Patrick Markey, Chair (presiding)
Commissioners Craig Givens, Madeline Landrau, Sheila McElwaine, Vera O'Connor, Rudy Ruggeri

Absent: Barbara Garvey

Emily Bader, Director
Lee Fogarty, Assistant Director
Carol Leaders, Business Manager
Janet Stupak, Volunteer Coordinator (minute taker)

Call to order:

5:40 p.m.

1. Opening reading

Commissioner O'Connor.
[Next month: Commissioner Landrau]

2. Minutes of the February 6, 2007 Meeting

Ms. McElwaine made a motion to accept the minutes of the February 6, 2007 regular meeting of the Springfield Library Board of Commissioners. Ms. O'Connor seconded.

The motion passed.

After reviewing the minutes of the open session of the February 21, 2007 Special Meeting of the Library Board, Ms. McElwaine made a motion to accept the minutes, with Mr. Givens seconding.

The motion passed.

Ms. McElwaine then made a motion, which Ms. O'Connor seconded, to make public the Executive Session minutes of the February 21, 2007 Special Meeting of the Springfield City Library Board of Commissioners,

The motion passed.

3. Library Advisory Committee Reports:

Kat Wright, Mason Square Advisory Committee, said that she would like the celebration of the Mason Square Branch Library to be an annual event.

The Mason Square Advisory Committee plans to poll students to get their ideas for a site for the new Mason Square Library. Balloting is planned for April 9th -13th in each school in the Mason Square area, with the results to be announced during National Library Week, April 13-21, 2007. The Mason Square Advisory Committee plans to send informational flyers to the schools.

4. Library Meeting Room Policy- Chairman Markey

The political and religious speech reference in the Library's Meeting Room Use Policy was altered by vote at the February 6, 2007 Library Commission meeting, currently stating that the meeting rooms are not available for "liturgical purposes." The Commission felt this should instead say "religious services." Therefore Ms. McElwaine made a motion to substitute "religious services" for "liturgical purposes." Ms. O'Connor seconded this motion.

The motion passed.

5.Commission Sub-Committee Reports: Finance

The city fiscal year budget process was discussed as it relates to the library's budget. Ms. McElwaine expressed her hopes for more money for maintenance and grounds upkeep at Central Library as well as at the branch libraries. Director Bader explained that funding for exterior maintenance would come from the City's Facilities Management budget.

Ms. Landrau made a motion that Ms. Bader be directed to seek further general funding for the Library.

Mr. Givens seconded.

The motion passed.

6. Director's Report - Forest Park Facilities Projects

Director Bader explained that the roof and parapet bids came in with the low bid being $4000 over the cost estimate. Awarding is planned for this week. Work should begin in April, weather permitting, and will hopefully take 12 to 16 weeks to complete.

In addition a handicapped accessible entrance is planned for the south side, including a wheelchair lift. The bathrooms will also be remodeled/refurbished with additional exterior lighting and walkway planned. A November 2007 completion date is possible.

Ms. Bader reminded the Commissioners about the One Book One Springfield kickoff event set for April 2nd at Central Library.

She also reminded Commissioners about the Library Legislative Day to be held on April 15th in Boston.

7. Other Business

Mr. Givens, Mr. Ruggeri and Ms. McElwaine reported on some maintenance issues that they noticed while visiting various branch libraries in the city.

8. Adjournment

In accordance with the approved schedule of meetings, the next regular meeting of the Springfield City Library Board of Commissioners will be held on Thursday, April 5, 5:30 p.m., in the Central Library Community Room.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.