Town of Granby
Granby Library Board Meeting Minutes
March 8, 2010
held at Granby Public Library
Call to order: A quorum was present and the meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.
Members present: Chairman Lynn Lochhead, Bob Donna, Carol Bressor, Lisa Blessis, Dick Lydon, and Shawn Ball
Members excused: Judy Goff and Judy Guarco
Staff: Joan Fox
Visitors: Bruce and Bobbie Sullivan
Review Agenda
Nothing was added.
Minutes
The Board reviewed the minutes of February 8, 2010. It was noted that under Library activities reported by Joan Fox, bullet point four, Lynn Lochhead did not speak with Lucy Lindeyer, but Joan Fox did.
ON A MOTION by C. Bressor, seconded by D. Lydon, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to approve the minutes of the meeting of February 8, 2010 with the correction as noted.
Public Comment: Bobbie Sullivan asked if the box sets of videos could be checked out for four weeks instead of one week at Cossitt Library. J. Fox will look into this.
She also asked if there was a possibility that the fines on DVD’s and videos could be reduced. There is presently a maximum of $3 for an overdue fine, but if someone has more than one DVD or video, which is returned late, it is rather costly.
Director’s Report:
Statistics for February Granby Cossitt Total
Circulation 11,284 1,497 12,781
Programs / attendance 26/373 2/9 28/382
InterLibrary Loans - Loaned: 70 Borrowed: 270
Connecticard: 2,240
Funds received from lost books – n/a
Library activities reported by Joan Fox:
- Publishing Event, February 21, 2010. A literary agent spoke regarding how to get your book published. About 50 people attended and found the program very informative. A comment was made that in the future a program survey could be taken to see where people come from for an event like this.
- Keep it Green book club is for ages six to nine. This is a series of programs on green topics to be held March 10th and 24th and April 14th and 28th. The numbers of interested students started out low, but have increased.
- Snapshot Day was February 18, 2010. J. Fox reported it was great fun and provided a handout of a list of positive comments from patrons of the libraries.
- The Big Read is a three part series. Twain and Stowe is March 11th with a discussion of the lives of these two authors. Something About the Author is April 5th. Read anything by or about Mark Twain and join a discussion about his life and works. Book Discussion is April 29th. The Adventures of Town Sawyer will be discussed. Copies of the book are available to borrow at the library.
- April 18th there will be a discussion, in coordination with McLean Home and other agencies, on dealing with aging parents.
- Cossitt Book Sale will be Saturday, March 27, 2010 at the Senior/Youth Center.
- J. Fox will be away from March 20th - 30th.
- J. Fox reported that Holcomb Farm is delighted to host Cossitt Library while it is closed for renovations. They are making the newly renovated Art Barn available to Cossitt Library at no cost. A small portion of the book collection will be moved from Cossitt Library to Holcomb Farm. A computer check out station will be set up as well. It is thought that a phone message on the Cossitt Library phone should direct people to Holcomb Farm and sandwich boards should be put out with this information. Because of the farm environment at Holcomb Farm, it is thought that the books moved there should be mostly relating to farm animals, gardening, hiking, and any other things that Holcomb Farm is involved in. Story times could be coordinated with this idea too. The library and Holcomb Farm will work together regarding
scheduling. The Cossitt Library work could take up to 90 days. Paintings from the library will be loaned to the Salmon Brook Historical Society for that time frame and the clock will be brought home by a staff member, so that it can be kept wound.
Life Church on Griffin Road also offered space for the libraries use.
Old Business
Board Vacancies: There is one (D) vacancy created by Marty Council.
Reappointments for 2010: Shawn Ball has been sworn in. Bob Donna and Judy Guarco still need to do so.
Volunteer Recognition Tea: Originally scheduled for Sunday, April 11, 2010 at Cossitt Library, this event has been postponed until the fall due to the renovations. Maybe in the fall it could be combined with a reopening of the library event.
Cossitt Improvement Project and Fundraising: An article will be put in The Drummer regarding fundraising for the Cossitt Library improvements. Fundraising should start as soon as possible, with the focus on individuals and local businesses and donations would be sent to a P.O. Box for Granby Library Association (GLA). A minimum of $10,000 is needed but the Board would like to set a higher goal. Additional funds could be put toward the repairs of the front steps. There was some discussion as to if the grant stipulated a dollar amount to be raised. James Klase, Director of Public Works should have a copy of the grant award letter and it should be reviewed.
