OCPL Home > About OCPL > Board > 2008 Minutes > September
Board Meeting Minutes
October 8, 2008
Fayetteville Free Library
4:00 p.m.
ATTENDING: K. Alford; J. Kianka; V. Biesiada; A. Lombardi; B. Fisher; R. Manning; H. J. Hubert; R. Strauss; S. Jones
ABSENT: H. Bonner; J. Suddaby
ALSO PRESENT: E. Loftus; R. NaPier; G. Cox; K. Park; D. Bendig; S. Considine; S. Carmer; E. Kochian; J. Kalkbrenner; M. Laubacher
Mr. Strauss called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
PRESENTATION
Ms. Considine gave a presentation on the Fayetteville Library.
She spoke on the early literacy program they developed and how they would like to take on the road. Ms. Considine acknowledged that one of Fayetteville’s recent succsses was accepting an invitation to attend Syracuse University’s first annual intern fair. The partnership has resulted in the Library having their circulation desk completely staffed with IST students, along with five librarians on their staff.
They encourage other libraries to think about opening their doors and their time to help support our local development of potential staff members.
There was much discussion on the process Fayetteville Library took in order to acquire their building, future expansions, and how they obtained the funding to accomplish those goals.
ACTION ITEMS
Resolution: 08-33
Mr. Hubert moved the following motion:
Resolved, That the OCPL Board of Trustees approves the 2009 Legal Holiday Calendar as proclaimed by County Executive Joanne M. Mahoney to be observed in accordance with present Federal and New York State Law and Library Closings as follows:
| New Year’s Day | Thursday | January 1 |
| Martin Luther King | Monday | January 19 |
| Lincoln’s Birthday* | Thursday | February 12 |
| Washington’s Birthday | Monday | February 16 |
| Memorial Day | Monday | May 25 |
| Independence Day | Friday | July 3 |
| Labor Day | Monday | September 7 |
| Columbus Day* | Monday | October 12 |
| Veteran’s Day | Wednesday | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday | November 26 |
| Day After Thanksgiving | Friday | November 27 |
| Christmas Day | Friday | December 25 |
*Lincoln’s Birthday and Columbus Day will be observed as floating holidays for all non-institutional personnel. All county departments will remain open for business on Thursday, February 12 and Monday, October 12.
Library Closings
| Saturdays | |
| May 23 | Memorial Day weekend |
| July 4 | Independence Day Weekend |
| September 5 | Labor Day weekend |
| Sundays | |
| April 12 | Easter |
| May 24 | Memorial Day Weekend |
| June 21, 28 | Summer |
| July 5, 12, 19, 26 | Summer |
| August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | Summer |
| September 6 | Labor Day weekend |
| Evenings (facilities close at 5 p.m.) | |
| Wednesday, November 25 | Thanksgiving Eve |
| Thursday, December 24 | Christmas Eve |
| Thursday, December 31 | New Years Eve |
| Other | |
| Thursday, March 19 | Staff Development Day (Facilities closed to public) |
Mr. Fisher seconded, the motion carried unanimously.
(Mr. Alford was not present at the time of the vote.)
ITERIM DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Ms. Loftus updated the Board on the following meetings and events she attended:OCPL Labor/Management, Education & Libraries, Branch Managers, County’s Budget Presentation, Central Librarian II’s, Ways & Means, Lifecycles, Legislative Session,FOCL,Everson Museum,
Management Team,Administration, Baker & Taylor Conference Calls
Ms. Loftus and Ms. Carmer co-presented the library’s 2009 Budget proposal on September 24th.
Ms. Loftus acknowledged the ribbon cutting ceremony at White
Branch to unveil their new ramp and outside bench.
Mary Beth Farr, State Library Development Specialist spoke with Ms. Loftus regarding the possibility of Skaneateles Library joining the OCPL system.
Ms. Loftus gave several media interviews for the Library’s Banned Books Week Event and the increase in library use.
Old Business
- 2009 Budget
The presentation, “The Public Library as an Economic Engine” emphasized the value of library materials and the wonderful programs and services libraries offer to enhance the quality of life. To support the County Executive’s allocation of funds for early childhood literacy, we included all of the activities the libraries participated in. The questions from Legislators focused on the increase requested for branch materials, our programs supporting early childhood literacy, and our applications for matching grants.
Following the budget presentation, Ways & Means decreased Central Library’s 101 Regular Employee Salaries by $20,000. They made an increase in the Library’s contingency fund by $40,000 for literacy programs. They also increased the Library Book & Materials line by $25,000. They decreased the branches Library Books & Materials budget line by $25,000.
- Draft Meeting Room Policy- Update
The Committee updated the policy to include the Board’s recommendations from the September meeting.
c) Roof Update
Mr. Strauss, Mr. Fisher, Ms. Carmer and Ms. Loftus met with County attorneys, Mr. Cuffy and Mr. Mack along with Mr. Kochian to discuss the Central Library’s roof. There was a second meeting, which also included three legislators. They exchanged information on what our options are and where are we going from here. Everyone was in agreement that the issue with the roof would be placed on the Legislative October 14th agenda.
