Cornwall Free Library

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 23, 2004

Present: Janet Gold, president, Ann Schillinger, Norma Lake, Will Calhoun, Lisa Simont and Alec Frost.

The minutes of the January 26 meeting were approved with minor corrections.

In the absence of treasurer John Green, Lisa reported that the final portion of the state construction grant, $46,200, is being wired in the coming week to the endowment account at the Torrington Savings Bank.

Librarian’s Report (see attached report for details): Amy Cady reported two accidents on library property in the previous ten days. One had to do with the icy state of the library parking lot. The Board discussed reliable snow shoveling arrangements. The handicapped and fire exit areas must be kept clear. Will agreed to contact local contractors to explore.

Children’s programs are very successful and Amy pointed out the need to keep the present squad of little ones engaged in library activity as they “age up”. Several timing and program alternatives are being explored. One that seems to work is the after-school hot chocolate club which brings kids from CCS on the bus.

The Board reviewed a plan drawn up by Jill Bryant, Janet and Amy to allow Amy to acquire education credits toward a master’s degree in library science. (See report for details). A partial degree is acceptable to the board. Norma asked that the board’s agreement with the librarian be checked to see if any benchmarks for obtaining education credits were in her original contract. It would be wise, Norma suggested, to be clear about this and change the expectations for completion of the coursework if necessary.

Personnel Report: Norma detailed changes to the personnel policy. The alterations generally tended to bring the policy into alignment with the library’s practice and with best practice in other organizations. Lisa suggested that John Green be asked to look at the sections on payroll administration which might be slightly out of whack. Compensatory time has been added. Termination causes now include “rudeness” to patrons; a hierarchy of grievance for this process was made more clear. Holiday hours have been made more reasonable and vacation time expanded to three weeks a year. The board is invited to compare the old document with the new version for more detail.

Amy Cady reported that Bibliomation has installed new memory and an anti-viral program ominously called “Deep Freeze”. This new system more frequently casts an eye over the data in our computers and purges any annoying bits which might grow into full-blown problems.

Janet presented the Library Friends’ menu of spring offerings. The Manhattan String Quartet concert will be June 12 at 7:30 pm at the Hotchkiss Chapel (cap. 450). A spot for a reception will be found, perhaps under a tent nearby.

“Departing Storm III” and Barbara Stone’s tiny vignettes of Cornwall both need explanatory labels. Lisa volunteered.

The attic’s contents are under review with the hope that the place can be cleared up sufficiently for a fire department meet-and-greet visit.

The dumb waiter being purchased for the library is being studied and will be installed as soon as the right spot is found.

The meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm.

The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees is March 22 at 4:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted

Lisa Lansing Simont