MEETING MINUTES
Minutes Regular Meeting of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Board of Trustees September 19, 2002
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library was held on Thursday, September 19, 2002, in the Central Library pursuant to due notice to trustees. The following members were present: Daniel T. Roach, Chairman; Annette A. Juncewicz, Secretary; James W. Burns, Treasurer; William P. Brosnahan; John B. Long; Rebecca L. Mahoney; Abdul H. Raoof, Ph.D.; Judith K. Summer; Sharon A. Thomas; Raul Vazquez; Wayne D. Wisbaum; Stanley H. Zagora; Robert J. Plache, Trustee Emeritus; George M. Zimmermann, Trustee Emeritus.
Absent: Phyllis A. Horton, out of town; Elaine M. Panty, ill.
Chairman Roach called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. in the Joseph B. Rounds Conference Room.
Agenda Item B - Approval / Changes to the Agenda. The agenda was approved with the addition of Item J.2 - LSTA Summer Reading Program Grant.
Agenda Item C - Minutes of the Meeting of August 15, 2002. On motion by Ms. Mahoney and seconded by Mr. Burns, the Minutes of the meeting of August 15, 2002 were approved as mailed.
Agenda Item D - Report of the Chair. Mr. Roach conveyed the Board's best wishes to the Director's secretary who will retire on September 27th.
Mr. Roach informed trustees that the Library Board's Foundation Review Committee met with the Foundation's Select Committee on September 10th to discuss merging the two groups to form a Projects Review Committee. This joint committee would analyze requests for funding and discuss with Library staff the benefits associated with the request. Subsequent to the Committee's endorsement, the project will be submitted to both Boards for their approval.
The creation of the Projects Review Committee was unanimously approved at the September 10th meeting, subject to ratification by both Boards. On motion by Ms. Mahoney and seconded by Ms. Summer, B&ECPL Trustees ratified the Committee's action.
Agenda Item E - Committee Reports.
Agenda Item E.1 - Executive Committee. In the absence of Ms. Panty, Director Chrisman reported that the Executive Committee met on September 12th to prepare the agenda for today's meeting.
Agenda Item E.2 - Budget & Finance Committee. Mr. Burns called on Deputy Director Kenneth Stone to present the report of the Budget & Finance Committee.
Agenda Item E.2.a - 2003 Budget Approval. Mr. Stone informed the Board that the Library's 2003 budget request was submitted to the Erie County Budget Office on August 30, 2002. The Executive Committee approved the budget request at a special meeting on August 19th with the understanding that minor revisions be approved by the Chairman of the Board. The adopted resolution was transmitted to trustees in their Board packets.
RESOLUTION 2002-54
Adopted by Unanimous Vote of the Executive Committee on August 19, 2002
Revised, with the Consent of the Chair, on August 27, 2002WHEREAS, on August 2nd, the Library received the Erie County Division of Budget, Management and Finance's 2003 budget preparation instructions and targets by account, and
WHEREAS, the Board's Budget and Finance Committee Chair conferred with the Chief Financial Officer, reviewing preliminary budgetary information and providing direction to staff in drafting the 2003 budget proposal, and
WHEREAS, dramatically escalating employer costs for employee medical coverage and estimated state retirement system expense would add between $1.0 and $1.1 million in 2003 costs, which combined with contractually required labor cost increases and other operating cost increases would increase the Library's operating revenue demand by over $1,800,000, and
WHEREAS, County resources are limited and the net budget targets would not support such an increase, and
WHEREAS, in recognition of these financial limitations, on August 8th, the Executive Committee, on behalf of the Board, approved participation of up to 17 Central/branch employees and noted the possible participation of up to 10 Contracting Library employees, the highest participation level in many years, to mitigate the impact of the health insurance and retirement increases, and
WHEREAS, participation in the Early Retirement Program was carefully considered and limited as participation above the approved level would significantly impact the Library's ability to provide public services, including maintaining enough staff in library outlets to safely operate them, and
WHEREAS, the Board's Budget and Finance Committee met on August 8th to review the budget proposal, resulting in a recommendation to develop and forward a proposal for adoption, and
