January 17, 2003 -- SCLS Auditorium

Present: C. Guzzo, P. Thomson, J. Clemens, R. Dressler, J. Loughren, B. Hoffman, M. Mueller, R. McEneaney, F. Altemose, G. Pepa, E. Cichanowicz, L. Squires, V. Antonucci, L. Hawrey, D. Bucher, D. Cunningham, J. Nichols.

C. Guzzo called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. After a review of the Dec. 20th minutes, D. Bucher moved to accept them. R. McEneaney seconded. None were opposed. 

A list of 2003 officers and their e-mail addresses was passed around. Each member was asked to check the spelling of his or her name and e-mail address and change as needed.

TREASURER’S REPORT: J. Loughren distributed copies of the monthly financial statement for December 2002, which showed a fund balance of $20,850.47. C. Guzzo moved to accept the financial report. D. Cunningham seconded. None were opposed.

J. Loughren then reviewed the proposed 2003 budget, which was presented last month. Joe again stated that the main change in the structure of the budget was in the presentation of the information. For example, the Fall Dinner in the 2003 proposed budget is listed only as a net expense, rather than in both the income and expense categories. The same is true for the Programs budget line. Rather than report all expected income and expenses, only the anticipated net expenses are listed ($250 for the Fall Dinner and $500 for Programs). Joe explained that this is standard accounting procedure. Joe opened up his presentation to questions. None were posed.

R. Dressler made a motion to accept the 2003 SCLA Budget as it was presented. C. Guzzo seconded. None were opposed.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT: J. Clemens welcomed everyone to the 2003 Board. Joan thanked Joe for his presentation and complimented him on implementing this new method of presenting the budget, commenting that it’s a more professional method for reporting.

J. Clemens then thanked Rona for doing such a good job putting together the welcome packets for this meeting. The group sounded their agreement with applause.

J. Clemens reported that, in order to improve the flow of information, C. Guzzo was able to join Joan in attending this year’s budget meeting. It is Joan’s hope that the flow of information will continue to run smoothly as it has in the past.

J. Clemens also made a request to each member of the board to please submit a written monthly report to either her or P. Thomson each month before the Board meeting, regardless of whether or not the person will be in attendance. This makes record keeping much easier and more accurate. Also, submitting tentative dates and confirmed dates of upcoming meetings will allow us to minimize conflicts between groups. All meeting dates will be posted on the SCLA web site.

DIVISION REPORTS:

DASL: K. McCoy was not in attendance. R. McEneaney offered his report on his behalf. DASL did not meet in January. They will meet February 7, 2003 at Suffolk County Community College, Ammerman campus. Members are also in the process of putting together a workshop on the PATRIOT Act this spring.

RASD: D. Cunningham reported RASD meet this past Tuesday, but that most of their committees had not met since December. The CARE committee will be meeting January 23, 2003 at East Northport Public Library to plan their April program. This program is likely to be about Long Island employment websites and will be held at SCLS. The Electronic Resources committee will be meeting some time in January, although there is no firm date set at this time. The topic to be discussed is how to publicize databases. The Health Concerns committee chair, R. Dressler, reported that their extensive and well-received bibliography on Autism & Asperger’s Syndrome is completely sold out. Requests for purchase came from Nassau County as well. There was more demand than actual bibliographies, and Deborah offered her congratulations to all those involved. The committee was due to meet yesterday to discuss the 2003 topic for the bibliography and the October meeting. The Long Island History Committee will hold its first meeting in February and will plan their spring trip at that time. SCLA and RASD membership reminders have been sent via e-mail. The Membership Chair is currently vacant. Deborah hopes to hear from someone today who may be interested. Deborah has worked with her for sometime and his hopeful she’ll accept. Otherwise, Deborah has asked for suggestions or volunteers for the position. Those interested should e-mail Deborah directly. OARS will be meeting February 12th at the Central Islip Public Library. The Reader’s Advisory Committee will meet on January 30th at the Half Hollow Hills Public Library. The Committee Chair, Grace O’Connor will also be running a program on February 19th at the Riverhead Library at 10AM. The topic will be ‘How to Run a Book Discussion’ in preparation for the LI Reads selection How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents. This program is modeled after the program offered in Nassau County. Fliers were sent to all libraries. The Long Island Reads author, Julia Alvarez, will be speaking on April 30, 2003 at 12:30 at Nassau Community College, Multi-Purpose room with a reception to follow. Treasurer Kitty Grinnell was to go to the bank to finalize the changes needed on the signature card to reflect the new officers. Diane Eidelman, RASD Historian, has reported that the RASD archives are now up to date. RASD will have 3 speakers at the 2003 Long Island Library Conference. Details are being firmed up, and A/V arrangements for the programs are in place. RASD will be submitting a letter of request and a proposed proclamation to Suffolk County Executive Robert Gaffney’s Office in early March, requesting that April 6 though the 13th be proclaimed National Library Week in Suffolk County, as well as nationally. This was done last year as well. Dates and locations for 2003 RASD meetings have been set, and the snow chain is in place for the year.

