CONNECTICUT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

Executive Board Meeting – Southington Public Library

November 6, 2008

 

 

I.                    Call to Order: President Kathy Leeds called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.  Library director Susan Smayda welcomed CLA to Southington and offered members a tour following the meeting.

 

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

 

III.               Public Comments/Notes from the CLA Office: none

 

IV.              Additions to the Agenda/Action Items:

 

a.       2009 Conference Rates – Alice Knapp proposed the registration rates for the April conference. A copy of the rate schedule was distributed. The cost for one and two day registration has decreased by $10 per day from last year, to $85 and $160 respectively.  The cost for 3-day registration was reduced by $25 to $225 for CLA members.  BCALA and CASL members will pay the same rate at CLA members. Registration will not include lunch but will include parking.  Every 4th registration from an institution will receive free registration. See Votes Taken.

 

b.      Legislative Agenda Brochure - Carl Antonucci presented suggested copy for the “Why Libraries? Why Now?” marketing brochure to be used for legislators and municipalities. See Votes Taken.

 

c.       Emerging Leaders – Chris Bradley explained that CLA will have only one candidate for the ALA program in 2009.  Next year CLA will cooperate with ALA in the application process.  CLA will review and choose the candidate.

 

d.      Drexel University Proposal – it was determined that Connecticut libraries already receive Drexel benefits including a 20% discount through WebJunction. 

 

V.                 Votes Taken:

 

Janet Woycik moved to accept the Minutes of the October 2, 2008 Executive Board Meeting.  Mary Etter seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mary Etter moved to accept the proposed 2009 Conference Rates.  Barbara Bailey seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

Peter Ciparelli moved to accept the wording for the basis of the legislative brochure.  Stan Siegel seconded.  Discussion followed regarding changes that should be made, etc. Motion was withdrawn.

 

Alice Knapp moved to accept the legislative agenda for 2009-2010.  Jan Day seconded.  Chris Bradley abstained.  Motion carried.

 

VI.              President’s Report:  Kathy Leeds informed the Board that a letter of thanks from the University of Connecticut Foundation was received for CLA’s $500 donation to the Children’s Book Fair.  Kathy reported on behalf of editor, David Kapp, regarding CT Libraries deadline, the status of the membership testimonial ads, and the new newsletter format debuting December, 2008.  David’s report mentioned that CLA has been informed by the United States Postal Service that because it is not a 501c3 it cannot mail newsletters at non-profit rates.  The print run for CT Libraries is being reduced to 1,000 from 1,200.

 

VII.            Treasurer’s Report:  Alison Wang distributed her report indicating that the income is based on membership and that is why it is a minus.  She reported that the Finance committee will meet with the accountant November 17 and she reminded committee and section chairs of the procedures for reimbursement.

 

VIII.         Past President: no report.

 

IX.              VP/President Elect: Randi Ashton-Pritting reminded Board members that the December 11th meeting is the second Thursday and will be at the New Britain Public Library.  In the event of a snow date, the meeting will be held January 8th at Bristol Public Library.

 

X.                 Committee/Section/Roundtable Reports:

 

Region 3- Siobhan Grogan reported on the success of “This Old Library” held October 1st at the West Hartford Public Library.

 

College and University:  John Leonetti reported on his committee’s Pod casts and videos program that made a profit of $117.00.

 

Friends: Carl Nawrocki reported that Friends is preparing a survey to be posted on-line and distributed as needed, to Friends groups throughout the State.   

 

ACLB: Stan Siegel reported on the 8th Annual Leadership Conference that attracted 134 participants.

 

Membership: Stan Siegel informed the Board of ideas his committee has discussed and will propose regarding increasing membership.  He also mentioned Norwalk Public Library received a $15,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for the Big Read Program.

 

PEG: Peter Ciparelli reported that he received 4 applications for NELLS.

 

WCSU: Ed O’Hara told the Board that an event featuring Jhumpa Lahiri sponsored by Danbury Public Schools, Western CT State University and the Danbury Public Library attracted 700 attendees.

