The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bucks County Free Library was held at the Library Center , Doylestown.  The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m.  Present were:  Joan Bowman, President; William Draper, Vice President; Roberta Foerst, Secretary; Mary Ann Garton; Steven Dilliplane; Detlev Ansinn, Jr.; Martina Kominiarek , Executive Director; Jan O’Rourke, District Consultant; Paul Acampora, Development Director; Dianne Malvoso , Youth Services Consultant; Janet Fricker , District Center Librarian; Pam Riley, Executive Assistant.
Jerry Balchis, Treasurer, was absent. A clerical error was noted in the minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 16, 2007, so approval for same will be carried over to the next board meeting.

 

STAFF REPORTS

 

Report of Executive Director: 

 

The Executive Director noted that Sue Ziegler, Public Services Director,
Javier Lanchang, System Services Director, and Janet Marnatti, Collection Management Director were not in attendance due to their participation in the SIRSI Conference being held in Colorado. The SIRSI Conference is an annual event. She explained that SIRSI is an integrated catalog system currently in use throughout libraries across the nation. The conference is a way to learn more about SIRSI’s upcoming developments, which could be significant due to the fact that they were bought out and the CEO resigned.

 

Performance evaluations – Sue Ziegler and Martina Kominarek both are working to clarify any areas that are proving to be problematic.

 

An article was distributed to board members on collection agencies and their use in conjunction with libraries. Our board alerted commissioners that we were looking into collection agencies as a way to save staff time in calling patrons who are in possession of overdue library materials. Frequently, the missing materials are the more popular books or DVDs. Collections agencies are more likely than staff to get materials returned plus they have the added leverage of going on someone’s credit report. Currently, BCFL has a maximum fine on overdue materials of $5.00, plus the patron loses rights to use computers or take out more material. We will bring the vendor in to explain the whole package. They currently work with SIRSI, with a large part of their demographic population consisting of elementary students, which garners a gentler approach. It was agreed that further discussion on this subject would commence after all board members have an opportunity to review the article.

 

Report of Public Services Director (submitted in writing)

 

The Executive Director reported for the Public Services Director, who was attending the SIRSI Conference. She pointed out some information garnered from the January statistical report. The circulation statistics for Levittown are a standout this year compared to last year. Also, Bensalem is doing well. Improved hours at Bensalem and Yardley are being reflected in these statistics.

 

Union negotiations are continuing. Meetings had been suspended due to unforeseen circumstances on both sides. Talks resumed on February 7, and another meeting was scheduled for February 21.

 

 

Report of System Services Director (submitted in writing)

 

The Executive Director reported for the System Services Director, who was attending the SIRSI Conference. She pointed out that there are additional offices being added to the administrative offices upstairs. Both Joe Thompson (Facilities Manager) and Javier Lanchang will be moving into the new offices. Joe Thompson and staff are working on the renovations this week. Nothing was purchased for these additional offices, as we were able to reuse partitions and materials we already had.

 

Report of Development Director (submitted in writing)

 

Report of District Consultant (submitted in writing)

 

The District Consultant reported that BCFL is co-hosting a Legislative Breakfast with State Rep. Scott Petri in which Pennsylvania legislators will be invited to attend. Invitations will be sent out shortly. The breakfast will be held on Friday, April 20, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. We will be highlighting teen services throughout Bucks County . It will be held at the Free Library of Northampton Township in Richboro , PA. The District Consultant also noted that there will be no Legislative Day held in Harrisburg this year and that the governor’s proposed budget includes only a .02% increase. Libraries need to get at least a 3% increase.

 

Report of Youth Services Consultant/Collection Management Director (submitted in writing)

 

Report of Technical Services Manager (submitted in writing)

 

Report of District Services Librarian

Janet Fricker reported on the success of First Friday at the Doylestown Library Center . She said that much flexibility has to be incorporated into the planning for First Friday, since there is no way of gauging what the turnout will be, but even with inclement weather, the turnout has been great. The most recent First Friday’s theme was Valentine’s Day. Giant paper flowers adorned every corner of the library and a poet was scheduled along with a panel of authors of teen books. At the last minute, the poet had to cancel, but we were fortunate to enlist some acts that came from the Michener Museum ’s First Friday line-up. Due to a small turnout at the Michener, a group of teen boys, who did an improv comedy act, came over to the library to perform, and they turned out to be great. Visitors were also entertained by Peaches (of Peaches and Herb fame) and another singer as well. The next First Friday’s theme will be Beach Night, which will incorporate One Book, One Bucks County ’s book, which is James Michener’s South Pacific.

 

Report of Business Manager

 

The Business Manager noted that due to a printing jam, some of the checks were out of sequence, and their check numbers were handwritten in.

 

MOTION to APPROVE the payment of bills for Decenber 2006 in the amount of $450,325.67 was made by Brinker, SECONDED by Dilliplane and APPROVED unanimously.

 

MOTION to APPROVE the December 2006 financial statements (subject to audit) was made by Brinker, SECONDED by Garton, and unanimously APPROVED.

 

The Business Manager also noted that he received notice that mileage has increased to 48.5 cents. BCFL staff were notified via e-mail, as it went into effect yesterday.

 

Board Committee Reports:

 

The Personnel and Library Services Committees did not meet.

 

Building Committee – Met briefly and reviewed the custodial plan and the facilities budget.

Finance Committee – Jerry Balchis reported that the committee reviewed the special funds budgets. It was determined that 4% of the principal balance should be expended each year. Wachovia gave us spending guidelines to help us see the optimum growth in our investments. Although they recommended 5%; the Finance Committee believe that we should go with 4%., as we have been doing it this way for about two years with success. The committee also reviewed the facilities budget in detail. One large expenditure discussed was the PBX system. Originally, all branches had different brands, but we are now embarking on a project to have all branches uniform. To do all at once would cost $100,000, so we are doing 1-2 per year. We consider our current vendor as the preferred vendor, comparing their prices to state prices. As long as they stay at a  competitive rate, we will use the current vendor. We are using an Avaya system, and the vendor is certified with Avaya. As a result, we won’t be using the regular bid process. By the year 2008 we hope all branches will be completed. Currently, Bensalem, Yardley, and Doylestown (biggest) are complete, with four branches remaining to be done. We will save a great deal of money on local and long distance once all are connected uniformly.

 

Correspondence – submitted in writing.   Board President Joan Bowman commented on the nomination of BCFL by Rep. Patrick Murphy for the 2007 National Award for Museum and Library Services. She stated that she is very proud to be part of this organization and congratulates the entire staff, as they are all being recognized through this nomination. A copy of BCFL’s application was made available for board members to peruse. Executive Director Martina Kominiarek gave special thanks to District Consultant Jan O’Rourke, who completed the application, which included a narrative and letters attesting to BCFL’s service to the community. The application goes to the Institute for Museum and Library Services now for their decision.

 

Meeting was opened to Public Comment.  No public in attendance. 

 

Unfinished business –Outgoing president Mary Ann Garton was presented with the book Charlotte ’s Web that is being donated in her honor to the Doylestown Library. It has a special bookplate dedicated to her.

 

New Business – New board member Det Ansinn indicated he is very excited to serve as a new board member, especially since the Doylestown Library Center is his home library.

 

There being no further business, a MOTION to ADJOURN was made at 6:17 p.m. by Garton, SECONDED by Ansinn and so MOVED.

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                                          Pamela J. Riley

Executive Assistant

 

APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MARCH 20, 2007