Library Board of Directors

Regular Meeting

Norwalk, CT · July 10, 2025

Minutes

CITY OF NORWALK LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS JULY 10, 2025 VIA ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING ATTENDANCE: Alex Knopp, Laurel Peterson, Mary Mann (Vice-Chair), Moina Noor (Chair), Jannie Williams, Patsy Brescia STAFF: Sherelle Harris (Library Director) I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Noor called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. There was a quorum present. II. ROLL CALL A roll call of those present was performed. ACKNOWLEDGMENT A moment of silence was held for Cheryl Telesco. III. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES The minutes have been tabled. IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was no public present to comment at this time. V. REPORTS LIBRARY DIRECTOR LIBRARY WITHOUT BORDERS UPDATE Director Harris gave a presentation regarding Norwalk Public Library’s (NPL) collaboration with Libraries Without Borders (LWB). NPL was selected as one of six libraries in Connecticut to participate in this initiative, which focuses on community inclusivity through libraries by providing information online and throughout the community to bring awareness to library services and programs. She was pleased to announce that the social media percentage increases gained while working with the LWB program is promising and that the information is the Connecticut State Library’s website. Ms. Peterson inquired about the program’s social media impact. Ms. Harris said social media posts raise awareness of NPL’s programs and services, but staff are also cognizant of residents who do not use social media and work to find ways to reach them, as well. Vice Chair Brescia asked about press coverage. Ms. Harris agreed that press regarding the benefits of working with LWB would be beneficial. City Of Norwalk Library Board of Directors Regular Meeting 1 of 3 July 10, 2025 CITY OF NORWALK LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS JULY 10, 2025 VIA ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING Ms. Harris went on to provide an update on the work of both children’s departments, main library and SoNo library. She said the main library worked with the Norwalk Early Childhood Volunteer Reader program to provide books to community children’ ages 3 – 5. She said that the SoNo library began working with the Carver Center spring 2024. They bought four units that hold books to distribute in the community. They started with the Carver Center and have recently supplied a unit to Side By Side Community School for their kindergarten classes. She said an anonymous donor learned of their work with LWB and donated $2,000 to each library to purchase picture books for this work. The main library used the money for their work with the Early Childhood Volunteer Reader program. The SoNo library used the money to stock the units they have in the community with books. CAPITAL BUDGET UPDATE Furniture selection was finalized for the adult reading room at the main library, designed with elderly readers in mind, similar to the furniture selection for SoNo’s first floor renovation project. Vice Chair Brescia, who was on the furniture selection committee along with Chair Moina Noor, Treasurer Jannie Williams, and Adult Services Director Cynde Lahey, asked questions regarding delivery and payment. Ms. Harris anticipates September delivery of the furniture for the main library’s adult reading room and the second phase of the SoNo library’s first floor renovation. She shared rendered images of the finalized furniture for the main library. Ms. Harris consulted with Bill Hnatuk, city of Norwalk ADA coordinator to ensure both projects were ADA compliant. She said $20,000, the amount approved for the main library project would be paid by the city and the shortfall by the Library Foundation. She thanked the board for financial assistance with many projects including vestibule painting at SoNo and the updated outdoor furniture at the main library. Also part of the capital project, exterior security cameras were installed at both libraries, along with one interior camera on the administrative floor of the main library, Ms. Harris noted, due to thefts from her office. Ms. Harris stated that access to camera footage would be given to her and to the manager of SoNo library to monitor SoNo. Ms. Harris said she would like for the Norwalk Police department to have access to the footage. Ms. Mann asked about the placement of cameras facing library staff and whether they were necessary. Ms. Williams expressed opposition to cameras at staff desks and recommended placing them in hallways and stairwells instead. Ms. Harris clarified that the exterior cameras would capture people going in and out of the building and didn’t see a need to have them directly on staff, but said the stairwells should be given consideration.. OPERATING BUDGET: GROUNDS ACCOUNT PROJECT UPDATE Funds rolled over from FY2023-24 to FY2024-25 were used to remove fencing and resolve egress issues between the 1 Belden Avenue (main library) and 3 Belden Avenue parcels. Ms. Harris said Neil Rennie, from Guardian, the city of Norwalk’s management company, reported that he didn’t think the drainage issue was no longer a problem. City Of Norwalk Library Board of Directors Regular Meeting 2 of 3 July 10, 2025 CITY OF NORWALK LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS JULY 10, 2025 VIA ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING PASSPORT SERVICE Ms. Harris reported that on July 1, 2025, the main library was approved as a passport acceptance facility by the U.S. Department of State's Office of Acceptance Facility Oversight. The South Norwalk Library, however, was not approved. That application will remain on file for one year, and the City may be contacted should additional acceptance sites be needed. The library is currently awaiting next-step instructions via email. Passport service is expected to begin in September. SECURITY The library, along with city hall and the health department, has transitioned to a new security guard company. PEST CONTROL A new pest control company has also been contracted. Ms. Harris noted that from her initial contact, the new company seems thorough. She stated that Mr. Rennie, from Guardian, introduced the library use Mosquito Squad to address the mosquito issues the main library has had for years and that she is satisfied with their service. Ms. Peterson raised concerns about pesticide use and bee protection. Ms. Harris confirmed that their products are “green” and were vetted for environmental safety. TIDYING EFFORTS Images were shown of various areas of the library that had recently been decluttered and reorganized. Chair Noor and others expressed support for the improvements. Areas tidied include the North entrance and the book sale section closest to the café. VI. OLD BUSINESS There was no Old Business at this time. VII. NEW BUSINESS It was announced that the Board will not meet in August. The next meeting is scheduled for September. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jada Caballero City Of Norwalk Library Board of Directors Regular Meeting 3 of 3 July 10, 2025