WHEREAS, the Board's Executive Committee also met on August 8th and provided additional direction, and
WHEREAS, the County's deadline for submitting the Library's budget request is August 30, 2002, prior to the next Library Board meeting, and requires action prior to the next Board meeting, now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library hereby adopts a 2003 budget request of $27,693,357 in operating funds, $6,418,703 in Erie County Capital funds and $793,110 in Library Grant funds that:
- Keeps all libraries open in 2003, utilizing our current full-time equivalent (FTE) workforce adjusted for savings previously approved in Resolution 2002-47 Early Retirement Incentive Program along with scheduled 2003 COLA's for employees;
- Budgets State Operating Aid and Aid for Library Grants using present formulas applied to 2000 Census population figures, resulting in a decrease of nearly $50,000 over the 2002 State Budget's "hold harmless" base aid amount;
- Continues the Library's Materials Budget in the County Capital Budget at $5,053,404 including a 3 percent inflation offset and includes additional capital funds for a replacement shipping truck ($40,000), buildings & ground equipment ($100,000), furnishings & office equipment ($100,000) and technical equipment ($100,000);
- Includes $300,000 in "reductions from personal svcs account", that is in essence budgeting the use of $300,000 of fund balance;
- Incorporates reductions in salary, wage, and fringe benefit accounts of $443,489 resulting from early retirement program savings for the Central/branch and Centralized Human Resources (CHR) participating contracting libraries;
- Incorporates $211,490 in net early retirement program savings into the budgets of non-CHR contracting libraries participating in the program;
- Authorizes use of $550,000 in estimated ending fund balance to assist in achieving these budgetary objectives; and
- Requests County "Inter-fund Subsidy" revenue in the amount of $797,501, to balance the library's budget request, and be it further
RESOLVED, that should employees designated for early retirement decline participation or should other previously unknown conditions affecting the budget become known, the Library Director, with the consent of the Board Chairperson, is authorized to adjust the budget request to maintain balance, reporting any adjustments to the Board at the closest regularly scheduled meeting, and be it further
RESOLVED that the Director transmit the request to the County of Erie's Division of Budget, Management and Finance on or prior to the August 30, 2002 deadline.
Agenda Item E.2.b - Contract Library Transfers. On motion by Ms. Summer and seconded by Ms. Juncewicz, the following was approved unanimously:
RESOLUTION 2002-55
WHEREAS, a request for budget transfers has been received from the Amherst Public Library, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library approve transfers totaling $11,822 within the budget of the Amherst Public Library.
Agenda Item E.2.c - Amend 2002 Budget - State "Hold Harmless" Aid. Mr. Stone reported that B&ECPL's 2002 budget included a decrease of approximately $50,000 reflecting the impact of Erie County's population loss on state aid formulas. The State's 2002-2003 adopted budget for library aid contained a "hold harmless" provision that maintained aid for all libraries at their pre-2000 census levels. Resolution 2002-56 adds the restored aid into the budget as indicated. On motion by Ms. Thomas and seconded by Dr. Raoof, the following was approved unanimously:
RESOLUTION 2002-56
WHEREAS, New York State, through the Department of Education, State Library, Division of Library Development, provides both general and grant-based aid to support public libraries, and
WHEREAS, a number of the aid categories are formula driven, including a population factor, which under law is recalculated upon certification of the U.S. Census each decade and
WHEREAS, B&ECPL's 2002 Adopted Budget included a decrease of approximately $50,000 reflecting the impact of Erie County's population loss on state aid formulas, and
WHEREAS, the State's 2002-2003 adopted budget for library aid contained a "hold harmless" provision, specific to this funding year, that maintained aid for all libraries at their pre-2000 census levels, and
WHEREAS, the restored $47,615 is available to be applied to the individual grants where appropriate and to offset future fringe benefit expenses in the operating and contract library budgets, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library amends the 2002 budget as shown in the attached Exhibit.
