STATE OF CONNECTICUT, RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

STATE LIBRARY BOARD
September 26, 2005

Members present:
Mollie Keller , Judge Francis Hennessy, Judge Joseph Flynn, Daphne Deeds, Bob Harris, Allen Hoffman, Joy Hostage

Members absent:
John Barry, Larry Kibner, Fran Rabinowitz,

Others present:
Kendall Wiggin, Jane Beaudoin, Sharon Brettschneider, Lynne Newell, Rich Kingston (State Library), Henry Dutcher (ACLPD), Alice Knapp (CLA), Chris Bradley (CLC), Anita Wilson (Friends)
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Chairperson Mollie Keller called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m.

MINUTES
It was MOVED (A. Hoffman) seconded (B. Harris) THAT THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 25, 2005, BOARD MEETING BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. The MOTION was PASSED with two abstentions (M. Keller, J. Hostage).

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was none.

STATE LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Mr. Wiggin distributed a draft version of the State Library’s Biennial Report. The State Library Board is supposed to produce a biennial report every two years for the General Assembly. The State Library has never done one in the past and was recently cited by the State Auditors for this. Mr. Wiggin asked the Board members to review the report and let him know of any comments or revisions.

OTHER REPORTS

Connecticut Library Association (CLA):
Alice Knapp, President of CLA, reported that CCAR will be the focus of CLA’s legislative agenda this year. At their last meeting, CLA adopted a marketing plan to spread the word about CCAR and how it is an exciting program that works. CLA is also working with Barnes and Noble to have some sales days benefit the iCONN program. Ms. Knapp reported on how a Connecticut public library received a National Security Letter to get information from a patron’s records. This library went to the ACLU and they have taken on the case. The first move was to request the gag order be lifted. Judge Hall has suspended the gag order but the decision is being appealed. Alice Knapp will attend a press conference that will be held soon in Washington, DC. Ms. Knapp informed everyone that the documents pertinent to this matter can be found on the first page of the ACLU website.

Advisory Council for Library Planning and Development (ACLPD):
Chairman Henry Dutcher reported that nominations for membership to ACLPD are in the Board’s packet for consideration later in this meeting. Also proposals for changes in public library statutes are in the Board’s packet. Mr. Dutcher and Sharon Brettschneider will be available for questions at that time

Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC):
Chris Bradley reported on InfoAnyTime, a web-based reference service that provides live librarians to assist in finding information to support their research. Libraries are hired, trained and scheduled by Tutor.com to use the iCONN databases and give 24/7 online reference service to Connecticut residents. This statewide pilot program is scheduled to start on July 1, 2006 and run until June 30, 2007 when it will be evaluated. Funding for this program would come from the CLC Board, the State Library/LSTA, SBC, CLC member libraries as well as other funding sources. The total cost is $185,000.

Association of Connecticut Library Boards (ACLB):
Sharon Brettschneider reported that the 2005 Leadership Conference has been cancelled.

Friends of Connecticut Libraries (FOCL):
Anita Wilson, President of Friends, reported that the fall membership drive is in progress. The Friends are happy to announce that Cheryl Hagner, an academic librarian at Wesleyan, is the newest Friends Board member.

Connecticut Heritage Foundation (CHF):
Mr. Wiggin reported that Jane Beaudoin is working hard on the plans for the Gala. If anyone has names of individuals who may like an invitation, please let Jane Beaudoin know as soon as possible.

OLD BUSINESS
Budget Update:
Mr. Wiggin reported that each year the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) asks for a budget reduction plan. This year the State Library was asked to produce a 5% budget reduction plan. Ken Wiggin and Rich Kingston met with the Office of Policy & Management. It was decided that an across the board reduction would be made to library development programs without singling out any one program. Mr. Wiggin is considering this budget reduction plan as compliance to OPM’s request and hopes that it will not actually happen. Mr. Wiggin is considering requesting a plan for the enhancement of CCARD. Consideration is being given to charging agencies for storing their state records at the Records Center.

Legislative Update:
Mr. Wiggin stated that the legislative discussion will take place later in the meeting when the public library statute revisions is addressed.

