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MEETING MINUTES

Minutes of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Board of Trustees
June 17, 1999

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library was held on Thursday, June 17, 1999 in the Central Library pursuant to due notice to trustees. The following members were present:

Rebecca L. Mahoney, Chair; Phyllis A. Horton, Vice Chair; Simone Mitchell-Peterson, Secretary; James W. Burns; Frank Gist; Annette A. Juncewicz; Remy Orffeo; Elaine M. Panty; Sharon A. Thomas; Stanley H. Zagora; George M. Zimmermann, Trustee Emeritus

Excused: Salvatore R. Martoche, out of town; Robert J. Plache, conflict; Daniel T. Roach, conflict; David J. Shenk, out of town; Judith K. Summer, ill; Roland R. Benzow, Trustee Emeritus; Richard O. Hopkins, Trustee Emeritus; Morton H. Stovroff, Trustee Emeritus; John P. Wickser, Trustee Emeritus;

Chair Mahoney called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. in the Joseph B. Rounds Conference Room.

Agenda Item B – Approval / Changes to the Agenda. On motion by Ms. Panty and seconded by Ms. Horton the Agenda was approved as amended to include Agenda Item E.2.e – Legislative Contingency for the Crane, Fairfield and Niagara Libraries.

Agenda Item C – Minutes of the Meeting of May 20, 1999. On motion by Ms. Panty and seconded by Ms. Horton the Minutes of the meeting of May 20, 1999 were approved as submitted.

Agenda Item D – Report of the Chair. Ms. Mahoney expressed her appreciation to County Executive Gorski, Legislative Chairman Swanick, Minority Leader Marshall, Trustees Gist and Panty, Foundation representatives, and Library administrators and staff for their participation in a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the B&ECPL Computer Training Lab on June 10^th.

Ms. Mahoney informed the Board that the June 15^th Library Foundation board meeting included a report from the Development Committee. Ms. Mahoney, who serves on that committee, which presented the followingcommittee’s recommendations which include: Ddistributinge ten copies of the Future Vision fund-raising pamphlets to Foundation Directors and Library Trustees to share with for distribution to friends and colleagues whose names will then be added to the Foundation’s donor base. and Rrequesting that members of both boards increase their contributions to the Library Foundation by 10%.

Ms. Mahoney called attention to the Foundation’s 1999-2000 budget which was approved at the board meeting.

A copy of the annual report of the Grand Island Memorial Library was received and made available for the Board’s information.

Agenda Item E – Committee Reports.

Agenda Item E.1 – Executive Committee. Ms. Horton reported that the Executive Committee met on June 10^th at 4 p.m. and approved the agenda for today’s meeting. Committee reports were presented and discussed and Interim Director Chrisman reported on various issues which were included in board members’ packet.

Agenda Item E.2 – Budget & Finance Committee.

Agenda Item E.2.a – Contract Library Transfers. On motion by Mr. Orffeo and seconded by Ms. Panty the following was approved unanimously:

RESOLUTION #99-28

Agenda Item E.2.b – County Legislature Allocation for Town of Tonawanda Library. Mr. Stone informed the Board that at its June 3^rd meeting the Erie County Legislature adopted a resolution sponsored by Legislators Marinelli and Swanick allocating legislative contingency funds in the amount of $8000 to the Town of Tonawanda Public Library. He requested that the Board accept the funds and approve a budget amendment to allocate the proceeds. On motion by Panty and seconded by Ms. Horton the following was approved unanimously:

RESOLUTION #99-29

Agenda Item E.2.c – County Legislature Allocation for Amherst Public Library. Mr. Stone further reported that the Erie County Legislature is scheduled to act today on a resolution sponsored by Legislator Weinstein allocating funds in the amount of $8000 to the Town of Amherst Public Library. He requested that upon confirmation of the appropriation, the Board accept the funds from the Erie County Legislature and approve a budget amendment to allocate the proceeds. On motion by Ms. Panty and seconded by Ms. Horton the following was unanimously approved:

RESOLUTION #99-30

Agenda Item E.2.d – Monthly Financial Report. The financial report for the period ending April 30, 1999 was presented for information. Mr. Stone explained that the overtime expense is over budget as a result of several factors including vacancies in the sSecurity dDepartment, additional overtime shifts in the mMaintenance dDepartment to address capital project installation activities in areas containing asbestos, and network support activities which occur after hours to avoid disruption of computerslibrary systems during regular open hours. Funds to cover Sunday overtime can be transferred as needed.

