MEETING MINUTES
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MARCH 20, 2003
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library was held on Thursday, March 20, 2003, in the Central Library pursuant to due notice to trustees. The following members were present: Daniel T. Roach, Chairman; Rebecca L. Mahoney, Vice Chair; Annette A. Juncewicz, Secretary; William P. Brosnahan; Phyllis A. Horton; John B. Long; Elaine M. Panty; Judith K. Summer; Sharon A. Thomas; Wayne D. Wisbaum; George M. Zimmermann, Trustee Emeritus. Excused: Abdul H. Raoof; Raul Vazquez.
Chairman Roach called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Joseph B. Rounds Conference Room.
Agenda Item B - Approval / Changes to Agenda. The agenda was approved as submitted.
Agenda Item C - Minutes of the Meeting of February 20, 2003. On motion by Ms. Mahoney and seconded by Ms. Panty, the Minutes were approved as mailed.
Agenda Item D - Report of the Chair. Chairman Roach commented on Trustee James Burns, who served the community and the City for many years in a variety of capacities. As a member of the B&ECPL Board of Trustees, he was a friend to all and will be nearly irreplaceable. Chairman Roach stated the Board meeting would adjourn in Mr. Burns' memory.
Agenda Item E - Committee Reports.
Agenda Item E.1 - Executive Committee. Ms. Mahoney reported the Executive Committee met on March 13th to discuss agenda items. Legislator Kuwik has designated $2,000 each to the Lackawanna, Blasdell and Lake Shore libraries. Ms. Horton will explain proposed changes to the Bylaws later in the meeting. Chairman Roach will report on activities of the RENEWAL Committee.
Agenda Item E.2 - Budget & Finance Committee. Deputy Director Kenneth Stone presented budget and finance resolutions.
Agenda Item E.2.a - Contract Library Transfers. The Amherst Public Library was asked to scale back its transfer request until the 2003 financial situation becomes more certain. The Library Director was cooperative, and the proposed transfers are recommended. A motion to approve was made by Ms. Juncewicz, seconded by Ms. Summer, and approved unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2003-11
WHEREAS, a request for budget transfers has been received from the Orchard Park Public Library and 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 $4,850 within the 2002 budget of the Orchard Park Public Library and totaling $6,676 within the 2003 budget of the Amherst Public Library.
Agenda Item E.2.b - Newstead Public Library - Request for Assistance. The Newstead Board of Trustees has requested financial aid to fund part-time staff hours to cover a maternity leave. Under the contract, trustees are required to notify the B&ECPL if unanticipated financial conditions occur which may impact their ability to maintain open hours. In the past, the System has had sufficient resources available to cover these types of requests. However, due to state retirement and state aid complications, the B&ECPL cannot assure Newstead that this request can be funded. To fulfill contract requirements, the System Board must provide a response to the Newstead Board. Resolution 2003-12 provides that response and commits the B&ECPL to work with the Newstead Public Library Board of Trustees to identify options to address this situation. It does not provide additional funding at this time.
Ms. Panty asked Deputy Director Stone to explain how the Centralized Human Resources program might have helped resolve this problem by reassignment of staff rather than requiring extra funds. Mr. Stone stated the Newstead Public Library is staffed entirely by part-time staff and has only one professional staff member, the RPT Library Director. Newstead would prefer to continue providing patrons with librarian services. If that is not possible, service may be provided at a lower level, or the library may have to reduce open hours for the balance of the year. On motion by Ms. Horton, seconded by Ms. Panty, the resolution was approved unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2003-12
WHEREAS, the Newstead Public Library's Director has requested maternity and personal leave requiring an extended period of leave, and
WHEREAS, to maintain open hours, the Library finds it necessary to increase hours for other part-time employees to fill the gap, and
WHEREAS, since this situation was unanticipated, the current budget was insufficient to maintain open hours during the extended sick leave, and
WHEREAS, the contract between the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library and the Newstead Public Library, in the Twenty-Second item, provides a process for requesting assistance in the event of "unforeseeable circumstances" that "result in a material impact on the 'Public Library's' operating budget…", and
WHEREAS, the Newstead Public Library has formally requested said assistance and certified the need for an additional $11,158, and
WHEREAS, the uncertain nature of 2003 State Aid revenue and State Retirement expense makes it impossible to determine at this time if sufficient salary savings from turnover and other sources would be available in the 2003 budget to accommodate this request, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library recognizes the unexpected condition creating a need for additional resources to maintain service levels, and be it further
RESOLVED, that at the present time the System is unable to meet the need due to fiscal uncertainties, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library suggests System and Newstead Public Library officials work together to identify funding alternatives.
