Barbara Garvey, Vice-Chair (presiding)
Commissioners Craig Givens, Sheila McElwaine,
Vera O'Connor, Rudy Ruggeri

Absent: Commissioners Madeline Landrau, Patrick Markey

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

Call to order:

5:31 p.m.

1. Opening reading

Commissioner Garvey

2. Minutes of the April 5, 2007 Meeting

Commissioner McElwaine made a motion to accept the minutes of the April 5, 2007 regular meeting of the Springfield Library Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Ruggeri seconded.

The motion passed.

3. Library Advisory Committee Reports:

Commissioner McElwaine, working with Reggie Wilson, East Forest Park Branch Library Manager, is spearheading the campaign to start a branch advisory committee at that location. She reported that a couple of members are now “on board,” and work progresses.

Jean Mathisen, Indian Orchard Branch Advisory Committee, reported that volunteers had recently weeded and cleaned the Library grounds and commented on how great it now looks. Also, handicapped parking signs in the Library's lot have not been put up. The city will take care of this.

Liz Stevens, Mason Square Branch Library Advisory Committee, shared the results of the April children's vote on the preferred site for the new Mason Square Branch Library. She commented that the children in each school chose the sites most familiar to them.

4. Library Commission Committee Reports:

Some Commissioners made visits to various branches, with a few items needing attention reported to Director Bader and Ms. Leaders.

5. Mason Square Site Selection – Chairman Markey

Reporting on behalf of Chairman Markey, Ms. Bader stated that the site selection committee has been meeting every two weeks since January. Discarded sites are the Glorious Gospel Church due to high price; the vacant lot next to the DeBerry School, which is reserved for another use; and the old Mason Square Library that the Urban League is probably not interested in selling. Ms. Bader expressed her hope for site recommendations by June. Discussion and input from those attending followed Ms. Bader's remarks.

6. Library Director's Report: Facilities Update

Due to personnel changes in both the City Facilities Management Department and the Library maintenance staff, there have been delays in getting information and making progress. Scott Pierce is the new Municipal Zone Chief for libraries.

Ms. Bader reported that the Pine Point roof is in process.

The East Springfield Branch Library will be closed for the week for carpet replacement and reconfiguration of the circulation desk. New shelving and furniture has been ordered and will take approximately 8 weeks to receive.

Facilities Management has contracted with a company to do an environmental assessment of the underground oil tanks at the East Springfield and Forest Park Branch Libraries.

Per Scott Pierce: the roofing company for the Forest Park Branch Library is under contract and waiting for signatures; the terra cotta festoons have been shipped to California to be recast; and a definitive time schedule for the work is expected within two weeks.

7. Other Business

Ms. McElwaine put forth the idea that there be residency requirements for Springfield City Library staff, with Commissioner Garvey reminding her that the City's residency ordinance applies to all library employees hired after June 30, 2003.

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 Wednesday, June 6, at 5:30 p.m., at the Brightwood Branch Library.

It was moved by Ms. McElwaine and seconded by Mr. Ruggeri to adjourn.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.