Barbara Garvey, Chair, called the meeting of the Springfield Library Board of Commissioners to order at 5:40 p.m.
Library Commissioners Present :
• Helen Boyle
• Janet Edwards
• Barbara Garvey
• Rudy Ruggeri
• Bettye Webb
Library Staff Present:
• Emily Bader, Library Director
• Lee Fogarty, Assistant Library Director
A motion to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2004 Library Commission meeting passed unanimously.
Safe Child Policy : After a general discussion of the existing Springfield Library Department Safe Child Policy, approval of the policy was tabled for the next meeting of the Commission on February 16, 2005 at the Central Library Community Room. Ms. Denney and Ms. Edwards recommended several changes. Ms. Bader will incorporate these changes to the policy and prepare a new draft for discussion. Ms. Denney stated that we need to clarify whether Library Staff are "mandated reporters" of suspected child abuse. Attorney Maria Puppolo will research this issue and report back at the February 16 th Commission meeting. Attorney Puppolo stated that Library Staff should wear Badges that clearly identify them. This would be a protective measure for children in the Library. It would help to ensure that children could not be approached by individuals pretending to be library staff. It was the general consensus of the Commission that staff will be required to wear identification badges.
Motion to join as complainant to AAB filings by Sheila McElwaine, June 17, 2004: Ms. McElwaine summarized and distributed a memo detailing the chronology of the complaint to the Architectural access Board concerning lack of universal access to the quadrangle. Ms. Denney entertained a motion that the Springfield Library Commission hereby informs the Architectural Access Board that it is joining in the complaint made on its behalf by Sheila McElwaine on June 17, 2004. Ms. Webb seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Library Commission Committee Reports :
The Building and Grounds Sub- Committee is in the process of reviewing the East Forest Park Lease. Ms. Garvey stated that an RFP must be issued. Mr. Ruggeri stated that the current Lease has been reviewed by the Law Department. Ms. Bader will schedule a meeting to discuss this issue. The current EFP lease expires on April 1, 2005.
The Program and Planning Sub-Committee commented on the January 10, 2005 Community Forum conducted by Linda Braun and Alan Brickman. There was general consensus that the Forum was successful and the Commissioners were very pleased with Mr. Brickman as a facilitator. and with the content of the forum. Ms. Webb and Ms. Denney expressed disappointed that there weren't more people in attendance and that the attendance was not broad enough in scope. Ms. Garvey mentioned that the focus groups will be publicized and that would be another opportunity for the public to participate in the long-range planning process. Ms. Bader thanked Karen Cress for preparing the chart of attendees and report, based on the input generated by the community forum discussion groups Ms. Bader mentioned that Mr. Brickman will analyze the reports and base the focus groups on topics of interest generated by the Community Forum participants.
Director's Report: Progress on Mason Square Improvements.
Ms. Bader stated that Ms. Gorman, Branch Supervisor for Forest Park, East Forest Park and Mason Square met with a group 4th grade Deberry School students who reside in the Mason Square neighborhood to brainstorm on what programs and collections they would like to see at the Mason Square Branch. Ms. Gorman is planning to develop a variety of programs in response to the student requests. Ms. Gorman has met with Kamari Collins from the Urban League to plan a Black History program in February, as well as other programs that will be co-sponsored with the Urban League. Ms. Garvey suggested that all of the Mason Square neighborhood public schools should be contacted. Ms. Webb suggested that we also contact the Alden Baptist Church, as well as other alternative schools located in the Mason Square neighborhood.
Mr. Ruggeri has donated a microwave oven for the Mason Square Branch staff. An Electrician has been contacted to install an outlet for the microwave. The refrigerator for the staff will be ordered. The toilet in the Mason Square branch has been repaired. Exterior signs have been ordered.
Advisory Committee Reports . There were no reports.
Other Business:
Annual Report: The 2004 library use statistics are being compiled and will be added to the Library Annual Report.
Ms. Garvey, on behalf of the Library Commission, thanked Ms. Boyle formally for her dedicated service to the Library Commission. As Vice- Chair, Ms. Boyle was an active and valuable contributor during Commission and Sub-Committee Meetings. Ms. Garvey also formally recognized Ms. Boyle's service as a citizen to Springfield and for her genuine caring and commitment to the Library and the Library staff. All of the Commissioners honored and recognized. Ms. Boyle, whose term expires as of February 2005
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Approved: February 16, 2005