NEW BUSINESS
Approval of Appointments to the Advisory Council for Library Planning and Development:
Sharon Brettschneider reported that nominations to ACLPD were sought for the appointments or reappointments of six positions. All but one vacancy, in the category of Library User for Region 1, have a nomination. It was MOVED (B. Harris) seconded (J. Hostage) THAT THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO THE ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR LIBRARY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR A TERM BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2005 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2007: KATHLEEN COCKCROFT (SMALL PUBLIC LIBRARY), SUSAN DIMATTIA (LIBRARY USER REGION 4), BARBARA GIBSON (CONNECTICUT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION), MARY DAVIS, (LIBRARY USER REGION 5), AND FAITH DAMON DAVISON (SPECIAL LIBRARY) PASSED unanimously.

Staff Development Day:
Ken Wiggin reported that for the past six years the State Library has held a Staff Development Day for all State Library employees. This day gives Mr. Wiggin the opportunity to speak to all staff, including those that work in the outlying facilities, and also gives staff an opportunity to get to know each other. Skills development opportunities are also a large part of Staff Development Day. The State Library would like to have another staff development day this Fall. Mr. Wiggin is seeking approval to close all the State Library facilities on November 1, 2005, for an All Staff Development Day. If permission is granted, this year’s agenda will include the presentation of service awards to staff. If approved, sufficient notice will be given to the public about the State Library’s closing on November 1, 2005. It was MOVED (B. Harris) seconded (J. Hostage) THAT THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD APPROVES THAT THE STATE LIBRARIAN CLOSE ALL STATE LIBRARY FACILITIES ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2005 FOR AN ALL STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY. PASSED unanimously.

Recommendations for Statute Revisions from the Advisory Council on Library Planning & Development:
Ken Wiggin stated that part of these revisions still need to be reviewed by the Attorney General’s office. If possible, Mr. Wiggin would like some resolution on where the Board stands on these revisions by the next Board meeting in November. Sharon Brettschneider and Henry Dutcher gave an overview of the revisions. The Advisory Council on Library Planning and Development (ACLPD) formed a Task Force representing a variety of library constituencies to review statutes pertaining to public libraries. The Task Force prepared preliminary recommendations to ACLPD in June and after further revisions were made, the recommendations received approval at ACLPD’s August meeting. The statute revisions still need to be presented to the Attorney General’s office for review. At this time ACLPD is presenting the statute revisions to the State Library Board for discussion. Mrs. Brettschneider highlighted some of the revisions. Questions from the Board were answered. Board member Frank Hennessy suggested gender neutrality throughout the revisions. Mr. Wiggin encouraged the Board to go through the suggested revisions so that a final recommendation can be made to the Attorney General’s office.

Mr. Wiggin thanked everyone on the Task Force and especially Vicki Baker who Chaired the committee as well as Sharon Brettschneider and Henry Dutcher for the time and energy that went into such a big project. It was agreed that Ken Wiggin would send a letter of appreciation to the Task Force on behalf of the State Library Board.

OTHER BUSINESS
Judge Flynn asked if the Board could receive a report on the monitoring of the collections. Specifically, how the State Library knows that none of the collection, including archives, has been stolen. Judge Flynn stated that in most cases libraries become aware that an item has been stolen when there is an attempt to sell the item to a third party. Rich Kingston explained the insurance carried on the Fine Arts Collections and the General Contents Collections. The State Library has requirements by the State Comptroller to be appraised every 5 years. If an item is valued in excess of $10,000, it is insured. Judge Flynn has concerns if a claim were to be made there could be argument on the items value and also the co-pay. Judge Flynn feels that the State Library Board has the responsibility to know what the value of the collections is and it’s insurance coverage. Mr. Wiggin will prepare a report for distribution to the Board.

Joy Hostage reported on the “Cheshire is Reading” program. Cheshire residents, young and old, are reading the book “The Dryest Season” by Neely Tucker, as a community project. The author will be visiting Cheshire soon and will autograph books.

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At 2:25 p.m., it was MOVED (F. Hennessy) seconded (J. Hostage) TO ADJOURN. The next meeting is scheduled for November 28, 2005, at 1:15 p.m. (lunch at 12:30 p.m.) at the Van Block Facility.

Respectfully submitted,

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Kendall F. Wiggin, Secretary

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Jane Beaudoin, Recorder