CONNECTICUT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

Executive Board Meeting

December 6, 2007

Essex Library Association

 

I.                    Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President Carl Antonucci at 10:05.  Library Director, Bridget Quinn-Carey welcomed the Board to Essex and gave a brief background of the library and it newly expanded facilities.

 

II.                 Board Introductions: members of the Board introduced themselves.

 

 

III.               Public Comments/Notes from CLA Office:

 

a.       Carl reported that the Executive Director, Teresa Younger, of the CT Permanent Commission on the Status of Women contacted him requesting a meeting to discuss how they may work with CLA.

 

b.      Carl announced that he will be meeting with the Career Recruitment committee regarding the possible merger of career recruitment mentoring committees.

 

IV.                 Additions to the Agenda/Action Items:

 

a.       Nutmeg contribution - the Board discussed the Children’s Section request to increase CLA’s donation to Nutmeg this year by $250.00.  See Votes Taken.

 

b.      Conference Registration Software- Carl Antonucci presented information on several software packages for on-line registration for CLA events, specifically for the conference.  The cost would range from $3,500 to $5,000. See Votes Taken.

 

c.       2009 Conference Site: Alice Knapp, co-chair of the 2009 Conference, proposed that the Omni Hotel in New Haven host the conference. See Votes Taken.

 

d.      2009 Conference Dates: Alice proposed a change in the days of the week s in which the conference is held to Wednesday, (April 29th) through Friday, (May 1st).  See Votes Taken.

 

e.       Honoraria & Fees: Carl distributed a draft of the Conference 2007 Policies on Fees and Honoraria document outlining guidelines for compensation and accommodations for conference speakers, guests, volunteers, etc. It was determined that the word “will” be changed to “may” throughout.  Also, the CLA Vice President will be included in Section II, Hotel Accommodations, and Section III, Complimentary Registration and Lunch. It was suggested that CLA members who are offered complementary lodging, registration and meals may consider (or be encouraged) to decline this offer if it does not constitute a hardship for their personal or institutional budgets. See Votes Taken.

 

f.        Personnel: Alice Knapp presented a recommended 3% increase in the minimum salary for entry-level positions requiring an MLS. As of July 1, 2007, the salary is $24.55. For full-time jobs, this translates to $46,028 for a 35 hr wk; $49,316 for 37.5 hr wk; $52,603 for 40.0 hr wk. See Votes Taken.

 

         V.           Votes Taken:

Approval of Minutes of November 1, 2007: Siobhan Grogan noted that ADA (section 10) should read “…the workshop on Services to the Blind and Physically Handicapped”. Ted Wilmot moved to accept the minutes with the noted change.  Kathy Leeds seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Chris Bradley moved that CLA donate the budgeted $750 to Nutmeg for 2007-2008. Mary Etter seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Jay Johnston moved that the president be empowered to appoint a committee to investigate and act upon the purchase of a software booking package for a sum not to exceed $7,000.  Kathy Leeds seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Alice Knapp moved that the 2009 Conference be held at the Omni Hotel in New Haven.  Janet Woycik seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Alice Knapp moved that the 2009 Conference be held Wednesday through Friday.  Barbara Bailey seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mary Etter moved to accept the 2007 Fees and Honoraria policies with the noted changes.  Peter Ciparelli seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Alice Knapp moved to accept the recommended 3% minimum salary increase as proposed by the Personnel Committee.  Hali Keeler seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

VI.     President’s Report: Carl Antonucci thanked the committee and section chairs their work on programs for the conference.  He reminded Board members to pay their dues.

 

  VII.    Treasurer’s Report: Jan Fisher distributed the financial report to date.

 

 

VIII.         Past President: Barbara Bailey reported that she is working on                  nominations for 2008-09 Executive Board upcoming vacancies. 

 

IX.       Vice President’s Report: Kathy Leeds reminded the Board that there is no Board meeting in January.

 

IX.              Committees/Section/Roundtable Reports:

 

ACLB: Stan Siegel reported that they have elected Sharon Brettschneider to the Board; a committee has been formed to produce a Trustees Handbook, and that plans are underway for the October 2008 Leadership Conference.

 

ALA: Jay Johnston gave an update on CapWiz adding that the program is free for the first 2 years.  He announced that ALA mid-Winter will be in Philadelphia.

 

Awards: Barbara Bailey informed the Board that nomination forms for the annual CLA Awards will be published in the January and February issues of Connecticut Libraries.  Awards deadline is March 7, 2007.

