MINUTES

OCPL Board of Trustees’ Meeting

May 24, 2007
Central Library
Curtin Auditorium
5:30 p.m.

ATTENDING: H. Bonner, S. Jones, P. Mautino, R. Strauss, K. Wojslaw

ABSENT : H. J. Hubert, A. Hugo, J. Kianka, D. Lankes, J. Suddaby

ALSO PRESENT: J. M. Latham, K. McCaffrey, G. Cox, D. Bendig, S. Jensen, J. Kalkbrenner, E. Loftus, R. NaPier, K. Park, G. Sanford, M. Laubacher

Ms. Wojslaw called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m

WELCOME: Ms. Wojslaw welcomed everyone..

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Due to a lack of a quorum, the approval of the April 26, 2007 meeting has been deferred to the June board meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ms. Jones moved to go into executive session for a personnel matter.

Mr. Strauss seconded.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Dr. Latham reported on the following:

Old Business

• Elimination of Children’s Fines
  
  Continuous Improvement Committee had a follow-up meeting to further discuss the elimination of children’s fines. Ms. Trask, chair of the committee, presented this to the suburban library directors at their last meeting. They came up with a series of concerns addressing this issue. The Continuous Improvement Committee met today to discuss these issues. Dr. Latham recommended creating an ad-hoc task force to find out what creates these barriers for children and how we can eliminate them across the system. Some other possible recommendations the Committee made are: reducing the fine structure on children’s materials or creating a children’s card that adults would not be able to use. Dr. Latham  recommended  that this topic be put on hold until the task force can resolve some of these issues.
  
  
• Overdue Fines Limit
  
  The staff would like to recommend that the library increase the overdue fine limit from $3.00 to $5.00. With fines being .25 a day it doesn’t take very long for a patron’s card to become stopped, thus not allowing them to check out any other items or use some of the library’s in-house resources. If the Board is in agreement, Dr. Latham will present a resolution at the June meeting.
  
  
• Mundy Branch Update
  
  Dr. Latham reported that there are a number of initiatives that are underway. They have hired one new part-time Librarian Assistant and are looking to hire another one. The Administration is working with the Syracuse police, sheriff’s and the county law department. The consensus has formed around a strategy of engaging young people in support activities while reducing inappropriate acting out behaviors. Mundy serves one of the poorest communities in the country. Addressing some of the fallout from such intense poverty in that area creates a challenging situation in this branch.  However, everyone believes it is within our purview to help address these issues.
  
  
• Legal Disclaimer Policy
  
  Dr. Latham reviewed the draft policy and asked for it to be presented to the Board at the June meeting for adoption.

Deputy’s Director’s Report

• Barrow Update
  
  Ms. McCaffrey reported on possible alternative solutions with the handling of the last four Barrow’s painting that were deemed unworthy of restoration as a Barrow painting.
  
  Ms. McCaffrey would like to have Ms. Tarolli  come and  speak to the Board.
  
  
• State Annual Report
  
  Ms. McCaffrey presented the state annual report for the Board’s approval.
  
  
• Telephone Use Policy
  
  Ms. McCaffrey reviewed the draft policy for the Board’s approval at the June meeting. Ms. Mautino made some suggestions about the policy.

Staff Reports

PSA’s- Roz NaPier

Ms. NaPier reported that she was the client for an advertising class at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School.  The message she wanted to get across to the students was that parents are their children’s first teachers. Ms. NaPier chose six storyboards to be sent to Syracuse University’s video production class to create six thirty second public service announcements.  Ms. NaPier  presented the six PSA’s for the Board’s review.

Affidavits – Liz Loftus

Ms. Loftus reported on the conversation she had with Syracuse Police officials regarding the youth problems at the Mundy Branch Library and the possible use of affidavits in some of these situations.

PRESENTATION    

Budget                                            

Ms. Jensen reviewed the 2008 draft budget report. There was discussion on the importance of staff training and the appropriate funds that are needed. The Board felt that having a meeting with Dr. Latham, the County and the Board would be very useful in order to help solve this problem.

COMMUNICATIONS

Foundation: Ms. Mautino mentioned that they are in the process of setting up their first annual meeting in June.

Management, Recruitment & Development: Ms. Jones inquired about meeting an hour before the Board meeting.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Ms. Wojslaw inquired about the Polaris and 2008 Budget timelines.

OCSL                                            

Ms. Laubacher mentioned that until the figures have been determined the Polaris and telecommunication costs are always a concern. Dr. Latham replied that is why they want it driven by the memorandum of understanding, so everyone will know on an annual basis what each location’s costs are being based on. Ms. Laubacher mentioned how important memorandum of understating committee is to everyone and that the Committee is up and running.

Member News:

Solvay: Ms. Burton passed on her appreciation for Ms. Wojslaw attending Solvay’s groundbreaking ceremony.

Marcellus: is hoping to break ground in July.

OCPL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Mr. Strauss mentioned the next meeting will be held at the Manlius Library on July 10^th.

Mr. Strauss and Ms. McCaffrey held a trustee training on May 8^th, which was received very well. Manlius has asked to have one of their own.

Dr. Latham mentioned that the annual meeting committee will be meeting on June 12^th. They are looking to hold the annual meeting sometime in September.

OTHER 

Ms. Wojslaw acknowledged and personally thanked Ms. Mautino for her many years of service with the OCPL Board of Trustees.

Ms. Mautino commented that the twelve years on the Board has been a real passion of hers and she will continue to serve in other ways.  She is glad to be continuing with the work for the library through the OCPL Foundation. She feels the future of the library is bright and seem to be stable and moving forward. She wished everyone the best and leaves the Board with great affection.

 ADJOURNMENT                 

Ms. Wojslaw ended the meeting at 7:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gail M. Cox
Administrative Aide