Present: The meeting, duly advertised in compliance with the Sunshine Law, was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by Pres. T. Verrastro. The minutes of the February 12, 2003 meeting were approved as presented.
I have selected Debra Zeppinick-Tester as Jim's replacement. Jim will be leaving at the end of March. In April, we will begin putting all bookkeeping on computer. Architect Rebecca Iovino met with me, Head of Circulation Judy Mascis, Assistant Director Mimi Hui, and Children's Librarian Rosalie Nickles to discuss the Circulation, Reference and Children's Desk areas. I have requested that the staff and trustees have a chance to see the inside of the Library to get a feeling for the space. I also requested that someone from Arcari-Iovino attend our next Board meeting so that we could ask questions. Mayor Torre stopped in to donate a painting of the Brinker-Ackerman house which became the Stagg farm. He has asked the architects to make some proposals as to where the Tiffany window and fireplace could be located in the new library. Board President Tom Verrastro, Budget Committee Chair Tom Meli, and I met with CFO Mike Kronyak about the Library's budget. He agreed that there were expenses for which we could not plan at this time. He seemed to feel that we should hire people after we open, when we would know better what we would need. The point was made that that would mean contending with a new building and training personnel at the same time. Assistant Director Mimi Hui attended the BCCLS English as a Second Language Committee meeting. Under Robert White's direction, the Committee feels that classroom teaching should replace individual tutors, as there are long waiting lists at most libraries. They have put out a new core list of books, only one of which is in our ESL collection. I have agreed to run for the position of Vice President/President Elect of the New Jersey Library Association Administrative and Management Section. I always feel I represent the small libraries. The OneBookNJ book discussions are taking registrations. Rosalie Nickles is doing the two books for elementary school children and I am organizing the Fahrenheit 451 discussion. BCCLS has provided us with free copies of Fahrenheit 451 to distribute to the participants. The Teen Book Discussion Group finished with Among the Hidden. Mimi Hui and Margaret Mellet of BCCLS did a fine job. I have met with a local resident to discuss the prospect of her small business digitizing the Observer. This would convert the microfilm of the local paper (which we have since 1894!) onto a compact disk or disks and will have search capabilities. Her company could cut costs by outsourcing the scanning to India, something to be discussed. There are two other companies that have been in touch, one of which is the company that currently photographs the paper and converts it into microfilm. I have discussed this with Editor of the Observer Cathy Brunetti and she is enthusiastic. Mimi and I attended a JerseyCat training session. It was Mimi's second and we have been advised to attend at least two sessions. Judy Mascis will also attend. Josephine Zangl has had to have a
cataract operation, which was less extensive than she thought it would be. Board President
Tom Verrastro has agreed that Jo should have the month off (without pay) that she
requested. Committee Reports: Personnel: Budget: Building: Meeting of M. Reutty, M. Hui, J. Mascis, and R. Nickles with Rebecca Iovino to discuss Circulation, Reference, and ChildrenŐs areas of the new library.
New Business:
Donna Mikulka, Secretary ######
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