Minutes of Regular Meeting

November 20, 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 Toni Cox-Burns, Janet Elmiger, Campbell Geeslin, Fernando Martinez, P. Lynn Oliva, 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 Tim Connors.

Minutes of Regular Meeting of Library Board of Trustees

The minutes of the regular meeting of October 16, 2002 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee Simmons, seconded by Trustee Geeslin.

City Revenue & Expenditure Budget Reports

City Revenue & Expenditure Budget reports for July, August, September & October were reviewed by the Board.

Bills: 2002/03 Budget #7 & #8

The payment of bill vouchers #7 & #8 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee Smith, seconded by Trustee Elmiger.

Report of Library Administration

The Board reviewed department reports. Regarding start-up of security services, Library Director Miranda reported on the two guards being accepted for placement at our site and on upcoming orientation meetings for staff. Mrs. Miranda encouraged the Board to attend the Museum Gallery exhibition, "The Great Experiment: George Washington and the American Republic," kickoff on December 8 at 2:30 p.m.

Kurt Hadeler gave an overview of an experimental new service, the "White Plains eBook Library," which will be available for patrons to try from our website for one year. Mrs. Miranda noted that the cost for the service is modest and is being funded by the Foundation.

Board President Hope Furth made note of the burdens staff have been shouldering due to vacancies, personal or family health problems and heavy workloads, and asked if there was anything the Board could do. Library Director Miranda responded that it was helpful to have the Board recognize the difficulties, and that if they continued or worsened, she would bring forward appropriate recommendations. In the meantime, she reported that efforts to identify viable candidates for vacancies continued, and part-timers would be used as needed to maintain service.

Library Director Miranda reported she was invited to join The Westchester Not-For-Profit Technology Council whose mission is to support the effective use of information technology by not-for-profit and community-based organizations in Westchester County.

Trustee Reports and Business

WLS

Trustee Furth reported that the WLS Annual meeting and dinner took place on October 30, and the Board had not met since then.

Friends

Trustee Elmiger reported the Friends Book Sale was a success, though the proceeds were not as great as in past years. Both Mrs. Miranda and Trustee Elmiger complimented Book Sale chairperson Lee Palmer and extended their thanks to the Friends for their generosity in sponsoring library programs.

Foundation

Library Director Miranda reported the Foundation appeal was mailed last week and thanked all the board members and volunteers who helped. Trustee Elmiger was pleased to report she attended a very exciting reception at MasterCard honoring the Library Foundation as a 2002 grant winner of its Youth Education & Technology Fund, and she shared the program brochure with the Board.

Advocacy

Mrs. Miranda reported that a staff assistant for newly elected NYS Assemblyman Adam Bradley called to schedule his attendance at the December 18 Library Board meeting. Trustee Oliva suggested that the Board ask him for a member item, and all agreed this would be desirable. For a member item, Mrs. Miranda suggested a grant for the Children’s Library project, and also suggested that Mr. Bradley be made aware of the need to support basic funding for libraries.

Capital Projects

Library Director Miranda reported Library Review will take place at the Capital Projects meeting at City Hall, Mayor’s Conference Room on December 5, 2002 at 4:30 p.m., and she encouraged the Board to attend.

Approval for Out-of-State Travel

On a MOTION by Trustee Geeslin, seconded by Trustee Simmons, the Board approved request for reimbursement of normal expenses of approximately $136 plus mileage for Raquel Viera-Cavalcanti to make site visit to Boston Children’s Museum on 11/22 - 11/23/02.

WLS Member Library Statistics - 2001

The Board reviewed 2001 WLS Member Library Statistics.

Gift Fund

On a MOTION by Trustee Oliva, seconded by Trustee Cox-Burns, the Board approved for Gift Fund expending of funds received for memorials, and approved expending up to $1,500 funds for books to give away in conjunction with Project Winbrook Read and SeussUp youth reading projects.

Adjournment

There being no more business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. on a MOTION by Trustee Cox-Burns, seconded by Trustee Oliva.

Don Simmons, Secretary

Library Board of Trustees