2013-11-13
TOWN OF BERLIN
BERLIN-PECK MEMORIAL LIBRARY BOARD
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2013
Members Present:
Sharon Powell, Chairman Donna Moore, Vice-Chairman
Frank Steele Elizabeth Bennett
Elaine Borselle Robert Lewis
Kathleen Murray Carol Ranieri
Juliet Benjamin, Recording Secretary
Members Absent:
Carol Welz
Staff in Attendance:
Helen Aveline, Library Director
Cathy Nelson, Assistant Library Director
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Powell called the meeting to order @7:00 P.M.
2. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
None
3. DISPOSITION OF MINUTES, Wednesday, October 16, 2013:
Frank Steele requested a change to paragraph 1 on page 2, last sentence:
“Frank Steele said that the Library Board and the Town Council need to work
together on a short term solution to the storage needs of the library.” Kay
Murray also asked that her statement be clarified to read: “Kay Murray noted
that she has trouble getting into the local History Room Annex.” A motion was
then made by Frank Steele to accept the Minutes of Wednesday, October 16,
2013 as corrected. Kay Murray seconded the motion and the minutes were
approved.
4. LIBRARIAN’S REPORT – LIBRARY DIRECTOR AVELINE:
Frank Steele questioned Director Aveline about her report, under
Problems, regarding the issue about accuracy when discharging books.
Director Aveline stated that sometimes books are not checked in correctly and
are put back on the shelf and a patron will receive a note stating that the book
has not been returned and is overdue. Very often, when the staff checks the
shelf the book is there. Director Aveline noted that Lisa Spalla is looking into
this and it may be that staff will need to make sure they check the computer
screen after hearing the beep to make sure the book has really been checked in.
Several Library Board Members stated that they have run into the problem of
receiving a notice for an overdue book that they were sure they had returned
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library Board Minutes – 11/13/2013 - Page 2
and upon checking the shelf, found the book. Director Aveline expects to
review this problem with staff at the regular staff meeting tomorrow.
Director Aveline noted that the IPad class session for seniors has ended
and was very successful. A second set of classes are now being held at the
Berlin Senior Center. Director Aveline had a chance to speak with two
participants of the classes who said that they were enjoying the classes very
much. Director Aveline said that they are also looking into classes for
downloading books onto individual devices.
Director Aveline noted that the library has a new database called One
Click Digital, for downloading books. There is no limit to the number of books
borrowed and there is a two week limit on the books.
MONTHLY REPORT for OCTOBER 2013
November 13, 2013
PERSONNEL:
Sadly, Sue Fracasso, former Children’s Dept. Assistant, passed away on
October 25. Several staff attended the funeral where she was remembered
fondly as Miss Sue, the storyteller for 2 year olds.
Cathy gave her 2 month notice that she will retire after 37 ½ years on January 2,
2014.
New subs started at new pay rates. Training continues.
Sandy DiCicco accepted a full time job at East Hartford Public Library.
PROGRAMS:
Adult:18Programs with 215 participants
Sit and Knit met two times with 22 participants
Friday Matinee met one time with 10 attendees
iPad workshops met 5 times at the library with 43 attendees
iPad workshops met 3 times at the senior center with 29 attendees
Special Education Advocacy program met once with 1 participant
Spiritual Medium Elaine Kuzmeskus had 57 attendees for her program
Sustainable Landscaping presentation had 18 attendees
Library book discussion had 5 participants
Genealogy group met once with 12 participants
Ursula’s Senior Center book discussion group had 6 participants
Access Health CT met with 12 patrons regarding the Affordable Health Care Act
Young Adult: 1 program with 8 participants
Halloween Zombie program – 8 participants
Children - 35 programs with 625 participants
Storytimes with 7 sessions and 45 participants
Halloween storytime with 1 program and 60 participants
IPad storytimes with 4 sessions and 43 participants
Baby storytimes with 2 sessions and 50 participants
Toddler storytimes with 2 sessions and 69 participants
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library Board Minutes – 11/13/2013 - Page 3
Playtime with 4 sessions and 65 participants
Nursery and child care visits: 12 visits with 204 participants
Llama Storytime– 1 program with 35 participants
Halloween Half-day school – 1 program with 38 participants
Play for all with 1 program and 16 participants
PLUSSES:
Carrie attended a meeting at Portland Library about New Jersey’s passport
program (an initiative encouraging patrons to visit other libraries in the state).
This is a program Connecticut libraries are interested in instituting.
Carrie and Lisa attended a roundtable meeting of department heads from
Connecticut libraries. This new group hopes to meet every couple of months to
share ideas and advice.
Carrie sent out the library’s first e-newsletter. We have received a lot of positive
feedback.
The Sit and Knit group was thrilled to have a child attend one of their meetings.
The adults in the group were able to teach her how to knit.
We have new signage in the library making it easier for our patrons to find things.
The Friends of the Berlin-Peck Memorial Library held a Saturday book sale on
10/26.
After hiring 5 new subs, we are now able to fill holes in any time slot.
Cathy attended a webinar on Evanced computerized summer reading statistics
through the Connecticut State Library
The public scanner had 171 uses this month. Very high.
PROBLEMS: •
There seems to be an issue with accuracy when discharging
books. Lisa S will be looking into this.
•
Sandy’s leaving makes us short staffed at the reference desk.
PLANNING:
• Planning for the annual Gingerbread House contest!
• Circulation manager Lisa Spalla is testing scheduling software to
help with managing employee work shifts.
• Will be forming a webpage redesign committee to spruce up our
webpage.
