MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER
19, 2006
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bucks
County Free Library was held at the Bensalem Branch. The meeting was called to order at 5:34
p.m. Present were:
Mary Ann Garton
,
President, Joan Bowman, Secretary,
Jerry Balchis
,
Treasurer, Linda Brinker, Steven Dilliplane,
Roberta
Foerst
,
Martina Kominiarek
,
Executive Director, Susan Ziegler, Public Services Director,
Javier Lanchang
, System Services Director,
Janet Marnatti
, Youth Services Consultant,
Paul Acampora
, Development Director,
David Bauer
, Business Manager, Carolyn Lechelt,
Secretary to the Board. Absent: William Draper, Vice President,
A MOTION to APPROVE the minutes of the Regular Meeting of August
15, 2006 was made by Bowman, SECONDED by Balchis and APPROVED unanimously.
Staff Reports:
Jerome Szpila
, Bensalem Branch Manager, reported on Bensalem’s 25th Anniversary celebration being held this evening and the Passport Project.
Report of Executive
Director:
Thank you to Jerry Szpila, Melva Jackson and Sue Ziegler for
their efforts in reconfiguring the staff so there are dedicated passport agents
paid by passport funds.
Bensalem is the only branch in the County doing better in
circulation than before the budget cuts. Part of the reason for this can be attributed to new users coming to the
branch because of the Passport Project. Circulation should go even higher if hours are restored next year.
As part of Phase II of the Strategic Plan, branch managers will
be asked by the end of 2007 to submit strategic plans unique to their branches
regarding library services to their communities. BCFL’s Web site is being
updated quarterly to reflect strategic plan accomplishments.
BCFL and five community public libraries have applied for
LSTA Planning grants for 2007.
Board Members are invited to attend BCFL’S In-Service
Recognition Day on Monday,
October 9th, at the Quakertown Branch.
DAC will meet October 3rd, 7 p.m., at the
Library
Center
, Doylestown. The Chair of the Library Services Committee
will attend.
The IVY group has completed the county-wide survey and will
present their findings at the DLC meeting on October 12th, 9:30
a.m., at the
Library
Center
. Board members are encouraged to attend.
Report of Public Services Director (submitted in
writing):
A very productive meeting was held with the Bensalem Branch
Manager regarding various issues relating to the Passport Project. Ms. Ziegler thanked the Business Manager and
System Services Director for their help.
Personnel Report for August 2006 (submitted in writing).
Statistical Report for August 2006 (submitted in writing).
Report of System Services Director (submitted in
writing)
Update – Capital Budget projects: Doylestown carpet/HVAC – The Library Center
will be closed from September 25 to October 6 in order to install the
carpet. All other 2006 Capital projects are
on target and will be completed by the end of the year.
On October 1st, two genealogy databases will be available
to the public on BCFL’s web site. One
site can be accessed from home; patrons must come to the library to access the
other. These sites are expected to be a
success with the public.
Report of Adult Services Coordinator (submitted in
writing)
Report of Youth Services Coordinator (submitted in
writing).
Summer Reading Club was successful. This was the first year BCFL sponsored a Teen
Summer Reading program.
Board members are invited to attend a Youth Services meeting
to recognize staff accomplishments that will be held at the Warminster Library
on Sept. 28th, 9:30 a.m.-noon.
Report of Business Manager:
MOTION to APPROVE the payment of bills for August 2006 in
the amount of $522,282.63 was made by Brinker, SECONDED by Foerst and APPROVED
unanimously.
MOTION to APPROVE the August 2006 financial statements
(subject to audit) was made by Brinker, SECONDED by Bowman, and unanimously
APPROVED.
Board Committee Reports:
Building - Did not meet. Committee will meet next month to review snow removal bids and discuss
how to spend the remaining 2006 Capital Budget funds. All on-going Capital projects came in under
the total $200,000 allocated by the County.
Finance – Chair reported that he met with Administrative
staff to discuss the 2007 budget prior to submission to the County. Mr. Balchis asked for approval of the preliminary
budget. A MOTION to APPROVE the 2007
Preliminary Budget was made by Foerst, SECONDED by Balchis, and APPROVED
unanimously. Next meeting will be held
Oct. 9, 5:30 p.m., at the Quakertown Branch.
The President has requested an appointment with the
Commissioners to review the budget request. She will contact Board Members when she has a date.
Development – Met to discuss the 50th Anniversary celebration. Former Governor Mark Schweiker will be the keynote speaker. We are
hopeful that all the commissioners will attend.
A bulk mailing will
be sent to selected current library card holders asking for their support. A general information brochure will be part
of the mailing. The mailing will
be to adults and will include an “opt out” for those that do not want to be
contacted further.
Library Services – Met to review the Strategic Plan and a
draft of the 2007 County Coordination Plan which will be finalized and approved
at the next DAC meeting.
Personnel – Met on Sept. 5th to discuss/review
retirement options, upcoming union negotiations and collection management plan
proposed by ADM staff.
President reported that the meeting times for Building and
Finance Committees have been changed as follows: Finance Committee - 5:30 p.m.; Building
Committee - 6:30 p.m.
Board members were invited to stay for Bensalem’s 25th anniversary celebration activities this evening.
Correspondence – submitted in writing.
Meeting was opened to Public Comment. No public in attendance. Ms. Foerst is looking forward to seeing the
First Lady and former Bucks County Commissioner, and now
Congressman, Michael Fitzpatrick. Invitations should only be sent to local
legislators who have supported BCFL and
Bucks
County
communities. Executive Director reported
that BCFL has not heard yet whether
First Lady Laura Bush will attend.
New Business – None
Unfinished Business - None
There being no further business, a MOTION to ADJOURN was
made at 6:05 p.m. by Foerst, SECONDED by Brinker and so MOVED.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary to the
Board
APPROVED BY BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
OCTOBER 17, 2006