 

CASL: Gayle Bogel reported on an historical presentation by Shannon McNiece of Nutmeg at the CASL Awards Dinner October 15th. The presentation was in honor of Nutmeg’s 15th Anniversary.

 

CLASS: John Cayer updated the Board on the CLASS conference scheduled November 7th at Middlesex Community College that will feature programs on gardening and humor in the workplace.

 

Children’s: Caitlin Augusta mentioned an upcoming event featuring Tony Abbott at the Stratford Library.

 

Procedures:  Sandy Brooks suggested the Board adopt a policy for selling the membership list. She will prepare it as a proposal for the next meeting.

 

CLC: Chris Bradley reported that the InfoAnytime rates have been lowered and a marketing campaign has been launched.  She also informed the Board that the CLC 2009 keyboard calendar will be ready for distribution soon.

 

NELA: Mary Etter reported on the conference in Manchester, NH.  She thanked Sandy Brooks for her donation to the auction.  She reported that NELA made $1,500 on its silent auction.  Next year’s conference will be in Hartford.

 

Ken Wiggin reported that 2 out of 3 local referendums passed during last week’s elections including Farmington and East Hartford.  Madison’s did not pass. ALA is trying to get money in a stimulus package for libraries, ideas include nationally licensing of database helpful to individuals looking for employment; CEN will be sending a letter to all library directors who currently use the CEN internet filter informing them that there is a new minimum on filters and that defaults are now optional.  Ken informed the Board that the Big Read may be on its way out and urged librarians to get applications while the money is still there.

 

Customer Service: Jan Day told the Board that the New Haven Register praised the Guilford Library calling it a “jewel.”

Archives:  Gerry Seagrave invited members to submit documents to the archives.

 

Conference 2009:  Janet Woycik talked about the schedule for the conference and encouraged members to direct questions and ideas to her.

 

YA: Christine Tkaczyk reported that the Joint Roundtable featuring Alexandra Flynn will be November 17th. Registration is still open.  She also mentioned that she is looking for a lead on CEU accreditation for the conference.

 

LTA: Karen DeLoatch reported that beginning January 2009, Capital Community College will over 3 new courses: Introduction to Cataloging and Technical Services, Introduction to Reference Services, and Computers in Libraries.

 

Region V: Maribeth Breen reported on the news of the region including: Essex Library’s sponsorship of a Veteran’s Day program and the screening of a Metropolitan Opera DVD, “LaBoheme.”  At Henry Carter Hull Library in Clinton, WTNH visited to do a story on the library’s national ranking and the value of libraries.  Additionally, CL&P will present a program entitled, “Energy Matters” and the weeklong book sale will take place the week of Thanksgiving.  Portland Library is hiring a new children’s librarian, the Teen Advisory Board is putting on their first program “Twilight,” and the “Greening Our Valley” group is set to launch a publicity effort.

 

Publicity: Linda Avellar gave an update on the committee’s conference program, “Sell Your Services: On-Line Marketing” and the Publicity Awards program. She said that information and forms for the Awards program will be on-line.  She also informed the Board that the committee is coordinating the photo exhibits for the State Capitol building on display in April.  They will be contacting those libraries that require and updated photograph.

 

Adjournment:  Meeting adjourned at 11:50.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Pamela Najarian,

Recording Secretary

 

Attendees: Siobhan Grogan, John Leonetti, Jaime Hammond, Mary Engels,  Carl Nawrocki, Stan Siegel, Peter Ciparelli, Kendall Wiggin, Jan Day, Barb Bailey, Gerald Seagrave, Caitlin Augusta, Dana Lucisano, Sandy Brooks, John Cayer, Gayle Bogel, Edward O’Hara, Alison Wang, Mary Etter, Chris Bradley, Alice Knapp, Christine Tkaczyk, Randi Ashton-Pritting, Karen DeLoatch, Maribeth Breen, Linda Avellar, Janet Woycik, Carl Antonucci, Kathy Leeds.