Exhibit One - Expense
SFG Account Description Increase Library Operating Accounts 805 Fringe Benefits
Contracting Libraries with increases - apply to their Contingency Line (830-0160 Cheektowaga Public 830-0169 Lackawanna Public 830-0175 Tonawanda Public 830-0176 West Seneca Public Subtotal Increase to Contracting Libraries Subtotal Operating Expense Library Grants - 2002 Projects Coordinated Outreach Program ($43,000 base per system plus $0.13 per capita) Central Library Development Aid ($0.32 per capita) Subtotal in Grants Chapter 917 Aid Total Chapter 917 Aid Changes Exhibit One - Revenue
SFG Account Description Increase (Decrease) State Education Law 273, Chapter 917 Aid Library Operating Budget NYS Aid, including Incentive Aid Per Capita Book Reimbursement NYS Aid (LSSA) to System Headqtrs 622 Subtotal NYS Aid, including Incentive NYS Aid (LLSA) to Local Libraries ($0.31 per capita of library's chartered service area with a minimum of $1,500) Denio Memorial - Akron Ewell Free - Alden Amherst Public Angola Public Aurora Town Public Boston Free Buffalo (City Branches) Cheektowaga Public Clarence Public Collins Public Concord Public (Springville) Eden Public Elma Public Grand Island Memorial Hamburg Public Lackawanna Public Lancaster Public Marilla Free North Collins Memorial 0
Orchard Park Public Tonawanda Public City Tonawanda Town West Seneca Public 623 Subtotal LLSA to Local Libraries Subtotal Operating Revenues Library Grants - 2000-2001 Projects Coordinated Outreach Program ($43,000 base per system plus $0.13 per capita) Central Library Development Aid ($0.32 per capita) Subtotal in Grants Chapter 917 Aid Total Chapter 917 Aid Changes
Agenda Item E.2.d - Amend State and County Corrections Grants. Mr. Stone explained that aid provided by State and County Corrections grants is based upon facility prison population. Often the actual prison populations vary from estimates used in preparing budgets. Resolution 2002-57 adjusts the actual prison population figures used in dispersing state aid and transfers funds between accounts to match the final service plan approved by the state. On motion by Ms. Summer and seconded by Dr. Raoof, the following was approved unanimously:
RESOLUTION 2002-57
WHEREAS, both the State Corrections Services Grant and the County Corrections (Inter-institutional Aid) Grant are state aid grants whose funds are used to provide library services to Erie County's three State correctional facilities (Collins, Gowanda, and Wende), and two County facilities, the Holding Center and Correctional Facility, and
WHEREAS, this aid is based upon facility prisoner population, for which the actual prison populations often vary from the estimates used to prepare the budget, and
WHEREAS, the Library wishes to increase the grant's budget to reflect higher than estimated revenues from New York State and transfer monies between accounts to match the final service plan approved by the State, now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Board of Trustees approves the following revenue and offsetting expenditure budget increases and transfers:
NYS County Corrections Grant FROM TO Increase State Aid Revenue Lab & Tech Equipment Personal Services Fringe Benefits Office Supplies Other Expenses Library Materials Net Total Change Proj. 951
NYS State Corrections Grant FROM TO Library Materials Fringe Benefits Dues & Fees Lab & Tech Equipment Net Total Change Proj. 952
Agenda Item E.2.e - Amend 2002 Budget, County Legislature Member Aid Item - Town of Newstead. The allocation of $1,200 to benefit the Newstead Public Library was sponsored by Legislator Michael H. Ranzenhofer. On motion by Ms. Mahoney and seconded by Ms. Summer, the following was approved:
RESOLUTION 2002-58
WHEREAS, on July 11th, the Erie County Legislature adopted a resolution sponsored by Legislator Ranzenhofer allocating monies totaling $1,200 to benefit the Town of Newstead Public Library, and
WHEREAS, the funds would be used to supplement computer training efforts at the library, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to an agreement entered into many years ago, Erie County is responsible for funding local branch libraries situated within localities throughout Erie County, and
WHEREAS, libraries within Erie County are routinely in need of additional funds to provide services and materials to local patrons, and
WHEREAS, Legislators strong support for the community's public libraries is greatly appreciated and helps the libraries support a great deal of use, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library gratefully accept the $1,200 from the County Legislature for the benefit of the Town of Newstead Public Library, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library authorizes a budget amendment to the 2002 Library budget to allocate revenues of $1,200 into SFG# 8209734206863200 (Inter-fund Subsidy) and expenditures of $1,200 into SFG#8209734208300154, and be it further
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution and a revised Exhibit A be transmitted to the Town of Newstead Public Library to implement the change.
