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| Norwalk Public Library Board of Directors Meeting Minutes |
JANUARY 10, 2008
ATTENDANCE: Stan Siegel, President; Mary Pugh, Treasurer; Charles McMullen;
Regina Krummel; Mohan Tracy; Grace Vetter (7:06).
STAFF: Les Kozerowitz, Library Director; Frank Ferro, Assistant Director; Tom Schadlich, Director of Library Technology.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Mr. Siegel.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA/ACTION ITEMS
There were no additions to the agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 11/08/07
** MR. MCMULLEN MOVED APPROVAL.
** MS. PUGH SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
At 7:06 p.m., Mrs. Vetter arrived at the meeting.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Kozerowitz said he received a thank-you note from Judy Rivas for the flowers the Board sent her on her father’s passing.
A thank-you letter was received from the Literacy Volunteers expressing gratitude for allowing them to use the library for their many activities.
Mr. Kozerowitz sent a thank-you letter to SCORE for their donation towards new furniture for the staff room and to the Maurice Goodman Foundation for their donation of $2,500.
ENTRYWAY PROJECT
Mr. Kozerowitz said this is still being worked on. He hoped it would be completed in another week or two. They are repaving the area where they removed the planter and have to do the door in the front.
MAIN LIBRARY, CHILDREN’S LIBRARY “WISH LIST”
Mr. Kozerowitz reviewed this list. He said he hopes to begin the recarpeting and ceiling project soon. The total of the “Wish List” is $16,024. This does not come out of the operating budget. Mr. Siegel said they might want to consider supporting it by themselves or in conjunction with the Friends. He suggested they review this list and discuss it at the next meeting. Prior to that, he will raise the issue at the next meeting of the Friends.
Ms. Pugh asked if these items would replace furniture that they can then sell. Mr. Kozerowitz said they could replace and sell the computer work stations but they would be worth only a few hundred dollars.
OTHER
Mr. Kozerowitz reviewed the proposed holiday closing schedule.
Mr. Kozerowitz said that the operating and capital budgets have been submitted to the city and now go through the process. He will inform the Board of the dates of the public hearings. They have requested a new position, that of a Professional Circulation Manager, who would have supervisory and collection development responsibilities. This position is being advertised. They also asked for money to open on Thursday evenings in the Children’s Department and for additional security hours at the Branch. They want to continue the ceiling and carpeting project on the first floor and continue with HVAC on the capital budget side.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Ms. Pugh had no report. She will be speaking with Mrs. Torrano about market fluctuations.
STAFF PRESENTATION
TECHNOLOGY PLAN DRAFT
Mr. Schadlich summarized his technology plan for 2008-09 as distributed to the Board for review and approval.
** MR. MCMULLEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2008-09 TECHNOLOGY PLAN AS PRESENTED.
** MRS. TRACY SECONDED.
Ms. Pugh asked if the budget for this plan was similar to the current budget and Mr. Schadlich reviewed his request.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ms. Pugh had asked at the last meeting about the rate of usage of the computers. Mr. Schadlich said that Pharos is the system that manages their public computers. It also manages the printing function. Mr. Siegel said he would pass on the Pharos report to the Board on a regular basis.
Mr. Kozerowitz said that Mr. Schadlich is very well respected throughout the state and Norwalk is fortunate to have him. Mr. Siegel noted that Mr. Schadlich is the head of the Technical Development Committee of the Connecticut Library Association.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Included in “Old Business.”
OLD BUSINESS
THE BIG READ
Mr. Siegel said they received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for the Big Read, which will kick off on April 5th. Ann Tomlinson, Sherelle Harris, Judy Rivas, Susannah Violino, and Sonya Ahuja (who runs the Festival of Words), met today. The library has the responsibility for this project, partnered with the Festival of Words. The library will probably “own” the Festival of Words, in conjunction with the Big Read. It will run through the three month period of the Big Read program. He and Mr. Kozerowitz will meet with Fire Chief McCarthy and Dr. Corda. They will also meet with Dr. Levinson to get NCC involved. The hospital is very interested, as is NEON and several other organizations. Mr. Siegel noted that he has filed an intent to apply for a Big Read grant for the subsequent year. The book chosen is “Tom Sawyer.” The next Big Read committee meeting is next Thursday.
Mr. Siegel said that Ray Bradbury would come to the opening of the Big Read festival on two conditions: 1) that he is paid $10,000 and that 2) he attend via teleconference – neither of which is practical. In lieu of Mr. Bradbury, Mr. Siegel contacted Sam Weller, who wrote the biography -- “The Bradbury Chronicles”-- and arranged for him attend on April 4th, 5th and 6th for a fee of $3,000 plus travel and board.
Mr. Siegel said that the web site is www.thebigreadnorwalk.org . The main venue for the kickoff events will be NCC.
2ND TAXING DISTRICT PLAQUE REQUEST
Mr. Siegel reviewed Corporation Counsel Nolin’s opinion. He will make mention in the resolution that they repair any damage caused by the plaque. Approval for the installation of the plaque by the 2nd Taxing District was previously given by the Board at the December meeting contingent of Attorney Nolin’s opinion. There being no negative opinion in Attorney Nolin’s report, the decision to enable the affixing of the plaque stands.
FRIENDS OF THENORWALK PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM LIAISON REPORT
Mr. Siegel said he attended the Friends’ Board meeting on Wednesday night. There was not a quorum present. He recommended that they consider setting up a “Books and Authors” program. The Friends agreed, in discussion, to underwrite this program. Ken McConnell could manage and underwrite this program for the Friends.
NEW BUSINESS
STAFF RECOGNITION OPPORTUNITY
Mr. Siegel said that the week of April 14th is Library Recognition Week. He suggested that the Board form a small committee to work on this and develop an annual recognition event by the Board for the staff.
** MS. PUGH MOVED THAT THE BOARD WILL RECOGNIZE STAFF ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AROUND
THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (ALA) NATIONAL LIBRARY WORKERS DAY, DETAILS
TO BE DECIDED.
** MR. MCMULLEN SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM RECOGNITION OPPORTUNITY
Mr. Siegel said that, in conjunction with the Friends of the Norwalk Public Library annual meeting, they should make a public and official pronouncement of the Board’s appreciation of the work and contributions they provide for the benefit of the Library.
** MR. SIEGEL MOVED THAT ON OR AROUND THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF
CONNECTICUT LIBRARIES (FOCL), THE NORWALK PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL
MAKE A FORMAL PRESENTATION TO THE FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS.
** MRS. TRACY SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. MCMULLEN MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MS. PUGH SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Grace Vetter / Secretary / Norwalk Public Library Board of Trustees
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