Minutes of Regular Meeting

May 15, 2002

Call to Order

The regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 8:05 p.m. by Board President, Hope Furth. In attendance were Trustees Janet Elmiger, Campbell Geeslin, P. Lynn Oliva, Nancy Smith, Library Director Sandra Miranda, and Assistant Library Director Patricia Thorsen. Absent with notice were Trustees Cox-Burns, DeSoye, Simmons, and Yanofsky. Trustee Janet Elmiger was appointed Secretary Pro-tem on a MOTION by Trustee Smith, seconded by Trustee Geeslin.

Minutes of Regular Meeting of Library Board of Trustees

The minutes of the regular meeting of April 17, 2002 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee Geeslin, seconded by Trustee Elmiger.

City Revenue & Expenditure Budget Reports

The Board reviewed month ending report April 2002, and Library Director Miranda noted the Library was over budget for service contracts due to the increased fee for the cleaning contract. Mrs. Miranda requested Board approval to request Common Council transfer of funds between budget lines to balance budget. This was approved on a MOTION by Trustee Geeslin, seconded by Trustee Elmiger.

Bills: 2001/02 Budget: #18 & #19

The payment of bill vouchers #18 and #19 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee Elmiger, seconded by Trustee Smith.

Report of Library Administration

The Board reviewed department reports. Library Director Miranda introduced and congratulated Kurt Hadeler, in his new title, Head of Internal Operations at the Library. Mrs. Miranda noted he would regularly attend Library Board meetings to address any Library Systems Management questions the Board might have. Mr. Hadeler reported he has been meeting with staff, implementing new procedures, and significant progress has been made on the technical processes backlog.

Trustee Reports and Business

WLS

Trustee Furth reported some WESTLYNX problems were discussed; the Book & Author luncheon was a great success; strategic plan implementation committee met for the first time, and as a start, would concentrate on web design, technology, and promotion of libraries.

Friends

Trustee Elmiger reported that the Friends annual meeting will be held at the Library on Sunday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m., and encouraged the Board to come and support the Friends.

Foundation

The Board reviewed the Draft Program Goals for 2002/2003 to be submitted to the Foundation. Library Director Miranda explained the various programs listed. Board members saw one of these, tutor.com, demonstrated prior to the start of the meeting. The Board was very enthusiastic about the Library providing this online tutoring service for grades 4 -12. Mrs. Miranda noted that this service would be an enhancement of Teacher in the Library, and that she was working on identifying prospects and preparing proposals to secure the larger amount of funding needed. Mrs. Thorsen spoke about another program listed, a Jobs Counselor the Library would get one day a week through WLS/WEBS. She noted that the service would be a wonderful addition to the Business Center. The Board approved the Draft Program Goals for 2002/2003 to be submitted to the Foundation on a MOTION by Trustee Elmiger, seconded by Trustee Oliva.

Board Vacancies

The Board briefly discussed the need to fill the Board vacancy.

OLD BUSINESS

Internet Access Policies

Library Director Miranda reported that for the present, the Law Department advised ongoing research, evaluation and dialogue regarding Internet filtering and first amendment issues. To this end, both Mrs. Miranda and the Law Department have been gathering and exchanging information on relevant cases. The Law Department has advised that any proposed new procedures wait until these issues work through the courts.

NEW BUSINESS

Holiday Closings 2002-2003

The Board approved the 2002/2003 Holiday/Sunday/Summer Schedule on a MOTION by Trustee Geeslin, seconded by Trustee Oliva.

Certification of Application for NYS Parent Child Grant

The Board approved the certification of and application for Parent and Child Library Services, a New York State Library Grant Program on a MOTION by Trustee Elmiger, seconded by Trustee Geeslin.

Request to expend $2,250 from Gift Fund for Library Programs

The Board approved request to expend $2,250 from Gift Fund for Library Programs as presented on a MOTION by Trustee Oliva, seconded by Trustee Geeslin. Assistant Director Thorsen commended Barbara Wenglin, Adult Services Librarian, for her hard work in getting Dr. Lee Schlesinger, and noted feedback from the public has been outstanding.

Library Plaza

Board President Furth reported on her follow-up with Rita Malmud, Chair of Recreation Advisory Committee, regarding Advisory Committee recommendation for outdoor art sculpture program at the Library Plaza. Trustee Furth reported that she shared the various issues raised by the Library Board, including its desire for collaborative review of options for the Plaza, and provided pertinent materials. Trustee Furth reported she also received phone calls from three other people, and she reiterated the same sentiments and provided tha same materials. Trustee Oliva suggested that the Library Board go forward with suggesting an addendum to the City’s Recreation Master Plan regarding the development of the Plaza, as had been discussed at the Library Board meeting when the Commissioner of Planning had visited and presented the draft.

Adjournment

There being no more business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. on a MOTION by Trustee Geeslin, seconded by Trustee Oliva.

Janet Elmiger, Secretary Pro-Tem

Library Board of Trustees