1. Approval of Minutes from the August 3, 2011 Library Commission Meeting

Postponed until next meeting. Lacking quorum.

2. Library Advisory Committee Reports:

None.

3. Commission Committee Reports:

a. Meeting Room Policy-Security Rate Change

b.  Naming Policy

The current $40/hr. security charge was discussed and Ms. Fogarty stated that the Library would like to raise the rate to $75/hr. It would not be necessary to include this rate in the Meeting Room Policy, but review the rate yearly in order to keep up with rising costs.

Attorney Reilly discussed the possibility of specific guidelines or a special form to address library naming concerns saying that he does not believe this issue would have to go before the City Council. Mr. Reilly told the Commission to go ahead and create a draft for a Naming Policy.

4. Chairman's Report:

A wonderful letter supporting Springfield City Library written by Maria Luisa Arroyo was applauded and discussed, with Ms. Fogarty stating that she sent a copy of it to American Libraries Direct and it appeared in their e-newsletter.

5. Director's Report:

Ms. Fogarty stated that it was a very busy month at the Library. Noteworthy programs and events included:

•  The Central Library Community Room hosted the announcement and press conference of Comcast's Internet Essentials Program, and among those speaking were Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Senator Gale Candaras and Mary E. McLaughlin, regional senior vice president for Comcast in Western New England.

•  The Library will apply for an IMLS McArthur Foundation Planning Grant. This federal grant would provide $97,000 towards planning a new Teen Space at the Central Library.

•  Ms. Fogarty went before the City Council to accept grants for the Early Childhood Resource Center ($7,000), Family Child Care Language and Literacy Program ($10,000), and Read/Write/Now ($181,000).

•  The Library will be submitting a proposal to Mass Mutual to request funding to contract with Judy Matt and the Spirit of Springfield to plan major events to celebrate the 100 th Anniversary of the current Central Library building.

•  Plans are underway to secure funds for renovation of the Children's Area of the Forest Park Branch Library.

•  The Forest Park, Pine Point and Mason Square Branches are polling locations and will be open for that purpose on September 20.

•  The new interior signage is now completed at the Mason Square Branch. The Media Box is expected to be delivered on September 21 and should be operational by the end of October.

•  Safety and structural problems with the ramp at the Central Library (George Walter Smith Museum area) have forced its temporary closure.

•  The ARIS report has been submitted, necessary for the Library to receive State Aid funds.

10. The Library's Read/Write/Now program has applied for a United Way Grant, to fund a Volunteer Coordinator for R/W/N.

6. Other Business:

None.