Agenda Item E.2.f - Monthly Financial Report. The monthly financial statement for the period ending July 31, 2002 was included in Board packets for information.
Agenda Item F - Report of the Director. In addition to her written report, Ms. Chrisman noted that Library Trustee Wayne D. Wisbaum will chair the newly formed Projects Review Committee mentioned by Chairman Roach during his report. She indicated that Assistant Deputy Director Ruth Collins and Deputy Director Michael Mahaney were in attendance at the September 10th meeting to talk about renovations planned for the Central Library. B&ECPL Board members had approved a resolution in July authorizing the Library administration to take the steps necessary to advance the renovation, including a request to the Library Foundation to secure necessary private funds to implement the project. Mr. Wisbaum reported that Foundation Board members were very enthusiastic about the renovation and were unanimous in their support of a request that the Foundation undertake a $1 million fund-raising initiative for the renovation.
Ms. Chrisman circulated pictures of the new landscaping at the Niagara Branch Library. Landscaping at the Mead Branch was completed last month.
The following report was submitted by the Director and transmitted to Board members prior to the meeting:
B&ECPL's e-Branch is Born: The Central Library's Remote Reference Center has been renamed the e-Branch to highlight the expanded coordinative role it plays in B&ECPL's technology services, from gathering feedback on electronic products for System purchase to functioning as the public service liaison to the Network Office. With the arrival of e-Branch, e-mail reference activity is expected to increase dramatically, so Webmaster Brian Fending has collaborated with Carol Batt and staff to redesign the website, making it more intuitive for patrons seeking online reference assistance. A link to AskUs appears on the Library's home page. A click away is an electronic form that can be completed and submitted for a response - in most cases - within 24 hours. The Technology Services Committee, chaired by Maureen McLaughlin (Catalog Department), originated the concept of e-Branch. Organizationally, e-Branch falls under the Office of System Public Services.
Art on Wheels: The Central Library has been selected as a host site for "Art on Wheels: artists recycle, reuse, and reinvent in 2003." This community cultural tourism initiative will extend throughout the Buffalo Niagara Region from May through October 2003. The project will create an Arts Trail of art cars (automobiles transformed into art pieces) to be displayed with other wheel-themed sculptures at nearly 50 historic and heritage sites. At the media launch on August 28th, agencies had an opportunity to display pictures and information about their sites for review by potential sponsors. Library artist Dawn Stanton prepared a beautiful poster featuring the Mark Twain Room. The Central Library was the first site selected for sponsorship.
2003 County Budget Request: The Board's Executive Committee approved the 2003 budget request on August 19th, with final adjustments approved by the Board Chair on August 27th, and transmitted to the Erie County Budget Office on August 30th. Timing of the budget instruction release and the August 30th deadline did not provide sufficient time for preparation and board review of the budget request prior to the August 15th regular board meeting.
Recently implemented major increases in employee health insurance costs and a significant anticipated increase in the employer share of New York State Retirement System costs added $1.1 million to the projected increase needed just to maintain existing services. Contractual cost of living adjustments and other operating changes increased this total to $1.8 million, making this one of the most challenging budget situations faced by the Library in several years.
Participating in Erie County's implementation of the 2002 New York State Early Retirement Incentive Program for the first time since 1998 as well as closely reviewing revenue, expenditure and fund balance estimates reduced the anticipated funding increase needed from $1.8 million to $797,501. This amount has been requested in the form of an inter-fund subsidy.
On September 5th, the Director attended a County Budget session to discuss the Library's plans for 2003. A County Executive's recommended budget is anticipated in late October to early November.
City of Buffalo Capital Project Review Hearing: On September 4th, Deputy Directors Michael Mahaney and Ken Stone and the Director presented an overview of the City Branch Capital Project needs. Other agencies represented at this hearing included the Buffalo Museum of Science, the Buffalo Zoo, Kleinhans Music Hall, and Shea's Performing Arts Center. The capital repair needs of all these facilities are significant.