In response to Mr. Gist’s question relating to Y2K problems, Mr. Stone indicated that all of the Y2K patches on the DRA system and the DEC Alpha will be implemented by the end of June or early July. Deputy Director Whelan plans a full test early in September.

Agenda Item E.2.e – Legislative Contingency for Crane, Fairfield and Niagara Branches. Mr. Stone indicated that the Erie County Legislature is scheduled to act today on a resolution sponsored by Legislator Fisher allocating funds in the amount of $6000 to the Crane, Fairfield and Niagara branch libraries in Buffalo. He requested that upon confirmation of the appropriation, the Board accept the funds from the Erie County Legislature and approve a budget amendment to allocate the proceeds.

Following discussion, on motion by Mr. Orffeo and seconded by Ms. Horton the following was approved unanimously:

RESOLUTION #99-33

Agenda Item E.4 – Bylaws Committee. Ms. Horton reminded trustees that the Board had approved the revised Bylaws at two special meetings in December 1998. Following review of the approved revised Bylaws by B&ECPL legal counsel Patrick E. Martin, the Bylaws Committee met on June 8, 1999 to consider Mr. Martin’s recommendations as follows: In Article I, Section 2 add the phrase " … all as subject to the requirements of New York State General Municipal Law sections 10-11." In Article II, Section 2 change the number of trustees required to call a special meeting from 5 to 3. Section 226 of the Education Law specifies thatfor a B&ECPL size Board, meetings can be called on the written request of three trustees. A proposed resolution to approve the new bylaws will be presented under Unfinished Business.

Agenda Item E.5 – Planning Committee. Ms. Juncewicz reported that at its meeting with attorneys Schmit and Desare on June 3^rd the Planning Committee agreed that the "one hiring authority" concept does not define what the Committee wants to accomplish, which is a more unified personnel operation. A workshop to discuss this e unified personnel servicesconcept will be developed for contract library and B&ECPL trustees for Tuesday, July 13^th from 7-9 at the Orchard Park Public Library and Wednesday, July 21^st from 4-6 at the Audubon Library in Amherst. Ms. Juncewicz called attention to the letter in board members’ packets which was sent to contract library trustees to inform them of the workshops and to recruit volunteers for service on the various task forces which will be formed to investigate some of the concepts presented in the Strategic Plan. The July 6^th meeting of the Planning Committee will include review of a draft RFP for public relations services relating to the Strategic Plan.

Agenda Item E.3 – Building Advisory Committee. In the absence of Committee Chair Thomas, Mr. Miles reported that at its meeting on June 7^th the Committee discussed the Collins Library application. Additional information is required before the Committee can proceed.

Ms. Thomas joined the meeting following Mr. Miles’ report.

Agenda Item F – Report of the Interim Director. In addition to her written report Mrs. Chrisman informed the Board that many staff members attended a retirement dinner at the Briarwood Country Club the previous evening for Hamburg Library Director Loraine Hutchinson. Jane Rosenfeld of the Central Library has been selected to succeed Mrs. Hutchinson. Mrs. Chrisman indicated that she is very happy for Jane but is sad to lose her. Mrs. Chrisman also noted that Extension Services librarian Diane Bockrath will retire on July 9^th after thirty-four years of service. Jane Rosenfeld of the Central Library has been selected to succeed Mrs. Hutchinson. Mrs. Chrisman indicated that she is very happy for Jane but is disheartened to lose her.

On motion by Ms. Horton and seconded by Ms. Panty the Board offered its congratulations and best wishes to Jane Rosenfeld on her selection to serve as Director of the Hamburg Public Library.

