SIMSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Meeting of June 15, 2015 – Minutes are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees at their next meeting
PRESENT: Marianne O’Neil, Charmaine Glew, Diane Madigan, David Blume, Polly Rice, Anne Erickson, Sara Mogck, Tolly Zonenberg, Friends President, Chris Kelly, BOS Liaison, Bert Kaplan, Interim Friends Liaison and Sara Ray, Teen Librarian,
Eileen Sickinger, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC AUDIENCE: Sarah Nielson of Main Street Partnership
At 7:00 P.M. Mrs. O’Neil, Chair, called the meeting to order. Mr. Blume moved the May 18, 2015 minutes be approved showing the correction that “an attempt was made to change the date and/or location of the Annual Book Sale”. Second: Mrs. Madigan. The minutes were approved as amended.
Items 13 and 14 of the Agenda were moved to earlier in the meeting.
TEEN LIBRARIAN: Sara Ray, Teen Librarian, reported on her attendance at the Book Expo recently held in New York City. She brought a sampling of the books that she obtained, most signed by the authors, which will be used as prizes for teen programs. She also discussed the upcoming teen summer reading program that currently has 594 students registered.
TRAIL DEVELOPMENT, SARAH NIELSON: Ms. Nielson presented a site rendering of a proposed Town water gateway that is to be located near the Library. At one time it had been proposed that a pond be located near the Library but due to safety, parking and other concerns was not supported by the former Board. The current proposal is smaller in scope and funding will come from open space funds with an estimated cost of $7,000. There will be a walking trail with access to a pond. Metro Bis Restaurant has agreed to provide funds for a stone dust trail and there is the potential for a gazebo and stone wall with a trellis that would be supported by private funding. The area will be open to the public and will allow for Library programming. There will be no lighting and Ms. Neilson will speak with Tom Roy about generating more parking spaces. The Board expressed their concerns and following discussion Mrs. Glew moved that the Board accept the concept of the site plan for the pond/walkway with the Board’s three major concerns addressed: 1) parking issues with private entities; 2) clarifying the entrance, and 3) the ongoing maintenance of the site. Second: Mrs. Madigan. The motion passed unanimously.
There were no Communications.
FRIENDS: Interim Friends Liaison, Bert Kaplan, reported that more museum trips are being planned, and some officer positions are still open. Celia Roberts was recognized by Friends for her long tenure as a staff member and she donated the funds she received back to Friends. There will be no meetings in July and August.
CHAIR’S REPORT: Mrs. O’Neil recognized Marge Storrs on receiving the Friends of Connecticut Libraries Lifetime Achievement Award and she was kind enough to donate her award to Friends.
In the recent Town Survey results the Library received the highest satisfaction rate among Town resources and the Board expressed their appreciation to the staff for their hard work making this possible.
Meetings are scheduled for July and August provided enough members will be present to form a quorum.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT: The tracking used for art work cannot be found. The Library will be closed July 3, 4, and 5.
A gentleman who frequently used the Library recently passed away and donations in his honor are being received.
A charging station for personal devices is being installed. Ms. Karim distributed the brochures related to all the Library’s summer reading programs.
INNOVATORS’ WORKSHOP: The new hours for the 3-D printer are working well and Ms. Karim shared a picture of the Heublien Town created by the printer.
BUDGET: Ms. Karim explained some changes/differences in the line items and the monthly statistics were reviewed.
SECURITY GATE: The security gate for the lower level discussed at the May meeting did not meet the approval of the Fire Marshall. A procedure has been put in place for the night custodian to secure the building and in the morning the staff will re-open those doors that have been locked. The staff will be re-instructed in the necessary steps to follow.
The Art Exhibit Tracking has not been found.
WEBSITE DESIGNER: Abbi Cushman has signed a contract and has been hired as the new website designer.
At 8:10 P.M. Mrs. Glew moved for adjournment. Second: Mr. Blume. The meeting was adjourned.
Diane Madigan, Secretary