Connecticut Library Association

Executive Board Meeting

June 1, 2006

Fairfield Public Library

 

 

I.                    The meeting was called to order at 10:05.

 

II.                 Introductions: Board members introduced themselves and new members were introduced and welcomed.

 

III.               Public Comments/Notes from CLA Office: A. Knapp summarized and passed around a letter from Senator Christopher Dodd stating his reasoning for supporting and voting on recent amendments to the Patriot Act.

 

IV.              Additions to Agenda or Actions Items: none

 

V.                 Votes Taken:  J. Woycik moved to accept the minutes of the April 6, 2006 meeting. T. Wilmot seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

 

M. Etter moved that CLA support NELA’s “Counterparts 2006” gathering at Endicott College in Beverly, MA (July 20-21) with a $500 contribution. T. Geoffino seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

 

G. Hurley moved to accept the 2006-2007 Executive Board slate as presented by T. Geoffino.  D. Higginson seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

VI.              President’s Report: A. Knapp reported that she was invited to the ACLU press conference where the identity of John Doe was revealed.  The  four Connecticut librarians spoke publicly for the first time after being subjected to a gag order when the FBI demanded patron records with a National Security Letter.  She thanked these individuals: George Christian, Peter Chase, Barbara Bailey and Janet Nocek for their involvement challenging the Patriot Act and praised them for their response and poise in handling this matter.  President Knapp praised the entire Board for their accomplishments this past year and thanked the Executive Board and CLA staff for their help.

 

VII.            Treasurer’s Report: J. Fisher circulated CLA’s current financial report as of April, 2006 pointing out that the conference figures are not reflected.  The report shows a checking account balance of $46,606.67 and investments totaling $117,735.91.

She also distributed a Budget Request form and discussed the need for committee and section chairs to complete the forms indicating their estimated expenses for the year.  The form is needed for accurate budgeting and is due by July 1st.  She also mentioned that more financial information including tax exemption, expenses forms, and other will be reviewed for new members at the Orientation Session following the August 3rd Board meeting.

 

VIII.         Vice President’s Report: see New Business.

 

IX.              Past President’s Report: C. Bradley talked about the John Doe/“Connecticut Four” and its importance and impact on CLA.  She urged the Board to publicize the news stating that it is the most important thing the association has ever done.  She suggested devoting an issue of CT Libraries to this topic, as well as possibly planning an event to showcase the group and presenting them with a plaque to honor them and their courage.

 

X.                 Committees/Section/Roundtables:

 

ACLB: S. Lee announced a leadership conference at Water’s Edge scheduled Tuesday, October 10th.  More information including a speaker will be announced in the near future.

 

ADA: M. Engels encouraged participation in the committee’s on-line adaptive and assistance technology survey available through June 9th.

 

CLC: C. Bradley reported that the annual meeting will be Monday, June 12th at the Capitol Community College in Hartford. Alice Sneary of OCLC will present  information on library marketing.  Cost is $20, $10 for additional guests. C. Bradley reported an enthusiastic response to Info Anytime with 75 libraries committed. She informed the Board that Bibliomation will pay the fee for their members to join, and therefore expect another 25 to join. She completed her report announcing CLC’s Trendspotting conference will be held at Quinnipiac College, October 20, 2006.

 

Children’s: M. Simpson reported a successful conference with good feedback despite lower attendance. 

 

Conference: B. Bray thanked C. Lahey and K. Ronald for compiling conference evaluation data.  The evaluation summary was distributed to the Board.

 

M. Rupert reported that the 2006 Conference exceeded their attendance expectations with a total of 888 attendees.  With the recent March PLA conference in Boston, they had estimated about 700 attendees for CLA in May.  She cited this as a reason the rooms were crowded.  She reported revenue was up $11,000 and that their were 17 new vendors for a total of 94 (plus a waiting list).

