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MINUTES
OCPL Board of Trustees’ Meeting
February 8, 2006
Central Library
Board Room
4:00 p.m.
ATTENDING: H. Bonner, J. Suddaby, H. J. Hubert, E. Sullivan, R. Strauss, K. Wojslaw
ABSENT: J. Kianka, P. Mautino, D. Lankes, S. Jones
ALSO PRESENT: J. M. Latham, R. NaPier, K. McCaffrey, K. Park, G. Cox, E. Dailey, S. Jensen, J. DiBlasi, E. Loftus, K. Norton, D. Milcarek, R. Boatwright
Mr. Sullivan called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
WELCOME
Mr. Sullivan welcomed everyone and introduced Mr. DiBlasi, Chair, Education & Libraries Committee.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Strauss moved for approval of the minutes of the January 11, 2006 meeting.
Ms. Suddaby seconded, the motion carried unanimously.
ACTION ITEM
Resolution: 06-02
Ms. Wojslaw moved the following resolution:
Resolved, That the OCPL Board of Trustees approves a fine amnesty in order to remove barriers to the use of OCPL Central and branch libraries for children and teens enrolled in the 2006 Summer reading Program who read and report on five books will have their total accrued fines waived and;
be it further resolved, That children and teens will incur no fines on items they return which have been declared lost, but charges for lost items that are not returned will not be affected by the amnesty and;
be it further resolved, That staff will make the necessary accommodations to enable children and teens with fines on their cards to participate in the Summer reading Program.
Ms. Suddaby seconded, motion carried unanimously.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Old Business
a) Organizational Chart
Ms. Latham mentioned that in the past month she has been focusing on establishing areas of responsibility among the Management Team.
Ms. Latham reviewed the updated organizational chart.
New Business
a) 2005 Statistics
Ms. Latham reviewed the 2005 statistical charts and discussed some strategies on how to deal with the pattern changes.
b) 2003/2004 Statistical Summary
Ms. Latham reviewed OCPL’s 2003/2004 statistical summary.
c) Queens - Visit
Ms. Latham is in the process of organizing a trip to the Queens Public library to visit a modern, contemporary, technologically advanced library. The invitation is open to members of the OCPL Board, Legislature, and the County Executive’s Office. Mr. Kochian has agreed to go from the County Executive’s Office and Mr. Strauss has expressed an interest from the Board.
d) Executive Director’s Job Description
Ms. Latham has included a copy of her draft job description, as she understands her position and how it is functioning right now. Ms. Latham has asked the Board to review the job description and give any recommendations or changes they may have.
e) Grants
Ms. Latham informed the board that the Library received a $500.00 grant for literacy from the Wal-Mart Foundation. Ms. Latham mentioned that the New York Council of the Humanities contacted her about partnering with them in piloting a family literacy grant. The Library will be working with them for the next couple of years on the design and development of that grant. Mr. Bonner asked about the progress of Senator DeFrancisco’s grant proposal. Ms. Latham mentioned that she has met with DeFrancisco’s office and they are working out some of the parameters. It was decided that the grant will flow through FOCL. They are estimating a $30,000 grant.
Staff Reports
Liz Loftus – Branch Summer Hours
Ms. Loftus noted that a branch employee noticed the branches had only one branch open late on a Thursday and four branches on a Tuesday during the summer months. It seemed appropriate to change one of the branches from a Tuesday evening to a Thursday to better balance the summer evening hours. Hazard will be open on Thursday instead of Tuesday in the summer.
The Board discussed Central and branch hours in general.
Karen Norton – Southside Literacy
Ms. Loftus introduced Ms. Norton and Regina Boatwright. Ms. Norton gave the background history on Beauchamp’s involvement with the south side community based literacy initiative. Ms. Norton explained the group involved in this initiative includes: community leaders, like Regina Boatwright and others that can act as resources. The group has met twice to discuss the kinds of things they would like to do. The first task they would like to accomplish is a literacy parade.
Ms. Boatwright explained how she became involved with the south side community based literacy initiative.
Sally Jensen – Unique Management Services
Ms. Jensen gave a financial update on the status of the Unique Management Service since its implementation.
COMMUNICATIONS
Foundation: Mr. Sullivan reported that the Committee continues to meet and they are very close to finalizing the by-laws. They are still looking for recommendations for potential Foundation Board members.
Government Relations: Mr. Strauss reviewed the key issues that the Committee covered in 2005 and what they would like to accomplish in 2006.
Upcoming Events: Lobby Day in Albany is March 14th. Local Legislative Breakfast is set for April 6th, 8:30-10:00 a.m. in the Central Library’s Curtin Auditorium. They are planning another Banned Book Week event for late September or early October.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Mr. Sullivan mentioned that the Ossie Golden/Trustees Award recipient was Lynn Berman and he commented on the wonderful reception.
Mr. Sullivan reminded the Board that the Barrow’s public hearing will be immediately following the Board meeting.
Mr. Sullivan commented on what a nice job Ms. Sammon’s did on her summary from her January’s presentation.
FOCL
Upcomimg Lecture: Dave Barry, March 1st, where they will be announcing next year’s Lecture Series.
OCPL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
Mr. Strauss extended an invite to anyone interested that he will be presenting his basic trustee training workshop for the DeWitt board on March 16th at 6:00 p.m.
MLDA
Ms. Dailey reported on MLDA’s last meeting. Mr. Strauss gave a report from the Government Relations Committee, Ms. Jensen spoke about Unique Management Services, and Ms. Milcarek spoke on the Plan of Service. Ms. Dailey informed the Board that MLDA will be pursuing incorporation, with the possibility of applying for a 501(C) 3 status.
Comments: Mr. DiBlasi thanked the Board for giving him the opportunity to learn more about the System, what the Board does, and the wide range of subjects they cover at their meetings.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 5:40, Mr. Strauss moved to enter into executive session to discuss contract litigation.
Mr. Hubert seconded, which passed unanimously.
Mr. Strauss moved to adjourn executive session.
Ms. Wojslaw seconded, which passed unanimously.
The Board reconvened in open session at 6:15 p.m., no official action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Sullivan adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Hugh W. Bonner
Secretary