Connecticut Library Association

Executive Board Meeting

February 2, 2006

Cheshire Public Library

 

 

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

 

II.                 Board Introductions: board members and guests introduced themselves.

 

III.               Public Comments: A. Knapp read thank you letters for CLA’s contribution to Nutmeg Book Award ($1,250) and to the Freedom to Read Foundation ($500).

 

IV.              Additions to Agenda/Notes from CLA Office: none

 

V.                 Votes Taken: P. Ciparelli moved to accept the minutes of the January 5, 2006 CLA Executive Board Meeting.  J. Rabin seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

 

VI.              President’s Report: A. Knapp reported that Sen. Lieberman’s office contacted her via email in response to the National Call in Day regarding the Patriot Act.  She added that Sen. Rosa DeLauro’s office was the only one to respond to letters send in the fall regarding the same.

     

Alice Knapp reported on her trip to the ALA Conference in San Antonio.  Judith Krug accepted the Down’s Intellectual Freedom Award on behalf of John Doe of Connecticut and acknowledged how proud they are of him.  She informed the Board of her meeting with Career Recruitment.  She indicated that she has a task list and will provide the Board with a follow-up report in the near future.

 

VII.            Treasurer’s Report: J. Fisher distributed the financial report noting that dues are under budget at $48,105.  Her report reflected $36,757.89 in checking, $117.075.33 in investments, for total assets of $153,833.22.

 

VIII.          Past President’s Report: none

 

IX.              Vice President’s Report: none

 

   X.      Committees/Section/Roundtable Reports:

 

      ACLB: S. Lee reported that Marsha and Carmen Trotter will lead a workshop

      on Facility Maintenance at the CLA May conference.

 

ADA: M. Engles reported the committee and CT State Library will co-sponsor a two-part workshop on how to write an ADA plan April 5 and July 18th.  In February the committee will distribute an on-line survey to create a database of adaptive technology equipment in Connecticut libraries.

 

ALA: J. Johnston reported on his participation in the ALA conference in San Antonio in the role of advocate for school librarians per CLA Board instruction.  There he advised school media specialists to become interveners during the 2007 congressional review process of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act.  He also advised them to have their case heard for “highly qualified” rank through the intervener and testimony process.  He reported that in his discussions, it became apparent that certification varies throughout the country that it may cause more harm than good.  As a result, he has withdrawn any further assistance.  He also reported on the “65 cent solution”, an initiative from the “First Class Education” group of Patrick Byrne where 65 cents of every education tax dollar be spent “in the classroom” purporting to increase classroom spending without increasing taxes.  This however may have adverse affects on school libraries (see CEMA report).

 

Jay announced that Mario M. Gonzalez, Director of Greenwich Library was elected to the ALA Executive Board for the 2006-2009 term and that

ALA dues are scheduled to increase 10% per year over the next 3 years totaling a $130 annual membership fee.

 

CLC: C. Antonucci distributed a draft of a survey on virtual reference for the Board to review.  Questions and comments about the survey should be directed to Chris Bradley.  A. Knapp reported that CLC and CLA are discussing plans to move the CLA office to CLC’s Middletown office.  More information is forthcoming.

 

Awards: R. Harten reminded the Board that the deadline for nominations is March 31, 2006.  No submissions have been received yet.

 

Career Recruitment: A. Knapp reported that the committee is re-writing its by-laws concerning the administration of scholarships.  A report will be given at a later date.

 

CEMA: F. Nadeau thanked CLA and J. Johnston for all they have done on behalf of CEMA regarding the inclusion of school media specialists as “highly qualified” teacher in reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act.  She reported that American Association of School Libraries (AASL) faces a new problem this fall and have therefore postponed the NCLB movement.

 

 “School Matters” is a grassroots organization believing that education takes place in the classroom and that administration could better manage finance, create legislation to mandate 65% expenses to classroom instruction. This could result in a drastic reduction or elimination of school libraries.

 

F. Nadeau announced that Bob Hibson (Bridgeport) and Mary Shukie (Hartford) are two new representatives to the CLA legislative committee. She concluded her report to the Board by announcing the CT State Department of Education approved the “Information and Technology Literacy Framework” aligning the State’s goal, standards, and principals for student learning with national standards.

 

Children’s:  M. Simpson reported that their speaker for the conference is confirmed.

 

CLASS: S. Brooks indicated that the committee is looking for nominations for “support staff of the year” and that two, half-day workshops are scheduled for this spring.

 

Conference 2006: B. Bray reported that the committee is seeking sponsorship from vendors for the conference.  She reported that 418 Exhibitor packets were mailed January 19th.

 

The “One Book One Conference” is “North” by Frederick Busch who will also be a luncheon speaker. 

