OCPL Home > About OCPL > Board > 2008 Minutes > June 11
Board Meeting Minutes
OCPL Board of Trustees’ Meeting
June 11, 2008
Solvay Public Library
615 Woods Road
4:00 p.m.
ATTENDING: K. Alford; J. Kianka; V. Biesiada; A. Lombardi; H. Bonner; R. Manning
B. Fisher; R. Strauss;
H. J. Hubert
ABSENT: S. Jones, J. Suddaby
ALSO PRESENT: J. M. Latham; K. Park; G. Cox; K. Whitney; D. Bendig; I. Barnello; S.Carmer; C. Burton; J. Kalkbrenner; E. Dailey; E. Loftus; E. Kochian ; D. Milcarek; S. Kushner; R. NaPier
Mr. Strauss called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
INTRODUCTIONS
Mr. Strauss introduced Dr. Keith Alford and Mr. Robert Manning, the two newest OCPL Board members.
Dr. Alford and Mr. Manning gave some background information about themselves.
PRESENTATION
Ms. Burton, Director of the Solvay Library gave a presentation on the history and the recent renovations of the Solvay library. She mentioned they just completed a nearly 3 million dollar project to preserve the Carnegie Building, make it handicapped accessible and to provide additional space. She explained the library’s funding sources and the various venues they used to accomplish their renovation project.
ACTION ITEMS
Resolution: 08-23
Ms. Biesiada moved the following motion:
Resolved, That the OCPL Board of Trustees approves the expenditure of up to $3,000 from the Smith Hawley Fund to cover the costs of Banned Books Week.
Mr. Manning seconded, the motion carried unanimously.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S
Announcements
Dr. Latham announced that OCPL received confirmation regarding the DeFrancisco grant in the amount of $35,000, which is a $5,000 increase from the previous year.
We also received confirmation on the IMLS Wash grant in the amount of $238,755. The purpose of the grant is primarily to build out the OCPL network. The amount also includes a small amount of funds for the technology infrastructures for the TechXpress at Mundy Branch Library should we ever identify funds for the interior design.
Meetings
Dr. Latham attended a meeting with Mr. Strauss, Mr. Fisher, Ms. Loftus, and Ms. Carmer where they presented a preliminary proposal of the 2009 budget to Mr. Mareane, Mr. Seitz, and Ms. Mignano on May 29th. She felt the meeting represented OCPL’s priorities and was pleased to have muscle behind the organization with the two board members present.
Dr. Latham also met with Mr. Spoont from Visory Group. Mr. Spoont has been a great help with all the implementations that involved Microsoft.
She also spoke with Janet Welch from the State Library, who as she retires is in the process of moving south.
Dr. Latham spoke at the New York State Librarian Assistants’ conference in Liverpool on the topic of intellectual freedom.
Old Business
- Delivery/Sorting Room
We still are looking for a consultant to help us with this. This topic came up during the preliminary budget discussion with the County. There doesn’t seem to be any problem pursuing this project other than finding a consultant.
- MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)
There is a meeting scheduled for June 12th at 4:30 p.m.
- Transfer of Possession
Dr. Latham mentioned a meeting is being setup with the Library’s legal council to review the document again to make sure it is in sync with the county as well.
- Roof Update
Dr. Latham stated that at the request of the Board, they have begun to identify alternative strategies should the repair of the roof be further delayed. One issue is moving the Local History/ Genealogy collection to an alternative space. It has been determined by OCPL’s Maintenance Supervisor that we would require approximately 13,000 linear feet of shelving to move the materials to a safer location. We only have about 6,000 feet available within OCPL. Ms. Carmer is in the process of contacting the Galleries about the viability of other space such as the old Hummel’s Office Supply space. The other issue is the relocation of Automation/Technical Services, which is primarily a relocation of people and the tools of their trade: PCs, Book jackets, and spine labels. Of course any change in location requires the installation of wiring, maintaining Internet access, as well as the redirection in the shipment location of materials.
