Minutes of Regular Meeting

October 16, 2002

Call to Order

The regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Board President, Hope Furth. In attendance were Trustees Janet Elmiger, Campbell Geeslin, P. Lynn Oliva, Nancy Smith, Don Simmons, Timothy Connors, Library Director Sandra Miranda, Assistant Library Director Patricia Thorsen, and Head of Internal Operations, Kurt Hadeler. Absent with notice were Trustees Toni Cox-Burns and Fernando Martinez.

Minutes of Regular Meeting of Library Board of Trustees

The minutes of the regular meeting of September 18, 2002 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee Geeslin, seconded by Trustee Elmiger.

City Revenue & Expenditure Budget Reports

None received for review.

Bills: 2002/03 Budget #4, #5, #6

The payment of bill vouchers #4, #5, & #6 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee Simmons, seconded by Trustee Connors.

Report of Library Administration

The Board reviewed department reports and extended its congratulations to Barbara Wenglin, the recipient of the New York Times Librarian of the Year for Westchester County, a well-deserved honor. Mrs. Wenglin has also been selected as the City of White Plains’ Employee of the Month for November 2002, and Board members were invited to attend the special awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on November 4 in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall.

On a sad note, Mrs. Miranda and Mrs. Thorsen reported this past week has been a very trying one for the Library staff who are devastated by the sudden passing away of co-worker, Deborah Morrissey. Mrs. Thorsen noted Ms. Morrissey worked in both the Circulation and Technical Services departments, and will be missed terribly by all. Mrs. Miranda expressed thanks to Mayor Delfino and staff who attended the services as it meant a great deal to Debbie’s family.

Library Director Miranda reported the Security Services contract will be signed shortly, a contract with Tutor.com contract is signed, and the Law Department will review the WLS/Webs contract for career counseling services. Mrs. Miranda thanked Kurt Hadeler, Len Lolis, IS Director, and Jerry Lopilato, DPW Buildings Supervisor for many hours spent developing detailed plans and specifications for a new computer room and related telecommunications changes. Mrs. Miranda was pleased to report that at the October Common Council meeting, the City approved the title change for Electronics Services Specialist.

Trustee Oliva commended librarian Elizabeth Hughes for outreach to Senior Center with the first in a series book discussions and was pleased to note Cassie Guthrie was learning graphic design of newsletter. Library Director Miranda reported Ms. Guthrie’s program of October 13, Tarde Cultural en la Biblioteca, was most successful with approximately 250 attendees.

Trustee Reports and Business

WLS

Trustee Furth noted there would be nothing further to report until January.

Friends

Trustee Elmiger reported the Friends Book Sale will be held October 26 & 27, and all proceeds go to a good cause. Trustee Elmiger noted the Friends helped sponsor One City, One Book. Mrs. Miranda reported that she was pleased to join the Friends on a field trip to tour the Bronxville Library at their last meeting.

Foundation

Library Director Miranda reported that she is working on the Foundation annual appeal which is expected to go out in November. She thanked Kurt Hadeler and Lucille Marotta for their help in culling the patron list. Mrs. Miranda reported the Foundation Executive Board will be meeting on October 18 and the next Foundation Board meeting will be October 30.

Advocacy

Mrs. Miranda reported Naomi Matusow, Chair of the Assembly Committee for Libraries, was not successful in her primary bid. Trustee Oliva noted that Adam Bradley, the candidate who will take her seat, is from White Plains and may be more attuned to local needs.

Community Outreach

Library Director Miranda reported the library staff has been working diligently on outreach efforts, e.g. visits to schools, book discussion at Senior Center, and Tarde Cultural, tours of the Library and program entirely in Spanish.

Trustee Oliva congratulated Don Simmon’s on his book signing which was very well attended, and suggested that Trustee Simmon’s book, Letters of Togetherness, be added to the library collection.

Personnel Added & Deleted from Payroll - 7/1/02 - 9/30/02

On a MOTION by Trustee Oliva, seconded by Trustee Connors, the Board approved Personnel Added & Deleted from Payroll - 7/1/02 - 9/30/02.

Capital Project Recommendations

On a MOTION by Trustee Connors, seconded by Trustee Simmons, the Board approved the Capital Project Recommendations as presented.

Revisions to Meeting Room Policy

On a MOTION by Trustee Elmiger, seconded by Trustee Geeslin, the Board approved revisions to the Meeting Room policy as presented.

Permission to Serve Wine at 10/30/02 "One Book" Finale

On a MOTION by Trustee Smith, seconded by Trustee Oliva, the Board gave permission to serve wine at the 10/30/02 "One Book" Finale.

Approval for use of Gift Fund

On a MOTION by Trustee Oliva, seconded by Trustee Simmons, the Board approved the use of Gift Fund for $500 for Bridge of Friendship program on 10/20/02, and to receive and expend grant of $500 from the Mercantile Library Association for the "One Book" Finale on 10/30/02 featuring Steinbeck scholar, Professor Jerry Carlson.

Disposal of items from storage

Assistant Library Director Thorsen reported that due to future renovations on the third floor of the Library, she and librarians Christiane Deschamps and Tim Baird have been reviewing Reference and circulating materials placed in storage and identifying titles for discard, as well as those with potential for sale. As an example, Mrs. Thorsen presented a list of periodicals that had long been stored and unused, but of interest to a company that specializes in such magazines. She also shared samples of unused, long-stored books that had been researched as to their potential value. Since the Library’s storage space will be limited, certain items have no local interest and have proven to be of no use to our patrons and we have no reason or means to manage collections of rare books, she and Mrs. Miranda recommend that items like these be identified and offered for sale.

On a MOTION by Trustee Connors, seconded by Trustee Geeslin, the Board authorized the Library Director to sell periodicals and books that have no usage or value to the Library’s collection, in accordance with proper procedures for sale and disposal, at fair market value based on market comparison.

Adjournment

There being no more business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. on a MOTION by Trustee Elmiger, seconded by Trustee Geeslin.

Don Simmons, Secretary

Library Board of Trustees