Agenda Item E.2.c - Amend 2003 Budget - County Legislature Member Aid. Member aid was sponsored by Legislator Edward Kuwik to benefit the Blasdell and Lake Shore libraries in Hamburg and the Lackawanna Library. Each library will receive $2,000. As with prior member aid which has been adopted in recent months, a suggestion will be made that the libraries retain these funds to help offset any reduction in state aid or to cover increased state retirement costs. On motion by Ms. Panty, seconded by Ms. Mahoney, the following was approved unanimously.
RESOLUTION #2003-13
WHEREAS, Legislator Edward J. Kuwik has designated a total of $6,000 to be distributed evenly between the Lackawanna, Blasdell and Lake Shore Libraries, 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, andWHEREAS, 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, and
WHEREAS, this allocation requires a change to the contracts with the Hamburg and Lackawanna libraries, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to section EIGHTH of the 2002 contracts, these changes may be implemented by resolution and transmitting a revised Exhibit A to reflect same, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library accept the Legislative funds for the Lackawanna ($2,000) and Blasdell ($2,000) and Lake Shore ($2,000) Libraries, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library approve a budget amendment to the 2003 budget to allocate revenues of $6,000 into SFG# 8209734206863200 (Inter-fund Subsidy) and expenditures into SFG department account 820973420, in the amounts and object accounts shown below:
Legislator Kuwick to the Hamburg Public Library: $4,000 to Blasdell and Lake Shore, SFG# 830-168, and $2,000 to the Lackawanna Public Library, SFG# 830-169, for a TOTAL of $6,000, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library authorizes the above contracting libraries to retain these funds until such time as they are needed to offset future aid reductions or increased State Retirement expense, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library strongly suggests the contracting library retain these funds for the above purposes as the State Budget picture for 2003 is still unclear and both state and local financial resources may be further challenged in 2004, and be it further
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution and a revised Exhibit A be transmitted to each library to implement the change.
Agenda Item E.2.d - Monthly Financial Report. A monthly Financial Report for the period ending 12/31/2002 was presented for information. It is the first look at 2002 year-end closing figures. Sufficient funds are available to meet both the use of fund balance that was committed for the 2003 budget as well as the monies the Board previously approved to continue projects, such as the emergency generator. Mr. Stone believes there will also be additional funds remaining to help offset some of the projected state aid shortfall.
Agenda Item E.3 - Bylaws Committee. Trustee Phyllis Horton reported on activities of the Bylaws Committee.
Agenda Item E.3.a - Bylaws Revised. The Bylaws Committee met on March 6, 2003 to complete examination of the Bylaws. A resolution is being presented for Board approval of the revised Bylaws. Ms. Horton explained the revisions, which pertain to intermitting meetings, changes in standing committees and functions of those committees in relation to the Board's current priorities. On the matter of trustee attendance, she explained that New York State Education Law covers trustee attendance, so nothing was added to B&ECPL Bylaws pertaining to this issue. The Committee preferred to set up a new Board committee to create an orientation handbook and packet for all new trustees when they join the Board. The packet will contain information about meeting attendance requirements. Trustees will be reminded about attendance requirements on an annual basis. The Bylaws were updated with gender inclusive language throughout. On motion by Ms. Summer, seconded by Ms. Panty, the revised Bylaws were unanimously approved.
RESOLUTION 2003-14
WHEREAS, the Bylaws Committee of the Board of Trustees has completed its review and revision of the Bylaws of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library approves the Bylaws as presented.
