State Library Board Minutes

State Of Connecticut, Record Of Proceedings
State Library Board
September 24, 2001

Present
Ann Clark, Betty Sternberg, Mollie Keller, Edwin E. Williams, Larry Kibner, Joy Hostage, Judge Joseph Flynn, Fred Petersen, Edmund Sullivan

Absent
Judge Francis Hennessy

Others Present
Kendall Wiggin, Jane Beaudoin, Sharon Brettschneider, Richard Kingston, Mary Engels, Linda Williams, Mary Louise Jensen, (State Library), Dorothy Willett (ACLB), Anita Barney (CLSU), Joan Rintelman (Watertown Library Association), Deborah A. Weinberger (Watertown Library Association)

Chairperson Clark called the meeting to order at 1:08 p.m.

Ms. Clark began by thanking the State Library Board for re-electing her Chairperson for another term. Ms. Clark stated that it is an honor and privilege to serve this Board and she takes no singular credit for the successes this Board has seen. Ms. Clark thanked Vice Chair Ed Sullivan for presiding over the last State Library Board meeting, which she was unable to attend due to her responsibilities at the State Capitol.

On behalf of the State Library Board, Ann Clark wished Board member Frank Hennessy a speedy recovery. Judge Hennessy is home recovering from unscheduled quadruple by-pass surgery.

Ann Clark circulated a thank you note from Board member Joy Hostage's husband, Arthur. Mr. Hostage expressed his gratitude to the Board for its thoughtful expressions of concern during his recent illness.

Ann Clark distributed a letter from Governor Rowland accepting Jack Short's resignation from the State Library Board effective September 8, 2001. Ms. Clark stated that Jack Short has been very instrumental in the successes of the Board and publicly thanked him for all of his contributions.

Ms. Clark reported that the Board had just participated in the Fleet Cheers for Reading "Kick Off" luncheon, which was held in Memorial Hall. Ken Wiggin along with the CEO of Fleet Bank, read a book to a group of children. The function was very well attended. Mr. Wiggin thanked Linda Williams who was responsible for getting many of the children's authors and illustrators who were honored at the function.

Minutes
It was MOVED (E. Williams) seconded (J. Hostage) TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 23, 2001 BOARD MEETING AS PRESENTED. PASSED with one abstention (A. Clark)

Public Comment
None.

State Librarian's Report
Ken Wiggin stated that the Connecticut Heritage Foundation and AT&T Broadband cosponsored an event at the Noah Webster School celebrating the National Book Festival. Geno Auriemma and Lt. Governor Rell attended and addressed almost 100 fourth graders who were also in attendance. Kevin Johnson was present as Private William Webb. The Noah Webster School was very impressed and has already booked a return visit for William Webb for February 2002.

Mr. Wiggin informed the Board that occupancy at the offsite storage facility at Van Block has been postponed due to fire code concerns. The owner of the building is working with the City of Hartford to resolve this issue.

On September 17-21, the State Library and Museum of Connecticut History was showcased in the Connecticut Building at the Big E. The Museum staff produced a beautiful Art Deco exhibit. The State Library's Image Committee organized the production of brochures and bookmarks that provided information about the different resources the Library offers. IConn was also demonstrated and IConn bookmarks were distributed. Mr. Wiggin circulated examples of the handouts from the Big E.

Other Reports
Connecticut Library Association (CLA): President Mary Engels explained that she and Karen McNulty have switched terms. Ms. McNulty should be the president this term but due to illness she is not able to fulfill her responsibilities at this time. Since Mary Engels was elected President for next term, the CLA Executive Board voted to switch the two.

Advisory Council for Library Planning and Development (ACLPD): Sharon Brettschneider reported that the Nominations Committee Report was the main agenda item at the last meeting. The Outsourcing of CCAR Committee was convened. ACLPD will also be evaluating the LSTA 5 Year Plan.

Cooperating Library Service Units (CLSU): Anita Barney reported on the CLSU Roundtables. Roundtables are open only to staff of CLSU member libraries. New roundtables are created as the needs come up.

Association of Connecticut Library Boards (ACLB): Dorothy Willett, President of ACLB, introduced herself to the Board. Ms. Willett explained ACLB's responsibilities. ACLB assists with requests from public libraries for help in many areas as well as provides assistance through their handbook entitled the Connecticut Public Libraries Trustees Handbook. ACLB also has a web page through which one can access all of their publications, membership of the Officers and Directors, scholarship forms and award forms. ACLB will be participating in the Connecticut Library Association's Annual Conference in the spring. ACLB will hold its 2^nd Annual Library Leadership Conference on November 16.

Advocacy Report: Larry Kibner informed the Board that the final draft of the information packet will be ready for review at the November State Library Board meeting. Mr. Kibner met with Ken Wiggin to discuss advocacy strategies.

Friends: Mary Engels reported for the Friends. On October 7, a workshop sponsored by the Friends called "Insights into Websites" will be held at the Simsbury Library. Ms. Engels informed the Board that Dick Lowenstein will be reporting for the Friends at future State Library Board meetings.

Museum Advisory Committee: No report at this time.

New Business
Without objection from the Board, New Business was moved up on the agenda. SLB DOC 01-15 was addressed first.