Agenda

Packet

REGULAR MEETING – LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS AGENDA JULY 10, 2025, 7:00 PM BY ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING To allow public access, anyone may access a meeting by telephone and/or Zoom, or a recording in the City of Norwalk YouTube channel. Specific instructions and links can be found at norwalkct.gov/meetings. Members of the public may call in to participate. Callers will not be able to see the meeting participants. All participants will be muted upon entering the meeting. To speak, dial *9 on the phone and you will be called on by the host of the meeting during the public comment section. All speakers must state their name and address. Comments must be on a topic on the agenda, and are limited to three minutes. Anyone disrupting the orderly conduct of the meeting, including by using threatening, hateful, or sexually-explicit language, will be removed. Please find the information using the link above. Members of the public who wish to provide "live comments" may also use the Zoom meeting platform. All participants will be muted upon entering the meeting. To speak, click the “raise your hand indicator” and you will be called by the host of the meeting during the public comment section. All speakers must state their name and address. Comments must be on a topic on the agenda, and are limited to three minutes. Anyone disrupting the orderly conduct of the meeting, including by using threatening, hateful, or sexually-explicit language, will be removed. Please find the information using the link above. Members of the public who wish to provide public comment are encouraged to submit those via email in advance of the meeting. For these comments to be included into the record, they must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. Please email Sherelle Harris at sharris@norwalkpl.org with the subject line “Public Comment” to provide written public comment prior to the meeting. I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES A. Regular Meeting: DATE IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION V. REPORTS A. President B. Treasurer C. Library Director Page 1 of 29 1. Library Without Borders Update 2. Capital Budget Update 3. Operating Budget: Grounds Account Project Update 4. Passport Service 5. Security 6. Pest Control VI. OLD BUSINESS VII. NEW BUSINESS VIII. ADJOURNMENT Page 2 of 29 LIBRARY BOARD REPORT Sherelle Harris, Library Director July 3, 2025 The Norwalk Public Library System, with our open access to diverse resources, is the information and cultural center for Norwalk citizens and businesses. 1 Page 3 of 29 MAIN LIBRARY: 2025 POLLING LOCATION LIBRARY WITHOUT BORDERS UPDATE 2 Page 4 of 29 3 Page 5 of 29 LIBRARY WITHOUT BORDERS OVERVIEW 4 Page 6 of 29 5 Page 7 of 29 6 Page 8 of 29 7 Page 9 of 29 8 Page 10 of 29 9 Page 11 of 29 10 Page 12 of 29 11 Page 13 of 29 12 Page 14 of 29 https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/Libraries-Without-Borders/Norwalk 13 Page 15 of 29 A local man, who likes to remain anonymous, donated $2,000 to each library to purchase picture books to go toward the Libraries Without Borders endeavor. Our Main Library worked with Norwalk's Early Childhood Volunteer Reader Program to provide books to community children ages 3 – 5 with the books purchased with the donated money. Our SoNo Library began working with the Carver Center after school program spring 2024. We purchased 4 shelving units. One of the units was placed at the Carver Center and stocked with books. One of the units was recently, spring 202,5 placed at Side by Side Community Charter School for their preschool program and stocked with books purchased with the donated money. 14 Page 16 of 29 CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE 15 Page 17 of 29 The main library reading room furniture capital project was finalized. The committee included library board chair Moina Noor, library board vice chair Patsy Brescia, library board treasurer Jannie Williams, library director Sherelle Harris and head of adult services Cynde Lahey. Together, we have come up with a layout, color scheme and quality furniture, purchased for Robert H. Lord Company, that patrons will find both comfortable and aesthetically. Similar to the first floor renovation/repurposing project at SoNo library, we kept our elderly patrons in mind. “People of earlier generations who reached their middle 60s were, by reputation, anyway, often retired, sedentary, or even homebound. Libraries have long served this population with large-print books, outreach to senior centers, delivery of library materials to the homebound and regularly scheduled movies at the library. These programs are still necessary, but not enough.” - David M. Guion, Journalist/Editor According to American Library Association, our older adults are: • America’s older adults are diverse, differing by age, education, life experience, sexual orientation, health, geographic location, and income. • Active older adults typically live in their own homes or retirement communities, are involved in community activities, and manage their own transportation. • One of the fastest-growing groups of active older adults are the baby boomers. • Frail elders are typically the oldest adults and often include persons living in residential facilities and those with various disabling conditions. Sources and Resources American Association of Retired Persons www.aarp.org American Society on Aging www.asaging.org National Council on Aging www.ncoa.org 16 Page 18 of 29 U.S. Administration on Aging We made sure that the seating is sturdy and not too low, and that the chairs, aside from those at the work tables, have arms for those who need the assistance standing and sitting. We also ensured the colors are compatible with the new carpet that was installed May 2024 as part of an approved CAP project. Please see the following three pages for design. 