Ms. Horton thanked the Bylaws Committee for their excellent work in this undertaking. Chairman Roach stressed how important the work of the Bylaws Committee is and thanked all Committee members for a job well done.
Agenda Item E.4 - RENEWAL Committee. Chairman Roach said Director Michael Mahaney would report on the RENEWAL Committee in the Director's Report.
Agenda Item F - Report of the Director. Director Mahaney reported the RENEWAL Committee met twice since the last public meeting. A third public meeting will be held that evening at the Tosh Collins Community Center. The Committee continues to work very closely with local elected officials to keep the community involved in this proposed project.
The Director reported the Winter 2003 issue of Western New York Heritage Magazine contains an article about William J. Donovan, written by Trustee Emeritus Salvatore Martoche. Research assistance for this article was provided in part by B&ECPL librarians Suzanne Colligan and Charles Alaimo.
Director Mahaney mentioned a newspaper article about a new online interactive reference service sponsored by the Western New York Library Resources Council. He stated the B&ECPL has been involved in the development of this service, but decided interactive chat reference was not something the Library wanted to pursue at this time, although staff will continue to evaluate online interactive service. He feels the B&ECPL's online and telephone reference services are extremely responsive and reliable.
Director Mahaney informed Trustees that flyers were mailed out for the Trustee Workshop being held on April 12th at the Central Library. He encouraged everyone to attend. He mentioned recent advocacy efforts undertaken by staff. Sharon Holley, Peggy Skotnicki, Ami Patrick and Kelly Shepherd visited the offices of all local representatives in Albany, and reactions were generally positive. No one is promising full restoration of state aid, but there is support for some restoration. However, there is very little support for Western New York to be held harmless for population decline because other areas of the state have had appreciable population increases. Advocacy efforts need to continue. If trustees have an opportunity to contact legislators, encourage them to restore state aid to libraries.
Trustee Mahoney referred to the recent advocacy workshop held in Clarence last month and reiterated the importance of trustees becoming more vocal in requesting additional funding.
The following report was submitted by the Director and transmitted to Board members prior to the meeting.
Library Protection Act: At its first official session of 2003, the Erie County Legislature unanimously adopted the Library Protection Act for a two-year term. On February 25th, County Executive Joel A. Giambra signed Local Law 1-2003, making it effective through January 1, 2005. The Library is grateful for the continuing support and cooperation of the Executive and Legislative Branches of Erie County government.
Governor Proposes Measures to Mitigate Increased Retirement Costs: On February 28th, Governor George Pataki issued a proposal to assist local employers in meeting the drastically increased estimates for employer share retirement expense announced by State Comptroller Alan Hevesi on February 7th. The Governor's press release stated in part:
The pension reform plan would benefit taxpayers and provide relief to local governments, while also ensuring that the pension fund is sound and that benefits are protected for New York's retired workers. On average, local governments would save at least 7 percent of their overall payroll costs - which will aggregate $1.1 billion in annual savings for localities. The reforms are subject to the Comptroller's constitutional authority to accept them as sole trustee of the pension fund.
The Comptroller's Office has yet to issue a formal response to this proposal.
The Comptroller's estimate, based upon the value of the State Retirement System's investments as of January 31, 2003, would result in a charge of 11% of salary, up from approximately 1% in 2002. Based upon advice provided by the previous State Comptroller last summer, the Library had budgeted approximately 4% for 2003. If no mitigation were to occur, and the 11% rate becomes final, the Library budget would be out of balance by approximately $1.2 million.
This proposal is a positive sign. Until the Comptroller adopts this or some variation, however, the B&ECPL must continue to plan for the full impact of an 11% rate. The impact of State Retirement System investment performance along with any 2003 mitigation measures on future rates must also be evaluated as part of 2004 budget planning.
Advocacy efforts directed towards the State Comptroller's Office could be beneficial. Any message should encourage enactment of mitigation measures as soon as possible since they affect the B&ECPL's current (2003) operating budget, and for anyone whose budget is concurrent with the calendar year it is important to remember that nearly 25% of that year has already elapsed.
