Minutes of Regular Meeting

January 16, 2007

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, Howard Hawkins, Timothy James, Paul Schwarz, Julie Trelstad, Library Director Sandra Miranda, Head of Internal Operations Kurt Hadeler and Manager of Children’s Services Rosemary Rasmussen. Absent with notice was Trustee Connors and Assistant Library Director Patricia Thorsen.

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Library Board of Trustees

The minutes of the regular meeting of December 19, 2006 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee Furth, seconded by Trustee D’Ambrosio.

BUDGET

City Revenue & Expenditure Budget Reports

Report as of 12/31/06 was reviewed. Mrs. Miranda noted that in particular the lines for CSEA Overtime, Part-Time/Hourly Wages, and On Line Subscription Service were being closely monitored. The Board directed Mrs. Miranda to manage overtime schedules according to current practice this year, staying within the overall budget, and institute changes in the next fiscal year to manage uniformly from the outset with compensatory time as well as overtime pay.

Bills 2006/07 Budget

Payment of bill vouchers #11 & #12 were approved on a MOTION by Trustee James, seconded by Trustee D’Ambrosio.

Report of Library Administration

Administrative reports were reviewed. Trustee Furth asked about the decline in online homework help usage, and Mrs. Miranda noted that tutor.com had been contacted to report on possible causes. Mrs. Miranda reported that a planning meeting would take place with adult services staff on Thursday regarding the implementation of online " 24/7 Ask a Librarian" service. Trustee James asked about the Poetry Slam, and brochure was distributed to the Board. Trustee Oliva reported that Foundation President Nevins had attended one of the programs and gave it rave reviews.

Trustee Reports & Business

WLS

No report.

Advocacy

Mrs. Miranda noted she would continue to forward information on the state budget as received. The Board received information on the Spring NYLA Conference, Bring on the Books! Bring on the Joy!

Friends

Trustee Oliva noted that she attended the Holiday Luncheon sponsored by Friends on January 11, and a good time was had by all with nearly 100 attending, including Mayor Delfino and 2 council members. She thanked Trustees Garment and Schwarz for attending. She reported that the Friends of the Library will celebrate its 60^th anniversary at its annual meeting at 2:00 p.m. on April 22^nd and encouraged the Board to attend. Trustee Oliva suggested securing proclamations and noted that she would work on getting them.

Trustee Oliva was pleased to report that the Friends’ bookstore brings in approximately $18,000 per year. Mrs. Miranda gave kudos to Friends’ member and former Library staffer Lee Palmer who runs the operation. Mrs. Miranda was very pleased to report that the Friends had decided to underwrite exhibits in the Museum Gallery in 2007.

Foundation

Trustee Garment reported that the Foundation surpassed its goal for the 2006 October Gala and noted that the date for this year’s gala would be October 27, 2007. She reported that she had been asked, and was still deciding whether to be a co-chair for the event. Trustee Garment noted that the Foundation was holding an all day Family FUNdraiser, Trumble in the Trove, at the Library on March 24, with a musical storytelling concert from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon, and a hip hop performance and workshop from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. She reported there is an incredible committee of young parents working on the event which also includes raffles, craft projects, goodies and guided tours of The Trove.

Library Director Miranda commented that the Foundation has hit its stride and established itself as a community organization able to attract gifts, volunteers and grants and do wonderful special events. Trustee Furth stressed that it remains essential for the City to maintain its level of support despite these outside sources of funding. She emphasized that the Foundation by-laws state that its funds may only be used for enhancements and not to replace funding from the City for basic services.

Approval for Personnel Added & Deleted from Payroll 10/1/06 - 12/31/06

The Board approved Personnel Added & Deleted from Payroll 10/1/06 - 12/31/06 on a MOTION by Trustee Furth, seconded by Trustee Garment.

FY 07/08 Library Fund Budget Request

Materials not yet received.

Library Hourly Pay Plan

Mrs. Miranda discussed needed changes to the Library’s Hourly Pay Plan precipitated by recent changes to the NYS minimum wage. She noted that the Library pay scale falls below local norms and our workers are not seasonal or students, but adults employed year-round who in many cases stay for years. She added that hiring and retaining capable adult workers to shelve and assist at service desks has become nearly impossible. The Board noted that the quality of service has diminished with long lines at the check-out desk at various times. On a MOTION by Trustee D’Ambrosio, seconded by Trustee Furth, the Library Board directed Mrs. Miranda to implement needed adjustments to the Library’s Hourly Pay Plan and coordinate with the City to implement them at the soonest possible date using existing and available funds in the budget line for part-time salaries to make these adjustments.

Nominating Committee

Board President Oliva reported that Trustees Hawkins and Trelstad had agreed to serve as nominating committee for the Board’s annual meeting on February 13.

Adjournment

There being no more business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m. on a MOTION by Trustee Schwarz, seconded by Trustee D’Ambrosio.

Paul Schwarz, Secretary

Library Board of Trustees