The following report was submitted by the Interim Director and transmitted to Board members prior to the meeting.

Strategic Planning: At the June 3^rd meeting of the Board’s Planning Committee, an opportunity for trustees throughout the System to discuss one hiring authority issues was proposed. The planning forum envisioned at the meeting was subsequently expanded to two sessions (July 13^th and July 21^st) to facilitate attendance, since summer vacations and outdoor activities can be stiff competition for library meetings. The forums will feature the staff committee report, which identifies issues and recommends courses of action as appropriate. Committee Chair Annette Juncewicz expressed confidence that the report would be an effective vehicle to generate discussion and focus attention on important concerns. Damon & Morey Attorneys James Schmit and Melinda Disare will attend the sessions. A copy of the letter is included with this report to remind trustees to save a date.

In other business, Planning Committee members recommended that the term One Hiring Authority be changed to Unified Personnel Service, which describes the concept more accurately. They also agreed to query contract library trustees to determine their interest in serving on the Hub Services Task Force.

Jefferson Construction Project: Assistant Deputy Director William Miles, Supervisor of Urban Services Diane Bockrath and the Interim Director met with Robert Coles, the architect engaged by the City of Buffalo to design the new hub library proposed for the City’s East Side. A first draft of the building program was provided to the architect at this May 28^th meeting and he explained how a 20,000-sq. ft. facility could be accommodated on the site, albeit without the amount of parking recommended by Aaron Cohen. Early in June, the B&ECPL was notified about a capital funding allocation of $1,200,000 for the Jefferson project, which is in addition to the $1,750,000 previously earmarked for the new library. Resolution 99-32 details the next steps required to advance the proposal.

Krieger Estate to Benefit Library: B&ECPL Counsel Patrick Martin has advised that the Library is the sole beneficiary of the estate of Robert J. Krieger. The distribution will amount to approximately $874,000. Mr. Martin and the Interim Director have been in contact with the Executor regarding appropriate acknowledgement of Mr. Krieger’s generosity.

Two Veteran Librarians Retire: This month, B&ECPL will lose two long time employees to retirements. Diane Bockrath, a Librarian IV, will retire effective July 9^th after thirty-four years of service. Diane began her career in 1965 as a Library Trainee at the North Park Branch and has remained in Extension Services throughout her career. Loraine Hutchinson, Director of the Hamburg Public Library since 1987, leaves the System after thirty-one years. The Library Administration extends sincere appreciation to both of these women for their dedication and commitment to the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library.

B&ECPL Internet Access Position Statement: At the May meeting, the Board was advised that syndicated radio personality Dr. Laura Schlessinger has harshly criticized the American Library Association and its support of unfiltered Internet access for all. Schlessinger’s broadcasts have resulted in numerous phone calls and letters from patrons who have expressed curiosity or concern regarding B&ECPL’s policy. In response to these communications, a position statement interpreting the key elements of the Board’s policy (adopted July 23, 1998) has been developed. A copy is included with this report.

Central Library Opens Training Lab Offering Free Classes on Computers, Software and the Internet: On Thursday June 10^th, The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library’s Computer Training Lab officially opened for business with a dedication, reception and demonstration. County Executive Dennis T. Gorski, Erie County Legislature Chairman Charles M. Swanick, and Legislative Minority Leader Frederick J. Marshall joined Trustees Rebecca Mahoney, Elaine Panty, Frank Gist, B&ECPL administrators and twenty other guests and staff for the ribbon cutting.

The Training Lab features twenty-two networked PCs for hands-on learning in a comfortable and attractive classroom setting. A ceiling-mounted projector connected to a fully configured instructor’s workstation allows the entire class to view lesson content simultaneously.