- Retreat Agenda
Dr. Latham shared the agenda for the June 17th OCPL Retreat. All Board members are welcome to attend.
- 2009 Budget
Dr. Latham handed out the cover letter for the 2009 budget to the Board. She reviewed the items covered in the letter to Mr. Mareane.
Staff Reports:
Sally – Renovation Update: Ms. Carmer gave an update on the renovations within Central and the branches. She stated that the bathroom in the children’s World is just about complete. Betts and White will be installing ADA compliance ramps, and Soule and Betts are updating their restrooms to meet ADA compliance.
KyungJin - VRR Update: Ms. Park handed out an updated report on the status of positions within OCPL. She explained the different line items in the report and the county’s approval process.
COMMUNICATIONS
Other Reports
Roof Update- Mr. Kochian stated that while he couldn’t go into details at this time, the expectation is to have the roof replaced this year.
Lifecycles Grant – Mr. Fisher mentioned that it looks like OCPL will have a good chance for the Gifford grant proposal to be accepted. Mr. Fisher explained how the process would work and the various stakeholders that should be participating on the committee. They should be hearing from the Gifford Foundation sometime in July.
Board Committees - Mr. Strauss mentioned he would be finalizing the committees now that OCPL has a full Board.
OCSL
Mr. Kushner handed out an agenda from one of their meetings to show the OCPL board the types of issues OCSL discuss at their monthly meetings. He will e-mail a copy of their monthly agenda as a way to keep the flow of communication open between both parties.
Mr. Kushner mentioned that Mr. Strauss attended their last meeting and they began discussions on ideas for the Director’s Search, the full time position for the system liaison, and OCSL’s input on OCPL’s strategic planning. They will recommend a few directors’ names that can work with Mr. Fisher on the strategic plan. They also recommended Mr. Brown as their representative to work with the financial consultant once that has been established.
Dr. Latham asked OCSL to discuss the $85,000 system funding.
They were all in agreement that the portion of the money should go towards delivery, possibly in the form of a new hire and some type of sorting system. As Dr. Latham mentioned, the other ideas they discussed were a possible consultant to study delivery issues and to have some of the funds to implement the changes that would arise from that study. Another idea for the funding was the possibility of hiring a consultant to write grants and create a development plan.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Mr. Strauss reminded everyone that the OCPL Foundation’s annual meeting will be held on June 25th at 5:00 p.m.
He commented on the success of the literacy parade. Mr. Kochian stated that the Foundation raised $15,000-$16,000, which they purchased approximately 800 books to give away. There were many sponsors, however the largest sponsor was the Community Foundation, then United Health Care, Carpenter’s Union, Gifford Foundation, and P & C Food.
Mr. Kochian also mentioned that the Foundation is the conduit for all of the following upcoming events: Largest Bedtime Story being held on June 28th and Three summer fieldtrip events: M.O.S.T, Rosamond Gifford Zoo and Beaver Lake Nature Center
Mr. Strauss had an opportunity to visit with Sari Feldman, former Administrator with OCPL. She is now the Director at Cuyahoga County Public Library, in Ohio. He reported on some of the programs and initiatives they have there.
Mr. Strauss is planning on attending the OCPL Retreat on June 17th .
OCPL ADVISORY COUNCIL
They will meet again in June and the nomination letter for Trustee of the Year Award will be going out soon.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Biesiada moved the minutes of the May 21, 2008 Board meeting.
Ms. Lombardi seconded, the motion carried unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Ms. Lombardi moved to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters on specific individuals.
Mr. Fisher seconded, the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Strauss motioned to adjourn executive session and to reconvene in open session.
Ms. Biesiada seconded, the motion carried unanimously.
No action was taken in open session.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Biesiada moved to adjourn.
Mr. Strauss adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail M. Cox
Administrative Aide
Last updated February 13, 2009