Finally, the Library still faces the prospect of an approximate $500,000 reduction in 2003-2004 State Aid. CFO Ken Stone will continue to provide updates as more information is received.
Fine Revenue Results: February System-wide receipts totaled $95,627.93, which is up $33,041.80 (53%) from the $62,586.13 collected in February 2002. Year-to-date collections, including adjustments, now total $201,762.70, which is up $65,690.98 (48%) from the $136,071.72 received in the same 2002 period. These results continue to track near the lower end of the $400,000 to $600,000 range of increase anticipated in 2003's budget. A two-month total can be influenced by a number of factors, however. The escalation of collections agency services in late 2001 may have caused somewhat higher collections in early 2002. Additionally, winter activities in Western New York can be affected dramatically by the weather. CFO Ken Stone will continue to monitor and report revenue results.
North Jefferson Branch Status Report: Last month, the City's Department of Public Works notified the Library that the two remaining parcels of real estate had been acquired, finally clearing the way for the next phase of the new North Jefferson Library construction project. At long last, the project has been publicly advertised, with bids due to be received by April 9th.
RENEWAL Project: On March 11th, the RENEWAL Committee met to consider the format and theme of the third public meeting to discuss a proposal to construct a new library building to replace the Cazenovia and Dudley Branches in South Buffalo. Feedback remains positive. Tosh Collins Community Center is the site of the March 20th public meeting.
LEAD Lab Opens: On March 5th, television, radio and newspaper attention focused on the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Central Library's new 12-workstation technology training lab. Students from Buffalo Public School #6 participated in the first instruction and guided practice session, conducted by librarian Jessica Ewing. Library, government and Verizon SuperPages officials were pleased with the facility and the supporting curriculum, which take their name from the B&ECPL's new program, Libraries Enhance Access for Discovery (LEAD) through Technology, developed with funds from Verizon SuperPages and the Library Foundation. Congratulations and thanks to Carol Batt (OSPS Administrator); Chris Moesch (Youth Services Manager); Mary Ann Ozimek (Technology Training Coordinator); Dawn Stanton and Darlene Pennachi of the Graphics Department; as well as Network and Maintenance staff for their contributions to this exciting project!
B&ECPL Celebrates Black History Month: The Urban Services Division's Poster Collection was utilized heavily to highlight the accomplishments of African Americans during February's Black History month celebrations throughout the community. New York State Senator Byron Brown's office borrowed 40 posters to display in the Mahoney State Office Building at a Black History Month Reception on February 28th. Buffalo Commissioner for Community Services Don Allen requested materials to exhibit in the hall outside his City Hall office, and Leasha Pryer from U.S. Immigration also requested material to display at her workplace. In addition to programming for children at branch libraries, on February 8th, an African storytelling program was conducted in the Central Library's Mason O. Damon Auditorium, featuring the Library's own Sharon Holley, and storyteller/ author Karima Amin. On February 15th, Maelstrom Percussion Ensemble gave an exciting and entertaining performance that featured African music and instruments. This public performance was sponsored by the Library Foundation of Buffalo and Erie County, Inc. with support from the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation.
Manager's Meeting Addresses Fine Procedures and Patron Negotiations: The March 12th Manager's Meeting was designed to assist Library staff handling patron negotiations involving overdue fines and lost material charges. System Public Services Administrator Carol Batt and librarians Peggy Errington and Mary Schiffhauer presented general tips for handling fine negotiations and introduced both a procedural flowchart and a Borrower Account Review Form. A number of interactive exercises to illustrate fines, fees and handling procedures followed. This practical program assisted front-line staff who deal with issues resulting from the recent fine rate increases, as well as addressed the necessity to meet fine revenue targets.
NYLA Legislative Day: On March 18th, B&ECPL administrators Sharon Holley, Ami Patrick, Peggy Skotnicki and librarian Kelly Shepherd represented the B&ECPL at the New York Library Association's annual Legislative Day in Albany. Given the bleak projections of a $500,000 decrease in State Aid in the Governor's proposed 2003-2004 budget and the impact of escalating retirement costs (potential increases of approximately $1.2 million), these personal visits to Senators and Assembly members are key elements in ongoing advocacy efforts.
