the ACLB website – www.aclb.org – which contains useful information for all Connecticut Library Boards.
SOUTH NORWALK BRANCH LIBRARY CELEBRATION / BRICKS – “SONO LIBRARY BOOK WALK – PATHWAY TO THE FUTURE
Mr. Siegel suggested that the board hold a vey special event on Saturday, Sept. 15th for the First Anniversary of the South Norwalk Branch Library’s reopening, which would coincide with the first day that the library will be open on a Saturday and to honor the Library’s donors. The walkway will be finished and open at this time and bricks will still be available for sale. Mr. Siegel reminded that the Oyster Festival will be held the weekend before so the 2 events will not be in conflict.
** Mr. Siegel MOVED to Hold an Event Honoring Donors, Celebrating the 1 year Anniversary of the Branch Library’s Reopening and Unveiling the “SONO LIBRARY BOOK WALK – PATHWAY TO THE FUTURE” on Saturday, September 15th.
** Ms. Williams SECONDED.
** Motion PASSED Unanimously.
Mr. Siegel recommends that the board meet in July and August, specifically July 12th.
** Ms. Pugh MOVED to Meet as a Full Board on July 12.
** Mr. McMullen SECONDED.
** Motion PASSED Unanimously.
Mr. Siegel added that whether or not the board should meet in August will be decided at the July meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
** MS. TORRANO MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MR. MCMULLEN SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Stanley M. Siegel, Secretary, Norwalk Public Library Board of Trustees (subject
to Board approval)
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