- Local Holds
The sorting room continues to be caught up. Having an additional sorter has had a great impact, along with the Local Holds procedure being in place.
New Business
- Banned Books Event
The Fourth Annual Banned Books Event was another success. Fifty-three people participated in the Read-a-thon, including County Executive Joanie Mahoney; Deputy County Executive, Ed Kochian; Assemblyman Al Stirpe; Sean Kirst and Stan Linhorst from the Post-Standard; members of the OCPL Foundation; the OCPL Board of Trustees; and a number of community and staff members.
Our featured author, Carolyn Mackler, read in the Read-a-thon and visited with students from Chittenango High School who attended some of the readings. The students were also present for the author’s speech later in the evening. Ms. Mackler was delightful and related well to the young people. Seventy-five people were in attendance. A debriefing meeting is scheduled for October 31st.
Staff Reports:
VRR Updates
Ms. Park reviewed the monthly VRR report.
Budget Report
Ms. Carmer reviewed the 2008 quarterly budget. She explained the 2% reduction and the additional 6% reduction in state aid. However, it is not yet known if the additional 6% will impact the 2008 and 2009 budgets or just the 2009 budget, and what it would translate to on an individual library basis.
Summer Reading Program
Ms. NaPier reported on the success and the funding of the 2008 Summer Reading Program. She mentioned there was a slight decrease in the number of participants, but an increase in the number of books read, programs given and attendance at the programs. The was a lengthy conversation on how to better market the services that are provided throughout all the libraries in Onondaga County.Ms. NaPier commented on the all the wonderful things that the OCPL system is doing in regards to early literacy. She noted that it all came out of a National trainer presentation on every child ready to read at your library program. The bookmarks that Fayetteville has put together are all based on that and based on the research from the early literacy program. All the libraries really took to this training.
They also had a nationally trained trainer give a workshop on serving teens in the library. It was two hours of jammed packed information.
The County Health Department had a fair at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. OCPL presented early literacy information to the families that were in attendance. They estimated 450 people went through the fair, with 350 of them being children.
Nikki Grimes will be doing two programs, one for children and one for teens on October 18th. The day before she will be spending time with the Syracuse City School District. OCPL partnered with the city school district and Syracuse University to bring her here from California.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Management, Recruitment, & Development
Ms. Biesiada reminded the Board to forward their nominations to her for the 2009 slate of officers.
Finance
Ms. Lombardi mentioned that the Finance Committee submitted the documents to Alliance for the transfers from HSBC.
Government Relations
Mr. Manning has been attending some of the Legislature meetings
and we had their committee meeting. Mr. Manning noted about the Legislature session on the 14th. The E & L Committee meets on Oct. 23 rd and would like to make a short presentation there about what the Committee is doing and part of the Board’s need to interact with this Committee. This is a different Board and we want to take control of our destiny and make sure they understand the program that do go on, what really is happening, and you are getting value. Discuss on begin to develop relationships with E & L and the legislature.
Mr. Fisher gave an update on the roof process. He mentioned the County is very supportive and felt once is does go to the Legislature it would get their approval for the repairs.
OCSL
Ms. Considine mentioned Mr. Strauss and Mr. Fisher were present at their last meeting. Ms. Bendig gave updates on the Polaris and IT related issues. They are very eager to learn about the different initiatives that were going on, Lifecycle process, Strategic Planning, and the Executive Director’s Search.
They elected new officers for a two-year term are: President, Scott Kushner; Vice President, Carol Johnson; Katy Benson, Secretary; and Pat Infantine, Secretary.
OCPL FOUNDATION
Mr. Kochian handed out a draft report on What is Summer Reading Loss and Why Should I care? He also gave out the report on The First World’s Largest Bedtime Story, which were both spearheaded by the Foundation. He explained the how the fieldtrips and the bedtime story came about, and what they entailed.
FOCL
Mr. Kochian reminded everyone that David Remnick would be the 1st lecture of the 2008-2009 Lecture Series, which will be held on October 14th.
OCPL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Mr. Strauss reported the Committee would meet on October 14th at the Marcellus Library. Gail Kinsella will give a presentation on fiduciary responsibilities of trustees. Ms. Fisher will replace Mr. Strauss as the OCPL Board representative.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Hubert moved the minutes of the September 10, 2008 Board meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 5:43 p.m., Mr. Fisher moved to go into executive session to discuss the process of the hiring for the Executive Director.
Mr. Manning seconded, the motion carried unanimously.
At 6:30 p.m., Mr. Kianka motioned to adjourn executive session and to reconvene in open session.
Ms. Biesiada seconded, the motion carried unanimously.
Open Session
Mr. Fisher moved the following motion:
Resolution: 08-34
Resolved, that the OCPL Board of Trustees approves the appointment of Elizabeth Loftus as Interim executive Director, effective October 18th.
Ms. Lombardi seconded, the motion carried unanimously
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Biesiada moved to adjourn.
Mr. Strauss adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail M. Cox
Administrative Aide
Last updated February 13, 2009