2007-01-20
TOWN OF BERLIN
BERLIN-PECK MEMORIAL LIBRARY BOARD
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2007
Members Present:
Frank Steele, ChairmanSharon Powell
Elizabeth BennettMelanie Jortner
Carol WelzJohn E. Darrow
Rosa Brown
Juliet Benjamin, Recording Secretary
Excused:
Donna Moore
Staff:
Sara Munson, 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, December 13, 2006:
First Floor Expansion Committee Minutes – Upon review of the
Minutes of the First Floor Expansion Committee for Wednesday, December 13,
2006, Rosa Brown made a motion to accept the minutes as written. John
Darrow seconded the motion and the minutes were accepted.
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library Board Regular Minutes – Carol Welz
made a motion to accept the Berlin-Peck Memorial Library Board regular
minutes for Wednesday, December 13, 2006 as written. The motion was
seconded by Rosa Brown and unanimously approved.
4. LIBRARIAN’S REPORT – DIRECTOR/ASSISTANT DIRECTOR:
Director’s Report:
Damaged Book & Library Policy - Dir. Munson stated that a patron had
dropped the book The Razzie Movie Guide into a puddle and the book was
ruined beyond repair. The patron questioned the policy of having to pay for
replacement of the book @$14.99 since the patron did not believe that the book
was worth that much since it was a 1995 edition. Dir. Munson invited the
patron to come to the Library Board meeting and speak during the Audience of
Citizens to voice his opinion on the policy. The book cannot be repaired and
therefore policy states that replacement cost is due. The patron’s library card
has been blocked and articles cannot be taken out until this situation is
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library Board Minutes – 1/10/2007 - Page 2
resolved. Chairman Steele read the portion of the library by-laws that pertained
to damaged or destroyed books and stated that the policy is very clear.
Birds of North America Database – Dir. Munson noted that the Birds of
North America database is available but can only be accessed within the library,
not from a patron’s home computer. Dir. Munson believed that the salesman
had stated that the program would be accessible from other computers and she
hoped to check on that item.
Investors Business Daily e-tables – Dir. Munson stated that the
Investors Business Daily e-tables are available on line for anyone interested in
stock investing and tracking certain stocks.
Problem – Dr. Munson noted there was a problem with the online
catalog by the public. Some “Work Flows” problems have been corrected and
she is pursuing the correction of others.
Asst. Library Dir. Nelson - Assistant Library Dir. Cathy Nelson has been
spending mornings at the elementary schools this month doing story hours for
Kindergarten, first and third graders.
New Library Website – Dir. Munson was pleased to announce that the
new Website is up and running and wished to credit Barbara Sagan, the Town
Technology Dir., for the smooth transition. She urged everyone to check out
the website at www.berlin-peck.lib.ct.us and give their opinion.
5. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Steele requested formation of a nominating committee the
Election of Officers to be held next month. Melanie Jortner and Rosa Brown
volunteered and will make arrangements to present a slate of officers for the
next meeting.
6. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:
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Budget Committee - Dir. Munson stated that the current budget is on
target. She supplied some updated figures for the upcoming 2007-2008
fiscal year’s budget.
?
Friends Committee – Dir. Munson reported that the Friends have
several programs planned for the upcoming months. 1) They will be
having a noon Film & Discussion showing of Breakfast at Tiffany’s on
Tuesday, January 23. 2) On Saturday, February 3 @1:00 P.M. Sandy
rdrd
Tovray Greenberg will present a workshop on “Starting your Memoir”. 3)
On Wednesday, February 21 @1:30 P.M. Juggles and Joy will present a
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program for children. 4) Author Daniella Brodsky will be speaking at the
Library on January 23 @7:00 P.M. and will be reading from her latest
rd
book “The Velvet Rope Diaries” and answering questions after. Hot cocoa
will be served. Copies of her books are available. 5) The Friends are to be
involved in the finale of the One Book Four Libraries Project.
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Personnel Committee
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Policy and Bylaws Committee
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library Board Minutes – 1/10/2007 - Page 3
Dir. Munson submitted an approved copy of the Renewal Policy and will
submit a copy of Interlibrary Loans/Reserves at the next meeting after
she adds the Dec. 13, 2006 revision date to the document.
?
First Floor Expansion Committee – Chairman Steele noted that the
First Floor Expansion Committee did not meet this month, but would be
meeting @6:30 next month before the regular Library Board Meeting.
7. COMMUNICATIONS:
Chairman Steele noted that he had received a call from the Berlin Citizen
regarding background information for an article they are planning on libraries.
He extended an invitation to the reporter to attend tonight’s meeting to meet
with the Board, but she did not attend.
Chairman Steele asked Dir. Munson for clarification on an item on the
Monthly Statistics – the meaning of the 323% listed next to Self Checkout. Dir.
Munson will check into it.
8. OLD BUSINESS:
9. NEW BUSINESS:
Elizabeth Bennett worked today on reviewing statistics of the number of
people who use the local History Room at the library. She was pleased that 102
people had signed in that they had used the room this past year. She
mentioned that many people visit the room but do not sign in, so the 102
number is quite significant. The number for last year was 88. She also noted
that the 102 number represents people from nine different states, Virginia, New
York, New Jersey, Arizona, Ohio, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and
California.
10. ADJOURNMENT:
Sharon Powell moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 P.M. Seconded by
Carol Welz & unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Recording Secretary