 

CLC: Chris Bradley announced that Trendspotting will be held March 14, 2008 at the New Haven Lawn Club and that OCLC Training is underway.

 

CSL: Sharon Brettschneider reported that the CLASS survey is on the State Library survey monkey.  She noted in her report that 180 public libraries submitted their annual surveys in November.  The data is being compiled for the Statistical Profile, for use by the Federal government to calculate amounts for State Aid. This information is available from the State Library.  On November 26, 2007, the State Library Board approved seven construction grants for a total of $5,060,204 from state bonding funds.

 

Career Recruitment: Debbie Herman reported the 2008 Scholarship applications are available on the web site.

 

Children’s: Gail Zeiba thanked CLA for her attendance at the Children’s Book Fair Author Dinner.  She noted that conference planning for her committee is underway.

 

Conference 2008:  Paula Cook reminded committee chairs to submit their program requests as soon as possible. She reported that this year’s conference will host many authors and technology-related programs.

 

Development: Barbara Bailey reported that her committee will meet again January 3, 2008.

 

Editorial: Carol Abatelli reported on changes made to the web site.  She invited members to let her know of any recommended changes.  David Kapp thanked everyone for their book recommendations for the December issue. He stated that he received 18 responses to the request for Obversion writers.  He selected three: Julian Aiken, Joe Goberman, and Michele Jacobson.

 

Friends: Sharon Brettschneider reported for Anita Wilson that the annual meeting will be June 14, 2008 with keynote speaker, Wendall Minor.

 

Legislative: Mike Moran distributed his committee’s report and informed the Board that CLA lobbyist, Barry Williams has to resign because of health issues. Chris Bradley suggested honoring Barry Williams with a plague at the March 4th breakfast.  Mike reported that 2 legislators attended the legislative reception at Capital Community College November 7th.  Plaques are being distributed locally for the other 20 legislators who were honored. There was discussion regarding the need to send notes to local legislators prior to the upcoming March breakfast and for greater attendance from CLA board members.  It was suggested that the committee consider hosting regional legislative receptions and reinstating the “Legislator of the Year” award.

 

Membership: Janet Woycik reported 808 current CLA members and the need to reach the 207 from last year who have not renewed via an email reminder.

 

NELA: Mary Etter reported that NELA is beginning plans for its NELLS conference for the summer of 2008.  She indicated PEG funding is available. Mary informed NELA members that a ballot for a by-laws change will be mailed to them.  The change is in the commitment of the President’s term from 4-years to 3-years.

 

Publicity: BettyAnne Reiter reported that there will be new categories for the publicity awards this year including blogs, pod-casts, and video entries.  The deadline for submission is January 15th and entry forms will be available on the web site.

 

Tech Services: Tom Schadlich reported on a successful event at the Farmington Public Library November 8th.

 

YA: Ann Marie Naples reported on the success of the Chris Krutcher roundtable in November.

 

Regional Representatives:

 

Region 3: Siobhan Grogan reported that the Moosup Public Library received funding from Jewett City Saving for 34 software packages for a pre-literacy program.  She said that regional feedback on the CLASS conference was wonderful.  She reported Cragin Memorial Library Friends had a successful “Pet Photos with Santa” fundraiser, netting $800.

 

Region 4: Janet Woycik reported for regional rep Cynde Lahey.  Fairfield Public Library hosted a writer’s conference with authors and “would-be” authors.  Publishers were on hand to read manuscripts and offer advice.

 

New Business: Hali Keeler showed the Board a half-page ad in the Willimantic Chronicle about “loving” your library.  The origin of the ad is unknown.  Kathy Leeds reported that, in light of the mounting hate crimes in Connecticut, her library, along with other community groups are planning a program to address this issue.  They are looking for a national speaker for the event.

 

Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.

 

Attendees: Paula Cook, Jay Johnston, Debbie Herman, Bridget Quinn-Carey, Jan Day, Carol Abatelli, Peter Ciparelli, Alice Knapp, Janet Woycik, Ted Wilmot, Mike Moran, Maura Deedy, Sharon Brettschneider, Theresa Conley, Hali Keeler, Rob Walsh, Betty Ann Reiter, Kat Lyons, Mary Etter, Elizabeth McKay, Katie Bunn, Ann Marie Naples, Gail Zeiba, Tom Schadlich, Chris Bradley, Stan Siegel, Siobhan Grogan, David Kapp, Barbara Bailey, Kathy Leeds, Carl Antonucci, Jan Fisher.

 

                                                                               Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

                                                                               Pamela Najarian

                                                                               Recording Secretary