Contract Library Directors Gather for Budget Update: On February 3rd, the B&ECPL administrative team met with all 22 contract library directors to address the issue of anticipated shortfalls in the 2003 operating budget. The Director opened the meeting and CFO Ken Stone explained the harsh realities of the situation, indicating the magnitude of cuts each library must absorb if restorations in State Aid or adjustments in retirement expenses are not forthcoming.
Citrix Public Access Model Readied for Testing: The first Citrix pilot test is scheduled to take place in the Central Library's Children's Room and Popular Materials Department. Western New York Computing Services is working with CIO Shirley Whelan and the Library's Network staff to finalize the programs and roll-out procedures. Librarians Mary Ann Ozimek and Britt White are revising training classes to reflect the updated programs and are creating several new classes for the new applications, including Resume Maker, Mavis Beacon Typing Tutor and the new system used to manage patron PCs, affectionately known as PAC-Man.
B&ECPL Participates in Kid's Day Campaign: On February 25th, the B&ECPL joined forces with other Erie County agencies and departments to raise funds for Women's and Children's Hospital. B&ECPL Chairperson Maureen McLaughlin reports the Library's effort was a huge success. Volunteers Nancy Hammond of the Business Office and Support Services staff Nancy Bartkowiak, Beverly Federspiel, Maureen McLaughlin, Nancy Moran, Dawn Peters, and Jennifer Trigilio braved cold temperatures and downtown's "morning rush" traffic to sell Kid's Day editions of The Buffalo News in the vicinity of the Central Library. Combined with pre-order donations for newspapers and Krispy Kreme donuts, Library staff collected a total of $438 - more
than one-tenth of the total $4,143 raised by all Erie County departmental participants.
Straight Talk 2003: On January 25th, Business/Science librarian Dan Caufield participated in the "Straight Talk 2003" workshop to encourage entrepreneurs within Western New York's small business community. This annual program at Erie Community College is sponsored by SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), the Small Business Development Center, the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership and the B&ECPL. Congressman Jack Quinn opened the workshop and subsequently informed Mr. Caufield that he was pleased to see the Library promoting its valuable, but sometimes overlooked, resources. Three hundred forty people attended the presentations.
Urban Libraries Council, Executive Leadership Institute (ULC, ELI): Last month, B&ECPL's Service Evaluation and Planning librarian Doreen Woods took part in the ELI Intensive II Retreat in Leesburg, VA. Ms. Woods' study of B&ECPL's mobile library operations continues, with a final report due in July. Ms. Woods is featured in this month's Movers and Shakers published by Library Journal.
WebFeat: On February 28th, Carey Caserta (e-Branch) convened the first meeting of the B&ECPL WebFeat Committee. Members include webmaster Brian Fending, Pat Forsberg (Orchard Park), Karen Koch (Collins), Amy Pickard (Central - Humanities and Social Sciences), Jane Rosenfeld (Hamburg), Johnny Hsu (Network) and Michelle Schnell (North Park). WebFeat is a federated search engine that allows access to B&ECPL's online catalog and selected databases through a single interface. The committee has outlined an intensive process that will incorporate staff suggestions to implement WebFeat and devise the customized 'look' and functionality for B&ECPL patrons.
Annual Carter J. Woodson Awards Ceremony: On February 22nd, the 26th annual Carter J. Woodson Essay Contest Awards Program was held at the North Jefferson Branch Library. This year's theme was African American Ministers and Religious Leaders in Western New York. Five children received cash and certificate awards, and refreshments were provided for the 50 people who attended the event. The Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier, the North Jefferson Library, the Department of Extension Services and the Lit-Mus Study Club sponsored the popular annual event.
East Delavan Branch Sponsors NASA Letter Writing Campaign: Children who visit the East Delavan Branch Library are being encouraged to write letters on Library letterhead to the men and women who serve in America's Space Program. With a little guidance from staff, they offer their condolences on the tragic losses of the Columbia shuttle disaster and have written some very heartfelt expressions of appreciation and admiration to NASA's astronauts, who continue to serve our country so bravely and faithfully. Librarian Jude Jacobs, who plans to send the letters as a package to NASA, started the program, "Dear American Hero."
