Chairman Patrick Markey called the meeting of the Springfield Library Board of Commissioners to order at 5:30 p.m.

Library Commissioners Present:

Helen Boyle
Grisel Gonzalez
Patrick Markey
Jennifer Dugan-Murphy
Bettye Webb
Jerold Duquette

Library Staff Present:

Emily Bader, Library Director
Lee Fogarty, Assistant Library Director
Carol Leaders, Administrative Assistant

All Commissioners present introduced themselves.

Chairman Markey entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the November 3, 2003 meeting. Minutes were approved.

The next meeting of the Commissioners is scheduled for January 6, 2004 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Community Room of the Central Library at 220 State St.

Jeinna Ondricek, representative from the Forest Park Advisory Council, reported:

The Forest Park Branch has been cleaned and painted and looks great. Branch Manager Reggie Wilson is planning a Russian book discussion group.

The following goals are listed below:
Handicap accessible ramp/ need to find ways to fund project. Director Bader stated that since the Forest Park Branch is an Historic Building, approval is needed by the Historic Commission for any renovations or additions to the building.

Improve lighting on front stairs/Library maintenance will look at problem.

Forest Park Advisory Council requested their next meeting, which is scheduled for January 5th be posted on Library website.

Commissioner Markey reported on his meeting with SLMA President, Joseph Carvalho and SLMA Attorney Shrair in regards to handicap parking at the Central Library. SLMA representatives informed Commissioner Markey that there would be no handicap parking available behind the Central Library; and no handicap parking between the GWVS and Science Museums. Also all gates will be locked. Access to the Quadrangle will be through the new Visitor Center near the Edwards Street parking lot. Commissioner Markey reported that he had spoken with City and State officials who indicated that they would not grant permission to SLMA to close any of the gates. The Library Commission is waiting for an official communication from the state in this regard.

The Library Commission reviewed the revised By-Laws section by section. A number of suggestions and additions were made. Commissioner Markey will incorporate all edits prior to the next meeting and post the revised set of By-Laws on the Library website.

Jennifer Dugan-Murphy reported that the scheduled meeting with The Dept of Elder Affairs was cancelled and will be re-scheduled. Director Bader, Commissioner Boyle along with the Library Volunteer Coordinator will attend the meeting and report back to the Commission at the January meeting.

Commissioner Markey reported on his meeting with the Urban League. The Urban League's original proposal was to have the Library pay $12,000 per year. This proposal was rejected by Commissioner Markey. A second proposal from the Urban League suggesting the Library pay for landscaping, mowing and snow removal services to the grounds.

Commissioner Markey asked for a vote on the Urban League's proposal. A motion made by Commissioner Dugan-Murphy and seconded by Commissioner Boyle to reject the Urban League's proposal that the Library pay for all groundskeeping services was unanimously passed.

Facilities Use Policy discussion was postponed.

Inclement Weather Policy - Commissioner Duquette recommended that Director Bader, in conjunction with City DPW, be authorized to make all decisions on library delayed openings and closings for Springfield City Library System. Commissioner Dugan-Murphy made a motion to authorize Director Bader to make all decisions on library delayed openings and closings for Springfield City Library System. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Boyle and was unanimously passed.

Director Bader reported that the cost estimates for repairing the Sixteen Acres Branch roof were too high. John Mastrangelo of the city facilities department is looking at it and will report back to Director Bader with his findings.

Commissioner Markey referred to the article in Monday's paper regarding the request from SLMA for home rule legislation exempting the agreement between the City and the Association.

The City Council postponed discussion until the City Auditor conducts an audit where he will submit his report at the next City Council meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

The Commission then went into a closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

Approved: January 6, 2004