1. Approval of Minutes from the May 2, 2012 Library Commission Meeting

Commissioner Moriarty made a motion to accept the minutes of the May 2, 2012 meeting of the Springfield Library Board of Commissioners. Commissioner O'Connor seconded the motion.

The motion passed.  

2. Library Advisory Committee Reports:

None.

3. Stephen Spohn Proposal-Model for Sustainable Library Services in Springfield:

Mr. Spohn, Independent Library Consultant, presented his project, “A Model for Sustainable Library Services in Springfield.” Following the presentation and discussion, including the submission of a proposal to the Davis Foundation for grant funding for Phase I, Mr. Moriarty made the following motion: The Library Commission authorizes Molly Fogarty, Library Director, to proceed to seek funding to implement “A Model of Sustainable Library Services in Springfield,” to be led by Stephen Spohn. Ms. O'Connor seconded the motion.

The motion passed.

4. Commission Committee Reports:

None.

5. Chairman's Report:

None.

6. Director's Report:

Ms. Fogarty provided the following updates:

•  The Forest Park Children's Room renovation is proceeding and looks beautiful. Colorful animal graphics have been installed and look great.

•  The Friends of the Springfield Library are planning a “Sneak Peek” fundraiser on Friday, October 26 (6-8 p.m.) to benefit the proposed Forest Park Branch Library Reading Garden. Invitations will go out soon. A $75 ticket purchases a brick and entry for two to the “Sneak Peek Event.” The Charlie & Joan Ryan Family Place official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Mayor Domenic Sarno will take place on Saturday, October 27 at 10 a.m. Special thanks are extended to the Sheriff's crew for all their hard work, as well as the City Facilities Department.

•  The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners will hold their October 4 meeting at the Central Library.

•  The Library is planning an April 20, 2013 Gala and fundraising event celebrating the library's next 100 years. We are anticipating incorporating the event with the unveiling of the restored mural, “The Light of Education,” which originally hung across the street in the then Classical High School.

•  Attorney Jack Egan is the City's lawyer handling the Urban League lawsuit regarding the sale price of the Mason Square Branch Library.

•  Jean Canosa Albano explained the $17,000 LSTA Grant which the library received to “create a space for teens to create.” Jean will be working with Martha Coons, Young Adult Librarian, and Vanessa Pabon, Community Engagement Director at WGBY, on this community digital storytelling project. Teens in upper middle school and high school will use computer software to tell their stories.

•  The East Forest Park, Liberty, and Pine Point Branch Libraries will reopen the week of October 15. Staff is extremely busy getting ready. Internal promotions are in the works and additional staff are being hired. Negotiations with Rite Aid have changed the rent for East Forest Park to about $2800 per month, inclusive.

7. Other Business:

The Friends of the Library downtown bookstore may open in the spring, as part of another business which would include a café.