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

In Mr. Cary's absence, Ms. O'Connor chaired the meeting.

Commissioner Moriarty made a motion to accept, with Commissioner Fyntrilakis providing the second, the minutes of the July 6, 2011 meeting of the Springfield Library Board of Commissioners.

The motion passed.  

2. Library Advisory Committee Reports:

None.

3. Commission Committee Reports:

a. eReader Policy

b. Naming Policy

Mr. Ramsay led the discussion about the two Sony eReader agreements; the previous agreement for those over age 55, and the new agreement to be used with the eReaders for adults age 18 and up. The change to the earlier agreement (#3) is that patrons will NOT be permitted to download titles themselves. For consistency it was decided to change the titles to “eReader Policy,” with text essentially the same on both documents.

Mr. Moriarty made a motion to accept the eReader Agreements as updated, and Ms. Fyntrilakis seconded the motion.

The motion passed.

The Naming Policy is under review by the City Law Department.

4. Chairman's Report

None. Mr. Cary absent.

5. Director's Report:

Ms. Fogarty reported:

•  She, Mr. Cary, and Attorney Riley met to talk about the parking lot next to the Liberty Branch Library. Liability issues as well as leasing agreements were discussed. Ms. Fogarty brought up the option of the City Parks Department getting involved and the possibility of a small park being built on the property with parking appropriate for that.

•  People have been calling to complain about reduction in branch open hours.

•  Commissioners should visit the Mason Square Branch Library to check out the Civil War Encampment set up by the Peter Brace Brigade. Noteworthy is circulation at that branch is already up 50% this year, after only four months.

•  The Library was awarded a $12,500 LSTA Grant for a Conversation Circles Program.

•  The Department of Early Education and Care renewed our $7,000 contract to fund the Early Childhood Resource Center (ECRC), in the Central Library Children's Room. Five Early Childhood Resource Centers have been awarded the contract, with our Central Library the only western Massachusetts location.

•  In connection with the 100th anniversary of the Central Library, she and Mr. Ramsay are working on a grant proposal to Mass Mutual to obtain funding for celebratory events and programs.

•  Lack of air conditioning and possible options to provide relief from the heat at the Central Library were discussed at length.

•  Janet Kelly, manager of the Read/Write/Now adult literacy program will submit a grant proposal to United Way in hopes of expanding the R/W/N program.

6. Other Business:

For the commissioners' reference, copies of the Open Meeting Law were distributed.