1. Approval of Minutes from the January 6, 2010 Library Commission Meeting

Commissioner McElwaine moved, with Commissioner Moriarty providing the second, to accept the minutes of the January 6, 2010 meeting of the Springfield Library Board of Commissioners.

The motion passed.

2. Ed Pikula: Update, Mason Square Branch Library

Filling in for Mr. Pikula, Bob Warren spoke on behalf of the City Law Department with an update on the Mason Square Branch Library, saying one relocation meeting had occurred so far, on December 3, 2009. He explained that Mr. Henry Thomas of the Urban League had been on vacation last week. The City's relocation expert, Steve Mollica of WD Schock Co., is on vacation this week. Mr. Warren explained that the main item is to find a site for the Urban League and calculate the relocation benefits due them, in the form of money and assistance from the City. Ms. McElwaine voiced her concerns about the speed of the process, saying, "the people want to know that the City is actively working on this matter. Residents need to know that the City is resolutely moving forward, and showing steady progress. The community needs specific information." Commissioner Givens said he shared the same concerns as Ms. McElwaine, reiterating the need to "keep the community informed- perhaps on a monthly basis. The perception is that the Urban League is dragging its feet and the City is not doing anything about it." The Commissioners asked for recommendations from the Law Department, such as other options open to the Library Department. Commissioner O'Connor asked when the next relocation meeting would be held and Mr. Warren explained that they would have an answer to that question at the beginning of next week.

Ms McElwaine made a motion that the Library Commission write a letter expressing their frustration and outlining the need for communication and steady progress. Mr. Moriarty seconded the motion.

The motion passed.

3. Chairman's Report:

Mr. Cary voiced his concerns about the budget, while commending library staff for "doing so much with so little." For example, efficiencies have been initiated in the areas of patron computer use and wireless internet. He met with Ms. Fogarty recently to discuss the FY11 budget and said that a level service funded budget has been submitted.

4. Director's Report:

Ms. Fogarty spoke about a new budget process due to the City's MUNIS system. The budget has been submitted and was categorized by Mayor Sarno's five priorities: Neighborhood Revitalization; Job Creation; Education; Public Safety; Strong and Effective Financial Management. Ms. Fogarty said that the Library is looking into other revenue sources, such as applying for Community Block Grant money. She told the Commission that this week she'd met with Don Courtemanche, Executive Director, and Maureen Pinette, Director of Marketing and Communications, with the Springfield Business Improvement District to discuss plans to support each other.

5. Library Director's Interview

Mr. Bill Mahoney, Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations for the City, spoke about the Library Director job posting and interview process: a nationwide search was held and the search committee first interviewed six candidates and narrowed the field to two finalists. Right before the last meeting the other candidate withdrew. The Commissioners were asked to interview Ms. Fogarty and make recommendations to the Mayor.

At this time Mr. Cary, Ms. McElwaine and Mr. Moriarty asked their prepared questions to Ms. Fogarty. Some questions posed were:

1. What is your vision for the Mason Square Library and how will it be implemented?

2. Please tell us about how you see the role of the community and grassroots groups such as branch library advisory committees and how each can be most helpful to the library system.

3. Can you speak to us about your management style and how it is similar and different from that of the former director? What specific things would you or have you changed since taking on the interim role and why did you see those as the priorities if you did make changes. What are your managerial priorities upon being named director?

4. Tell us about your standards for managing and successfully meeting the demands of widely diverse priorities and stakeholders, e.g. requests from city hall, commission projects, the strategic plan, input from branch advisory committees and day-to-day operations including the needs of branch libraries.

5. What is the strategy of working here as the Interim Library Director compared to being the actual Library Director?

6. Springfield has become quite a diverse city in the recent past. Can you speak about how well you feel the library is serving immigrant communities, and what you would do to reach out to immigrant communities within the City of Springfield?

7. Please describe your approach to initiatives from community groups and/or agencies and give examples of a successful collaboration in which you were involved and an attempted collaboration that was unsuccessful.

8. Although a city department, what role do you feel fundraising plays in the day to day operations of the library system and how do you see Friends of the Library, the Foundation, the commission and others assisting in fundraising activities?

Ms. O'Connor made a motion that the Library Commission send its recommendation to Mayor Sarno to appoint Molly Fogarty as Library Director. Ms. McElwaine seconded the motion.

The motion passed.

Voicing concern about open and expired seats on the Library Commission, Mr. Moriarty made a motion that a letter be sent to the Mayor recommending new Library Commissioners be named as soon as possible. Ms. McElwaine seconded the motion.

The motion passed.

6. Other Business:

Ms. McElwaine noted that this would be her last meeting as a Library Commissioner. Springfield resident Ginna Ondricek thanked Ms. McElwaine for her steadfast support of the Library and her dedicated service as a Library Commissioner. On behalf of Mayor Sarno, Helen Caulton-Harris thanked Ms. McElwaine for her service, care and concern for the Libraries.

Mr. Givens announced that he would be resigning from the Library Commission, but will stay on so there could be a quorum.

Commissioner Moriarty reminded the Commissioners about Friday's Legislative Breakfast.