New York State Association of Library Boards
Minutes of the Directors’ Meeting
Friday, May 3, 2002
The meeting was called to order at 1:10 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Turf, 205 Wolf Road, Albany, New York by President Norm Jacknis.
Directors present: N. Jacknis, N. Simaitis, T. Thompson, D. Strauss, E. Field, J. Hurley, A. Smith and B. Taber. S. Patton arrived at 1:25 p.m. J. Rosen, G. Manitzas and B. Wells were excused. D. Krogmann was absent. We were joined by Sara Dallas, Councilor at Large for the New York Library Association, and Jane Schneider from the Friends of the New York State Library. Carol Ann Desch, Coordinator of Statewide Library Services, arrived at 1:40 p.m. Association Manager, Karen Dyer was also present.
Jane Schneider was introduced. After thanking the NYSALB Board for our support of the recommendations from the Governing Board of the Friends of the New York State Library, she discussed the visits she and other members of the board had made to various legislative offices.
Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes of March 16, 2002 was made by D. Strauss; seconded by E. Field; unanimous.
Treasurer’s Report
The Board received the following documents:
Balance Sheet as of May 2, 2002
Budget Comparison for January 1 through May 2, 2002
Profit and Loss Statement for January through May 2, 2002
Transactions and Reconciliation Report through April 18, 2002
for our checking account with Fleet Bank
Brokerage Account Statements from Nathan & Lewis Securities for NYSALB and the Velma Moore Fund through March 28, 2002
Treasurer D. Strauss reminded us that we still need to separate the Velma Moore Fund from NYSALB assets.
A motion to accept the treasurer’s report was made by A. Smith, seconded by N. Simaitis; unanimous.
Communications
Discussed under later business.
Sam Patton arrived at 1:25 pm.
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Committee Reports
Budget, Finance and Planning
No report.
Education
Trustee Institute
This year there was difficulty attracting trustees to attend the Institute. Past attendance has been: 2001 - Kingston – 181; 2000 – Rochester – 84; 1999 – Albany – 169; 1998 – Albany – 128; 1997 - Albany – 172.
N. Simaitis reported that we have 83 people, including speakers, attending the Trustee Institute. The Finger Lakes and Westchester Systems offer scholarships to the Trustee Institute, but no one applied.
Patricia Owens is our only paid speaker.
Legislation and Policy
On May 17, 2002 we are cosponsoring an Advocacy Workshop. Dick Strauss and Sam Patton will represent NYSALB.
Membership
Documents titled “Membership Analysis,” “Statistics” and “Membership History” were distributed to the Board.
We seem to be following the usual response pattern consistent with the past few years. A personal “follow-up” letter for use by board members will be sent by the end of May.
The non-member systems are Four County, New York Public Library, Mid-York and Chautauqua – Cattaraugus.
Carol Ann Desch arrived at 1:40 pm.
Newsletter
Editor E. Field distributed projected newsletter contents for the July 2002 issue.
The deadline for copy is June 10, 2002. Ed will also welcome guest editorials.
Note: Joan Hurley needs to be placed on the mailing list for the newsletter.
Nominating
T. Thompson presented the following slate for election to the board at the Annual Membership Meeting on Saturday, May 4, 2002:
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George Manitzas – third term – Freeport Memorial Library
Francis Picart – first term – Brentwood Public Library – Suffolk Cooperative Library System
Nancy Simaitis – second term – Waverly Free Library
Jane Sweet – first term – Clarence Public Library
Martina Thompson – third term – Henrietta Public Library
Dr. William Taber – third term – Richfield Springs Public Library
Paula Werth – first term – Red Jacket Community Library
A motion to accept the slate was made by N. Simaitis, seconded by B. Taber; unanimous.
The slate of candidates for officers was approved at the March meeting.
An Orientation Notebook was distributed to board members. Karen Dyer was thanked for putting together such an attractive notebook. These notebooks are to be kept current by each director and returned to NYSALB when a director leaves the board.
Public Relations
No report.
Velma Moore
Chair B. Taber will post information on NYLINE in addition to the article in the newsletter. Seven nominations have been carried over from last year and he has received one new nomination.