 

CSL: S. Brettschneider announced that the Historical Hartford Courant is up and running through the iConn portal.  CSL thanks all supporters and added that libraries that have not pledged may contact K. Wiggin.  A flyer was distributed with dates for workshops on the Spanish Language Outreach Program to train library staff to better serve their Spanish-speaking community.

 

Editorial: B. Bailey passed around and asked for feedback on 6 CLA logo designs produced by Miranda Creative.

 

Friends: M. Engels reported the committee is planning 3 workshops on “Sharing among Friends” at the end of April (no dates available) at 3 locations around the state. Anne Farrow, author of Complicity will be the “Friends Champion” for April’s Friends Month.  She will also speak at the annual meeting June 3.

Intellectual Freedom: P. Chase announced that he will attend the Lawful Library Conference in Chicago regarding First Amendment law.  He will then organize and conduct similar conferences in Connecticut.  He told the Board that he was interviewed by Faith Middleton of CPR on censorship, but as of yet, it has not aired.  He reminded the Board that CLA members can be on his mailing list and he also discussed the problem he had with a posting to ConnTech in mid-January.

 

Legislative committee: P. Ciparelli distributed the committee’s report highlighting the completion of the distribution of ConnectiCard marketing materials;  the plans for the February 15th Legislative Breakfast (LOB 8-10 am) including the production and distribution of invitations to state legislative reps.  He added that approximately 100 letters were sent to CLA legislative links asking individuals to continue to serve.

.

Membership: P. Najarian reported 947 current CLA members.

 

NELA: M. Etter reported that Counterparts, a gathering of officers, committees chairs, and interested individuals from 6 state organizations will be held July 20-21; Mary reminded members that NELA is seeking nominations for the Emerson Greenaway Award, honoring an individual who has made significant contributions to libraries in more than one New England state.

 

Nominating Committee: In C. Bradley’s absence, A. Knapp presented the slate of the 2006-2007 CLA Executive Board as follows: Tom Geoffino, President; Barbara Bailey, VP/President-Elect; Jan Fisher, Treasurer; Jay Johnston, ALA Rep.  Region 5 & 6 Representatives to be announced.

   

Procedures: S. Brooks distributed a report on suggested by-law changes for the annual meeting.  It was decided that discussion about this report would take place at the March meeting.

 

Publicity: B. Reiter announced the annual photo exhibit of Connecticut Libraries will be displayed April 3-13th in the Legislative Office Building and  that her committee will not be presenting awards this year for public relations materials.

 

Ext/Special Services: T. Wilmot addressed the Board indicating his desire to have prison librarians included in the “highly qualified teacher” movement of NCLB.  He stated that there are 12 libraries in the state’s 18 corrections facilities. They are always looking for books, especially reference materials. Books can be donated through the Department of Corrections Central Office in Wethersfield.

 

 

LTA: K. DeLoatch: announced two courses “Computers in the Library” and “Cataloging” have 13 and 10 student enrolled, respectively.

 

SCSU: N. Disbrow discussed how Connecticut students prefer to take classes on-line and as a result SCSU is canceling classes held on campus.

 

Regional Representatives:

 

Region 2: Betsy Bray reported that Prosser Library in Bloomfield reopened its Children’s Room after flood damage occurred in the fall; Windsor Public Library is on schedule with the building addition to open in July;

Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Berlin & Newington’s “One Book, Four Towns” choice is Steward O’Nan’s “The Good Wife”; and Marian Amodeo, Director of Lucy Robbins Welles Library is now serving as Interim Town Manager in Newington.

 

Region 5: Lauren McLaughlin reported the Greenwich Library 5th Annual biennial Peter Business Award Dinner will be Feb. 23, 2006; Rabbit Hill Festival of Literature is scheduled for March 30 – April 1; Pete Hamill will speak at Wilton Library 2/2/06.

 

XI.              Old Business: none

 

XII.            New Business: D. Kapp pointed out the two new newsletter contributors: Tom Newman for Treasures and Les Kozerowitz, Obversion.  He reminded the Board of the March 10th newsletter deadline.

 

XIII.         Meeting adjourned at 11:45 am

 

Attendance: L. Hawkes, R. Harten, P. Ciparelli, T. Wilmot, F. Aloisa, B. Bailey, D. Higginson, S. Lee, J. Toce, S. Brooks, M. Etter, J. Johnston, F. Nadeau, M. Engles, B. Reiter, B. Bray, C. Antonucci, K. DeLoatch, L. McLaughlin, A. Barney, M. Rupert, P. Chase, S. Brettschneider, G. Seagrave, M. Simpson, J. Rabin, J. Day, N. Disbrow, D. Kapp, J. Fisher, A. Knapp, T. Geoffino