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Site SearchMinutes of Scheduled Board of Trustees Meeting
February 10, 1999
Call to Order
The regular Meeting of the Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:15 p.m. In attendance were Board President Campbell Geeslin and Trustees Toni Cox-Burns, Janet Elmiger, Hope Furth, JoAnne Lee, Library Director Sandra Miranda, and Assistant Library Director Charlotte Szabo. Absent with notice were Trustees Betsy DeSoye, Oren Teicher and Saul Yanofsky. Trustee Lee was appointed Secretary Pro Tem in the absence of Board Secretary DeSoye.Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Library Board of Trustees
The minutes of the January 20, 1999 regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees were approved on a motion by Board President Geeslin, seconded by Trustee Lee.City Detail Listing of Obligations vs. Budget as of 1/31/99
City Detail Listing of Obligations vs. Budget as of 1/31/99 was not yet available, and will be given out at the next Board meeting. Bills: 1998/99 Budget, #13, #14 The payment of bill vouchers #13 and #14 was approved on a motion by Trustee Lee, seconded by Trustee Cox-Burns.Report of Library Administration
The Board reviewed written reports, and Library Director Miranda highlighted administrative activities. The Board viewed with pleasure the Library segment of the Mayor's most recent cable show featuring Pat Thorsen, Head of Public Services, who won the 1998 Journal News award for A Friendliest Librarian in Westchester. All present extended congratulations to Mrs. Thorsen on her award and expressed appreciation to the Mayor for this excellent publicity.WLS
Trustee Cox-Burns reported she attended the WLS meeting in January 1999 and circulated materials to the Board for review. Trustee Cox-Burns elaborated on the issues and problems that beset the Mt. Vernon Public Library, and spoke to the issue of direct aid reimbursement.Foundation
The next meeting of the Foundation Board will be March 3, 1999. Campaign strategy for the Foundation, a revised gift table, program descriptions and listing of sponsorships were given to the Board for purposes of information, with action to be taken on the program descriptions and sponsorhips at the next meeting.
Advocacy
The Library Director reported that the new Chair of the New York Assembly Committee on Libraries is Assemblywoman Naomi Matusow, 89th Assembly District, representing a portion of White Plains, and she suggested that the Trustees send their congratulations. The Library Director Miranda also reported that George Latimer, Chair, County Board of Legislators, was expecting a follow up to our request for support, and that she will notify Trustees when this meeting is arranged.
Friends
Information about the Friends' centennial AI Remember When... Contest A was distributed. Trustees were encouraged to submit entries. Library Director Miranda reported that librarian, Elizabeth Hughes, is liaison to the Friends for ongoing maintenance of the Friends Book Store.
Board VacanciesNo Board appointments have been made as of this date.
OLD BUSINESS
1999/2000 Proposed BudgetLibrary Director Miranda reviewed two proposed budget submissions for FY1999/2000: one budget with a bottom line of $4,672,021, a 1% increase over this year=s budget. This proposed budget assumes an extension of the 1/2% sales tax. A second budget proposal of $4,597,021, with a decrease of 1% was prepared as required by the City in case the sales tax is not extended. On a motion by Trustee Furth, seconded by Trustee Cox-Burns, the Board approved the budget submissions. The Trustees congratulated the Library Director on an excellent budget preparation and review.
Centennial PlanA revised plan for the Library's A Century of Excellence Centennial Celebration was presented to the Board. To provide the community with timely information on Centennial activities and to inform the public about other important Library services and programs, the Board directed the revival of the Library cable show on a motion by Trustee Lee, seconded by Trustee Geeslin. Approval was requested and received to expend up to $1,750 from the Gift Fund, to be matched by the Foundation, for a Centennial Banner, approximately 8' x 15', on a motion by Trustee Lee, seconded by Trustee Cox-Burns.
PersonnelLibrary Director Miranda spoke to the problems of meeting technology priorities with current levels of in-house staffing and City MIS support. The Board directed that the vacant Library Media Technician position be filled as soon as possible to assist the Library Systems Manager on a motion by Trustee Geeslin, seconded by Trustee Lee.
C. W. P. Capital Improvement ProgramThe Library Director distributed a copy of the Library Fund portion of the City's approved 1999/2000 Capital Improvement Program.
NEW BUSINESS
Gift FundApproval was requested and received to spend up to $1,500 from the Gift Fund to purchase book/video trucks on a motion by Trustee Geeslin, seconded by Trustee Cox-Burns.
Approval was requested and received to spend up to $500 towards a laptop approved for purchase by the Friends on a motion by Trustee Furth, seconded by Board President Geeslin. AdjournmentThere being no more business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
JoAnne Lee, Secretary Pro-Tem
Library Board of Trustees