2006/03/08
TOWN OF BERLIN
BERLIN-PECK MEMORIAL LIBRARY BOARD
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2006
Members Present:
Frank Steele, ChairmanJohn E. Darrow
Elizabeth Bennett, Vice ChairmanSharon Powell
Lisa LaromMelanie Jortner
Juliet Benjamin, Recording Secretary
Excused:
Donna MooreCarol Welz
Rosa Brown
Staff:
Sara Munson, Library Director
Cathy Nelson, Assistant Library Director
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Steele called the meeting to order @ 7:00 P.M.
2. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
None
3. DISPOSITION OF MINUTES, Wednesday, February 8, 2006:
John Darrow noted that he was listed as present and excused. He was
not in attendance at the February meeting. Elizabeth Bennett made a motion
to accept the Minutes of Wednesday, February 8, 2006, as amended.
Seconded by Lisa Larom and approved.
4. LIBRARIAN’S REPORT – DIRECTOR/ASSISTANT DIRECTOR:
Director’s Report
Personnel – Director Munson noted that the 18-hour Reference position
has been posted. This position became vacant when Carrie moved into the 22-
hour position.
Programs – Dir. Munson distributed plastic cards that are being handed
out for the Overdrive audio book connection. The cards list the Website along
with instructions for downloading books to home computers. Chairman Steele
stated that he is very pleased with the Overdrive program, explaining that up to
five books can be downloaded for free for a period of two weeks. After the two
weeks the books are automatically disabled. He noted that many of the books
could be copied, depending on copyrights. Chairman Steele said that he found
the site user friendly and the instructions easy to follow. Dir. Munson noted
that the program has been operating for eight days and they have had twenty-
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library Board Minutes – 3/8/2006 - Page 2
four on-line checkouts. This service gives patrons the opportunity to get books
that are not available at the Library.
Dir. Munson also distributed copies of the 2006 One Book 4 Towns
brochure and bookmark for The Good Wife by Stewart O’Nan. The goal of One
Book 4 Towns is to promote literacy and unify our communities through the
common experience of reading and talking together about the same book. Kick-
off of the program will be Wednesday, April 5 @ 7:00 P.M. at the Cora J. Belden
Library in Rocky Hill, with a finale with the Author on Thursday, May 25 @ 7:00
P.M. in Council Chambers at the Newington Town Hall.
Dir. Munson noted that she and Chairman Steele had met with the
Budget Committee last Thursday, during the snowstorm, to review the proposed
Library Budget for fiscal year 2006-2007.
Assistant Director’s Report
Assistant Director Nelson reported on the CT-Car Delivery Service. She
was pleased to note that in 2005, 26 items were overdue or lost, and sixteen of
those items were DVD’s or Videos. So far this year, Jan & Feb, seven items are
unaccounted for, and none are DVD’s or Videos. She believes that the new
packaging seems to be working.
Assistant Director Nelson stated that she has been working with
Griswold School on the Summer Reading Program.
She also noted that 57 children in grades 4 thru 6 read all 10 books in
the Nutmeg Books program and an award ceremony will be held next week.
Tomorrow night is ice cream night, sponsored by the Friends, and all are
welcome.
5. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Steele noted that other than his comments on the Overdrive
program, he had nothing else to report.
6. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:
?
Budget Committee – Dir. Munson reviewed the current budget report
and the proposed budget.
?
Friends Committee – Dir. Munson reported that the Friends have
donated a new sign in front of the Library listing hours of operation, etc.
Winter Reading Club Social – The Friends will be supplying ice
o
cream for the Winter Reading Club Social tomorrow. March 9.
th
Norman will be distributing used books to children.
Antique Appraisal – Dir. Munson noted that 40 people had
o
attended the Antique Appraisal Program and it was very
successful.
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library Board Minutes – 3/8/2006 - Page 3
Website Update – The Friends will be giving money to have a Web
o
Designer update the Library Website.
Memory of Eugene Devlin – The Friends are donating money to
o
purchase books in memory of Eugene Devlin.
Audio Equipment – The Friends plan to purchase Audio
o
Equipment for the Media Room.
?
Personnel Committee
No report
?
Policy and Bylaws Committee
No report.
?
First Floor Expansion Committee – Chairman Steele noted that the
First Floor Expansion Committee did not meet this month before the
Boards regular meeting. They will be meeting next month, April 12
th
@6:30 P.M. and Dir. Munson and Asst. Dir. Nelson will be giving a report
on the Space Planning workshop that they will be attending.
7. COMMUNICATIONS:
None
8. OLD BUSINESS:
None
9. NEW BUSINESS:
None
10. ADJOURNMENT:
Melanie Jortner moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 P.M. Seconded by
Elizabeth Bennett & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Recording Secretary