After months of preparation, curriculum development and staff training, 102 Erie County residents participated in a pilot series of classes and gave B&ECPL staff trainers very high marks for their efforts, with evaluations rating the sessions 3.7 out of 4! Congratulations go to training coordinators Jane Rosenfeld and Mary Ann Ozimek and the Central staff trainers Meg Cheman, Jennifer Childs, Carey Harmon, Rosemary Vasquez and monitors Betsey Higgins, Darlene Lysarz, Tosca Miserendino and Steven Sunshine.

Available public training includes classes on Computer Basics, Internet Basics, Introduction to Microsoft Word, and YO! Youth Online (an orientation to Internet use for children and parents). A schedule of training sessions is included in this packet.

B&ECPL’s technology efforts have been advanced by support from private as well as public investment. Portions of a $425,000 grant from the Gates Library Foundation have been dedicated to this project, as will ongoing operational funds from Erie County through the annual B&ECPL budget. With the cooperation of the Library Foundation of Buffalo and Erie County, Inc. support for public access to electronic information technology has been enhanced in many ways, including a $25,000 grant from the Goldome Foundation, a $25,000 grant from the James Cummings Foundation, and a recently reported grant of $100,000 from the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation. Foundation Past President George M. Zimmermann, Director Robert Bertholf, Executive Director Kathryn Vedder, and Mr. Bill McFarland of the James Cummings Foundation also were in attendance.

Managers’ Consider Internet Policy and Procedures: Coordinated by Assistant Deputy Director Ruth Collins, the June 9^th Managers’ Meeting addressed the challenges associated with the delivery of Internet access services for the public. Assistant Deputy Director Michael Mahaney discussed policy-related matters, including the value of the policy requirement for parental permission for children under 16 to use the service, and the recent controversy engendered nationally by radio talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger. Librarian Jane Rosenfeld reviewed important procedural points that assure high quality and consistent service delivery. Librarian staff offered anecdotal information about the service sharing perspectives on circulation rules (Mary Jean Jakubowski), children’s access (Chris Moesch) and adult/young adult usage (Ward Pautler).

Annual Reference Meeting: Central subject specialists planned and conducted the May 26^th program on recommended reference materials for branch and contract library collections. Central Library reviewers were Debbie Fink, Hedy Siock, Pat Monahan, Pat McCue, and Becky Kershaw. Raya Then was the program chair.

Special mention is due to Earl Kunz for his considerable efforts in coordinating the checklist distributed at the meeting.

A new feature of this year’s program was a demonstration, by Special Collections department head Robert Gurn, of web sites useful for reference purposes. These sites are available as links from the Library’s home page and accessible from the Reference Desk, grouped under the heading B&ECPL Librarians’ Choice. Jane Rosenfeld organized and edited the home page to provide this useful tool for unit librarians and remote access patrons.

Oishei Grant Update: The important projects funded by the Oishei Foundation are progressing well. Recently, Robert Bertholf introduced B&ECPL staff to Dr. Marta Werner who will manage the Huck Finn CD-ROM Project. Four student assistants are scanning and proofing texts and soon will complete the central text of Huck Finn, which will be used to make links to the vast amount of material that will be prepared later.

A contract has been executed with Frank Frost Productions, Inc. to produce the Milestones of Science radio programs. Mr. Frost is expected in Buffalo on June 18^th to present the "rough cut" of the video documentary for B&ECPL review.

PULISDO Conference: On May 25 – 26, the Interim Director attended a meeting of the Public Library System Directors Organization (PULISDO) in Ellenville, New York. Much of the conference focused on the work of the Regents’ Commission and the expansion of statewide access to electronic databases. The B&ECPL will host the next meeting of the organization when members assemble in Buffalo for the New York Library Association Conference in October.

Board Committee Meetings: In addition the Planning Committee meeting reported above, the Bylaws Committee met on June 8^th for final review of the new document and the Executive Committee prepared the agenda for the June Board meeting at its June 10^th session.

Children’s Librarians Meet: On June 2^nd B&ECPL librarians met with their colleagues from the Nioga Library System to discuss "Story Hour Strategies and Tips From the Trenches" at the North Tonawanda Public Library.

