East Springfield Branch Library

Barbara Garvey, Chair (presiding)
Commissioners: Sheila McElwaine, Vera O'Connor,
Rudy Ruggeri, Hector Toledo.

Absent: Commissioners Craig Givens, Madeline Landrau.

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

Call to order:

5:30 p.m.

1. Opening reading

Commissioner O'Connor.

2 . Welcome: Haydee Hodis, Branch Manager

Since Ms. Hodis was not able to attend today's meeting, Director Bader welcomed the Commissioners to the newly refurbished East Springfield Branch Library.

3. Approval of Minutes from the November 14, 2007 Library Commission Meeting

Commissioner McElwaine moved, with Commissioner Ruggeri providing the second, to accept the minutes of the November 14, 2007 meeting of the Springfield Library Board of Commissioners.

The motion passed.

4. Library Advisory Committee Reports

It was reported that the scaffolding and protective chain link fencing around the Forest Park Branch Library was being removed, with construction nearing completion.

Ms. McElwaine made a motion to be considered by the Library Commission regarding re-signing parking along Oakland St. near the Forest Park Branch Library. Ms. Garvey seconded and discussion followed. A vote ensued and passed that Ms. McElwaine would draft a letter to the Traffic Commission in regards to this issue.

The Commission may reconsider this topic in mid-January to see who might be willing to bring this petition to the Traffic Commission.

5. Commission Sub-Committee Reports

None.

6. Director's Report: Friends of the Library Activities

Ms. Bader reported that the Friends of the Library held a book sale at Central Library on December 1st and 2nd. The Friends have no other activities planned until their January annual fundraising campaign.

Ms. Fogarty commented on the grant proposal for the Indian Orchard Art Project being submitted to Hampden Bank and thanked Commissioner Toledo for his encouragement.

7 . Other Business

Ms. Garvey requested names of members who might be willing to undertake the position of Vice-Chair of the Library Commission. There were no volunteers so this issue will be added to January's agenda.

Ms. Garvey announced that she would be submitting her resignation as Chair of the Library Commission. She then introduced Stephen N. Cary, a Forest Park resident, who will be appointed by Mayor Ryan as her replacement. Ms. Garvey's resignation is effective December 6, 2007.

Mr. Ruggeri explained that he would be resigning from the Library Commission as of January 1, 2008.

Fellow Commission members along with Ms. Bader and Ms. Fogarty expressed their appreciation to Ms. Garvey and Mr. Ruggeri for their dedication and hard work serving the needs of library patrons and the Library Commission.

8. Adjournment:

It was moved by Commissioner O'Connor and seconded by Commissioner McElwaine to adjourn.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

The next meeting will be held on January 9, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. at the Forest Park Branch Library.