PROFESSIONAL:
October 1 – Town Council mtg. – HA
October 2 – Quad town children’s librarians lunch – CN and EG
October 2 – Friends - HA
October 3 – Dept. Heads – HA, CT, CN, LS
October 4 – LCI Governance Committee mtg. (Wethersfield) – HA
October 7 - Mtg with TM - HA
October 8 – Capitol region children’s roundtable – CN and EG
October 9 – CIP hearing for FY14-15 – HA
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library Board Minutes – 11/13/2013 - Page 4
October 9 – Presentation at Orchard Ridge – HA
October 10 – Staff mtg. – HA
October 10 – WordPress for websites class - CK
October 11 – LCI Member Council (Windsor) – HA
October 16 – Top Managers mtg – HA
October 16 – Webinar: How to hire IT staff for your library – HA
October 16 – Board Meeting – HA, CN
October 17 – Dept. heads – HA, CN, CT, LS
October 21 – Mtg with TM - HA
October 21 – Berlin Education Council – HA
October 28 – Mtg with TM – HA
October 30 – Mid-manager/dept head roundtable (Windsor) – CT
and LS
October 31 – LCI Governance Committee mtg. (Wethersfield) –
HA
BOARD MEETINGS:
• November 6 – Friends of the Library
• November 13 – Library Board
• December 4 – Friends
• December 11 – Library Board
OCTOBER 2013 STATS
OCTOBER STATS 2013 2012 %
New Cards 53 52 +2%
Total Cardholders 7,187 7,466 -3%
Door Count 8,038 9,337 -14%
Reference Questions 1,488 1,302 +14%
Programs 54 49 -10%
Program attendance 848 844 +.5%
Webpage sessions (remote & in) 8,552 13,466 -36%
Downloadable e and audio books 449 385 +16%
Circ for month (incl. downloads) 13,962 14,915 -6%
Cumulative circ to date 71,443 66,737 +7%
Book a Librarian 2 3
Test proctoring 0 0
Computer assistance 150 n/a
Homebound Service 1 n/a
Public scanner 171
INTERESTING REFERENCE QUESTIONS:
1)Pear jam recipes
2)DVD with “Falls” in the title about a hotel
3)What are the side effects of celexa?
4)Properties of the wormwood plant
5)Is the JFK Museum in Hyannis open during gov’t shutdown?
6)Info on abdominal aneurysms
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library Board Minutes – 11/13/2013 - Page 5
7)Rockville Fish and Game shooting schedule
8)Antebellum South fiction
9)Info on solution-focused therapy
10)Info on Physics Prize Foundation
11)Recipe for a homemade cough remedy
12)Info on starting a food truck in CT
13)List of the people on “All My Children”
14)Books on becoming a personal chef
15)How to get a stuck disc out of an apple computer
16)Many requests for scary and Halloween-themed movies
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR’S REPORT – CATHY NELSON:
Assistant Library Director Nelson noted that the Hartford Courant on
Monday had an article about the enrollment in schools and that Berlin
enrollment has declined 7.9% and they expect it to continue to decline. The
decline in enrollment of course has an effect on the participation in library
activities and number of patrons.
Assistant Director Nelson noted that her last program will be A “Hole” Lot
of Fun, Family Miniature Golf, within the library. It will be held on Friday,
December 27 from 1:00 to 4:00 and families are urged to call, register and call
th
for a Tee Time.
Assistant Director Nelson’s last day before retirement will be January 2,
2014 after thirty seven and a half years with the library.
5. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Powell stated that she had sent a letter to Town Manager
McNair to thank her for taking the time to meet with the Library Board.
Director Aveline was asked to convey the concerns of the Library Board to Town
Manager McNair on an ongoing basis.
6. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:
Budget Committee –Director Aveline distributed copies of the current
budget for review.
Friends Committee
Director Aveline noted that The Friends had met last week. The Friends
will be hooking up with the Petit Foundation for a special program to sell
Four O’clock Flowers. One of the Petit daughters loved Four O’clock
Flowers and Director Aveline explained the history behind the sale of
these flowers. Proceeds will benefit the Petit Foundation.
Personnel Committee
Members: Chairman Elizabeth Bennett, Frank Steele & Bob Lewis.
Policy and Bylaws Committee
Assistant Director Nelson distributed copies of the revised Patron
Behavior Policy and a new Table of Contents.
First Floor Expansion Committee
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library Board Minutes – 11/13/2013 - Page 6
Ordinance Committee
7. COMMUNICATIONS:
8. OLD BUSINESS:
Safety & Security Assessment: Director Aveline noted that the security
assessment has been revisited and some new measures are planned.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
Director Aveline asked to meet with the Library Board Budget Committee
(Frank Steele, Elaine Borselle and Kay Murray), after Thanksgiving to discuss
plans for the budget. It was agreed to meet on Wednesday, December 4 @9:00
th
am. Director Aveline noted that in the past, when planning the budget, last
years figures were used and either increased or decreased. This year the Town
Finance Committee has decided to start with a zero balance and fill in the
amounts needed.
Chairman Powell said that she had spoken with Assistant Director
Nelson and she would like to be given the title “Librarian Emeritus” and be
allowed access to the databases while she is working on her next book. Frank
Steele made a motion to appoint Cathy Nelson Librarian Emeritus. Betty
Bennett seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. On the
question of having access to the databases, etc., the Library Board felt that it
would be the decision of the Human Resources Department to allow Assistant
Director Nelson access to the databases or not.
10. ADJOURNMENT:
Donna Moore made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 PM. The
motion was seconded by Elizabeth Bennett and unanimously approved. The
meeting was adjourned to allow the Library Board to further discuss plans for
Assistant Director Nelson’s retirement.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Recording Secretary