Pine Point Branch Library

Stephen Cary, Vice-Chair (Presiding)
Commissioners Craig Givens, Sheila McElwaine, Timothy Moriarty, Vera O'Connor
Absent: Commissioners Madeline Landrau, Hector Toledo

Emily Bader, Director
Lee Fogarty, Assistant Library Director
Carol Leaders, Business Manager
Janet Stupak, Volunteer Coordinator (minute taker)

5:35 p.m.

1. Opening Reading

None.

2 . Approval of Minutes from the March 5, 2008 Library Commission Meeting

Commissioner O'Connor moved, with Commissioner Moriarty providing the second, to accept the minutes of the March 5, 2008 meeting of the Springfield Library Board of Commissioners with one correction. This correction as proposed by Ms. O'Connor and seconded by Mr. Moriarty:

2. Wording corrected to: Several of the citizens attending, as well as Delphine Ray, Mason Square Library staff member, spoke passionately about their desire to see the new Mason Square Branch Library come to fruition.

The motion passed.

3. Library Advisory Committee Reports

Jean Mathisen, representing the Indian Orchard Branch Library Advisory Committee, told Commissioners that they are starting to plan events to celebrate in 2009 the 100th Anniversary of the Indian Orchard Branch Library. Also on April 16th there will be a press conference at the branch to announce the Hampden Bank donation to the Indian Orchard Branch Library.

Ginna Ondricek, Forest Park Branch Advisory Committee, in attendance to hear the Director's report on the progress of the "lift project" at the Forest Park Branch Library, told the Commissioners that former Mayor Charles Ryan and his wife have been invited to their upcoming advisory committee meeting. Commissioner McElwaine reminded Ms. Ondricek that Mayor Sarno should also be invited.

4. Commission Sub-Committee Reports

Director Bader will give an update from the Building and Grounds Committee in today's Director's Report.

5. Election of Officers

Ms. Bader opened the floor to nominations for Chairman of the Springfield Library Commission.

Commissioner McElwaine nominated Steve Cary for Chairman. Commissioner Givens seconded the nomination. Mr. Cary accepted. Ms. O'Connor cast one vote for Mr. Cary.

Mr. Stephen N. Cary is elected Chairman of the Springfield Library Commission.

Nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Springfield Library Commission followed. Mr. Moriarty nominated Craig Givens for Vice-Chairman. Ms. McElwaine seconded the nomination. Mr. Givens accepted. Ms. O'Connor cast one vote for Mr. Givens. Mr. Craig Givens is elected Vice-Chairman of the Springfield Library Commission.

Nominations for Secretary of the Springfield Library Commission followed. Ms. McElwaine nominated Ms. Vera O'Connor for Secretary. Mr. Moriarty seconded the nomination. Ms. O'Connor accepted. Mr. Moriarty cast one vote for Ms. O'Connor. Ms Vera O'Connor is elected Secretary of the Springfield Library Commission.

6. Library Commission Sub-Committees - Discussion

There was some discussion regarding current members of the sub-committees:

Building & Grounds: Ms. McElwaine, Mr. Givens, and Ms. O'Connor.

Finance: Mr. Cary (who will informally ask Commissioner Toledo, not present this afternoon, to be a member).

Policy: Mr. Moriarty.

Planning/Programs: According to Ms. Bader this committee has no members at this time and is important at Strategic Planning time. Could possibly meet quarterly.

7. Director's Report

Ms. Bader spoke about the Capital Projects list and the recommendations, which were made to the Capital Projects Committee Meeting on March 21, 2008, attended by herself as well as Ms. McElwaine and Mr. Moriarty. Ms. Bader addressed the Commission and audience members regarding various projects, especially the Forest Park Branch building accessibility issue. All items on the list will be "folded into the Citywide 5-year plan." Commissioner McElwaine emphasized that the Capital Projects Committee was supportive of all Library projects. She explained that some might be bundled with other city projects. Ginna Ondricek and Maria Mazzaferro, representing the Forest Park area, thanked Ms. Bader, Ms. McElwaine and Mr. Moriarty for their help in keeping the lift project/accessibility issue alive.

Ms. Bader touched on the importance of three items on the upcoming State of Massachusetts Legislative agenda: State Aid to Public Libraries, Public Library Funding, and Library Technology & Resource Sharing. Ms. Bader would like to see each item fully funded and encouraged the Commissioners to send letters and e-mails or phone their representatives to push for funding.

Ms. Bader also explained that she would be giving a presentation to the Springfield Finance Control Board on April 17th at 11 a.m. to report on Library Services in the City of Springfield.

Ms. Bader closed with a few words on Citistat, a part of the City's Finance Department, regarding data collected from all City Departments, which will be studied in order to increase operating efficiencies.

8. Other Business

The Commission also discussed the loss of library materials and Commissioner McElwaine reminded Commissioners of a fall 2008 symposium on library security that will be sponsored by the Mass Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).

9. Adjournment

It was moved by Commissioner McElwaine and seconded by Commissioner Givens to adjourn.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

The next meeting will be held on May 7, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sixteen Acres Branch Library