Connecticut Library Association
Executive Board Meeting
May 3, 2007
Edith Wheeler Memorial Library – Monroe
I. The meeting was called to order at 10:10 am. Rob Simon welcomed the Board to Connecticut’s newest library.
II. Board Introductions: Board members introduced themselves. Scott Hughes, the new City Librarian for Bridgeport Public Library introduced himself to the Board.
III. Public Comments/Notes from CLA Office:
Ramona Harten asked the Board to submit information on any of the obscure CLA Awards for future reference and for her files.
Pam Najarian asked the Board for information on the Youth Patch Award for 2 boys in the Thomaston area who have completed the requirements. She also informed the Board that she and Kirsten Kilbourn attended MLA in Sturbridge. A written report is forthcoming.
IV. Additions to the Agenda/Action Items:
Public Libraries Section chair, Claudia Cayne distributed a copy of the by-law changes that had been emailed earlier to the Board. She discussed some wording changes in Article II (“should” to “shall” and “member” to “representatives”, also in Article 5 Section 4). By-Law changes include describing how the committee operates, county representation, the terms of Section representatives and the procedure to fill vacancies. Also added under Article VI Section 3: The committee is responsible for presenting annual awards for Excellence in Public Library Service or Architecture and is responsible for planning details of the award program. See Votes Taken.
V. Votes Taken: Mary Etter moved to accept the Minutes of the March 1, 2007 meeting. Jan Ash seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Janet Woycik moved to accept the Public Libraries Section by-law changes as presented. Jan Vail Day seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VI. President’s Report: Barbara Bailey suggested that CLA agendas and minutes be emailed to Executive Board members saving the Association both time and money. All present were in agreement.
She informed the Board that Peter Chase was at MLA speaking on behalf of the CT Four and Intellectual Freedom. She said that 3 of the 4 will be speaking before the Oklahoma Library Association in early April, that she and Janet Nocek were at the New Jersey Library Association Conference on April 24 and the group will be represented at the Rhode Island Library Association in June. The PBS special was aired, and Marilyn Kennedy is writing a book that will include information on the case.
Barbara reported that she, Jay Johnston, Peter Ciparelli, Alice Knapp Carl Antonucci and Ken Wiggin attended ALA Legislative Day in Washington, DC May 1 and 2nd.
The Annual Meeting took place April 18th at the CLA Conference. The new slate of officers was announced, voted on and passed. The appointments include: Alison Wang, Treasurer-Elect; Kathy Leeds, President-Elect; Tracy Ralston, Region I; Cynde Lahey, Region 4. Additionally, the Conflict of Interest Statement passed, as well as the increase in CLA Membership Dues. She informed the Board, on behalf of ALA, that its monthly report will be e-mailed to CLA Executive Board Members, as well as Chapter Presidents and Board Presidents.
VII. Treasurer’s Report: Jan Fisher distributed the CLA financial report through March 9. She and Barbara Bailey met with Charles Schwab representative to determine the balance of the portfolio. $5,000 was taken out and put into the general fund to cover conference expenses.
VIII. Past President: no report.
IX. Vice President-President Elect: no report
X. ACLB: Suzanne Lee reported that they were pleased with their program attendance at the CLA conference. Presently they are planning for the Leadership Conference at Water’s Edge October 12, 2007. This conference is aimed at trustees and directors and administrative staff. Siobhan Grogan and Barbara Bailey will represent CLA and Sharon Brettschneider will represent the Connecticut State Library.
ADA: Mary Engels also indicated their pleasure with the Adaptive Technology program at the CLA Conference. Mary distributed a “Save the Date” flyer for ADA’s fall workshops.
Awards: Ramona Harten thanked everyone who nominated individuals for CLA awards and thanked all who helped make the program a success.
BCALA: Vivian Bordeaux reported that planning is underway for the 6th Annual National Conference for African American Librarians in Fort Worth Texas.
CLC: Mary Etter reported that the CLC Annual Meeting is scheduled Thursday, June 14th . She also reported on behalf of the CT Book Party indicating that the committee is “going strong” and money is coming in. She reported that 100 t-shirts were purchased by the South Windsor Library Friends group. She encouraged other Friends to do the same. She reported that they raised $2,000 at the CLA conference- between merchandise sales and the special events. Committee Chair, Henry Dutcher was interviewed by Diane Smith of WTIC radio. Diane is serving as the Honorary Chair of the Committee.
Business and Economic Development: Norma Holmquist reported that their conference program was successful and that the committee will meet this summer to begin plans for fall programs.
