STATE OF CONNECTICUT, RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

STATE LIBRARY BOARD
March 28, 2005

Members present:
Judge Francis Hennessy, Fred Petersen, Mollie Keller, Allen Hoffman, Judge Joseph Flynn, Lucy Gangone, Larry Kibner, Nancy Stark (for Fran Rabinowitz), John Barry

Members absent:
Daphne Deeds, Joy Hostage, Bob Harris

Others present:
Kendall Wiggin, Jane Beaudoin, Sharon Brettschneider, Lynne Newell, Mary Louise Jensen (State Library), Pat Holloway (CLC), Anita Wilson (Friends), Henry Dutcher (ACLPD), Bruce Tuthill (Tuthill & Wells Architects)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Chairperson Mollie Keller called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m.

Mollie Keller introduced the newest State Library Board member, John Barry. Mr. Barry is the Bill Clerk in the House of Representatives. Some of Mr. Barry's responsibilities include the daily recording and posting of all actions relating to legislative proceedings; assisting in the House of Representatives floor operations; presiding over the procedure by which legislation, amendments, and other legislative terms are entered into the legislative indices; correspondence and help desk services to Representatives, Senators, agencies and the public.

State Library Board members introduced themselves to Mr. Barry. Mr. Barry stated that he was very appreciative of Ken Wiggin for the State Library Board orientation meeting they had. Mr. Barry is looking forward to working with the State Library Board.

MINUTES
It was MOVED (F. Hennessy) seconded (A. Hoffman) THAT THE MINUTES OF THE January 24, 2005, BOARD MEETING BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. Judge Flynn commented that he had some concerns about the Ethics Commission filing requirement that he received in the mail because he was a State Library Board member. Judge Flynn has concerns about this letter as judges are exempt from the Ethics Commission requirement. Ken Wiggin stated that he believes it was the intent of the Board when the Connecticut State Library Ethics Code was adopted by the Board that judges did not have to file. However, he is working with the Ethics Commission to get some language to vote on at the next State Library Board meeting. The MOTION was PASSED with one abstention (J. Barry).

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was none.

STATE LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Ken Wiggin reported that he had the honor of hosting Governor Rell for the Governor's Summer Reading Challenge Partnership award presentations at the State Library. After the program, Mr. Wiggin walked the Governor out through the Museum's Colt gallery and had the opportunity to talk about needed improvements to the Museum.

Mr. Wiggin had nothing further to add to his written State Librarian's Report.

OTHER REPORTS
Department of Education video presentation:
Nancy Stark of the Department of Education apologized that Board member Fran Rabinowitz could not attend the meeting and present this video herself. The video is a great tool to aid parents in developing literacy skills with their children. The video was developed by Connecticut Parents Plus, an initiative of the United Way of Connecticut in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Education. The video is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and is produced by Corporate Communications Group, Inc.

Connecticut Library Association (CLA): Sharon Brettschneider reported for CLA. The CLA Pot Luck Supper is scheduled for April 6 in Memorial Hall at the State Library. Everyone is welcome to attend. Henry Dutcher, Chair of this year's CLA Annual Conference reminded the Board that the conference is scheduled for April 11-13 at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale.

Advisory Council for Library Planning and Development (ACLPD):
Henry Dutcher, Chair of ACLPD, reported that at its last meeting the Council approved the changes to the State Grant Program for Public Library Construction Timetable & Guidelines 2005-2006 which will go before the State Library Board later in this meeting.

Mr. Dutcher also reported that ACLPD has a Task Force reviewing statutes related to libraries. So far there have been two public forums and a third and final forum will take place later this week.

Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC):
Pat Holloway reported that CLC has signed a lease for their new headquarters. They will be located at the Russell Library in Middletown. Ms. Holloway gave a CLC newsletter to new State Library Board member John Barry and informed him that he would be added to the mailing list for future newsletters.

Association of Connecticut Library Boards (ACLB):
No report at this time.

Friends:
Anita Wilson, President of Friends, reported that the 2005 Directory has been distributed. Regina Barreca will be the spokesperson for Friends of the Library Month in April. Once again, Friends is providing the beverages at the CLA Legislative Pot Luck Supper on April 6^th. Friends will be celebrating its 25^th anniversary at the annual meeting on June 4, 2005. The meeting will be held at the State Library. After a brief meeting, awards will be presented to library Friends groups and individuals with a luncheon following the presentations. Regina Barreca will be the guest speaker at this luncheon.

Connecticut Heritage Foundation (CHF):
Fred Petersen reported for the Foundation. The 2004 Gala was a success. The Foundation now has funds to obtain a few of its objectives. Mr. Petersen asked everyone to mark his or her calendars for October 22, which is the date for this year's Gala. The Gala will once again be held in the State Capitol's Hall of Flags. The Connecticut Heritage Foundation had some discussion on the postage costs for mailings related to the Gala. Since the State Library benefits from the Gala it will be seen as a joint effort between CHF and the State Library, allowing for the State Library to absorb the costs of mailings.

Mr. Wiggin stated that he is working on a letter to legislators, which seeks suggestions of who the Foundation can approach for donations and possible members. The letter will be co-signed by Mr. Wiggin and Art Mulligan, Chair of the Connecticut Heritage Foundation.

OLD BUSINESS
Budget Update:
Ken Wiggin gave each Board member a copy of the folder filled with information on the State Library that he distributed at the Appropriations SubCommittee budget work session. The information covers a description on the different units, the budget, e-Government, a Proposal to Revitalize the Museum of Connecticut History, and Connecticard. Also included in the packet were pamphlets and bookmarks with more information about the State Library

Legislative Update:
Mr. Wiggin reported that the Appropriations Subcommittee will recommend at least one new position for the Museum of Connecticut History. The Proposal to Revitalize the Museum of Connecticut History was prepared by Mr. Wiggin to present to the Subcommittee in an effort to obtain positions for the Museum.

Ken Wiggin updated the Board on the legislation relating to the State Library that he is following. Mr. Wiggin has been spending a considerable amount of time at the Legislative Office Building.

NEW BUSINESS
Approval of State Grant Program for Public Library Construction Timetable & Guidelines 2005-2006: Mary Louise Jensen explained that the State Grant Program for Public Library Construction Timetable & Guidelines are reviewed yearly to determine whether any changes should be recommended to the State Library Board. The revisions are ready and are now before the Board for approval. Ms. Jensen went over the revisions and answered questions from Board members. It was MOVED (L. Gangone) seconded (A. Hoffman) THAT THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD APPROVES THE STATE GRANT PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION TIMETABLE AND GUIDELINES 2005-2006. PASSED unanimously.

Changes to the Guilford Free Library's State Public Library Construction Grant for an addition and renovation project: Mary Louise Jensen introduced Bruce Tuthill from Tuthill & Wells Architects. Mr. Tuthill explained that the plan to consolidate offices is not complete yet. The Guilford Free Library wants to defer incorporating the Major Lathrop House until the Department of Education moves out. The alternate plans still allow the library to meet the requirements of the grant. It was MOVED (A. Hoffman) seconded (L. Gangone) THAT THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD APPROVES GUILFORD FREE LIBRARY'S REVISIONS TO ITS $500,000 STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION GRANT. PASSED unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS
There was none.

*********************************************************************************************

At 2:10 p.m., it was MOVED (F. Hennessy) seconded (L. Gangone) TO ADJOURN. The next meeting is scheduled for May 23, 2005, at 1:15 p.m. (lunch at 12:30 p.m.) at the Van Block Facility.

Respectfully submitted,

______________________________
Kendall F. Wiggin, Secretary

______________________________
Jane Beaudoin, Recorder