Summer Branch Activities: A poetry program entitled "Mother Goose’s New Shoes" will be presented at Kensington and Fairfield Libraries in collaboration with Just Buffalo Literary Center, Inc. With funding from the Junior League of Buffalo, Young Audiences of Western New York will present two performances/workshops for children at the Niagara Branch.

Buffalo Bills "Rush to Read" Program: From July 1^st to 31^st, children in grades 2 – 12 will be invited to read to win a pair of tickets to a Bills exhibition game against Pittsburgh on September 4^th. Children will receive one chance to win for every five books they read, with winners selected by a random drawing at each library. B&ECPL’s first event with the Buffalo Bills will be initiated at a press conference kick-off at the Central Library Children’s Department on June 30^th.

The following report was submitted to the Interim Director by the Deputy Director, Chief Financial Officer and transmitted to the Board for information:

Central Library Re-roofing Project Continues and Experiences a "Bump" in the Road: Work continues on the "East Building" (that portion of the building on the East side of Ellicott Street).

Unfortunately, late in the rainy afternoon of June 2, 1999, a major leak developed through an expansion joint over the catalog area. This leak had the potential to create over $20,000 in damage to materials being cataloged and a number of computer workstations. Due to the quick thinking of Catalog staff, led by Carol Batt and Maintenance staff’s quick response the library experienced NO loss of materials and equipment. The leak’s cause was traced to an incorrectly installed seal in the vapor barrier adjoining the expansion joint. The library’s expense in overtime and lost productive time will be recovered.

To improve the quality and durability of the new roof, a change in the schedule for the roofing work has taken place as follows:

• Start time moves to 3 a.m.
• Removal (tear off) of a section of the old roof will occur between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. (this is the noisy part, with lots of hand pounding & chipping to remove the layers of the old roof down to the concrete deck).
• The exposed section of concrete deck will be dried from 5 to 8 a.m.
• 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. the contractor will lay the new section of roof (this activity does not require significant pounding and should be relatively quiet). This will allow the roof lay out to occur when the contractor can verify dry conditions and will allow the adhesives time to properly cure under the sunlight.

As with the previous all night schedule, Watts Associates will continue to monitor tear-off operations and a passing test report will be required before we allow staff or the public into the affected part of the East Building's second floor. In the unlikely event of a problem, Watts personnel will identify the portion of the building affected and will take actions to address the situation in conjunction with Public Works, Library maintenance staff and Library management. Any affected area would not be allowed for reuse until Watts certifies it as cleared.

E-Rate Work Continues: Both Shirley Whelan and I have answered questions from Schools & Libraries Division staff reviewing our applications for the funding year beginning July 1, 1999. All questions have been answered promptly.

Grosvenor Concert Series Visits the City of Tonawanda Library: On May 27^th I had the pleasure of attending the Grosvenor Concert Series Clarinet and Sting Concert, performed within the City of Tonawanda Library. The well attended event allowed Director Mary McKee to showcase her library, including its newly installed copper roof.

Building Advisory Committee Reviews Application for a Replacement Collins Library: The committee, led by B&ECPL Trustee Sharon A. Thomas reviewed the application submitted by the Collins Library Board of Trustees. A few items needing additional information and/or clarification were identified which will be communicated to the Collins Library Board.

East Delavan Library to Receive New Roof: Yesterday we received word that $55,000 has been included in the City of Buffalo Capital Budget to replace the roof at the East Delavan Library.

Second Shipping Truck Ordering In Process: Bids to replace the 1988 shipping truck will be advertised in this weekend’s Buffalo News. The Library’s 1987 shipping vehicle was replaced last year (and kept as back-up). With the arrival of this second vehicle, the 1998 Truck will be shifted to reserve status and the 1987 vehicle will be surplused.

The following report was submitted to the Interim Director by the Deputy Director, Corporate Information Officer and transmitted to the Board for information:

Gates Library Foundation Urban Leadership Grant: Computers have now been installed at nine of the libraries that received funding from the Gates Library Foundation Grant. Added this month were Northwest, Fairfield and Crane.

