Russell Library Strategic Planning Committee
Regular MeetingMiddletown, CT · October 26, 2023
Minutes
Russell Library Strategic Planning Special Meeting
October 26, 2023, 5:00pm via Zoom
Minutes
Present: Kellin Atherton (Chair), Ramona Burkey, Jennifer Hadley (recorder), Eamonn
Wisneski
Absent: Sarah Schulenburg
1. Call to Order – Chair Atherton called the meeting to order at 5:05.
2. Public Comment – no public present
3. Approval of Minutes – Trustee Wisneski moved and Trustee Hadley seconded the
approval of the September 28, 2023 minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
Approval of the May 25, 2023 is tabled until the next meeting.
4. Unfinished Business
a. Finalize and distribute “Talking Points” document to Board – Chair Atherton
spoke about the document at the most recent Board meeting. He will finalize
and distribute it soon.
b. Q and A document – The committee spent 30+ minutes working on a
document to answer likely questions from the public about plans for a new
library building. It can draw on wording from existing documents (e.g.,
Director Burkey’s blog post), as well as link to other documents to provide
further detail. We’ll continue editing in the coming month.
c. Advocacy and messaging – Director Burkey said she could use help in
advocating with Middletown’s legislative contingent to seek their support of
future grant applications and at the state level. The Q and A document will be
helpful.
d. Timelines - The committee may want to take into account the timeline of the
feasibility study (i.e., active work from the beginning of the year through April,
with a public comment period around April) and be prepared.
e. Russell Library 150th birthday (2026) – The birthday could be incorporated in
a capital campaign or as a theme in advocacy. “Breaking ground on a new
library would be a great 150th birthday present.”
5. New Business - None
6. Adjournment - Trustee Wisneski moved and Trustee Hadley seconded adjourning
the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:55.
Next scheduled regular meeting: Thursday, December 28, 2023; 5:00pm
Agenda
Russell Library Strategic Planning Special Meeting
October 26, 2023, 5:00pm
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AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comment
3. Approval of Minutes of the September 28, 2023 meeting
4. Unfinished Business
a. Finalize and distribute “Talking Points” doc to board
b. Q and A document
c. Advocacy and messaging
d. Timelines
e. Board/Strategic Planning presence at city events
f. Russell Library 150th birthday (2026)
5. New Business
6. Adjournment
Next scheduled regular meeting: Thursday, December 28, 2023; 5:00pm
Russell Library Community Dialogue Framework
Parliamentary procedure and public meeting requirements set a method for deciding the
business of the Russell Library in view of the public. A Community Dialogue Framework provides
guidance on improving the decision-making process by encouraging productive discussion.
● Practice open and honest communication.
● Listen carefully, actively, and respectfully.
● Be courteous; do not interrupt another speaker and do not multi-task.
● Speak from personal experience. Use “I” statements to share your thoughts and feelings.
● Support your statements with evidence and provide rationales.
● Respect others’ rights to hold opinions and beliefs that are different from yours. All
perspectives are welcome and valid.
● Be open to new and different perspectives.
● If you are offended, speak up.
● Challenge and debate the merits of ideas, not the person supporting it.
● Step up and participate in the conversation.
● Step back and recognize others deserve an opportunity to speak.
● When discussion takes place in Executive Session, respect and maintain confidentiality.
● Share the message, not the personal.
● Trust that dialogue and disagreement will take us to deeper levels of understanding and
acceptance.
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