LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING October 7, 2003

Present             Commissioners:  Bettye Webb, Grisel Gonzalez, Jennifer Dugan Murphy, Chairman Patrick Markey  (Gerald Duquette absent)

                        Staff:  Library Director Emily Bader, Assistant Director Lee Fogarty, Clerk Carol Leaders

                        Citizens: Seven citizens from four library branches

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 by chairman Pat Markey.  Commissioners introduced themselves and reviewed MINUTES of the last meeting.  There were two corrections, including one stipulating that commissioners Webb and Boyle wanted to be on record as opposing use of a branch library to film a political commercial.  Minutes were approved as corrected.

NEW LOCATION FOR THE NEXT MEETING.  Due to a scheduling conflict in city hall, the next Library Commission Meeting will take place in the community room of the CENTRAL LIBRARY, 220 State Street, at 5:30pm on Tuesday, October 21.

MASON SQUARE.  Noting that Urban League president Henry Thomas was unwilling to include a neighborhood representative in a meeting to discuss access to library resources in the building purchased from the Springfield Library and Museums Association, Chairman Markey outlined concessions he obtained from the Urban League and areas on which agreement has not yet been reached. 

            Hours at its Mason Square will be increased from 24 to 28 per week and now include evening and Saturday hours.  The four additional hours, over and above those at other branches, will be funded by the Annie Curran bequest (now controlled by the library department and used solely for the Mason Square branch.)   In addition, the public may access library computers (the most frequently used resource at this branch) and study tables during Urban League office hours, including times when the library itself is closed.  Library director Bader says that these computers have internet access, word processing capability, are connected to the library system and CWMARS catalogs and certain subscription data bases and also have some Microsoft products available.  Beginning around October 27,  Mason Square branch hours will be:

Monday: 9-5

Tuesday: Library closed, but access to library computers and study space available 9-5

Wednesday: 9-5

Thursday: 11-7

Friday: Library closed, but access to library computers and study space available 9-5

Saturday: 10-2

Unresolved issues with the Urban League include signage and whether or not the city ought to pick up part of the cost of utilities at the site.  The Urban League plans to remove the “Springfield City Library” sign from the front of the building plus move to an interior location the scroll commemorating Annie Curran’s bequest.  They plan to erect a large Urban League sign in front of the building, but object to the library’s having an outdoor sign of the same size.  Further meetings to resolve these issues are planned.  It was pointed out that a sign presenting the library as subordinate to the Urban League would be misleading and inappropriate.

The issue of security at Mason Square during the additional hours was raised, and Ms. Bader indicated that a Request for Proposals now out for 20 hours per week at Mason Square can be amended to reflect the new hours.

ADDITIONAL BRANCH HOURS CITYWIDE.  Commissioners approved new branch hours citywide.  The new schedule incorporates suggestions made by citizens at recent library commission meetings and should be posted soon at www.springfieldlibrary.org.

New hours will take effect on October 27 at East Forest Park, Brightwood, Indian Orchard, and Sixteen Acres and possibly at Mason Square and Liberty as well.  East Springfield, Pine Point and Forest Park will open about a week later. 

Laid off employees have been called back to work and interviews are being conducted this week for 17 new hires.  Former employees who are returning will receive their old benefits and seniority.  Two weeks may elapse between the time someone is hired and when they report to work due to reference checks, physical examinations, and a brief orientation to the library department.

(Chairman Markey excused himself at this point, leaving Commissioner Dugan Murphy in charge of the meeting.)

In answer to a question from the public, Ms. Bader said that she “hadn’t really thought about” pre-opening publicity for the branches.  She mentioned a number of ways this might be accomplished, and a discussion followed about spreading the good news through the schools.  The suggestion was made that hours at the central library be included in all publicity.

HANDICAPPED ACCESS AT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY.   In addition to the long,  winding path between the Edwards Street parking lot and the central library discussed at an earlier commission meeting, there are also access problems with the lot across State Street which has been designated for library use by the SLMA. 

These problems are exacerbated by the 6’locked iron fence now in place around the entire Quadrangle.  Only one gate, that between the gated Edwards Street parking lot (itself enclosed by the fence) and the Quadrangle is open during the day.  All other gates (including two on Chestnut Street and one behind the rear entrance to Christ Church cathedral) remain locked at all times. 

The State Street lot is not handicapped accessible.  Pedestrian access to the sidewalk is via a stairway or a steep, curving driveway.  To reach the handicapped entrance to the central library from the State Street lot, a person must navigate not only the steps or driveway, but also travel downhill one steep city block and uphill another plus cross four lanes of traffic on busy State Street.

A State Street resident described concerns of her neighbors and an exchange of emails with SLMA president Joe Carvalho on the issue of the locked fence.  Able-bodied neighbors are concerned about access to the fenced-off Quadrangle from two perspectives: access to the museums and to one of downtown’s few greenspaces plus escape routes from inside the Quad in case of emergency.  The issue of the Quadrangle’s legal obligation to provide accessible parking for the library was also raised.

Director Bader is meeting tomorrow with Joe Carvalho on these issues and will report back to the commission at its next meeting.

Under new business, Commissioner Webb asked Ms. Bader to describe the “lines of communication” in the newly restructured branch library system.  Ms. Bader says that because each “branch team” will consist of three branches, only two of which would be open at a given time, there would always be a manager or assistant manager present in all open branches.

The meeting was adjourned.

OBSERVATIONS:  Library commissioners and administrators appear more comfortable in their public roles with every meeting, including increased openness to contributions from citizens.  Progress is being made in having printed matter available for members of the public.  However, work remains in terms of keeping the importance of an informed public in mind on a consistent basis.