FLAG
Meeting Minutes
January 14, 2015
Westport Public Library
Members Present: Bernadette Baldino, Margaret Borchers, Maxine Bleiweis, Barbara Blosveren, Chris
Bradley, Kathy Giotsas, Sue Horton , Karen Jensen, Jay Johnston, Alice Knapp, Cynde Lahey, Susan
LaPerla, Lauren McLaughlin, Brenda McKinley, Heather Marie Montilla, Melanie Myers, Chris Nolan,
Lauren Phillips, Sandra Ruoff, Sheri Szymanski, Karen Tatarka, Elaine Tai-Lauria
Secretary’s Report: Margaret Borchers presented the December minutes for approval. Chris Nolan
moved to accept the minutes, seconded by Lauren McLaughlin.
Treasurers’ Report: Kathy Giotsas presented the financial report.
CT Library Association Update
Sheri reports the CLA Legislative Took Kit is moving forward.
SCSU update: they are still offering classes. There is a Task Force at work rewriting the curriculum. The
school will be submitting pre-candidacy forms for re-accreditation at the ALA meeting.
Nomination forms for the award ceremonies at CLA are on the CLA website. Do you know an
outstanding librarian in Connecticut? How about a volunteer who has made a significant contribution to
a library? What about support staff? Did you provide an excellent program or service to your community
in 2014? It's time to nominate the best of the best for the CLA Awards.
Anita Diamante, the FLAG sponsored author, will speak on Monday morning at CLA.
FLAG Scholarship Committee – Kathy Giotsas will chair.
Library Updates:
Westport – Maxine will be retiring soon. She is considering becoming an executive coach for new library
directors.
Alice reports the Ferguson Library will rededicate the main Library at Bedford and Broad St. in memory
of late President Ernest A. DiMattia, Jr.
Elaine Tai-Lauria in Wilton is starting the budget process.
Christine Bradley in Norwalk is working with their Chamber of Commerce to access library databases on
the Chamber website. Norwalk is stressing the need for “education for adults” in their programming. A
general discussion of adult education in libraries ensued.
A question by Bernadette about planning consultants: Alice and Elaine recommend Beck Consultants,
Karen Jensen suggests Fio Partners.
Program: Alex from Westport introduced our group to “Nancy” one of their two new robots.