Cornwall Free Library

Minutes of the Meeting of April 26, 2004

Present: Janet Gold, John Green, Will Calhoun, Norma Lake, Lisa Simont, Dominique Lasseur, Alec Frost, Ann Schillinger, Julie Schieffelin and Jean Vitalis. Amy Worthington Cady, Library Director.

The minutes of the March 22 meeting were approved as presented.

John Green reported on the state of the treasury. Cash flow continues to be a problem as the fiscal year closes. John requested that the Board authorize a draw on endowment earnings.

Norma Lake moved and Ann Schillinger seconded a motion:

To authorize the treasurer to draw on the endowment’s earning up to $5,000 with the expectation that these funds will be restored to the endowment after revenue from the spring fundraiser comes in.

The VOTE to approve was unanimous.

Amy Cady reported on progress on various fronts. (See attached report.) Research on patron preferences for library hours is under way and will be presented more fully in May. The Manhattan String Quartet concert is set for late June at the United Church of Christ, a venue which will allow costs to be kept at a minimum.

The children’s program continue to draw families on weekdays and weekends. The Children’s Material Selection Committee meets monthly. Amy Buck will be asked to write a plan to fill gaps in the collection and also to replace well-beloved classics.

Janet Gold and Amy hosted a Volunteer Training Review and Recognition Luncheon on April 22. The dozen or so volunteers who came were treated to Library-generated cuisine and appreciated the attention and assistance.

Norma Lake asked if the Library had a policy about how to respond if a patron complains about library material and asks that it be pulled from circulation. The board agreed that there should be a policy.

Norma discussed final issues connected with the board’s examination of the Library personnel policy. At the request of Roxana Laughlin, chairman of the Personnel Committee, the policy was not reviewed by Theresa D’Alton, the Library’s attorney, due to current budget constraints.

Norma moved and Jean Vitalis seconded a motion:

To request that a local attorney, pro bono, check the personnel policy for errors and omissions.

The VOTE to approve was unanimous.

The Board reviewed the evaluation of Amy Cady by the Personnel Committee.

Lisa Simont moved and Julie Schieffelin seconded a motion:

To accept the Committee’s report with the understanding that salary changes will be considered in the context of the entire budget for FY 2005.

The VOTE to approve was unanimous.

Will Calhoun reported on progress toward the installation of the dumb waiter in the staff area. The fire marshall and the building inspector need to be advised of our plans.

Ann Schillinger presented a report on paths the board might consider toward doing team building and strategic planning. Of the various options available for team building, the best seems to be Sharon Breitschneider of the CT State Library who suggests two half-day sessions using focus group techniques.

Sources of funds for strategic planning were explored and appear to be few. The Torrington Area Foundation was the only one which nibbled. People experienced in this work with boards like ours charged between $3,000 and $20,000 to work with board members and staff. Several suggestions were made by board members about other avenues to follow.

Norma moved and Alec Frost seconded a motion:

To authorize the Executive Committee and the Library Director to meet with Sharon Breitschneider this summer to arrange for team building sessions beginning in the fall.

The VOTE to approve was unanimous.

The Village Improvement Society has come to the board with an offer to lay some gravel on the road edge in front of the library so that parking there can become less of a mud wallow experience. The board accepted the offer with pleasure and thanks.

The meeting adjourned at 6:08 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Lansing Simont

Secretary