17 Page 19 of 29 18 Page 20 of 29 The two work tables in the back in the first two slides will have the linea mocha laminate and the eight chairs will be black with chrome frame. Bill Hnatuk, the city’s ADA coordinator, approved the furniture per ADA guidelines. 19 Page 21 of 29 We would like to purchase 125 of the same chairs (that we purchased for the reading room work tables) in grey for the main library’s community room to replace the chairs that we have had since the 1970s. The main library’s community room has a capacity limit of 175 per fire marshal. The main library reading room CAP project was approved at $20,000. The total $31,993.80. The Library Foundation approved paying for the shortfall. The Library Foundation also paid for the outdoor furniture that was not approved in the FY 2023-24 CAP budget request. The cost was roughly $7,500. This was a significant improvement to our exterior. The Library Foundation also paid for the painting of the SoNo Library vestibule, stair railing and office cabinets. We are grateful for their assistance in keeping the library modern and cared for. SOUTH NORWALK LIBRARY FIRST FLOOR RENOVATION The South Norwalk Library is in the final stages of the first floor renovation/ repurposing project. Money that was not needed for contingency is being used to finalize furniture purchases. We anticipate the furniture arrival in September. SECURITY CAMERAS The security cameras have been installed at both buildings, but they are not yet operational. I would like for the police station, the guards in both buildings and the heads at both buildings to have access to camera footage. A conversation planned for this Thursday will let me know how this will work and any needed signage. Cameras are located on the exterior of both buildings and one in the 2R office area due to thefts from my office. FYI https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/04/02/18-year-old-dies-after-shooting-inside-shaker-heights- library/ 20 Page 22 of 29 OPERATING BUDGET GROUNDS ACCOUNT UPDATE The library rolled over the following to the grounds account, 016200-5265 to address the issues in the parking lots—striping, directional signage, etc—and to remove/replace the fence between the 1 Belden Avenue and the 3 Belden Avenue parcels and address the drainage and egress issues between the parcels. $7,400 remaining in the grounds account 5265 was rolled over to same account. $12,600 from 5294 (machinery-equipment rental) was rolled over to 5265. $29,000f from 5391 (audio visual equipment) was rolled over to 5255. The parking lots are completed, though the hedges in the 3 Belden lot should be trimmed further for visibility of people walking or cycling on the sidewalk just outside of the lot. Too, the sign for the Eagles fence needs to be picked up and placed on the fence. Neil, from Guardian, the city of Norwalk’s building management company, submitted the invoice for the fence and egress issues and we are waiting for the third quote/invoice for the drainage issue. The project started 7.1.25 21 Page 23 of 29 22 Page 24 of 29 We also take the contractually obligated $12,600 for the parking at Eagles Fraternal Order from the grounds account. PASSPORT SERVICE 23 Page 25 of 29 We received an email on July 1, 2025 from the passport office of acceptance facility oversite that the main library was approved as a passport facility. The South Norwalk Library, however, was not. The South Norwalk Library application will remain on mile for one year and we will be contacted in the event additional acceptance locations are needed in Norwalk. We await an email detailing next steps. NEW SECURITY GUARD COMPANY City Hall, Norwalk Health Department and Norwalk Public Library have changed security guard companies, but we were able to retain Jesus at the main library. The SoNo guard opted not to remain and a replacement was found. PEST CONTROL The city of Norwalk hired a new pest control company. Both Norwalk Public Library and the city of Norwalk had previously hired Connecticut Pest Control. The city of Norwalk recently hired Catseye Pest Control. I had a site visit with them on 7.3.25. They are very attentive to details. I provided the building plans for both buildings. I would like the library to hire them, as well. They will map each area of both buildings on their computer with details on how to address each area. A supervisor will come with a technician for the first visit to go over the map to get started. We had a terrible time with mosquitos for the past few years. Neil, from Guardian, the city of Norwalk’s building management company, introduced us to Mosquito Squad and we have seen a tremendous difference. TIDYING THE PLACE We have done quite a bit of tidying near the main library’s north entrance. We moved the desk and carts to another area, so the north entrance does not look like a dumping ground. We moved the display furnishing to that area. A bit of the beautiful wood covered by the new books is now exposed. 24 Page 26 of 29 The book sale area near the café are was organized with the wood shelving being evenly spaced. The paintings were moved and similarly spaced We did quite a bit of measuring. 25 Page 27 of 29 26 Page 28 of 29 END 27 Page 29 of 29