1987-11-10 BERLIN-PECK MEMORIAL LIBRARY
MINUTES
November 10 , 1987
Members Present : Paul Czepiga, Paula Alkas , Mary Carey, Rosalie
Punkunus , Judith Lindgren
Members Absent: Joseph Pohlmann, David Borthwick, Peter Rosso
Others Present: Mrs . Blanche Delaney, Mrs. Cathy Nelson, Mr.
Eugene Devlin, Mrs.Karen Ribnicky, Mr. Brian
Humes
As neither the Chairman or Vice Chairman was present, Motion was
made by Mrs . Carey, seconded by Mrs . Punkunus to elect Mrs.
Delaney moderator for this meeting. MOTION CARRIED.
Mrs. Delaney called the meeting to order at 7 : 45 p.m.
Mrs. Ribnicky reported that the Public Building Commission was
very unhappy that she had come to the Library Board prior to
going before them with her recommendations regarding placement of
the stacks . Mr. Humes said he has to go to the Public Building
Commission every other week with progress reports. The firm felt
they were left out of the process which in turn causes delays .
There was a lack of communication between the parties involved.
The Public Building Commission hired Karen and they should see
the drawings first. Plans should go the Public Building
Commission and the architect and the Library Board in that order;
obviously without delays .
Mr. Humes presented different options with the placement of the
stacks where we would get the most books and the best lighting
arrangement and visibility will not be deterred. His plans
indicated 71 , 736 volumes (maximum capacity) with straight stacks;
angled stacks with three foot aisles around perimeter would
permit 61 , 656 volumes . Statement of Need calls for 65 , 000 plus
storage for periodicals. The library presently has 35 , 000 adult
books.
Mrs . Ribnicky said she cannot emphasize enough visibility. Her
figures with straight stacks equal 66 , 864 . One single-face
section equals 168 books. She pointed out the full library
collection of books will hardly ever be in the library at a given
time; 20-30% will be out.
Mrs . Carey said she agrees with Mrs. Nelson in that we want to
see what is going on between the stacks . It is very important.
Mrs. Punkunus agreed noting she worked at the library and knows
how important visibility is . We will not have the staff required
to check on things so that area has to be visible.
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Mr. Humes said the building was not designed to accommodate
angled stacks. We were not told and the building does not
accommodate it. Mrs. Carey pointed out we were told by Mr.
Kaestle to wait on the inside; not to worry, we would have a
consultant who will advise us . The consultant would critique the
layout. Mrs. Ribnicky said her contract says she will help with
the bid openings and ensure the building program comes through
and that it functions the best it can. Mr. Humes said Karen was
hired too late in time. His firm was under the assumption that
she would help them with the layout, the manufacturers, the
specifications of the furniture, colors, etc. He is not
concerned with the furniture-it ' s movable; we are concerned with
the permanent.
Mrs. Carey said she cannot foresee that this library would have
the optimum use with the straight stacks; you are defeating the
purpose for which we are building a new library. We will not
gain volumes; we need space. We know we are going to be
understaffed. We said from the beginning our needs cannot be met
with this type of stack. We need to be able to see down the
aisles.
Mrs. Delaney said if this Board feels this way, you should make a
motion.
On Motion by Mrs. Carey, seconded by Mrs. Punkunus, it was voted
that we recommend to the Public Building Commission that we feel
we would like the stacks angled for the following reasons: Simple
Collection organization; clear traffic patterns; maximum staff
supervision of users; flexibility; proper adjacencies among
departments and collections; optimum compromise between program
and other constraints; correct density without crowding; seating
within the collection without disruption of collection
organization; variety of user seating, appropriate to facility;
staff efficiency and comfort; marketability of literature and
library services; maximum advantage of views; and, interesting,
not contrived, spaces. MOTION CARRIED
Mrs. Ribnicky then reviewed the reference area, specifically the
placement of the reference desk. Mr. Humes suggested using a
part of the circulation desk for the reference desk. The size of
the circulation is as large as the Children' s Department--
24 'x30 ' . Mrs. Ribnicky said she doesn't like to see the two
functions combined. Mrs. Nelson stated we will need every inch
of the circulation desk we can get. Mrs. Ribnicky presented a
rough sketch just marked out today. Mrs. Delaney said she feels
the experts should make this decision. It has to be a functional
desk and fit in with the general layout of the building. Mrs.
Ribnicky will do a little more work on her sketch and present it
next week. She and Mr. Humes left the meeting at 9: 10 p.m.
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Mrs. Nelson presented the proposed budget for the children' s
department. Mr. Devlin read some of his proposed figures for the
remaining budget items . He will have copies for members next
week.
Mrs. Delaney reported that she and Attorney Denise McNair
attended the Probate Court hearing in Waterbury regarding the
Henry H. Peck Trust Fund. The Judge said the Trust would be
transferred under the terms of the Will . However, instead of 1 /4
to be used for the general improvement of the library building or
making an addition thereto, he authorized 1 /3 of the income of
the Trust for this purpose. In the meantime, we will have the
Finance Director hold the funds separate until we hear from the
Probate Court. Motion was made by Mrs . Lindgren, seconded by
Mrs. Alkas, and voted that we accept the transfer of the Henry H.
Peck Trust Fund for the benefit of the Peck Memorial Library in
the amount of $50, 230. 64 ; $1 , 001 . 33 of which is income and
$49 , 229 . 31 is principal to be placed in a Special Fund in the
name of Henry H. Peck for the benefit of Peck Memorial Library
pending confirmation of the terms of the transfer by Probate
Court Judge James J. Lawlor of the District of Waterbury as
follows : that 1 /3 of the principal in the amount of $49 ,229 . 31
be used toward the new Berlin-Peck Memorial Library building
under the name of Henry H. Peck and that the balance of the
principal to be invested and that the transferred income of
$1 ,001 . 33 , together with any future income be used as set forth
in paragraph 11 of the Last Will and Testament of Henry H. Peck
and further that the Probate Court District of Waterbury annually
be advised by letter concerning the use of this income. MOTION
CARRIED Mrs. Carey abstained.
NOTE: Paragraph 11 of the Will states in part: "1 /2 of the
income of the Trust to be used in the care, maintenance and
expenses of said (Peck Memorial ) Library, 1 /4 of said income to
be used exclusively in the purchase of books for said Library,
and the remaining 1 /4 to be held, invested and accumulated by the
managers of said Library as a special fund to be used by them for
the general improvement of the Library building or making an
addition thereto should the same be necessary. "
Mrs. Delaney noted that on November 19th there will be a hearing
on our request for an extension of time. It has been requested
someone from the Board attend.
There being no further business , the meeting was adjourned at
10 : 00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
I dith M. Li#41(-)
;icting Secretary