1. Approval of Minutes from the January 5, 2011 Library Commission Meeting

Commissioner Moriarty moved, and Ms. O'Connor seconded the motion to accept the minutes of the January 5, 2011 meeting of the Springfield Library Board of Commissioners .

The motion passed.

2. Library Advisory Committee Reports

None.

3. Commission Committee Reports

None.

4. Chairman's Report:

Mr. Cary spoke briefly about a staff fragrance sensitivity policy and if there was need to post it.

Mr. Cary talked about the recent Library Legislative Breakfast held in the Central Library Rotunda, saying that it was a very good event. He said that Representative Puppolo and Representative Ashe are great supporters of libraries. There was discussion about generating more action and letter writing advocating for financial support for libraries. Mr. Moriarty suggested a posting on the library's Facebook page. Mr. Cary explained that he would send thank you notes to the legislators who had either attended or sent a representative to the breakfast.

5. Director's Report:

Ms. Fogarty reported on a number of items and projects:

•  The Mason Square Branch Library's grand re-opening is set for April 13-15.

•  The Library has submitted applications for two grants: an LSTA grant for Conversation Circles and a Community Development Block grant for a Teen Leaders program.

•  She talked about staff workshops at the Library led by Linda Franklin, from the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS). Workshops give an overview for staff about available services for homeless people. Ms. Fogarty explained that it is in the planning process for a social worker from HHS to be scheduled at the Central Library for a few hours a week.

•  Action Teams have been working on initiatives and projects, sharing skills to help solve problems and issues.

•  The Library had one submission for an Massachusetts Library Association PR Award.

•  The Library is submitting items for Urban Library Council Awards, with all submission posted on their website, bringing visibility to the Springfield City Library system.

•  Some (8-10) staff members will be visiting the Haverhill Public Library to learn about new technology used there, such as automatic sorting machines.

•  The all-staff Development Day is April 8, with a bus trip to the Cambridge Public Library planned.

•  Wowbrary, an email notification service (group purchase through CWMARS) is getting many sign-ups from patrons interested in learning about new books, DVDs, CDs, etc.

•  E-Readers for seniors were launched March 1. Additional readers have been purchased and all ages will be able to check these out.

Ms. Leaders gave an update on renovations at the Mason Square Branch Library:

•  Roof being replaced at this time

•  Laminate work completed

•  Carpeting nearly done

•  City crew doing excellent job painting and refinishing shelves

•  New shelves to be delivered week of March 14

•  Annie's Reading Porch and furniture to be delivered week of March 14

•  Computers and 3M equipment to be delivered and installed week of March 21

•  Sitterly Movers scheduled for March 23

•  Work to begin on Mason Square Community Room week of March 23

•  Install self-check machines, security gates and audio/visual in Community Room week of March 28

•  Grand Re-opening Days April 13-15

6. Other Business:

The possibility of applying for a planning grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for a new Central Library was discussed, with Ms. Fogarty explaining that this would most likely be a $50-75 million project which the City would have to commit to.

Ms. Fogarty told the Commissioners that the Library Journal spoke to her about the Mason Square Branch Library story.

The Library's Gift Policy was discussed as related to a potential gift from the William Rice family.