STATE OF CONNECTICUT, RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

STATE LIBRARY BOARD
May 23, 2005

Members present:
Judge Francis Hennessy, Mollie Keller, Judge Joseph Flynn, Lucy Gangone, Larry Kibner, Fran Rabinowitz, Daphne Deeds, Joy Hostage, Bob Harris

Members absent:
John Barry, Allen Hoffman

Others present:
Kendall Wiggin, Jane Beaudoin, Sharon Brettschneider, Lynne Newell, (State Library), Chris Bradley (CLC), Anita Wilson (Friends), Michael Golrick (Bridgeport Public Library)

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

MINUTES
It was MOVED (F. Hennessy) seconded (L. Kibner) THAT THE MINUTES OF THE March 28, 2005, BOARD MEETING BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. The MOTION was PASSED with two abstentions (B. Harris, J. Hostage).

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was none.

STATE LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Mr. Wiggin introduced Sharon Brettschneider, Director of the Division of Library Development. Ms. Brettschneider showed the Board a video promoting a national reading incentive program the State Library has joined. The State Library has paid $500 to participate in this national program. Included in this cost are the use of the logo, workbook and materials. Any public library in Connecticut can participate in this program because of the State Library's membership. The Board agreed that the video was very well done.

Mr. Wiggin reported that Governor Rell will be kicking off the CONNECTICUT READS - 2005 Governor's Summer Reading Challenge on Friday, May 27, 2005. Mr. Wiggin has co-signed a letter with Department of Education Commissioner Betty Sternberg that is being distributed to school Principals and Librarians. The letter encourages participation in the Summer Reading Challenge and explains the goals of the program.

Mr. Wiggin updated the Board on the State Library's advertising efforts. Information Services Division Director Lynne Newell has been spearheading efforts to get the State Library included in various publications. An ad will appear in the Official Connecticut Convention Center Program Guide and is already in the May 2005 Hartford on the Rise Magazine. Mr. Wiggin added that money is tight for this sort of expense and fortunately reduced rates are offered for not-for-profit organizations.

Mr. Wiggin reported that he attended a reception at the Legislative Office Building in honor of Simon Bernstein. Mr. Bernstein is the author of Article Eighth, Section 1 of Connecticut's constitution. This article guarantees every child in Connecticut a free and equal public education. Mr. Wiggin was presented with a framed photo of Mr. Bernstein and a framed version of the Article Eighth, Section 1, as well as some of Mr. Bernstein's hand-written notes, for inclusion in the State Library's collection.

OTHER REPORTS
Connecticut Library Association (CLA):
Chris Bradley reported that this year's CLA Conference had 200 more delegates than last year, making it a big success. Thanks to the Friends of Connecticut Libraries, the Conference came to a close with a well-attended program with Guest Speaker Gina Barecca.

Advisory Council for Library Planning and Development (ACLPD):
No report at this time.

Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC):
President Chris Bradley reported that the CLC was audited. The audit showed that CLC was $125,000 over budget for the year 2003-2004. Ms. Bradley explained to the auditor that the CLC is now getting $300,000 from the State Library's budget in order to operate.

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

Friends of Connecticut Libraries (FOCL):
Anita Wilson, President of Friends, reported that the Friends will have their annual meeting on June 4^th in the Connecticut State Library's Memorial Hall. At that time the Friends will also be celebrating their 25^th Anniversary with a luncheon and host feature keynote speaker Gina Barecca. Ms. Wilson encouraged everyone to attend.

Ms. Wilson thanked Ken Wiggin and Sharon Brettschneider for nominating the Friends to be added to the National Advocacy Honor Roll sponsored by the American Library Association and the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates. The honor will be bestowed at a ceremony in Chicago as part of the American Library Association's Annual Conference in July. Ms. Wilson will be attending on behalf of FOCL.

Connecticut Heritage Foundation (CHF):
Mr. Wiggin reported that the Connecticut Heritage Foundation has not met since the last Board meeting so there is no report at this time. Mr. Wiggin stated that the 2005 Gala has one corporate sponsor commitment so far.

OLD BUSINESS
Budget Update:
Mr. Wiggin reported that the State Library is ending the fiscal year in good shape. Mr Wiggin stated that things have been unusually quiet across the street. There is no news yet on the budget. The Appropriations Committee's budget includes one new position for the Museum of Connecticut History. A responsibility of this additional position will be to develop a legislative oral history project. The Committee's budget also includes additional funds for the book budget. The capital budget has $300,000 for library materials. There was a proposed increase in the capital budget appropriation for public library construction to $3.5 million each year of the biennium.