Approval of Grant Extension for the Oakville Branch Library (Watertown): Deborah Weinberger of the Watertown Library Association stated that they appreciate the two extensions that the State Library Board has already granted. However, the bids for the Oakville Branch Library's renovation project came back much higher than expected. The Library is looking into reducing overall costs. It was MOVED (J. Flynn) seconded (L. Kibner) THAT THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD APPROVES WATERTOWN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION'S EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE TO INITIATE THE RENOVATION OF THE OAKVILLE BRANCH LIBRARY PROJECT FOR THE $148,666 STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION GRANT TO NOVEMBER 29, 2002. PASSED unanimously.

Approval of the Collection Development Policy for the Connecticut State Library, Division of Library Development's Library Service Centers: The Collection Development Policy was distributed to all Board members for their review prior to the meeting. The Library Service Centers have evaluated the Collection Development Policy per the requirements of the Division of Library Development's Strategic Plan, Creating Opportunities. It was MOVED (E. Williams) seconded (L. Kibner) THAT THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD APPROVES THE COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY FOR THE CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY, DIVISION OF LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT'S LIBRARY SERVICE CENTERS. PASSED unanimously.

Approval of Appointments to the Advisory Council for Library Planning and Development (ACLPD): Nominations were sought for the appointments and reappointments of seven positions on ACLPD. The library user region 6 position did not receive a nomination. The six ACLPD nominations were presented to the Board for approval. It was MOVED (M. Keller) seconded (J. Hostage) THAT THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD APPROVES THE APPOINTMENT OF THE SIX FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO THE ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR LIBRARY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR A TERM BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2001 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2003: RICHARD B. SCHREIBER (LIBRARY USER REION 5), NANCY WOOD (SMALL PUBLIC LIBRARY), BARBARA WILLIAMS (INSTITUTIONAL LIBRARY), DENNIS BARROW (SPECIAL LIBRARY), KAREN ROESLER (CONNECTICUT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION) AND JUDITH MARKIEWICZ FOR A TERM BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2001 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2002. PASSED unanimously.

Resolution for Nancy L. Blount: Ms. Blount is retiring from the Connecticut State Library after being an employee for more than 34 years. It was immediately MOVED (F. Petersen) seconded (E. Williams) THAT THE CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY BOARD UNANIMOUSLY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY ACKNOWLEDGES NANCY L. BLOUNT'S YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY, EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION FOR HER LOYALTY AND LONGEVITY, AND EXTENDS ITS SINCERE WISH FOR MANY FULFILLING, PLEASURABLE, AND HEALTHY RETIREMENT YEARS. PASSED unanimously.

Resolution for Joseph E. Starkowski: Mr. Starkowski is retiring from the Connecticut State Library after being an employee for more than 37 years. It was immediately MOVED (L. Kibner) seconded (J. Hostage) THAT THE CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY BOARD UNANIMOUSLY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY ACKNOWLEDGES JOSEPH E. STARKOWSKI'S YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY, EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION FOR HIS LOYALTY AND LONGEVITY, AND EXTENDS ITS SINCERE WISH FOR MANY FULFILLING, PLEASURABLE, AND HEALTHY RETIREMENT YEARS. PASSED unanimously.

Resolution for Beverly J. Naylor: Ms. Naylor is retiring from the Connecticut State Library after being an employee for more than 37 years. It was immediately MOVED (J. Flynn) seconded (J. Hostage) THE CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY BOARD UNANIMOUSLY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY ACKNOWLEDGES BEVERLY J. NAYLOR'S YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY. , EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION FOR HER LOYALTY AND LONGEVITY, AND EXTENDS ITS SINCERE WISH FOR MANY FULFILLING, PLEASURABLE AND HEALTHY RETIREMENT YEARS. PASSED unanimously.

Old Business
FY2000-2001 and FY2002-2003 Biennial Budgets: Ken Wiggin reported that the State Library is proceeding with prioritizing library services. The State Library will be submitting a 5% Budget Reduction Plan to the Office of Policy and Management. Mr. Wiggin will meet with the State Library Board's Finance Committee before submitting this reduction plan.

Legislative Update: Mr. Wiggin stated that he had a very productive meeting with Board member Larry Kibner. As part of the Advocacy Committee's activities, Ken Wiggin and Mr. Kibner will be making a more concentrated effort to work with key legislators this session.

Ann Clark stated that she and Ken Wiggin have discussed what the next step should be for a follow-up to the State Library Board Retreat. Highlighting issues subject by subject is a consideration. Ms. Clark asked the Board to consider gathering for a breakfast or dinner meeting. Mr. Wiggin stated that space issues and organizational structure of the Library are two priorities.

Other Business
Ann Clark encouraged the State Library Board members to make a financial contribution to the Connecticut Heritage Foundation.

Fred Petersen stated that the Connecticut Heritage Foundation has been meeting with potential corporate sponsors. AT&T Broadband has made a substantial in-kind contribution. The function at the Noah Webster School was a wonderful beginning to school visits. The Foundation donated 11 books to the Noah Webster School Library.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:10 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 26, 2001, at 1:15 p.m. (lunch at 12:30 p.m.) in the Attorney's Conference Room.

Respectfully submitted,

Kendall F. Wiggin, Secretary
Jane Beaudoin, Recorder