Russell Library Board of Trustees

Russell Library Company Annual Meeting Saturday, January 11, 2025 11:30am In the Hubbard Room at Russell Library: 123 Broad St., Middletown CT MINUTES I. Call to Order: Eamonn Wisneski called the meeting to order at 11:38 am. II. Public Comment: No members of the public made a public comment, either live at the meeting or via comments submitted to either the Russell Library trustee email address or through the “Contact the Board” feature on the Russell Library webpage. III. Approval of minutes: Greg Harris moved to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2024 meeting, and Carolyn Shaw seconded. Unanimous in favor. IV. Welcome/Opening Remarks: Eamonn Wisneski thanked everyone for joining the meeting, noting it was the first in-person Company meeting in years due to the pandemic. He thanked the library administration for their ongoing work for the library, particularly for organizing the numerous well-attended library events taking place that day. V. Mid-Year Updates: Director Ramona Burkey delivered the mid-year update, thanking the administrative team and staff for their assistance. As reflected by the Annual Report, numbers are up across a number of categories (both year over year, but also over the past seven years). The Russell Library is a destination, both for Middletown residents but also for state leaders (as shown by a symposium) and other gatherings. Although circulation and open hours are up over the measured timeline, total staff hours are down due to increased staffing efficiencies. The Russell Library faces budgetary challenges, such as decreased buying power for materials due to flat or decreased municipal book budgets. Physical book prices have increased with inflation, and digital book formats are even more expensive. The current facility, beloved by many, presents efficiency difficulties that are further compounded by the deceased city maintenance budget. The staff continues to maintain the various buildings that make up the campus, including the “Yellow House” on Broad Street, the driveway of which had to be repaired despite the uncertain future of the building. The staff continue to make other improvements to the facility as able. Director Burkey reported that various programs are thriving, such as “Secrets of the Russell Library” and the Library Card Crawl. Turning to the ongoing Russell Library/City Hall Feasibility Committee work, Director Burkey drew attention to various conceptual renderings and plans from the ongoing feasibility studies, and noted the possibility that this could go to a city referendum this year. Director Burkey discussed the tremendous value that the library brings to the community, both tangible (financial return on investment is around $5 per dollar invested) and intangible (increasing community connections and decreasing social isolation). Looking towards the future, the Russell Library is approaching its 150th birthday in 2026 and planning is already underway. Director Burkey outlined anticipated future services that the library will offer (notary services and homebound delivery services) and upcoming milestones in the feasibility study process (notably an economic impact study analyzing how library investments would impact the community). The library is approaching budget season, and will need support for municipal funding. Director Burkey then entertained questions from the Company members. Director Burkey said that the Dolly Parton Imagination Library will initially be funded with ARPA money, but she is also talking with an interested organization about sustained funding. In response to a question about what information the economic impact study might show beyond the previously noted library metrics, Director Burkey stated that it would help illustrate the impact on the broader community and potential for community growth. Director Burkey stated that the previously noted staffing efficiencies are due to a number of factors including cross training across departments. She also noted that the Russell Library has a facilities staff and perform additional functions that libraries set up as city departments do not have to handle, so the staffing numbers cannot be readily compared from library to library and might be misleading to casual observers. Director Burkey stated that the homebound book delivery service would likely be staffed by volunteers. Greg Harris underscored the potential impact that voter testimonials could have on upcoming city meetings. Director Burkey said that the Russell Library has been in touch with local and national experts and is optimistic that a referendum would be approved by the voters. Wisneski discussed possible timelines leading to a theoretical referendum. Unlike the “Bridge” portion of the library (spanning from the church to the bank portions) that was meant to last until the year 2000, Wisneski recommended that the community invest in a facility that would last for generations- much like Frances Russell did 150 years prior. The Company discussed parking availability in the area. Director Burkey discussed the various ways that she, and other library employees, engage with the community. Nathan Mealey inquired about potential safety measures for the Broad Street crosswalk, and Director Burkey stated that she has had discussions with the city regarding potential modifications (and this issue will be further examined in the feasibility studies and potential future library planning). Wisneski adjourned the meeting at 12:32 pm. Attendees: 1.​ Kellin Atherton 2.​ Andrew Becker 3.​ Wendy Berlind 4.​ Cathy Boone​ 5.​ Lauri Douglas 6.​ William Foster 7.​ Mary Giglio 8.​ Jennifer Hadley 9.​ Myke Halpin 10.​Gregory Harris 11.​Jane Harris 12.​Cindy Harrison 13.​Alison Johnson 14.​Mary Keating 15.​Charlotte McCoid 16.​Nathan Mealey 17.​Pamela Hartz Miller 18.​Laurel Patt 19.​Ann Percival 20.​Tom Russell, IV 21.​Cynthia Sanders 22.​Carolyn Shaw 23.​Diane Smith 24.​Laura Taft 25.​Andrew White 26.​Eamonn Wisneski