Minutes of Regular Meeting

August 17, 2002

Call to Order

The regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Board President, Hope Furth. In attendance were Trustees Timothy Connors, Toni Cox-Burns, Janet Elmiger, Campbell Geeslin, Fernando Martinez, Nancy Smith, Don Simmons, Library Director Sandra Miranda, Assistant Library Director Patricia Thorsen, and Head of Internal Operations, Kurt Hadeler. Absent with notice was Trustee P. Lynn Oliva.

Welcome

Board President Furth welcomed the two new trustees, Trustee Timothy P. Connors, Superintendent of Schools, and Trustee Fernando Martinez, Executive Director of SUNY Downstate Medical. Trustee O’Connors and Trustee Martinez expressed pleasure in joining the Library Board.

Minutes of Regular Meeting of Library Board of Trustees

The minutes of the regular meeting of June 12, 2002 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee Elmiger, seconded by Trustee Geeslin.

City Revenue & Expenditure Budget Reports

Not received due to year end..

Bills: 2001/02 Budget: #22 & #23

The payment of bill vouchers #22 and #23 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee Simmons, seconded by Trustee Connors.

Report of Library Administration

The Board reviewed department reports. Library Director Miranda reviewed highlights from her report and noted good progress on construction plans for the capital project to renovate the 3^rd floor. Kurt Hadeler reported that he accepted the resignation of the Library’s head cataloger, Vicki Baldwin, and as a result the Library now had two vacancies for professional catalogers. However, he has interviewed several possible candidates, one showing great promise. Mrs. Miranda reported that no acceptable applications were received for the vacant Library Systems Manager position, and that other options for this position would be considered.

Trustee Reports and Business

WLS

Trustee Furth reported there was no WLS Board meeting this month and briefed the Board on some negative aspects of the recently adopted State Budget on library funding.

Foundation

Library Director Miranda reported the Foundation received grants from Capelli Foundation and Rotary of White Plains and has been notified that Citibank is making a grant. All three are to support Homework Help @ the Library for the coming school year, including Teacher in the Library and the new online tutoring service. Additional funding will be needed, so appeals and grant requests will continue.

Advocacy

The Board reviewed advocacy e-mails noting state funding for libraries has been inadequate for years, and urging library advocates to speak out and vote for candidates who support library funding.

Community Outreach

Library Director Miranda and Board members discussed various ideas for outreach and promotion for the new online homework help service. Mr. Connors suggested contacting the Math Coordinator for the schools since one of the primary uses of the online tutoring service is for mathematics. Regarding the concept of a joint Library Board/School Board meeting, Mr. Connors suggested that for cooperative school/library activities, improved administrative interactions might work best, and for general communication, an informal gathering rather than a formal meeting of the Boards might be more effective. Mr. Connors agreed to explore further and report back.

Board Vacancies

Mrs. Miranda reported with appreciation to the Mayor and Common Council that the vacancy was filled and that the reappointments for Trustees Simmons and Oliva will be made at the next meeting of the Common Council.

OLD BUSINESS

NYS Report

The WPPL Annual Report for Public and Association Libraries - 2001 was reviewed by the Board.

NEW BUSINESS

New Rochelle Public Library Budget Vote

The Board reviewed articles concerning the defeat of the New Rochelle Public Library budget and its potential consequences. As noting specific was yet known about New Rochelle’s plans or limitations, the Board asked Mrs. Miranda to keep them apprised.

Security Service Contract

Mrs. Miranda reported that interviews were completed with three companies which provided bids for security services. Their proposals were evaluated with the assistance of the Purchase and Public Safety Departments. On a MOTION by Trustee Elmiger, seconded by Trustee Simmons, the Board authorized Mrs. Miranda to proceed to contract with Allied Security, based on its June 7, 2002 Proposal and the Library’s RFP, in accordance with State Laws governing such contracts.

Adjournment

There being no more business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m. on a MOTION by Trustee Elmiger, seconded by Trustee Geeslin.

Don Simmons, Secretary

Library Board of Trustees