Unfortunately, the City's difficult financial position leaves little funding available to meet these needs. The Comptroller has indicated that the City's debt limit would only allow up to $22,500,000 to be borrowed for capital projects in 2003. The City currently has a backlog of $30,725,000 for projects authorized in previous budget years, but not yet funded, which substantially exceeds the amount of debt that can be issued. Therefore, the Mayor recommended no funding for 2003 projects. The Mayor's recommendations do include $25,000 for library improvements at Crane, North Park, and Fairfield, which was authorized in the 2000-2001 budget year.
The committee's recommendations will be issued later this fall and forwarded to the Common Council for consideration.
Summer Programs Keep Kids Active and Engaged: A variety of programs entertained and educated children of all ages at public libraries throughout Erie County this summer. Summer Cyber Camp attracted a total of 525 students at sessions conducted in 37 of the system's branch and contract libraries. Hit the Books, the summer reading program sponsored by the Buffalo Bills and UPS, was a huge success with 4,858 students in Erie County reading 11,480 books. In its fourth year, Battle of the Books was bigger and better than ever. 393 children participated - 39 teams representing Central, city and contract libraries. More than 175 volunteers contributed their time and expertise to help the teams prepare and compete in this annual program sponsored by the Library Foundation of Buffalo & Erie County, Inc.
Live Homework Help Arrives: As part of Summer Cyber Camp, instructors introduced this new online homework service. A grant from the Library Foundation is funding a pilot program that will continue through January 2003. Students who visit the Central Library or who have remote access from home or school can connect with an online tutor daily from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Beginning September 23rd, the East Delavan Branch and the Reinstein Memorial Library (Cheektowaga) will be added as test sites. At the conclusion of the pilot study, the service may be extended to all B&ECPL locations, depending on staff/customer evaluation and available funding.
Executive Leadership Institute: During the first week in September, Assistant Deputy Directors Ruth Collins and Mary Jean Jakubowski and Doreen Woods, Process Improvement Study Coordinator, participated in the first of three Executive Leadership Institute meetings sponsored by the Urban Libraries Council. This was the initial opportunity for participants to discuss projects with peers and meet with their assigned coach. The B&ECPL team will focus on redefining and re-energizing the Library's mobile library operations. Catherine Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald Counseling has been assigned to the coach position. Ms. Fitzgerald, a psychologist, is familiar with the B&ECPL as she completed her graduate studies at the University of Buffalo. The sessions featured various activities designed to promote action learning, enhance listening skills, and develop an understanding of the challenges and promises facing leaders of today. Strategies regarding media image, political savvy, and networking were introduced. The team returned energized and ready to begin work on its assignment.
Jefferson Construction Project: Watts Engineering has replaced Robson & Woese Inc. as the electrical/mechanical engineering subcontractor on the project. Deputy Directors Mahaney and Whelan and Service Evaluation and Planning Coordinator Peggy Skotnicki have met with representatives from Watts on several occasions to discuss the relocation of the mechanical rooms and to review voice, data and power requirements for the new building. The City plans to bid the project this fall.
Project LIFT Concludes on High Note: On August 24th, Terrie Williams, CEO of the Terrie Williams Agency and co-founder of the Stay Strong Foundation, presented "The Stay Strong Experience with Terrie Williams and Friends" as the culminating event for the Library Involvement For Teens (LIFT) Project. Approximately 85 teens and adults attended and responded positively to the program in the Central Library's Mason O. Damon Auditorium. Books, posters, CDs and gift certificates were presented as prizes. Ms. Williams is also the author of Stay Strong: Simple Life Lessons for Teens.
Everybody Into the Pool: In May 2000, the Support Services Department introduced an improved process designed to provide faster delivery of new material to those on waiting lists. Whenever the number of outstanding requests for a title meets or exceeds the number of copies purchased, the material is assigned automatically to the "Book Pool" and is sent directly from the Central Library's Processing Department (bypassing an unnecessary trip to a local library) to fill requests. This procedure works quite well; however, many titles do not meet "Bookpool" criteria and are not getting to the patron as quickly as they might … until now.
