Connecticut Library Association

Executive Board Meeting

April 6, 2006

Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library – Old Lyme

 

 

     I.          The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m.

 

Arnold Hirshon of Nelinet made a presentation to the Board highlighting the company’s Program Development, Membership and Revenue Task Force. The 40 minute presentation included Nelinet’s new programs Trend Gauge, Branding and Marketing Services, and Grants Service.  Board members were directed to the company website for more information or to submit questions or comments they may have.

 

II.                 Board Introductions: Members and guests introduced themselves.

 

III.               Public Comments/Notes from CLA Office:  A. Knapp read (another) thank you letter from UConn for CLA’s donation to the Book Fair in November, 2005.

 

IV.              Additions to Agenda/Action Items: see Votes Taken.

 

V.                 Votes Taken: Anita Barney moved to accept the minutes of the March 2, 2006 CLA Executive Board Meeting. Ted Wilmot seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

 

M. Spratlin-Hasskarl moved to accept the proposed CLC Contract for Services proposal to CLA with changes discussed (see President’s Report).  P. Ciparelli seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

 

VI.          President’s Report: A. Knapp reported that John Doe of Connecticut won the prestigious 2005 Robert B. Downs Intellectual Free Award.  She also informed the Board that she will be speaking to the League of Women Votes in Greenwich on the Patriot Act and Intellectual Freedom rights.

 

Alice Knapp distributed and presented to the Board the Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC) proposed Contract for Services to be performed by CLC on behalf of CLA.  The proposal was approved in concept by the CLC Board and CLA’s Executive Officers. The outsourcing of contract services includes all contracts except that of CLA lobbyist, Barry Williams.  His contract will remain with CLA.  The contract was written so that it complies with CLA by-laws). The Board reviewed and discussed the proposal and agreed that the following verbage be changed: G#4 should be worded similar to E#8 and H#4. It was also agreed that hold harmless clause in the last paragraph include holding harmless CLA from that which is listed, and that the exhibitor list be included in the contract and that the proposal be reviewed by an attorney before the contract is signed. The contract also states that CLC will provide a headquarter office at for CLA at its 234 Court Street, Middletown location and the approximate additional cost to CLA will be $5,000 per year.

 

M. Spratlin-Hasskarl moved to accept the contract with the changes.  P. Ciparelli seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

     

VII.      Treasurer’s Report: none.

 

VIII.     Past President’s Report: none

 

IX.              Vice-President’s Report: T. Geoffino, C. Lahey, and K.

 Ronald will meet with the Conference committee

 following today’s Board Meeting.

 

X.        Committee/Section/Roundtable Reports:

 

ACLB: S. Lee reported that ACLB has not received many scholarship applicants.  Applications forms are on the website and she encouraged members to pass the word onto students they know.  ACLB is also interested in new directors and informed the board to contact her with any names.  Their next meeting will be held during the conference.

 

ADA: M. Engels reported that the first of the two-part ADA workshop was held yesterday (April 5).  The second part is scheduled for July 18th.  The committee will hold an “Adaptive Technology Workshop” Friday, April 28th.

 

ALA: J. Johnston, P. Ciparelli, T. Geoffino, L. Kozerowitz and A. Knapp will be attending Legislative Day in Washington, D.C. May 1 & 2, 2006. J. Johnston reported that ALA President Leslie Burger is invited to our conference in May, and that ALA is in the process of increasing member dues by $25 for a total of $125 yearly.  The increase is the result of advocacy programs and overhead.

 

Awards: R. Harten reminded the board that the deadline for nominations was 3/31/06.  She received 9-10 award nominations.

 

Children’s: M. Simpson introduced Jane Ash who will succeed her for 2006-07 as committee chair.  She is in the process of soliciting in-kind goods (paper, pencils, etc.) from vendors for the Pre-Conference workshops.

 

CLASS: J. Cayer’s committee is planning a “mini-conference” for late May at the Middletown Service Center.  He is presently seeking speakers.  More information will follow.

 

Conference 2006: A. Barney posted pre-conference information on NELA web site; presently, there are 67 companies registered and paid for conference exhibits; a total of 81 include companies in the process of registering/paying.  There are 94 tables available.  The conference committee is currently conveying its requirements to the facility, as well as searching for a Tuesday luncheon speaker.  P.  Najarian reported 192 individuals have registered for the conference to date.

 

CSL: M. Engels distributed and discussed the CSL monthly report that included: the Appropriations Committee of the General Assembly release their version of the 2006-07 budget with the library portion increased by $676,028 for a total of $1,352,056.  This is not the final budget. The report stated that Thomson Gale was awarded the contract for the next generation of Tier One databases for iCONN; four April training sessions have been scheduled for the Historical Hartford Courant: two on April 26 and two on April 27th all at the Middletown Service Center; an on-line survey indicated that over 3.5 million items are sent out each year on the Connecticar system.  The Spanish Language Outreach Program workshops are on-going and work well with any language group in Connecticut communities. CSL is currently reviewing 22 eligible applications for the LSTA grants.  Recommendations will be submitted to the State Library Board in May.

 

Customer Service: J. Day reported that the NY Times published statistics from ALA about library services.  She suggested that this information would be helpful to libraries pursuing funding requests.

 

Editorial: B. Bailey passed around the new CLA logo design.  She will now begin working with the designer on color for the logo.  She reminded the Board that April 14th is the newsletter deadline.

 

Friends: A. Wilson reported that April is Friends Month.  April 14th is the deadline for the Friends’ award.  She informed the board that Ann Farrow is the guest speaker scheduled for the annual meeting in June 3rd.

 

Legislative:  P. Ciparelli distributed his committee report that also mentioned the General Assembly Appropriations Committee recommendation of doubling Connecticard funding, as well as the ALA Legislative Day in Washington, D.C. where the delegation has scheduled meetings with both CT senators and all CT representatives.

 

Membership: P. Najarian reported to date a total of 972 CLA members.

 

Procedures: S. Brooks emailed all Board members a copy of her report for review.

 

Public Libraries: H. Keeler announced that Claudia Cayne of the Scoville Memorial Library in Salisbury will be the new chair of Public Libraries section.  H. Keeler will be Vice Chair.

 

Y.A.:   M.Spratlin-Hasskarl reported that Connecticut author, Leslie Connor will be filling in for Jane Yolan at the conference’s Children’s Service and Young Adult Program.  Patrick Jones will be at the November 14th Joint YA Roundtable.  The location is to be determined.

 

Meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

 

Attendance: M. Simpson, J. Ash, L. McLaughlin, T. Wilmot, D. Higginson, M. Spratlin-Hasskarl, S. Lee, B. Bailey, L. Hawkes, C. Lahey, K. Ronald, R. Harten, J. Day, A. Barney, M. Rupert, A. Wilson, M. Engels, P. Ciparelli, J. Johnston, T. Geoffino, T. Conley, H. Keeler, C. Wright, G. Seagrave, J. Cayer, A. Knapp, J. Fisher.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Pamela Najarian

Recording Secretary