Our web site now has over 95,000 hits. Again, there were over 4,000 patron sessions on the new Gates Library Foundation PCs at the Central Library. Branch library managers report that they are seeing a greater population of adults visiting their libraries to access the Internet and use the state-of-the-art hardware and software.

OPAC – Branches and Towns: Servers and workstations for all town and branch libraries that did not receive funding from the Gates Library Foundation Grant will be ordered for deployment in the 3^rd and 4^th quarters of 1999. The equipment will be paid for with the Erie County OPAC allocation.

Telecommunications Act of 1996 and E-Rate 1998 and 1999/2000: As the Schools and Libraries Division of the Universal Service Administration reviews our applications for 1999/2000 discounts, B&ECPL has been contacted to answer many questions. Immediate responses have been provided.

System Upgrades: In order to prepare for the new year, 2000, several system upgrades are planned during the coming month. New releases for both the operating system of our DEC Alpha computer and the DRA Library Automation System will be applied on separate Sundays, when all library facilities are closed.

Printer Cost Recovery: A new model for printer cost recovery at the Central Library has been developed. Alternatives for procuring the equipment, software and services are now being evaluated.

New Electronic Databases: In addition to Infotrac®, the full-text periodical database now available to our patrons, preparations are being made to provide on-line access to the Buffalo News, New York Times and the World Book encyclopedia.

Agenda Item G – Report of the Foundation Director. Ms. Vedder expressed her appreciation to the Wendt Foundation for its $100,000 contribution toward the purchase of the OPAC furniture.

Ms. Vedder distributed copies of the Foundation’s audit report and called attention to the $427,500 in library support for the 1998-99 year.

Ms. Vedder went on to report that at the Foundation Board meeting on June 15^th there was discussion regarding the appropriateness of the Foundation Executive Director spending her time working with B&ECPL contract libraries. The Board decided that as long as the same procedures which have been established by the Select Committee are followed, the Foundation is willing to support the Library Board’s priorities for system libraries.

Ms. Vedder called attention to the Future Vision poster which will be on display in all B&ECPL libraries. As mentioned by Ms. Mahoney earlier in the meeting trustees and directors will be asked to personalize solicitations to friends and colleagues.

Agenda H – Public Comment. Valerie Neiderhofer of Buffalo expressed her concerns regarding the strategic plan.

Elizabeth Berry of Buffalo read a statement she had presented to the Regents Commission on Libraries in May.

Agenda Item I – Unfinished Business.

Agenda Item I.1 – Approval of Revised Bylaws. On motion by Mr. Orffeo and seconded by Ms. Mitchell-Peterson the third Whereas clause in the proposed resolution was amended to read " … in December 1998, … ".

On motion by Ms. Horton and seconded by Mr. Orffeo the following resolution as amended was approved unanimously:

RESOLUTION 99-31

Ms. Horton expressed her appreciation to trustees who gave up their time to attend the two special meetings on the Bylaws. She also thanked Bylaws Committee members for their support, Assistant Deputy Director Michael Mahaney for all his work, Marjorie Whalley who provided background information and history of the Bylaws, Chair Mahoney who attended all committee meetings, Interim Director Chrisman and legal counsel Patrick Martin.

Agenda Item J – New Business.

Agenda Item J.1 – Jefferson Construction Project. Mrs. Chrisman reported that the B&ECPL has been informed that $1,200,000 in capital funding has been added to the previously allocated $1,750,000 for the construction of a new library facility to serve residents of the East Side of Buffalo. In The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library in the Third Millennium, Aaron Cohen Associates Ltd. (ACA) estimates the cost of a new 20,000-sq. ft. hub library to serve this community at $4,840,973. If this figure is accurate, a balance of $1,890,973 must be identified to complete the project. However, the funding already in place permits design work to be initiated and more precise funding requirements to be ascertained.