The Construction bid for renovations was awarded to Donovan from Franklin, CT. April 1st is the start date for the work and Saturday, March 20th will be the last day Cossitt Library is open to the public. On Monday, March 22nd books, computers, furniture, etc. will be packed up and the building will be emptied out over the period of a week and a half. What furniture will go to Holcomb Farm and what will be stored is still somewhat questionable. The bookcases may or may not need to be removed. Some may go to Holcomb Farm and others into storage. Some of the bookcases are tall and citing safety concerns, may not be a good choice to use at Holcomb Farm, whereas they can’t be anchored into a wall. Shorter bookcases from the lower level might be a better choice to
use at Holcomb Farm. Measurements should be taken at Holcomb Farm to determine the actual amount of space that will be available. Windows may limit use of wall space. Public works will be moving the packed boxes. PODS may be used for storage and if so, does our insurance cover any damage to the books, if it were to occur? The office area and the storage area down stairs will remain as they are.
An idea of having patrons check out a shelf of books (approximately 60 books per shelf), for an extended period of time, has been brought up. This way books could be stored at people’s homes. Volunteers are needed to pack up books. A master list of volunteers with dates and times needs to be created. The question of how to label the boxes was addressed. Label each shelf and a coordinating box with the same number. Create a master list of shelves and boxes. Take a picture of each numbered shelf before it’s packed up. Lynn Stewart will be in charge of the packing and moving of boxes and of what will go to Holcomb Farm and what will go into storage.
Rolling carts with books on them, or mobile shelves might be good to use at Holcomb Farm. They could be put in the center of the room and moved around when necessary. Could book trucks be rented to use at Holcomb Farm? Bobbie Sullivan said the Friends of Cossitt Library might be able to cover this expense. J. Fox will look into this.
Bobbie Sullivan brought up a question about the outside door at Cossitt Library, where the ramp to the children’s room is. She voiced concern about the renovation plans for this area and about books being left there, exposed to the weather. Chairman Lochhead will look at the specifications of the project and see exactly what is planned for this area.
New Business
Service Reductions Due to Budget Cuts: The libraries have been hard hit for the 2010-11 budget. There is an approximate 45.7% drop in funds available for part-time staff. This translates to a 50% reduction in part-time staff and a reduction of hours of operation is necessary. For comparison, the chart below shows the present hours and the suggested new hours of operation.
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Suggested New Hours |
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Based on March 3, 2010 |
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Current Hours |
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Budget Proposal |
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Granby Public Library |
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Hours |
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Hours |
Sunday (Jan-Mar) |
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
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Closed |
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Monday |
10:00 AM - 8:30 PM |
10.5 |
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Noon - 8:30 PM |
8.5 |
Tuesday |
10:00 AM - 8:30 PM |
10.5 |
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9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
9 |
Wednesday |
10:00 AM - 8:30 PM |
10.5 |
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Noon - 8:30 PM |
8.5 |
Thursday |
10:00 AM - 8:30 PM |
10.5 |
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9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
9 |
Friday |
Noon - 4:00 PM |
4 |
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9:00 AM - Noon |
3 |
Saturday |
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
6 |
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9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
7 |
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Granby Public Hours |
52 |
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Granby Public Hours |
45 |
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(Excluding Sunday) |
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Cossitt Library |
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Monday |
Noon - 5:00 PM |
5 |
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Closed |
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Tuesday |
9:00 AM - Noon and 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
5 |
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9:00 AM - Noon and 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM |
5 |
Wednesday |
Noon - 5:00 PM |
5 |
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Closed |
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Thursday |
9:00 AM - Noon |
3 |
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9:00 AM - Noon and 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM |
5 |
Friday |
Closed |
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Closed |
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Saturday |
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
5 |
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Noon - 4:00 PM |
4 |
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Cossitt Hours |
23 |
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Cossitt Hours |
14 |
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Total Library Hours |
75 |
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Total Library Hours |
59 |
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(Current Schedule) |
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(Reduced schedule) |
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A reduction in hours at Cossitt Library will effect story times, which are very popular. Maybe this could continue with volunteers. It was noted that a Library can’t be open unless a paid staff member is there. Changes and cuts in hours were looked at and discussed in detail. Presently part-time staff that works 15 hours a week earns vacation time and paid holidays. That would be cut out. Although the amount of work will remain the same, the number of staff will probably decrease.
Library Board members and members of the Friends groups and Granby Library Association are all encouraged to write letters to the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen members stating their thoughts on the library cuts and asking for reinstatement of funds.
Bruce Sullivan asked how many jobs would be lost and J. Fox responded she didn’t know the number at this time. Maybe cutting the hours of some employees would save a few positions.
The next meeting will be Monday, April 12, 2010, 6:00 p.m., at Granby Public Library. By having the meeting early, people can then attend the Budget Meeting at the High School at 7:00 p.m.
Pizza will be served.
Adjournment
ON A MOTION by B. Donna, seconded by D. Lydon, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Christian
Recording Secretary
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