Salute to WNY Women: "Was It Something in the Water? Those History Making Women of Western New York," was the theme of the March 8th author presentation at the Central Library. Miriam Grace Monfredo provided a lively look at the accomplishments of late 19th/early 20th century women who advanced the cause of women's rights. Best known for her mystery novels that use actual historical events as their backdrop, Ms. Monfredo delighted an audience of more than 60 - both women and men - with her remarks. The Library Foundation underwrote speaker's expenses for this entertaining and informative program.
Dramatic Cubist Painting Donated to Central Library: After viewing renderings of proposed Central Library renovations, B&ECPL Information Systems Coordinator Peggy Brent was inspired to donate a cubist oil painting from her collection to the Central Library. Ms. Brent describes the artwork, "Morning Coffee" by Romanian artist Gabi Petrescu as: "…beautifully executed and appropriate for the library, with the tables and cityscape and lovely color palette. I think it looks like the Central Library and will look even more like it when we get the coffee shop. The cubist style goes well with the modern architecture of the Central Library too." The Library is grateful for Ms. Brent's generosity.
New Elevator Arrives, Installation to Follow: The new wheelchair accessible elevator included in the Surrogate Court Storage project arrived March 12th. Installation will begin shortly, with completion anticipated in approximately eight weeks. The elevator will be located near the Central Library's Washington Street entrance and serve all public floors. This includes access to the Auditorium and the former Civil Defense room (Surrogate Court's storage site). Previously, wheelchair access to the Auditorium was provided only through the Auditorium's Clinton Street exterior entrance, and there was no wheelchair access to the CD room.
Western New York Genealogical Society (WNYGS): On February 25th, Ruth Collins, Peggy Skotnicki, Elaine Barone and Raya Then met with Irene Rupp, President, June Zintz and Ginny Zugger of the WNYGS to discuss areas of mutual concern and renovation plans for the combined Special Collections and Music Department, which houses the WNYGS collection.
Collaborations for Children: On February 21st, B&ECPL Youth Services Manager Chris Moesch attended a meeting at EPIC (Every Person Influencing Children) offices with representatives of EPIC's program department, the Executive Director of Parent Network of Western New York and the Director of Kaleida Libraries, to discuss ways to serve the hard-to-reach parent/child population in the Buffalo/Erie County area.
A Penny Saved… Brodart, one of the B&ECPL's major book vendors, has introduced a new, high-quality line of pre-bound books, making popular out-of-print children's titles available for purchase. Orders from a recent checklist of pre-bound readers were to cost the Library System $9,000. Recalling that Brodart previously had offered a 2-for-1 special on pre-bound items, Acquisitions Department Head Judylee Loos telephoned to inquire if the B&ECPL was eligible for that discount. As a result of that call, the Library will not only save $4,500 for these orders, but will also receive a credit of nearly $500 for pre-bound titles ordered earlier this year. This is just one example of how B&ECPL staff work to make ends meet in challenging economic times!
Miscellaneous Meetings and Appearances: The Director appeared as a special guest on the February 25th live broadcast of Crossroads on Adelphia Channel 13 (Channel 22 in Buffalo). Interviewer Peter Anderson focused his questions and remarks on budget woes due to reductions in State Aid and looming increases in retirement costs, as well as ongoing plans to develop a demonstration construction project merging two libraries into a new state-of-the-art facility in South Buffalo. On March 12th, the Director was interviewed on WBEN-AM radio on the subject of the USA PATRIOT Act and its implications for libraries.
On March 3rd, the Director and COO Ruth Collins met with Kristin Brill, Director of Development at UB's School of Informatics, and instructor Melanie Kimble to discuss opportunities for collaboration. On March 6th, the Director attended the inaugural meeting of Erie Community College's President's Advisory Council. On March 15th, the Director met with the Board of Trustees and Director of the Grand Island Memorial Library to discuss a variety of issues of mutual concern.