The location proposed by the City of Buffalo for the new facility is the historically significant Apollo Theater site at the northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and East Utica Street, very close to the present North Jefferson Branch Library. The ACA strategic planning report recommends that a new hub library in this area should replace the North Jefferson Branch, the Martin Luther King Branch on William Street (a rented storefront in the Towne Gardens Plaza, less than one mile from the Central Library) and the Kensington Branch on Westminster Avenue. Although the Board has not yet adopted the strategic plan, trustees and others have recognized the need for a larger, better-equipped facility to serve this area of Buffalo. For the proposed project to remain expenditure neutral, as required by the "Guidelines and Procedures for Approval of New Library Construction" (revised 1999), staff would be reassigned from these libraries to the new facility to support increased services and open hours.

The three existing buildings would remain operational until the new library opens its doors. The B&ECPL will support the City of Buffalo in identifying potential reuses for vacated facilities. An enhanced East Delavan Branch Library will offer improved service options for patrons of the Kensington/Bailey Avenue community. Since it is important for the Board to make clear the conditions under which it would support the new hub library, B&ECPL representatives will contact community leaders about plans to replace the three existing libraries with the new hub facility and seek their commitment to the project.

Architect Robert Traynham Coles has been engaged by the City of Buffalo to design the library building. In a preliminary meeting with Mr. Coles, senior administrators discussed concerns about the capacity of the site, but a conceptual schematic drawing prepared by Mr. Coles confirmed that a 20,000-sq. ft. facility could be accommodated on the property. However, parking would be limited to one quarter of the spaces recommended by ACA (24 instead of the 100 suggested). Adjacent to the site proposed for the library is a Public Access Television facility, which also has parking spaces and diagonally across from the site is a plaza with considerable parking available. Two bus lines, on Jefferson Avenue and East Utica Street, assure adequate public transportation.

The revised "Guidelines" call for all proposed construction projects, including those within the City of Buffalo, to follow the same review process as that established for contract libraries. Therefore, a building program prepared by Extension Services staff will be given to the architect and will be submitted, along with a completed application and other required documentation, to the Building Advisory Committee for analysis and approval. Since there may be questions about the site, specifically its limited parking capacity, it would be advisable to refer the project proposal to the Building Advisory Committee immediately for analysis of the location.

The City of Buffalo has requested a letter from the B&ECPL Board indicating interest in pursuing this project. Proposed Resolution 99-32 authorizes Board Chair Rebecca Mahoney to transmit to Buffalo’s Commissioner of Public Works Joseph N. Giambra a letter which details the Board’s intent to advance this construction project as needed funding becomes available, and after the B&ECPL determines that the site is adequate for library needs and the community supports the conditions under which the B&ECPL can afford to operate a new hub library.

During discussion, in response to Mr. Orffeo’s question regarding the square footage of the three libraries proposed for replacement, Mr. Stone indicated the combined square footage is 16,381 sq. ft.

Mr. Burns suggested that before any exchange of written communications, perhaps Ms. Mahoney could contact Mr. Giambra to explain the Board’s position.

Mr. Orffeo indicated that he would like the record to note that by taking the recommended action the Board will begin the process of approving the Strategic Plan piecemeal.

Ms. Mitchell-Peterson felt that the Board should be careful that it does not become "event driven" so that when things get dangled in front of it the Board does not lose sight of its charge.

Mr. Burns expressed his concern that Common Council members are not fully aware that in order to accommodate the Jefferson project, libraries will be affectedsacrificed in more than one Council district.

Following further discussion Mr. Orffeo urgedindicated that since the Board appeared to be uncomfortable with the proposed resolution and with only ten of the fifteen trustees in attendance action on the resolution be postponed to the next meeting.

On motion by Mr. Orffeo and seconded by Ms. Horton, the Board requested that Chair Mahoney contact public officials and gather more information prior to potential action on the Jefferson projectwhich was postponed to at the next meeting. Mr. Orffeo suggested that the notice for the next meeting include highlighted information relating to action on the Jefferson project.

There being no further business, on motion by Ms. Panty and seconded by Ms. Horton, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 5 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Simone Mitchell-Peterson, Secretary