Minutes of Regular Meeting

The regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Board President, P. Lynn Oliva. In attendance were Trustees Denise D’Ambrosio, Jeane Garment, Howard Hawkins, Timothy James, Julie Trelstad, Library Director Sandra Miranda, and Head of Internal Operations Kurt Hadeler. On a MOTION by Trustee D’Ambrosio, seconded by Trustee Hawkins, Trustee Garment was appointed Secretary Pro-tem. Absent with notice were Trustees Furth, Connors, and Schwarz, Assistant Library Director Patricia Thorsen, and Manager of Children’s Services Rosemary Rasmussen.

The minutes of the annual and regular meetings of February 7, 2006 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee D’Ambrosio, seconded by Trustee Garment.

The Board reviewed reports as of 1/31/06 and 2/28/06.

The payment of bill vouchers #16 & #17 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee Trelstad, seconded by Trustee D’Ambrosio.

The Board reviewed written administrative reports. Library Director Miranda reported the sprinkler system in the garage had tripped the alarm over the previous weekend, and based on the experience, Public Safety Deputy Commissioner Jennings was overseeing a procedural review to improve communications and handling among the responding departments. In response to the Board’s interest, Mrs. Miranda agreed to send information about Mevasseret Zion and the Mayor’s Twin City initiative. The Board applauded Rosemary Rasmussen for being named City’s Employee of the Month.

No report.

Mrs. Miranda reported she will continue forwarding state budget information to the Board as received.

Board President Oliva shared Friends’ meeting minutes of February 9 with the Board, and noted their annual meeting will be held May 21^st.

Board President Oliva noted that the date for the Foundation’s fall event honoring Mayor Delfino in recognition for his contributions to serve the youth of our City was Saturday, October 21, 2006, and that the planning and organization of the event would be handled by the Foundation Board and volunteers.

Library Director Miranda reviewed the 3/21/06 Draft White Plains Library Foundation Projects for Sponsorship and General Support with the Board. She noted that this plan was in keeping with the Library Board’s role to develop policy and set direction for the Library, and would be handed off to the Foundation Board which would choose which projects to support. On a MOTION by Trustee D’Ambrosio, seconded by Trustee James, the Board approved the 3/21/06 Draft White Plains Library Foundation Projects for Sponsorship and General Support. Mrs. Miranda thanked the Board and noted it would developed into a fund-raising handout and put on the Foundation’s website.

The Board congratulated Trustees Garment and James on having their terms renewed by the Common Council.

Library Director Miranda reported on the status of the Library’s Budget request, based on a review and revisions made with the Budget Director. The changes were reviewed with the Board.

Library Director Miranda thanked Eileen Bradley for her assistance in preparing the state report. On a MOTION by Trustee Trelstad, seconded by Trustee James, the Board approved an assurance statement required to submit the NYS Annual Report 2004/05.

Library Director Miranda reported that she and Assistant Director Thorsen met with Sue Habel, Planning Commissioner and Melissa Lopez, Director of Economic Development, regarding the impact of the homeless on the Library . Ongoing issues were discussed, as well as new concerns regarding the overnight homeless shelter recently relocated by Westchester County. It was agreed that the Library would try and document these impacts, and there was discussion as to whether the Board should send a letter of concern to the City. The Board requested that Mrs. Miranda provide more information about the impact of the homeless shelter on the Library.

Library Director Miranda reported that she and Kurt Hadeler met with WLS Director Siobhan Reardon and Westlynx Coordinator Wayne Hay regarding the potential to integrate the new Westlynx system with the White Plains’ system.. The Board directed Mrs. Miranda to prepare a letter to WLS on its behalf regarding its desire to take advantage of the opportunity to integrate Westlynx and White Plains’ systems into a seamless presentation for the public during impending WLS migration to SIRSI.

Library Director Miranda explained that the proposed revisions to the Code of Conduct grew out of an incident with a patron who refused to show a date due receipt to the security guard. Trustee Oliva asked if Code of Conduct was visibly posted, and Mrs. Miranda said yes, both the full Code and excerpts thereof. Trustee D’Ambrosio suggested that the reference to New York State Education Law, "Anyone whose behavior is not in compliance with the Library’s Code of Conduct will be asked to leave the building (New York State Education Law, Section 262), and is subject to loss of library privileges," would be stronger if located at the end of the sentence, and Mrs. Miranda agreed to check this and share with the Board. On a MOTION by Trustee Garment, seconded by Trustee James, the Board approved 3/21/06 Proposed revisions to Library Code of Conduct as presented, with Trustee D’Ambrosio abstaining.

Library Director Miranda distributed copies of the "Emergencies & Problem Situations" procedures and "Exhibits" policy, both updated with corrections.

Board President Oliva reminded the Board about the Library, Foundation and Friends’ Boards gathering on March 29, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Galaxy Room.

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