Minutes of Regular Meeting

December 19, 2006

Call to Order

The regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Board President P. Lynn Oliva. In attendance were Trustees Denise D’Ambrosio, Hope Furth, Jeane Garment, Howard Hawkins, Timothy James, Paul Schwarz, Julie Trelstad, Library Director Sandra Miranda, Assistant Library Director Patricia Thorsen, Head of Internal Operations Kurt Hadeler and Manager of Children’s Services Rosemary Rasmussen. Absent with notice was Trustee Connors.

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Library Board of Trustees

The minutes of the regular meeting of November 21, 2006 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee James, seconded by Trustee Garment.

BUDGET

City Revenue & Expenditure Budget Reports

Reports as of 10/31/06 and 11/30/06 were reviewed.

Bills 2006/07 Budget

Payment of bill vouchers #9 & #10 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee Garment, seconded by Trustee Furth.

Report of Library Administration

Administrative reports were reviewed. Trustees James and Oliva asked about the new residents-only restrictions on some of the most popular children’s programs, and clarification was given by staff as to why this was necessary, how families would otherwise be accommodated, and what comparable residents-only restrictions were in place at other Westchester public libraries.

Library Director Miranda thanked Trustees Garment, Schwarz and Trelstad for attending the Capital Projects Board meeting and updated the Board on maintenance projects that were being recommended for inclusion in the program. She noted that the City had been generous in its support of The Trove and other recent renovations, and that its present focus was on maintenance. Trustee Garment commented that at the meeting it was clear that the City had many pressing priorities. The Trustees reviewed the three service improvement projects that were not being recommended, a teen space, 1^st floor lobby improvements and the meeting room/gallery rehabilitation and questioned the extent to which the Foundation might be able to help. Mrs. Miranda suggested that decorating a space on the first floor for teens was the most attainable for the Foundation to undertake.

Trustee Reports & Business

WLS

As requested by the Board, Library Director Miranda suggested points to be made in the Board’s letter to the WLS regarding the Code of Service. The Board discussed these, and on a MOTION by Trustee James, seconded by Trustee Trelstad, the Board approved sending letter to WLS requesting that the Code of Service be examined to better address conditions that obligate member libraries. Examples of such conditions include contracts between libraries to give and receive service, substantive reductions in service due to situations such as prolonged construction and resource-sharing programs such as direct use and intralibrary loan. The Board requested that the letter be as open-ended and diplomatic as possible, so that it would be received positively and encourage action.

Advocacy

The County budget was adopted with a modest increase for WLS.

Friends

The Library Board was invited to the annual staff luncheon on 1/11/06 sponsored by Friends, and it was reported that the Friends’ annual meeting will be April 22^nd.

Foundation

As requested at the previous meeting, the Board received the Foundation’s audited financial statements for years ended 6/30/05 and 6/30/06. Mrs. Miranda reported that the Foundation had just been awarded a grant from the NY Music Fund.

Board Reappointments

The Board congratulated Trustees Furth, Schwarz and Trelstad on their reappointments.

Library Director Miranda thanked all the Board members for their support and expressed appreciation for their intelligence, interest, and collegiality. Trustee Furth noted it was a pleasure to represent such a wonderful library. Board President Oliva thanked the Board as well for their service.

Adjournment

There being no more business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. on a MOTION by Trustee Schwarz, seconded by Trustee James.

Paul Schwarz, Secretary

Library Board of Trustees