Legislative Update:
Mr. Wiggin reported that the list of bills that he is tracking has grown shorter. The few bills that are being followed relate to Library Confidentiality, Electronic Land Recording, and Incorporating a Supreme Court Historical Society. Other bills have to do with public records issues.

Report on Ethics Policy Revisions:
Mr. Wiggin reported that he received ten responses from Board members in favor of the revision to the State Library's Ethics Policy which exempts judges on the Board from having to file a financial report. No responses were against the revision. Mr. Wiggin stated that now the State Library Board's Ethics Policy should be formally accepted by the Board with the revision. It was MOVED (J. Flynn) seconded (B. Harris) THAT THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD ACCEPTS THE RESULTS OF THE MAIL VOTE ALLOWING FOR THE REVISION OF THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD'S ETHICS POLICY. PASSED unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS
Approval of Recommendations for FY06 Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants:
Sharon Brettschneider explained that the State Library conducts a competitive grant program using federal funds. The Advisory Council for Library Planning and Development chose and approved the grant categories that help the State Library meet the goals of the LSTA Five Year Plan. FY05 has $321,000 available for the FY06 grants. The categories for which applications for grants were sought are Collaborations to Support Children's Literacy, Programs for Children in Poverty, Programs for Individuals with Disabilities, Programs for Non-English Speaking Populations, Programs for Older Adults. The deadline for submitting grant applications was March 4, 2005. State Library staff members reviewed twenty-six grant applications in accordance with criteria established by the LSTA Five Year Plan. Fourteen program grants totaling $232,137 and two Adaptive Technology grants totaling $18,585 are being recommended to the Board.

Sharon Brettschneider answered questions from Board members. Fran Rabinowitz questioned if the effective practices of the grants get disseminated to the school community. There was discussion on how this type of information would be very useful. Ms. Brettschneider will look into preparing a packet of successful grants to make available for informational purposes. In response to another question Ms. Brettschneider stated that the grant award process that the State Library uses was adopted by Library staff and is not a nationally used process.

It was MOVED (J. Hostage) seconded (F. Rabinowitz) THAT THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD APPROVES THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ALLOCATION OF $250,722 IN LSTA FUNDS AS FOLLOWS: Program Grants - COLLABORATIONS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S LITERACY Canterbury Public Library ($19,552), Booth & Dimock Library ($11,088), East Hampton Public Library ($7,844), Hartford Public Library ($20,000), New Britain Public Library ($20,000) PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES Wilton Library Association ($7,509) PROGRAMS FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING POPULATIONS Danbury Library ($19,574) Farmington Library ($20,000), Hartford Public Library ($19,998), Stamford High School ($15,000), The Ferguson Library ($20,000), Stratford Library Association ($20,000) PROGRAMS FOR OLDER ADULTS Mansfield Public Library ($11,800), Russell Library (19,772) ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANTS Hartford Public Library ($8,585), Russell Library ($10,000). PASSED with one abstention (L. Gangone).

Extension of the State Public Library Construction Grant to the Black Rock Library (Bridgeport): Sharon Brettschneider introduced Michael Golrick, City Librarian for the Bridgeport Public Library. Mr. Golrick reported that the architects are working on the final drawings and construction documents and expect to have them done within a month. Bridgeport is acquiring the local funding needed to complete this project. The city has passed a $1.1 million bonding package for the Black Rock Branch Library. They have received $475,000 in LoCIP funds, and are waiting for the State of CT's legislative bonding package to be passed that has $1.4 million for the Black Rock Library. They are planning to have the construction contracts signed by September; however they would like the additional time in case there are any bidding problems. It was MOVED (L. Gangone) seconded (J. Hostage) THAT THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD APPROVES BLACK ROCK LIBRARY'S EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE TO INITIATE ITS PROJECT FOR THE $375,000 STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION GRANT TO SEPTEMBER 27, 2006. PASSED with one abstention (M. Keller).

OTHER BUSINESS
Joy Hostage asked for an update about kiosks. Sharon Brettschneider reported that kiosks are still a great idea and have had some successes. Michael Golrick, City Librarian for the Bridgeport Public Library, reported that the Bridgeport Public Library has a very successful kiosk in the Trumbull Mall. It is reported to be the busiest kiosk in the nation. The authorities at the mall are very supportive of the kiosk and statistics show that the majority of the internet inquiries are about the mall itself.

Mollie Keller reported that the next meeting is the State Library Board's annual meeting. Nominations for Chair and Vice Chair will be brought forward at that time. Ms. Keller asked Joy Hostage to fill the vacancy on the Nominating Committee. Ms. Hostage agreed.

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At 2:05 p.m., it was MOVED (B. Harris) seconded (J. Hostage) TO ADJOURN. The next meeting is scheduled for July 25, 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