 

Discussion moved on to Conference 2007 scheduled April 16-18 at the Hartford Convention Center.  T. Geoffino informed the Board that there is a union/labor problem brewing: Local 217 is interested in organizing workers, but the Waterford Hotel Group is not cooperating.  Local 217 is asking us (along with other contracted groups) to withdraw our contract.  Cancellation of the contract would cost CLA up to $7,100 if done 181-365 days prior to the event.  After lengthy discussion is was decided that CLA will proceed as is and continue plans to hold the conference in Hartford.  In the meantime, however, individual CLA Board members will write letters (not on CLA stationery) to Waterford Hotel Group articulating their concern and urging a settlement. Additionally, the Executive Board will hire an attorney to review our contract with the Hartford Convention Center to advise us.  M. Rupert added that inside sources have indicated the probability of settlement before our scheduled event.

 

CSL: M. Engels distributed and reviewed the written report on behalf of CSL.  Highlights included:

 

* the library portion of the State budget included an additional $300,000 for     

   Connecticard – a 45% increase;

* LSTA grants were awarded by the State Library Board;

            * space is available for the Spanish Language Outreach Program summer session;

* beginning July 1st, Service Warehousing and Logistics(SWL) will provide

   Connecticar services to Route 1 and 2. BeavEx contract for these routes expire  

    6/30.

 

G. Hurley announced Connecticut Open House Day, Saturday, June 10 from 9-3.

Connecticut State Library and Museum will be participating. The event, which includes many of the State’s museums and attractions will be free and open to the public.

 

Customer Service: J. Day received an invitation for CLA to participate in the Planned Parenthood Bill of Rights Conference at Quinnipiac College in early October.  Details are forthcoming.

 

Editorial: B. Bailey reported the deadline for Connecticut Libraries August issue is June 30th.  She also informed the Board that as one of the “Connecticut Four”, she was invited to speak at ALA in New Orleans on behalf of John Doe.

 

Friends: A. Wilson stated the annual meeting is Saturday, June 3rd in Hamden.

 

Intellectual Freedom: A. Knapp reported for P. Chase that he will be presenting workshops on Intellectual Freedom this fall.

 

Membership: J. Woycik read the latest membership statistics which total 996 members.  The conference generated 47 new and/or renewed members.

 

NELA: M. Etters discussed “Counterparts” a 2-day conference on Building Membership and Balancing Personalities for Strong Committees June 20-21 in Beverly, Ma.  She requested CLA’s financial support of this event.  See votes taken.  She also announced that NELA’s annual fall conference will be October 22-24 in Burlington, VT.

 

YA: M. Spratlin and D. Higginson stated that this is their last meeting as CLA YA co-chairs as their terms expire 6/30/06. They thanked the Board for its support.

 

Regional Reps:

Region 2- B. Bray reported that B. Gibson of Farmington is retiring June 30th

And Ann Walluk of Burlington is retiring in September.  She also mentioned that Channel 8 news stopped in her library to interview her about the John Doe case.

 

XI.              Old Business: none

 

XII.            New Business:

(a)    Change Over: The gavel was passed from Outgoing President Alice Knapp to President Tom Geoffino.  Tom addressed the Board stating his goals for the upcoming year that include focusing on recruiting individuals into the profession, especially individuals of color and young people; combining the Mentoring and Career Recruitment Committees; and working more closely with the Connecticut Center for the Book.

 

(b)   the 2006-07 Board was presented

 

(c)    Action Items: J. Woycik moved to authorize President-Elect Barbara Bailey for CLA check signing, while removing Past President Chris Bradley from the signature card.  T. Wilmot seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

An Orientation Session for new Board members will be held at the August 3 Board Meeting.

 

P. Najarian stated that the target date for the CLA office move to 234 Court Street, Middletown is July 1st.  In the meantime, and until otherwise notified, continue to reach the office at its present street address and phone number.

 

Motion to adjourn was made by J. Woycik at 12:20.

 

Attendees: J. Fisher, A. Knapp, T. Geoffino, J. Woycik, T. Wilmot, J. Day, J. Rabin, M. Simpson, A. Wilson, M. Rupert, D. Higginson, M. Spratlin Hasskarl, K. Bunn, A. Naples, C. Abatelli, L. Hawkes, A. Barney, S. Lee, B. Bray, B. Bailey, M. Etter,

X. Gong, C. Lahey, K. Ronald, M. Engels, G. Hurley, J. Toce, K. Kilbourn, C. Bradley

G. Seagrave.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                    Pamela Najarian

                                                                                    Recording Secretary