STATE OF CONNECTICUT, RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

STATE LIBRARY BOARD
March 27, 2006

Members present:
Mollie Keller, Judge Francis Hennessy, Bob Harris, John Barry, Barbara Westwater

Members absent:
Judge Joseph Flynn, Daphne Deeds, Larry Kibner, Allen Hoffman, Jackie Hemond, Joy Hostage

Others present:
Kendall Wiggin, Jane Beaudoin, Sharon Brettschneider, Rich Kingston, Mary Louise Jensen, (State Library), Chris Bradley (CLC/CLA), Carl Antonucci (CLC), Gale Bradbury (Ledyard Library), William Holton (Ledyard Library Commission), Anita Wilson (Friends)

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Chairperson Mollie Keller called the meeting to order at 1:18 p.m. Ms. Keller announced that Barbara Westwater has been officially named by Betty Sternberg, Commissioner of the Department of Education as her designee. Ms. Westwater replaces Fran Rabinowitz as the Commissioner of Education’s designee.

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was none.

STATE LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Mr. Wiggin commented that Chief Justice Sullivan will be retiring on April 15, 2006. The Governor has nominated Justice Zarella as the new Chief Justice.

Ken Wiggin, Mollie Keller, Bob Harris and Judge Flynn have an appointment to meet with Judge Lavery, the new Chief Court Administrator, later today. This meeting will be an introduction and hopefully lay out some groundwork for a collaborative working relationship as it pertains to the building.

Mr. Wiggin informed the Board that David Kahn, Executive Director of the Connecticut Historical Society is resigning from his position to serve as the Director of the Louisiana State Museum’s statewide network and as the Assistant Secretary of the Office of State Museum under the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.

OTHER REPORTS
Connecticut Library Association (CLA):
Chris Bradley reported for Alice Knapp, President of CLA. CLA continues to focus on the CCARD program as its main focus during this legislative session. CLA is hoping for positive results when the budget report is released.

The CLA Annual Conference is scheduled for May 8-10 and everyone was encouraged to attend.

Advisory Council for Library Planning and Development (ACLPD):
Sharon Brettschneider reported that at ACLPD’s February meeting Vicky Baker was elected the new Chairperson. Ms. Baker is a librarian at the Three Rivers Community College. ACLPD also approved the changes to the State Grant Program for Public Library Construction Timetable and Guidelines 2006-2007 which will go before the State Library Board seeking approval later in this meeting. On March 13, outgoing Chairperson Henry Dutcher testified before the Education Committee on Raised Bill 630 “An Act Concerning Public Libraries”. Ms. Brettschneider reported that the LSTA Budget was approved.

Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC):
Chris Bradley introduced Carl Antonucci. Mr. Antonucci updated the Board on CLC’s efforts to implement a program called infoAnyTime. This is an online, web-based service that provides trained librarians to assist in finding information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This service is available in both English and Spanish.

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

Friends of Connecticut Libraries (FOCL):
No report at this time.

Connecticut Heritage Foundation (CHF):
No report at this time.

OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Wiggin reported that he, Rich Kingston and Bob Harris met with Secretary Genuario. Mr. Genuario pledged to get approval of the bond funds appropriated for the book budget. Secretary Genuario didn’t commit to next year’s funding but did ask Mr. Wiggin to develop a spending plan. Mr. Wiggin stated the budget may be released later this week and he understands that funding for the CCARD program may be doubled and that the $300,000 in next year’s bonding may be added back to the general fund library materials account. The State Library has not gotten any allocation for capital equipment yet but is in good shape with regards to the budget.

Legislative Update:
Mr. Wiggin stated that SB 489 would add to the Public Records Administrator’s authority for records retention for quasi-governmental agencies. Mr. Wiggin testified that the State Library would do what is required but that an additional staff person would be needed.

