Minutes of Regular Meeting

May 17, 2005

Call to Order

The regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:08 p.m. by Board President, P. Lynn Oliva. In attendance were Trustees Denise D’Ambrosio, Hope Furth, Jeane Garment, Timothy James, Julie Trelstad, Library Director Sandra Miranda, Assistant Library Director Patricia Thorsen, Manager of Children’s Services Rosemary Rasmussen, and Head of Internal Operations Kurt Hadeler. Absent with notice were Trustees Connors, Hawkins, and Schwarz. Trustee Garment was appointed as Secretary Pro-Tem on a MOTION by Trustee D’Ambrosio, seconded by Trustee Furth.

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Library Board of Trustees

The minutes of the regular meeting of April 19, 2005 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee Furth, seconded by Trustee Trelstad.

City Revenue & Expenditure Budget Reports

The Board reviewed reports as of 3/31/05. Per the recommendation of Library Director Miranda, on a MOTION by Trustee Trelstad, seconded by Trustee Garment, the Board authorized Library Director Miranda to request a budget transfer of $53,650 from the Library’s Cash to Capital account to the Capital Project #C5239 to make funds available for purchase of furniture and fixtures for the children’s library. Trustee Oliva asked about the funds remaining in the book budget. Mrs. Miranda noted the funds are being spent and Assistant Director Thorsen added that approximately $35,000 has been paid out since the March report.

Bills 2004/05 Budget #21, #22 & #23

The payment of bill vouchers #21, #22 & #23 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee James, seconded by Trustee D’Ambrosio.

Report of Library Administration

The Board reviewed written administrative reports. Mrs. Miranda was pleased to report that Cassie Guthrie, Community Services Librarian, was named May 2005 employee of the month for the City of White Plains. Mrs. Miranda reported that the children’s library will be closed for approximately 2 weeks while the ceiling and lighting are replaced in the 2^nd floor lobby. The start date for the work, Monday May 23, may be delayed due to a strike by the electrician’s union.

Assistant Director Thorsen was delighted to report the hiring of a full-time Young Adult Librarian, Mariel Perez. Mrs. Miranda thanked the adult services librarians for preparing a booklist on summer reading and for Barbara Wenglin’s participation on a recently taped segment of the cable show, Views from the Pews, on this topic. Rosemary Rasmussen reported that she and her staff will be promoting summer reading and The Trove in the schools, and at The Westchester and the Galleria malls.

Trustee Reports & Business:

WLS

Trustee Furth reported the governor has not vetoed the restoration of the library aid in the State Budget. She reported WLS has received applications for the position of Director, noting qualifications required were quite extensive.

Advocacy

Mrs. Miranda was pleased to report that Senator Suzi Oppenheimer has secured a $10,000 member item for The Trove in the State Budget.

Friends

Board President Lynn Oliva reminded the Board that the annual meeting of the Friends would be held on Sunday, May 22, with Dick Ayers as featured speaker. Library Director Miranda reported the Friends will be contributing an additional $15,000 to The Trove, and that the Friends combined support of this project through gifts to the Foundation and contributions to the Library’s Trust Fund has reached $75,000.00. She was pleased to report that their generosity and extraordinary long-time support will be recognized by naming The Trove’s main meeting room, Galaxy Hall, in honor of The Friends of the White Plains Public Library.

Foundation

The Board reviewed minutes of regular meetings of 4/13/05. Library Director Miranda reported the Campaign is making progress and urged Board members to attend the upcoming events, the May 22 event at the Woman’s Club and the May 26 in honor of Bob Greer. Mrs. Miranda also reported the Library will have a Book Fair with Barnes & Noble (shopping days at the City Center store) at the end of June with a percent of the proceeds going to the Foundation. Library Director Miranda was pleased to report the proceeds from the Woman’s Club Junior Section art auction were $4,000.

OLD BUSINESS

Report on Self-Check and Inventory Control

On a MOTION by Trustee Furth, seconded by Trustee Garment, the Board took this matter off the table. Mrs. Miranda reported the Purchase Department will get bids back on June 3, 2005. Library Director Miranda noted that she thought it would be prudent to take Trustee Garment’s suggestion of waiting 6 months, and re-reviewing the RFID component of these proposals again . Mrs. Miranda and Mrs. Thorsen both noted that based on site visits to two libraries, reading and research, it is evident that libraries are experiencing some problems with the technology. While improved self-check out can be implemented now with confidence, the risk of being an early adopter of RFID technology does not seem to outweigh the cost or benefits at this time. A further report will be made next month after the proposal responses are received and reviewed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Closing Schedule 2005/06

Library Director Miranda reviewed the Draft 2005/06 Closing Schedule with the Board, and pointed out there were four holiday weekends in 2005 for consideration of three-day closings: July 4^th , Labor Day, Christmas, and New Year’s. On a MOTION by Trustee Furth, seconded by Trustee Garment, the Board approved the Closing Schedule as presented, including these four holiday weekends with three day closings.

Other

Library Director Miranda noted that Trustee Trelstad is the new volunteer editor of the WP Beautification News, which now looks even more beautiful in color!

Adjournment

There being no more business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m. on a MOTION by Trustee D’Ambrosio, seconded by Trustee D’Ambrosio.

Jeane Garment , Secretary Pro-Tem

Library Board of Trustees