We have not yet heard from Joe Eisner, last year’s recipient about where to send his award money. We will try to ask ahead of time where the money should be sent.
Guests
Sara Dallas, NYLA Councilor–at–Large, mentioned NYLA’s co-sponsorship of the Library Advocacy Meeting, May 17, 2002 from 10 am. to 3 pm. at the State Library. NYLA’s Annual Conference will be held from October 23 through the 26, 2002 in Buffalo, New York. In 2003 the conference will be in Saratoga. March 18, 2003 is NYLA Lobby Day.
She also reported that NYLA strongly supports the recommended $105 million for the Regent’s New Century Libraries legislative proposal which includes an additional $10 million to strengthen academic libraries.
We discussed NYLA’S request that NYSALB encourage trustees to join NYLA.
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Prior to the meeting, Tina discussed the request with Susan Keitel. NYSALB agreed to encourage boards of trustees to take advantage of NYLA’S organizational membership and requested that NYLA ask public library directors to encourage their boards to join NYSALB.
Susan was in agreement that NYLA and NYSALB encourage membership in both organizations. Sara is on NYLA’s Membership Committee and mentioned the possibility of a sliding scale for both organizations; if a board joins one organization, then a discount would given for the second organization. We also discussed the possibility of paying dues by credit card on the web site.
Carol Desch extended a thank you from State Librarian Janet Welch for this board’s support of the recommendations of the Governing Board of the Friends of the New York State Library.
Over 70 people have registered for the Library Advocacy meeting on May 17.
Empire Link, which is evolving into NOVEL, has added a business database.
The Regents Legislative Policy Conference takes place on October 2, 2002, and trustees are invited to participate in the discussion of how to recruit, retain and train future librarians.
No information is available at this point on the impact of the State Budget on libraries. There is also no information on the Governor’s proposal or the proposed Office of Cultural Education.
The State Library has requested a training grant from the Gates Library Foundation. The proposal is to provide training to paid library staff to train the public in the use of technology.
The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) is due for reauthorization by Congress. It must be authorized by September, hopefully with a funding increase. Carol asked us to look for “calls for action“ on NYLINE.
We also discussed how to use technology to encourage support of library service. One possibility is to have a library system’s home page linked to a state wide data base which would provide the opportunity for residents to click on ‘we want more…”
Old Business
We discussed the need to develop 5 or 6 questions to ask candidates addressing critical library issues during the fall campaign. Carol was asked for help in formulating the questions. We would like to work with the Friends of the New
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York State Library and NYLA in sharing information about the questions and responses with voters.
The Trustee Handbook needs to be revised to reflect trustee outlook and interests.
Audrey Smith agreed to search for potential funding sources for the Video Project to use for trustee training. Audrey will forward information to Tina.
Following the March meeting, Norm asked Tina to contact Susan Keitel about NYSALB’s intent to hire a lobbyist. Tina explained to Susan that this decision in no way reflected upon her ability or the efforts of NYLA as advocates on behalf on library service. The board felt that it was time for NYSALB to join these efforts.
We continued the discussion of hiring a lobbyist. Our definition of lobbying includes knocking on legislative doors, keeping an eye on legislation, mobilizing our own supporters, and establishing a network for strategic communications. Norm received an e-mail from Diane Courtney, NYLA President-Elect, proposing that we use Susan Keitel as our lobbyist. NYLA is concerned that NYSALB may present a new “faction.” Our intent is to reinforce with another voice and a different perspective, but to carry the same message. Further discussion was tabled until the next meeting.
New Business
The Finance Committee was asked to write a Reimbursement Policy.
A motion to exercise the option to renew the contract with Carr Public Affairs was made by B. Taber, seconded by E. Field; unanimous.
We discussed the site for next years Trustee Institute. We received a proposal from the Owego Treadway Inn. No train or plane service is available. Norm said the Westchester Library System has offered the free use of meeting rooms which have the availability for teleconferencing. A motion to authorize the Trustee Institute Committee to select the site for the 2003 Trustee Institute was made by D. Strauss, seconded by E. Field; unanimous.
A motion to adjourn was made at 3:45 by A. Smith, seconded by J. Hurley; unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Thompson, Secretary