CATS: L. Hawrey reported that their last meeting was on January 14th, and at that time, possible programs were discussed. A vendor tour though Books on Tape in New York City is planned, as well as a visit to a New York City library. No dates were offered. Members-at-Large positions have been reassigned. The next scheduled meeting will be on February 11th.

SSD: M. Mueller reported that their Executive Board had met on January 14th. On January 15th, SSD presented a program titled ‘Photoshop for Beginners’. There were 44 people in attendance, 5 of which were not SCLA members. Marie thanked S. Ingram for his excellent presentation, and reported that the program was very well received. During the first week of April, SSD is planning on having a program about carpet and floor care. The target audience is building managers and custodians. The annual meeting will be held on June 11th, and it will include breakfast and an author lunch. 

The SSD Board has decided not to co-sponsor a program with the NCLA Clerical Division at the 2003 Long Island Library Conference. It was felt that the topic chosen did not have a wide enough appeal. The presenter is not charging for the program. Marie spoke with Ms. Heredia in November and expressed reservations with the topic NCLA Clerical Division selected. Marie said that she needed to discuss the topic with her Board before deciding whether or not to co-sponsor. The next day, Ms. Heredia submitted an application for a slot at the conference without SCLA SSD as a co-sponsor, and asked Marie to get back to her with SSD’s decision. Ms. Heredia did get in touch with Marie in January, and Marie indicated that SSD did not want to be involved in presenting a program at this year’s conference because they want to focus on other programs this year.

YASD: L. Squires reported that YASD’s first meeting of the year was held on January 9th. It was their annual Mock Printz Workshop and it was held in conjunction with the Nassau YASD. Suffolk County’s winners were Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier and When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park. Their next meeting will be on February 27th and will again be a joint meeting with Nassau YASD. It will be held at the Farmingdale Public Library and the guest speaker will be Mel Glenn. YASD will be co-sponsoring a presentation at the 2003 Long Island Library Conference titled ‘Poetry in the Branches’. It’s being presented by NYC’s Poet’s House and it’s designed to enable libraries to increase poetry programming and circulation.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

ARCHIVES: No report.

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS: No report.

CONTINUING EDUCATION: No report.

ELSA: G. Pepa reported that Elyse Hayes has agreed to co-chair the committee for 2003. Gail said that Carolyn Hasler, the 2002 ELSA award recipient, has agreed to be on the committee as well. Gail asked for volunteers, especially requesting volunteers from support staff positions within libraries. Gail said that work would start soon for the upcoming year.

FALL DINNER: C. Guzzo reported that, according to the survey issued last year, the Meadow Club and the Irish Coffee Pub tied as close second choices for the location for the SCLA Dinner. Cindy said that she would get prices from both locations. D. Bucher suggested looking into the Bellport Country Club, as they are affiliated with the Irish Coffee Pub. D. Cunningham reported that the RASD dinner was held there last year and that she recommended it. B. Hoffman agreed with the positive assessment.

INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM: K. McCoy was not in attendance. R. McEneaney offered the report on his behalf. While Kevin did not have an official report, he expressed concern. He would like to see more activity from this committee, and has solicited volunteers.

LDA AWARD: P. Bornstein was not in attendance. J. Clemens read the following report. Paula received a price quote from Paul Miner, SCLS printer. It will cost $175 for 2,500 copies of the ALDA Library Award 2003" brochures which, according to schedule, should be distributed during the month of February to SCLA and NCLA members. Also, Thomas Bazzicalupo, NCLA Secretary, has been selected as LDA Award Committee Chairperson for 2003. He will be the Chairperson for 2004.