The Director was pleased to assist the offices of NYS Senator Michael Balboni, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, in conducting a public hearing on emergency planning and US-Canada border security on March 6th. WNY Senators Dale Volker, Mary Lou Rath and Byron Brown visited the Central Library for this hearing as well as Assembly Members Robin Schimminger and Paul Tokasz. Deputy County Executive Carl Calabrese was among those who addressed the panel on issues of emergency preparedness and response in the event of terrorist acts. The Office of Community Relations, as well as Central Library and Maintenance staff, assisted in making hospitality arrangements that contributed to the success of this important event.
Agenda Item G - Report of the Foundation Director. Ms. Vedder expressed her respect for James Burns, who also served on the Library Foundation Board of Directors. His financial wisdom and wit will be missed. The Foundation has received many
contributions in his honor, and Ms. Vedder has kept Mrs. Burns up-to-date on memorial donations.
Ms. Vedder advised everyone of the Grosvenor Concert series kick-off on April 9th. Vincent O'Neill will do a poetry reading in celebration of National Poetry Month and National Library Week. In addition to her comments, Ms. Vedder's written report covered the Summer Reading Program, royalty payments for "A Murder, A Mystery, and a Marriage," the John R. Oishei Foundation grant, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn CD-ROM project and B&ECPL funding support.
Agenda Item H - Public Comment. John Klukowski of South Buffalo feels that many residents in the South Buffalo area are opposed to the library plan involving Cazenovia and Dudley libraries. He believes having libraries nearby so children can walk to them makes libraries more functional. Suburban library needs are not the same as library requirements for an urban population. He stated the Cazenovia Library should be made handicapped accessible.
Sandra Carubba from Kenmore is Chairperson of the Green Party of Erie County. She is concerned about a plan to eliminate libraries within the City of Buffalo, where residents have transportation problems and need access to information. Because of Buffalo's density of population, the city should have a greater number of libraries within its border. She would like to see all city libraries remain open and improved in condition.
Agenda Item I - Unfinished Business. No unfinished business.
Agenda Item J - New Business. Chairman Roach reported Trustee Stanley Zagora is departing the Board after 14 years and has been replaced by W. Lawrence Buck. Mr. Buck was President of the Foundation Board for a number of years, and the B&ECPL looks forward to having Mr. Buck on this Board. Mr. Zagora will be honored at the next meeting for his many years of dedicated service to the B&ECPL. Chairman Roach also announced that Trustee Sharon Thomas would replace Mr. Burns on the Foundation Board.
Chairman Roach distributed committee volunteer sheets to Board members.
Agenda Item J.1 - Remembering James W. Burns. Chairman Roach
mentioned the country's current Mid-East conflict and felt the Board would be remiss in adjourning without consideration of the men and women who are currently serving in the nation's armed forces. He extended the B&ECPL Board's best wishes, hopes and prayers to all of them.
Chairman Roach entertained a motion to accept Resolution 2003-15. Ms. Juncewicz motioned to adjourn in remembrance of Jim Burns' outstanding service. Ms. Horton seconded, and the following was approved unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2003-15
WHEREAS, JAMES W. BURNS served on the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library from February 5, 1998 to March 4, 2003, and
WHEREAS, he served as Treasurer of the Library and Chairman of the Board's Budget and Finance Committee from 2000 to 2003, andWHEREAS, he served as Chairman of the Board's Legislative Committee in 2000, and
WHEREAS, he served as a member of the Board's Book Committee, its Building Committee, its ACT Liaison Committee, and its Foundation Review Committee, and
WHEREAS, he further represented the Board of Trustees as a Director of the Library Foundation of Buffalo and Erie County, Inc., now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that in gratitude, respect and fond memory of a skilled and conscientious public servant whose wit and wisdom enriched many of the Board's deliberations, the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Board of Trustees collectively mourns the passing of JAMES W. BURNS and adjourns this meeting in his memory.
There being no further business, on motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Ms. Horton, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Annette A. Juncewicz
Secretary