Based on the success of "Book Pool," Support Services Manager Ann Kling has devised an improved process dubbed "Waiting Pool," which she unveiled at the September 18th Managers Meeting. Whenever the number of outstanding requests for a title - now both print and non-print - equals at least 50% of the number of copies ordered, the Processing Department fills the requests directly with as many copies as needed. As with "Book Pool," "Waiting Pool" copies will be sent directly to those on the waiting list. Copies not needed to fill requests, will be delivered to the purchasing library and will be available immediately for browsers. Unlike "Book Pool," copies in the "Waiting Pool" appear in the online catalog as assigned to a particular library from the moment they are inventoried. The benefits of this project are numerous. Requested material gets into the hands of borrowers faster; holdings of individual libraries are displayed more understandably in the catalog; materials do not need to be shipped back and forth between Central and local libraries before they reach the patrons who request them; media requests (both audio and video) can be managed in the same manner as book requests, and the Processing Department will not need to handle items multiple times.
Rare Book Cataloging Project Update: On June 24th, the fourth and final member of the cataloging team joined the project. After a short training period, this cataloger is up to speed and is making a substantial contribution. Since the beginning of this project (funded by the Library Foundation from a grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation) a total of 3,482 bibliographic records and 8,403 item records have been added to the catalog. In the last quarter, several unusual items were cataloged. These include an edition of Cicero's writing on rhetoric (published in the sixteenth century) and a miniature edition of Rules of the Franciscan Order, published in Seville in 1660. An elaborate edition of the Haggadah, a liturgical text for Passover, has been cataloged. This beautiful volume is printed on vellum, in both Hebrew and English and is illustrated in color. Reflecting the generosity of the community to the Library, this item was donated by 29 families and businesses, whose names are included. A collection of bookplates and other ephemera, which had been compiled and individually mounted by Thomas D. Mahoney, has been cataloged. Among the famous names represented in the collection are Queen Elizabeth II, Louis XIV and Millard Fillmore. Complementing B&ECPL's diverse holdings of Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are new records for translations in German, Hungarian, Lithuanian, Bulgarian and Chinese, as well as a three-volume edition in Braille.
Performance Measures: New York State and the federal government have dropped the requirement to measure in-library use of materials. While this was a valuable statistic for many years, measuring the usage of electronic resources has superseded it. Work is progressing on a one-day survey to determine what mode of transportation people use get to their local library. Also, a patron satisfaction survey will be developed this fall and tested in at least one location.
Process Improvement Project: The pilot project was successful and, based on its results, the survey instrument has been refined. Tony Fischetti of New York Public Library is improving the Excel data entry tool and building the Access database. B&ECPL staff recently visited the Bulger Communications Center at Buffalo State College to produce an instructional video to present during site visits to each library. This will provide staff members, who cannot attend the meeting at their location, with consistent information necessary to complete the work distribution chart. Thanks go to the media experts at Buffalo State College and to B&ECPL staff Doreen Woods, Peggy Skotnicki, Meg Cheman, Ami Savigny and Michael Mahaney for their on-camera participation and to librarian Kathy Smith (East Clinton Branch) for her work behind the camera. In addition to her on-screen presence, Mrs. Woods developed the script and served as producer of this 18-minute visual teaching aid.
On the Road: On August 31st, the Lookie Bookie participated in the 11th annual Unity Day in Sperry Park, sponsored by the 31 Alumni Association, a local Ellicott District Volunteer Group. Urban Services staff members read stories and distributed library bookmarks and publicity to many children and adults who attended the event. On September 10th, the RAM Van visited the Stanley Makowski Early Childhood Center for the first day of school. Parents enjoyed visiting the vehicle and seeing what it offers as they picked up and dropped off their children. This special visit was arranged through EPIC and the Makowski Center.
B&ECPL Staff Attend Black Caucus: From August 13th to 16th, Sharon Holley, Coordinator of Urban Services, Sandra Williams Bush (North Jefferson Branch) and Gwen Collier (Urban Services) represented the B&ECPL at the 5th National Conference of Black Librarians at the Black Caucus of the American Library Association in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Workshop Assists Grant Seekers: On September 17th, the Central Library (in cooperation with the New York-based Foundation Center) is hosting a workshop to highlight the extensive resources available in the Business, Science and Technology Department. Erika Wittlieb, from the Foundation Center, will conduct the workshop for representatives of non-profit organizations seeking fundraising information. Public response has been overwhelming. Registrations had to be capped at 75!