LEGISLATIVE: L. Tesoriero was not in attendance. J. Clemens offered her report on her behalf. F. Altemose has been working with Laurene, and has booked a bus from Harran Coachways that seats 56 passengers for the Legislative Bus Trip to Albany. A $200 deposit was required within 10 days (of January 14th). The total cost for the bus will be $875. Contacts are being made regarding refreshments on the bus. In the past, bagels, butter and cream cheese have been offered for the trip up (those in attendance are asked to bring their own coffee). Snacks, drinks, and a hero are offered for the trip back. The legislative flyer is in the works and will be distributed at the end of January. In the mean time, a posting of this event with some basic information will be posted in the listserv so SCLA members can make the appropriate plans. Laurene asked the Executive Board to consider keeping the price at $7 or raising it. This year’s flyer will include the $7 non-refundable fee (checks to be made to SCLA only) to offset the cost of refreshments as well as the tip for the bus driver at the end of the day (unless another amount is decided).

F. Altemose also reported that Suffolk County has officially separated from Nassau County in planning for this event. Fran also mentioned that we would have the same driver if everyone were happy last year. Everyone was pleased.

V. Antonucci reminded everyone that there is a rally scheduled for 12:30-1:30 on the steps of the Legislative Building. Therefore, some meetings will be scheduled for later in the day, and the departure time for Albany is likely to be later.

J. Clemens asked for discussion as to whether the cost should remain at $7 or should be raised to $8. R. Dressler suggested raising the price to $8 to cover all the related expenses. D. Bucher made a motion, D. Cunningham seconded. None were opposed.

LISTSERV: K. McCoy was not in attendance. R. McEneaney offered this report on his behalf. There are currently 720 subscribers. Kevin will get the list of new members and their e-mail addresses and they will be added in February.

L.I. LIBRARY CONFERENCE: S. Johnson was not present. P. Thomson offered this report on her behalf. 30 vendors have registered for the Conference. Mick Foley will be the Keynote Speaker. There will be 12 programs spread throughout the day using 4 time slots. Reminder postcards will be going out at the end of the month.

LONG-RANGE PLANNING: S. Holden was not in attendance. P. Thomson offered her report on her behalf. Sue was at the Palmer School of Library and Information Science to offer a presentation to incoming graduate library classes that day (January 17th). A similar presentation will be offered at Queens College on January 23rd. On January 13th, 4 people attended a planning meeting at the Northport Public Library in order to prepare for these library school presentations. 

MEMBERSHIP: R. McEneaney reported that SCLA had 660 active members. 232 members have already renewed for 2003 (although many of those were considered honorary). Regina asked if she should meet with the Division Presidents or Membership Chairs to attempt to avoid duplication and overlap in membership. She indicated that some people have already paid twice (an one ambitious person registered 3 times!). She also reminded everyone (including Executive Board members) to please renew, and that she can be contacted by e-mail or submitting a paper form if someone is interested in a division. She asked all Division Presidents in attendance at today’s meeting to see her after the meeting ended.

NEWSLETTER: B. Hoffman reported that the SCLA newsletter went out in December. Barbara also stated that she is still using Microsoft Publisher, and asked that, if e-mailing files, to please use Microsoft Word. However, Barbara will take articles in any format if necessary. She did suggest that photos be sent by mail. The quality of the photograph does not remain true when it is e-mailed to her. The newsletter had been 12 pages in the past, but this past newsletter, Barbara was able to keep it to 8 pages. She reiterated that the deadlines are February 1st for the March/April/May newsletter, May 1st for the June/July/August newsletter, August 1st for the September/October/November newsletter, and November 1st for the December/January/February newsletter. It generally takes her 4 to 6 weeks to put together the newsletter. Barbara also asked for suggestions for themes for upcoming newsletters. In the past, suggestions have come either from SCLA Board Meetings or from the SCLA President. J. Clemens complimented Barbara on the fine job she is doing with the newsletter. 

NOMINATING: No report.

PROFESSIONAL CONCERNS: No report.

PUBLIC AWARENESS/PUBLICITY: No report. J. Clemens reported that S. Ingram was with S. Holden making a presentation to the graduate students at the Palmer School of Library and Information Science. Joan also said that she appreciated all of Stephen’s work with the packets that will be presented to those in attendance at these workshops.

SCHOLARSHIP: No report.

STATISTICAL SURVEY: No report 

SUFFOLK COUNTY JAILS LIBRARY SERVICE: No report.

WEB PAGE: J. Clemens thanked Danielle Zubiller for her continued participation in this capacity throughout the 2003 year.

LIAISON REPORTS:

CLASC: No report.