HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-18-BLT-min CARY MEMORIAL LIBRARY
BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Attendees: Norman Cohen, Howard Jaffe, Joe Pato, Suzie Barry, Judith Crocker, Peter
Kelley, Michelle Ciccolo, Paul Garrity, Kate Ekrem, Trustees; Emily Smith, Assistant
Director, Alissa Lauzon, Jen Forgit, Library Staff, Jeri Zeder, Foundation and Laurel
Cooley, Friends and Richard Pagett, HDC.
Call to Order: Norman called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.
Secretary's Minutes Vote: Paul Garrity made a motion to approve the Minutes of the
May 19, 2016, meeting, Suzie seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Financial Update
Koren highlighted the following:
• We are about a quarter of the way through the year, our spending is on pace on
the Municipal side.
• The Endowment is steady
• On the Trustees side, there is not much other income since the Foundation and
Friends generally distribute funds later in the year.
• We are spending our funds that we carried over from last year, we will recover
when we receive our donations.
Administrative Update
Foundation
Jeri Zeder reported:
• We are ramping up fundraising for our Annual Appeal, trying to expand our
donor base.
• We prepared an Annual Report for the whole community which will be coming
out soon in the Colonial Times. It is an inspiring look at the library.
• 1300 people gave to the library
• We are pleased to report that every single promise was kept from donors.
Howard commented that it is refreshing to hear that all promised were kept.
Friends
Laurel Cooley reported:
• We are in the midst of National Friends of Library week, we are hosting a
membership drive. As an incentive we are having a kids craft at our table. This
has been a good listening opportunity. We have heard lots of interesting
comments.
• Our annual meeting will be coming up on November 6 at 2 PM. Library staff will
be presenting.
• Our fall book sale will be November 18— 29.
Norman thanked the Friends for all they do for the library.
Building Update and Transformative Spaces Project
Koren reported on the upcoming weekend events. On Friday evening there will a donor
event hosted by the Foundation. Saturday we will have a Community Open House.
Koren praised Sergio De Mango of Department of Public Facilities for overseeing the
project and problems as they arose. She was impressed with the general contractor
who stepped up especially when there was an issue with a sub-contractor. She detailed
the patron complaint about the destruction of the desk. Koren recognized staff for
stepping up and making it all work. In addition to construction of the teen space, we
weeded the collection, created additional seating areas, more study rooms, created a
seating area in the lower level lobby and expanded the world language collection.
Overall the feedback is enthusiastic.
Emily shared that the public is excited to have additional study room available. The kids
are using the spaces collaborating on projects. We're considering online signups but
until something that is user friendly becomes available we will continue with the sign up
process that we are now using which is an on the spot sign-up sheet.
Emily talked about the Library of Things. We have a team of staff who are working on
the rules and figuring out how lending will work for items like record players, sewing
machine, conversion tools, telescope and microscope.
Norman expressed his fascination of sharing of these items.
Koren reported that the walkway construction will begin next week and we hope that it
will take three weeks.The plan is to close the south entry during this time. We will
inform the public. We are still working on the logistics of opening and closing the
parking lot. Safety wise we could not wait until next year. Trustees discussed the most
appropriate ways to inform the public. Koren will weigh in with Carl Valente on the best
approach.
Historic District Commission Appointment
Norman explained that the Board needs to submit two names for associate members of
the HDC. Kate has a parishioner who has expressed interest. Norman read names of
people who expressed an interest: Joanne Kuo, Elaine Tung, Matt Daggett, Evelyn
Hausslein, Christian Pierce, Sarah Forrester Dumont, Hasan Uden Khan, Beverley Kelly,
Sarah Chase, Lee Noelle Chase, and Donna Hooper. Norman will contact some of the
candidates to determine their level of interest. Michelle suggested that the Executive
Committee review and make a recommendation.
Suzie clarified that Susan Bennett sent the names to add to the list of persons to be
considered. Richard detailed how the HDC came up with the list. He recruited several
people who expressed interest however they were not nominated but interested. Suzie
suggested that the goal should be to develop a master list that could be very helpful in
the future. She added that it would be helpful if the person indicated if they are
interested in a full or associate position.
Adjournment
Howard made a motion to adjourn the meeting which was seconded by Peter Kelley.
The motion passed unanimously.
Koren invited Trustees who wanted to tour the new spaces to remain.