The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bucks County Free Library was held at the Levittown branch. The meeting was called to order at 5:37 p.m. Present were: 
Joan Bowman, President; Roberta Foerst , Secretary; Jerry Balchis, Treasurer; Bill Draper, Mary Ann Beltz, and Steven Dilliplane, Board Trustees; Martina Kominiarek , Executive Director; Sue Ziegler, Public Services Director; David Bauer, Business Manager; and Pam Riley , Executive Assistant. Also in attendance were Mary Ann Bursk, Branch Librarian and three members of the Levittown Friends organization. Det Ansinn, Board Vice President, was absent.

A MOTION to APPROVE the minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 15, 2008 was made by Draper, SECONDED by Beltz, and unanimously APPROVED.

STAFF REPORTS

Report of Branch Librarian/           Levittown Branch

Branch Librarian Mary Ann Bursk reviewed some of the highlights of the past year, noting that a lot of changes have occurred. One of their outreach efforts has involved attending kindergarten registration dates at schools in an effort to meet more parents and inform them of library offerings. The Youth Services staff visit schools on Back-to-School Nights, adding more schools each year. They were invited to assist with Bristol Township ’s pre-kindergarten transition program by visiting daycare centers to explain what the library does. Youth Services Assistant Mary Wieczeznyski has been establishing contacts with area school superintendents and principals to schedule visits to their schools to talk about library services. Adult Services Librarian Stephen Rees attended Senior Expos. He also does film reviews for Video Librarian. Library Journal asked him to do an article about a film series, which appears in this month’s magazine.

The Levittown Friends group have continued to make a significant impact on the Levittown library, funding programs, supplying t-shirts for teen volunteers, and volunteering their own services to the library. They have their own website publicizing Levittown library events. Through the Friends’ effort Meenan Oil was secured as a Summer Reading sponsor, and they purchased aprons with the Summer Reading slogan “Catch the Reading Bug,” which staff members will wear at their desks. Their Summer Reading program is scheduled to kick-off on June 11 with the some members of the Uptown String Band performing.

 

Report of Executive Director (submitted in writing)

Executive Director Martina Kominiarek reported on her visits to Pennsylvania state legislators in an effort to garner support for increased library funding. Along with Glenn Miller, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA), she met with Representative McIlhenney and Representative Tomlinson in two separate meetings. We are hopeful for support from the Bucks delegates of a 4.9% increase. 

Board members were given materials on BCFL’s Summer Reading Program. She explained that through donations from the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program we were able to purchase promotional t-shirts and some prizes. She thanked the BCFL youth services librarians for their enormous help and ideas for this program. The BCFL Summer Reading Kick-off is in its planning stages, but we received a commitment from Commissioner Cawley and BCFL Board Vice President Det Ansinn to attend a “chocolate-insect eating” event.

It was noted that at the last Levittown BCFL Board meeting the Levittown Friends had asked for permission to recycle as a fundraiser. Given the go-ahead at that meeting they started the ball rolling.  The program has been successful, and now other Friends groups are doing so as well.

 

Report of Public Services Director (submitted in writing)

Public Services Director Sue Ziegler pointed out that the circulation statistics had shown a marked improvement. The Collection Management office are keeping abreast of the hottest items, using tools like Amazon and iTunes, and then ordering farther ahead to ensure a timely receipt. Many of the libraries have new user-friendly display units. For example, Levittown has a new four-sided unit by their ref desk, which is a great way to highlight a theme; Langhorne has gondolas; and Quakertown has a nice display as well. All can be involved in and make a display.

 

Report of Business Manager

MOTION to APPROVE the payment of bills for April 2008 in the amount of $404,489.99 was made by Draper, SECONDED by Balchis and APPROVED unanimously.

 

MOTION to APPROVE the April 2008 financial statements (subject to audit) was made by Beltz, SECONDED by Foerst, and APPROVED unanimously.

Business Manager David Bauer reported that the annual mid-year budget revision will occur in June.

 

Board Committee Reports:

President’s Report – BCFL Board President Joan Bowman encouraged board members to send letters to Pennsylvania state legislators asking for their support for increased library funding, and she provided a sample of key points.

 Both she and trustee Steve Dilliplane attended the Trustee Institute where they were inspired to send letters to Pennsylvania state legislators. He highly recommends attendance at the Trustee Institute for board and Friends members for next year. One of the Levittown Friends in attendance at the board meeting spoke on its merits as well.

Board trustee Mary Ann Beltz made a motion for an Executive Session following the conclusion of the regular May meeting.

 

Correspondence – Submitted in writing

 

Public Comment – A letter was posted on The Intelligencer web site in response to an article about BCFL’s new strategic plan draft. It was read into Public Comment.

• Michele - Quakertown
  (05/10/2008 )
  Since gas is $3.65 a gallon I can't make it to Levittown to comment, so I 'll post here. The Quakertown library has become a hangout at night for teens who can be loud and rude. In the mornings there are sometimes many little children who are loud and running all over the library. There are no quiet places to just sit and read. If you want to make it "really, really comfortable for people" why are you making it a day care center?

Executive Director Kominiarek reported that since the Quakertown branch opened they have found that the way the building is laid out prevents adults from finding a quiet place to read or study. We are looking at ways to adjust space issues without doing anything too costly or dramatic. Both Langhorne and Levittown have rooms set aside for study, which is one solution. Steve Dilliplane mentioned that the Trustee Institute suggested certain times structured for programs and quiet times.

Members of the Levittown Friends asked about the new café at the Langhorne branch and whether all libraries would be putting in coffee machines. Kominiarek responded to inquiry, stating that we would wait to see how it works out at the Langhorne branch.

 

The Levittown Friends commented on the new strategic plan draft, stating that although they think it is good and modern, they hope it won’t foster a mall-like atmosphere. They asked whether there is a Friends policy in the works. Martina Kominiarek informed them that there is already an old one, but they are looking to update it in the coming year and hope that the Friends can work together with the administration on this.

 

Unfinished business –  The BCFL Board By-laws were amended and mailed to each board member.  A MOTION to APPROVE the BCFL Board By-laws was made by Draper, SECONDED by Beltz, and APPROVED. Dilliplane abstained.

 

New Business – A MOTION to APPROVE the 2008-2009 Application for State Aid was made by Beltz, SECONDED by Foerst and APPROVED unanimously.

A MOTION to APPROVE the 2007 Annual Report was made by Foerst, SECONDED by Balchis and APPROVED unanimously.

 

There being no further business, a MOTION to ADJOURN to Executive Session for a personnel discussion was made at 6:35 p.m. by Beltz, SECONDED by Foerst and so MOVED.

 

        

Respectfully submitted,

                                                                          Pamela J. Riley

Executive Assistant

 

APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JUNE 17, 2008