Jan 2014
22 Wed
Library Meeting 1/22/14
Present: Cindy Maguire, Sue Mitchell, Jen BakerPorazinski, Clem Crowe
Last meeting's minutes were not available at this meeting.
Paul Baker-Porazinski, BOE president, came to discuss
increasing communication and collaboration between the
school and library. For example, Christine Congelosi
recently contacted the school requesting to show a film
made locally in Salem, and Paul suggested the library may
want to host the film at the school.
Vince Cannini, Cambridge Superintendent, also joined.
Both wanted to discuss ACC and Distant Learning and
their plans for the next capital project (Media Center).
PBP mentioned that we are part of a consortium of shared
services (7/11 schools in Washington County are part of
this) which may help expand offerings for our students.
Many schools, including Cambridge, have put in Distance
Learning Classrooms with state of the art equipment to
share services. Adirondack Community College wants to
certify teachers at our school to teach courses for college
credit at 1/3 the price. ACC is connected to the Distance
Learning Classrooms. ACC also wants us to offer college
courses to non-matriculated students and adults. They are
hoping to make this a self-contained area to allow
afterhours
access. There must be 10 students (may be from
other districts).
Vince explained trying to help our students be more
competitive with other bigger districts by improving
access after hours. They do not want it to compete with
the library. They are hoping to be able to do refresher
courses for EMTs, firemen, Hunting Safety etc. Betty Little
gave each school district $25,000 toward a media center
so
that the money wouldn't fall to taxpayers. There is an
issue of synchronizing bell schedules with other districts.
This would help possibly receive some revenue for further
programs. If we can get 10 people interested in a course,
we can offer this through ACC. Many schools in the area,
including Cambridge, no longer have business courses so
this would be an area of interest.
Steve Butz has an agreement with a lumber company to
excavate a local plot of land for an archeological dig.
Cindy mentioned the $5,000 technology grant that Bob
Odess has applied for to allow the young people in the
school who are computer savvy to come and assist people
who are not proficient in computers.
The library feels that this will be a wonderful opportunity
for the community. Cindy offered to have a suggestion
box for the school regarding ideas that community
members may have for distance learning.
Old Business:
Mike Telford will put in a fence for neighbor's privacy and
a new sidewalk in the spring. Lights were installed over
the book drop. During the last meeting the Unattended
Children Policy was reviewed and it was determined that
the age of 8 was the minimum age. . The bylaws were
discussed and the budget was discussed and approved
(Mary Lee moved and Bob seconded). Bob had mentioned
that the village never returns our Surplus fund.
Treasurer's Report: Bob Odess was not available for a full
report but spreadsheet was distributed.
There is a mandated increase in minimum wage. Cindy
passed out a spread sheet with 3 people that will be
directly affected by the increase and 2 people who are not.
1/1/15 there will be an increase from $8/hr to $8.75 an
hour. Cindy was able to buy back into the NYS
Retirement Fund, which also needs to be accounted for. In
addition the JA fee was increased by 1 cent to .09/item for
being shelved and .11/item for circulation. The grand total
of changes is $2,612.12. The budget voted on a 1.6%
budget increase at the last meeting, but a further increase
would be necessary with these changes.
Clem suggested we approach the school with the
difference necessary ($4,752). Clem made a motion to
increase the school vote budget by $4,752 from last year
with the new library proposition total to be $43,000. This
was passed unanimously by the board.
New Business:
Cindy spoke with the "Old Fulton County Postcard"
website which is a not-for-profit business that digitizes
microfilm. We have sent 28 of 66 rolls of microfilm. There
is no cost, but a donation could be made. We will
eventually do a press release when this is completed. We
will also be provided a disk with our material.
Cindy is in the process of obtaining the motion picture
license.
Cindy explained that SALS has sent a notice to order 3
replacement computers that are SALS-supported by
2/14/14. Cindy spoke with Sarah Dallas yesterday who
felt it was important to do SALS-supported computers as
these computers are continuously wiped and have large
fire walls for patient privacy. The computers are $556/
computer. Cindy requested a vote. Clem made a motion
to approve and the board unanimously agreed to the
$1698 total. These will come in April.
We can send back our 4 computers to SALS to be wiped
clean and then returned to us to be added back to our
computer center.
SALS requests a 2% donation for SALON (ebook
overdrive) which comes to $250.78. In 2009 there were
140
check outs and this year we have 1757 out (up 105%).
Clem moved we approve, Sue seconded, and all were in
favor.
The annual report is due into SALS 2/21.
Cindy also spoke of the success of recent programs. The
Planetarian adventure program was highly attended.
Howard Romack (who recently did 2 successful programs
on the microscope) will be presenting another
sciencerelated
course in February. Bliss MacIntosh will be
presenting a course on making reed baskets, which is
supported by The Friends. Erin Boggan Seeley called to
offer her services in presenting a second financial literacy
course on 3/1 for those unable to attend the first one. She
will then do a second course for both groups.