Mr. Wiggin indicated that SB 630 includes all of the proposed changes to the public library statues recommended by the ACLPD Task Force and endorsed by the State Library Board. There is some concern over two provisions in this bill that relate to overdue books. Mr. Wiggin will be attending a Connecticut Library Association Legislative Committee meeting later this week and will discuss getting the majority of this bill passed. Mr. Wiggin is finding it difficult to schedule a meeting with the Chairs of the Education Committee at this busy time of the session.

State Library Collections and Insurance:
Mr. Wiggin circulated two volumes relating to the recently completed insurance appraisal of a sample of the collections. Ken Wiggin and Rich Kingston met with the Executive Director of Risk Management, Daria Cirish. The next steps are to review what is covered under the fine arts policy, review the values, identify what are significant items in the collections and decide if we have sufficient insurance or if more is needed. Mr. Wiggin stated that because of the uniqueness of some of the collections, there are limits to the value of insuring them. For example if the archives were to be damaged they could be repaired, but if lost there is no way to replace them. Some suggestions on solutions were to possibly microfilm some of the collections so that there is replacement copy of the item if needed. There needs to be more awareness of the value of the items that are in the public areas. Good inventory control is important as is Increasing security efforts to include checking bags as patrons exit the building in addition to entering. Mr. Wiggin stated that the FM Global Risk Report strongly suggested that a sprinkler system be added to the building.

Mr. Wiggin informed the Board members about a different collections matter. There is a gentleman who donated 3 World War II items to the Museum and now has donor’s remorse. This donor is requesting the return of these items. Mr. Wiggin stated the procedure would be for this matter to go before the Museum Advisory Committee before it comes before the State Library Board. This matter needs to be handled very carefully because of setting a precedent. A further complication is that the deacession policy states that any items to be deacessioned can not go to individuals. This matter may come before the Board for action at a future meeting.

NEW BUSINESS
State Grant Program for Public Library Construction Timetable and Guidelines 2006-2007:
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 (F. Hennessy) seconded (B. Harris) THAT THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD APPROVES THE STATE GRANT PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION TIMETABLE AND GUIDELINES 2006-2007. PASSED unanimously.

Extension of the State Public Library Construction Grant to the Bill Library (Ledyard):
Mary Louise Jensen introduced Gale Bradbury, Director of the Bill Library. Ms. Bradbury explained the obstacles that the library is experiencing, which include a failed referendum. The Ledyard Town Council is requesting that the project be presented to the voters again this spring. Ms. Bradbury feels that there is a high level of town support for this project. It was MOVED (F. Hennessy) seconded (B. Harris) THAT THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD APPROVES BILL LIBRARY’S EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE TO INITIATE ITS PROJECT FOR THE $500,000 STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION GRANT TO APRIL 24, 2007. PASSED unanimously.

Resolution for Judith Borre:
Rich Kingston gave the work history on Ms. Borre who will be retiring on March 31. Ms. Borre came to the State Library 10 years ago from the Commission on the Arts. Since that time Ms. Borre had been invaluable especially during the period when the State Library handled the fiscal administration of the Commission on the Arts. Ms. Borre has a great deal of skill and knowledge which will be missed. It was MOVED (B. Harris) seconded (F. Hennessy) THAT ON THIS 27TH DAY OF MARCH, 2006, THE CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY BOARD HEREBY UNANIMOUSLY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY ACKNOWLEDGES JUDITH A. BORRE’S YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO BOTH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND TO THE CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY AND EXPRESSES ITS SINCERE WISH FOR MANY FULFILLING, PLEASURABLE, AND HEALTHY RETIREMENT YEARS. PASSED unanimously.

MINUTES
It was MOVED (F. Henessy) seconded (B. Harris) THAT THE MINUTES OF THE January 30, 2006, BOARD MEETING BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. PASSED unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS
There was none.

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At 2:10 p.m., it was MOVED (B. Harris) seconded (F. Hennessy) TO ADJOURN. The next meeting is scheduled for May 15, 2006, 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