Children’s: Jane Ash discussed the trials and tribulation of the Children’s Section programs at the conference and her appreciation of Tom Callinan who filled in at the last minute for Joseph Bruchac who was snowed in upper state New York. Her committee was pleased with the outcome of approximately 40-50 attendees per program and has received positive feedback.
College and University: Linda Hawkes reported 75 attendees at the program presented in association with Business and Development and Reference and Adult.
Conference: Cynde Lahey thanked everyone for their help in making the 2007 Conference a success. She informed the Board that she is waiting for the evaluation forms in order to tabulate the responses and feedback from attendees.
CSL: Sharon Brettschneider distributed a written report which states that State Aid Grants to Public Libraries totaling $347,109 were mailed to 163 principal libraries in April; Connecticard Grants this year will total $976,028 up $300,00 from last year; the results of the Continuing Education Survey conducted from February until mid-March are available on Web Junction; iConn database training is scheduled during July; the LSTA 5-Year Plan is progressing and a draft plan will be available at the end of the month; a guide entitled Options for Automating a Small Public Library has been updated and is available through CSL. Sharon also distributed the iConn Times newsletter.
Customer Service: Jan Day said that she enjoyed luncheon speaker Polly Labarre so much that she read the book and recommends it to those interested in Customer Service.
Editorial: Barbara Bailey reported for David Kapp the deadline for the June edition is May 11th.
Friends: Mary Engels reported on the tremendous success of the Friends “Show Me the Money” pre-conference program which boasted nearly 100 attendees. FOCL will be highlighting the conference program in its upcoming edition. She noted that the Annual meeting of the Friends of CT Libraries will be held Saturday, June 9th in Southbury with author Roya Hakakian as guest speaker .
Legislative: Peter Ciparelli gave a brief overview of the legislative delegation’s trip to ALA in Washington, DC. He stated that although Chris Shays was the only legislator they saw, the group did meet with several top aids for Connecticut’s Joe Courtney and Joseph Lieberman among others. He praised Ken Wiggins for his presentation on the ALA agenda, and Barbara and Alice who spoke about the Patriot Act. He reported that the Public Library Statute Revision is in the office of fiscal analysis and includes Statues (ACLPD) have been changed including strengthening the confidentiality statement, strengthening State Aid section, and strengthening what libraries supply free.
Membership: Janet Woycik passed around a copy of the new CLA brochure. It was agreed that the brochure should be mailed in the membership renewal campaign. Pam Najarian suggested that committees and sections conducting workshops throughout the year should request copies of the brochure to bring to the programs.
NELA: Mary Etter reported that Counterparts, a state library association conference, will be held Friday, July 20th from 9-4 at Assumption College in Worchester, MA. She also mentioned that anyone interested in becoming involved in NELA may contact her.
Public Libraries: Claudia Cayne informed the Board that the committee will be meeting July 11th in Old Saybrook (Acton Public Library) then visiting the newly renovated Essex Library and having lunch at the Griswold Inn.
Technical Services: Jacqueline Toce reported 40 attendees at the CLA conference program. Her committee will begin working on their fall program.
YA: Katie Bunn reported that they are planning a program with Chris Crutcher at the Farmington Library, November 13th. She noted that they, too, were pleased with their conference program.
Region 3: Siobhan Grogan reported that the library in Brooklyn has hired an architect to design a new building and that the Jonathan Trumbull Library will be open an additional 8 hours per week.
Region 4: Lauren McLaughlin reported that FLAG awarded two $500 scholarship to library school students Barbara Lowengart (New Canaan Public) and Marry Uk (Fairfield Public).
XI. Old Business: none
XII. New Business: Barbara informed the Board that the next meeting will be the change over meeting. New members names and contact information should be sent to the CLA office so that Pam can invite them to the meeting. The meeting site will be determined within the next few days – either at Capital Community College or Welles Turner Library.
XII. Adjourn: Claudia Cayne moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:30. Linda Hawkes seconded.
Attendees: Barbara Bailey, Jan Fisher, Peter Ciparelli, Mary Etter, Jane Ash, Ted Wilmot, Jacqueline Toce, Ann Marie Naples, Katie Bunn, Suzanne Lee, Scott Hughes, Siobhan Grogan, Ramona Harten, Gerald Seagrave, Vivian Bordeaux, Norman Holmquist, Kathy Leeds, Lauren McLaughlin, Cynde Lahey, Sharon Brettschneider, Mary Engels, Jan Day, Claudia Cayne, Janet Woycik, Kirsten Kilbourn, Linda Hawkes.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pamela Najarian
Recording Secretary