Service Evaluation & Planning Committee: All libraries/public service departments are completing a survey developed by the Outreach Committee to evaluate services for senior and disabled populations. In September, the Business Services Committee will present four training sessions on the basic business resources that have been provided to all libraries in the System.
Landscape Improvements: Head Gardener Tim Tuminno has completed landscaping projects at the Mead and Niagara Branches. The Mead project was supported by donations from the community and the Niagara Branch improvements were made possible by an allocation from County Legislator Albert DeBenedetti. Next, attention will shift to North Park and Riverside, which also received funding support from Legislator DeBenedetti.
Meetings: On September 10th, the Library's Foundation Review Committee and the Foundation's Select Committee voted to merge and form the Projects Review Committee, which will be responsible for the review of projects proposed by Library staff for Foundation funding. Under the leadership of Chair Wayne Wisbaum, the new committee then considered the Central Library Renovation Project and agreed to request that the Foundation undertake a $1,000,000 fund-raising initiative for the project.
Agenda Item G - Report of the Foundation Director. In addition to her written report which contained information regarding a grant from Praxair, a bequest from the Estate of Kelvin H. Ferber, a royalty supplement from "A Murder, a Mystery, and a Marriage," an update on the Nelson Mandela Folktales project and other B&ECPL funding support, Ms. Vedder endorsed the comments about the Central Library renovation project and said she expects the Foundation Board will support it as well on September 24th. The Fall Grosvenor Concert series commences on September 25th with a MusicalFare production.
In response to Ms. Mahoney's comment regarding an article which appeared in a recent edition of the Buffalo News on "Live Homework Help," Assistant Deputy Director Ami Savigny indicated she will be meeting with the Buffalo Alliance for Education to discuss ways to disseminate information to area schools.
Agenda Item H - Public Comment. No public comment.
Agenda Item I - Unfinished Business. No unfinished business.
Agenda Item J. New Business.
Agenda Item J.1 - Reappointment of Deputy Director Kenneth H. Stone. Ms. Chrisman recommended the reappointment of Kenneth H. Stone to a 3-year term as Deputy Director, Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Burns heartily endorsed the recommendation and noted that Mr. Stone "makes a troublesome task sensible and gets the job done in top grade fashion." On motion by Mr. Burns and seconded by Ms. Summer, the following was approved unanimously:
RESOLUTION 2002-59
WHEREAS, the Director has determined that the performance of Deputy Director Kenneth H. Stone has been satisfactory, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Stone has indicated a willingness to accept another three-year appointment, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board hereby approves the appointment of Kenneth H. Stone to the position of Deputy Director (CFO), for a three year appointment effective September 30, 2002.
Agenda Item J.2 - LSTA Summer Reading Program Grant. Assistant Deputy Director Ruth Collins informed Trustees that under the Library Services and Technology Act, the Division of Library Development awards a grant to the library system that takes on the responsibility for planning the Summer Reading Program for all New York State libraries. Children's services specialists at the recipient library system develop the theme (appropriate for children aged pre-school to teens) for the program and supporting ideas for creative presentations of literature, crafts and other components of children's programming that can be adapted throughout the state. The grant subsidizes the costs associated with hiring a copy editor and graphic artist to assist staff in production of materials to support the program. This $36,000 grant relates to the Summer Reading Program for 2004. On motion by Ms. Juncewicz and seconded by Ms. Summer, the following was approved unanimously:
RESOLUTION 2002-60
WHEREAS, the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (B&ECPL) Board of Trustees recognizes the importance of quality library programs for children, and
WHEREAS, the Board recognizes the talents and expertise of B&ECPL children's specialists, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees endorses an LSTA grant application that will share the expertise of B&ECPL System children's specialists with statewide youth services librarians through development of materials to support the New York State Summer Reading Program campaign for 2004.
Ms. Summer invited trustees to attend the October 7th Bistro Bookers program, which features discussion of the book, "No Free Lunch: One Man's Journey From Welfare to the American Dream," written by her nephew Gary Karton and Rodney Carroll.
There being no further business, on motion by Ms. Mahoney and seconded by Dr. Raoof, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Annette A. Juncewicz
Secretary