1. Approval of Minutes from the April 6, 2011 Library Commission Meeting

Commissioner O'Connor made a motion to accept, with Mr. Cary providing the second, the minutes of the April 6, 2011 meeting of the Springfield Library Board of Commissioners .

The motion passed.

2. Library Advisory Committee Reports:

None.

3. Commission Committee Reports:

None.

4. US Pakistani Visit - Sharif Hussain and Zareef Ul Maani

Ms. Fogarty explained that she, John Ramsay (Assistant Library Director), and Janet Stupak, had toured the Central Library as well as some of the branch libraries with Mr. Hussain and Mr. Ul Maani.

The visitors were interested in various library issues, programs, facilities and budget, stating that they hoped to use information from their visit to improve their libraries in Pakistan.

5. Chairman's Report:

Mr. Cary said that he had met with Ed Pikula, City Solicitor, and Steve Riley, a local businessman, regarding the empty lot located next to the Liberty Branch Library and Finnegan's Bar. Mr. Riley is interested in developing it into a parking lot which could then be used by both businesses. Mr. Cary explained that he had also spoken to the City Law Department, City Planning Department, as well as Patrick Sullivan, Director of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management, in regards to liability and use issues.

6. Director's Report:

Ms. Fogarty talked about the successful 3-day grand opening of the Mason Square Branch, with excellent attendance at each day's events. She complimented the “amazing, outstanding job done by the Planning Committee.” Mr. Moriarty suggested asking the Mayor to send a thank you letter to the Mason Square Planning Committee commending them on their excellent job.

Ms. Fogarty said that Janet Stupak had received a Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) Public Relations award for her newspaper column which appears monthly in the Republican and MassLive.

Ms. Fogarty reported that the library website is being worked on in hopes of making it more user friendly.

The Staff Development Day trip to the Cambridge Public Library was successful and informative. Ms. O'Connor took part in the event and said she enjoyed seeing their beautiful facility.

7. Other Business:

At 6:30 p.m. Mr. Cary made a motion that the Library Commission go into Executive Session. A roll call vote by name was taken with Mr. Cary, Mr. Moriarty and Ms. O'Connor each voting in favor.

At 6:45 p.m. the Library Commission voted to go back to an Open Meeting, with a roll call vote by name taken and Mr. Cary, Mr. Moriarty and Ms. O'Connor each voting in favor.

Following Executive Session Ms. Fogarty reported that there is no update on the possible gift of the “Rice clock,” saying that perhaps the Museum of Springfield History (MOSH) would be interested in it.

The Library is working on a Naming Policy, with drafts and guidelines being considered.

The “Gardening for the Community” group is working with Ms. Leaders and staff at the Mason Square Branch on plans for raised beds for a vegetable garden which could then be part of summer programs at the branch.

The meeting was adjourned at 7 p.m.