CONNECTICUT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

Executive Board Meeting

February 7, 2008

Otis Library, Norwich

I. The meeting was called to order at 10:10 a.m. by President Carl Antonucci. Otis Library Director, Bob Farwell welcomed the Board to its newly renovated facilities.

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

III. Public Comments/Notes from CLA Office: Carl read a letter of resignation from Bridget Quinn-Carey, Region 5 representative who has accepted a position in Buffalo, NY. Carl thanked Bridget for her service to CLA.

IV. Additions to Agenda: The proposal of suggested registration fees for the 2008 Conference was distributed and discussed. After lengthy discussion it was decided that a smaller group of board members will meet to review the suggested rates. See Votes Taken. It was also agreed that Tuesday, April 29^th will be student day where all students showing valid id from an accredited library program may attend for $50 for the day. Additionally, members of Friends and ACLB may attend Tuesday for the same price.

V. Votes Taken: Jay Johnston moved to accept the minutes of the December 6, 2007 meeting. Peter Ciparelli seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Betsy Bray moved that we table the proposed conference registration fees and the committee presents a new proposal with an electronic vote by the CLA Board by Feburary 14^th. Mary Engels seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

VI. President’s Report: Carl Antonucci gave an update on the Conference Committee and thanked all who have helped and supported the event. He reiterated that money is an important issue this year because of price increases. He announced the name/theme of the conference: “Innovation, Transformation and Beyond.” He encouraged attendance for the Elizabeth Berg dinner scheduled Tuesday evening and reported that he is continuing to seek sponsorship funding from EBSCO, OCLC and Tutor.com.

VII. Treasurer’s Report: Jan Fisher distributed the financial report announcing that the balance went very low and that $8,000 from the investment account was cashed in. She also mentioned highlights from the auditor’s report including improvements in the accounting procedures such as backing up files and the recommendation of establishing and audit committee including non-officers of CLA. After discussion it was determined that CLA has a finance committee already in place and that they would discuss adding a “non-officer” to that committee. It was suggested and agreed that the treasurer’s report will be emailed to Board members.

VIII. Past President’s Report: Barbara Bailey reported that she is looking for a VP/President Elect as well as regional reps for regions 2, 3,6 and a replacement for region 5.

IX. VP/President Elect Report: no report.

X. Committee/Section/Roundtable Reports:

ACLB: Stan Siegel reported that ACLB and FOCL have a reciprocal Board relation now in effect.

ALA: Jay Johnston is working with the University of Alaska, “Issues and Trends in Librarianship” program to provide CEUs for conference attendees.

Awards: Barbara Bailey reported that information regarding the awards has been sent to the membership.

CLASS: Sandy Brooks reported that the on-line salary survey has been very successful with approximately 555 responses. The survey will end next week. She thanked the State Library for putting the survey on it’s website.

BCALA: Vivian Bourdeaux thanked those who sent books for the Martin Luther King, Jr. program at the Peabody Museum.

CLC: Chris Bradley reported that CLC was awarded only $300,000 from the State Library budget, a decrease of $50,000. She asked CLA for its support and to re-prioritize the CLA legislative agenda. Chris reported on Trendspotting, scheduled for 3/14 at the University of Hartford as well as the OCLC: What’s It All About taking place 2/20 at the New Haven Lawn Club.

CSL: Sharon Brettschneider reported that with the exception of the $50,000 decrease in funding for CLC, everything else remains the same in the State budget. Sharon distributed her report which included: information on the New E-Journal Finder on iCONN; Public Library Statistic (as of 7/2007) are published and now on-line, and discussed Health Access Training – a workshop to help find new ways to meet the health information requests of your community.

Conference: Pam Najarian reported that the program schedule is completed and will go to the printer for production and distribution in early March. Alice Knapp reported that the number of vendors (to date) is down significantly from previous years. The committee will be meeting to determine ways to increase the numbers.

Editorial: Carol Abatelli reported that the February edition of Connecticut Libraries included the new Obversion writers; David Kapp informed the Board that the March edition will feature the preliminary conference programs.

Friends: Anita Wilson distributed the Annual Friends Awards flyer.

Legislative: Peter Ciparelli announced that Attorney Bob Shea, of Shea Law in West Hartford is the new CLA lobbyist. He has over 13 years of experience as a lobbyist and has worked at the Capitol with Barry Williams. The new session of the legislature will open Wednesday, February 6^th. The Legislative Breakfast will be held Wednesday, March 5 at the LOB. He encouraged Board attendance. He reported that ALA.CLA National Library Legislative Days are scheduled for May 13 and 14 in Washington, DC and that Carl Antonucci will testify before the Appropriations Committee’s public hearing on library budget issues Thursday, February 14^th at 5 pm.

Membership: Jan Wocik reported there are currently 850 CLA members.

NELA: Mary Etter announced the distribution of the NELLS brochure stated that the leadership symposium application deadline is 2/29.

Procedures: Sandy Brooks suggested that the regions/regional reps territories be more clearly defined. She will work on that.

Regional Reps:

Region 2: Betsy Bray reported on the January 5, 2008 opening of the newly expanded West Hartford Public Library and the recent reopening of the Hartford Public library. Laura Kohkonen, Director of Windsor Public is retiring at the end of June; Kathy Cockcroft, Director of Canton Public is moving to Texas, Cora Belden Library Book Cart Drill Team will march in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Hartford March 15^th.

Old Business: none

New Business: Jaime Hammond reported that ACLPD has formed at subcommittee to rewrite the State grant for distressed communities from $500,000 to $1 million to include repairs. She announced that they are presently taking nominations for Board positions.

Hali Keeler reported that the LTA program at Three Rivers is running 2 new courses one on reference and the other on media in library application. She anticipates about 6 graduates in May.

Karen DeLoatch reported that Capital Community College will be graduating 9-10 individuals in certificate programs and that they are presently placing interns.

Jan Fisher read a thank you received from the University of Connecticut Children’s Book Fair; she also mentioned a $2,000 budgeted donation to NELLS that needs the Board vote. Vote was tabled pending more information regarding the conference.

Mary Etter announced that a ballot, with the by-law changes in NELA membership, has been distributed.

Peter Ciparelli announced that Marsha Stewart, who was at the New London Public Library for 24 years, has retired. Tara Samul, formerly of Otis Library, has replaced Ms. Stewart.

With no further business to discuss, the Board adjourned at 12:10.

Attendance: Carl Antonucci, Kathy Leeds, Barbara Bailey, David Kapp, Mary Etter, Jaime Hammond, John Leonetti, Vivian Bordeaux, Betty Anne Reiter, Sandy Brooks, Sharon Brettschneider, Anita Wilson, Mary Engels, Betsy Bray, Theresa Conley, Hali Keeler, Peter Ciparelli, Ted Wilmot, Stan Siegel, Karen DeLoatch, Alison Wang, Gail Zeiba, Jay Johnston, Chris Bradley, Janet Woycik, Alice Knapp, Carol Abatelli, Gerald Seagrave, Jan Fisher.

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela Najarian

Recording Secretary