Library Board of Directors

REGULAR MEETING – LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS AGENDA MAY 8, 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 B. Acceptance of 4.10.25 Meeting Minutes IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION V. REPORTS A. President 1. Charter Revision Update Page 1 of 32  2. Strategic /Building Planning B. Library Director 1. Main Library Parking Update 2. Library Landscaping Update 3. Norwalk Poet Laureate Updates Join the Norwalk Poet Laureate’s Mailing List https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0DKvaVcS3y1lXkfseGL3WP344DT9Ms9I2RqogQRJcdMGfmw/v “Poets of Norwalk” Accounts Designed to be a hub for posting events/announcements related to the poets and poetry events in Norwalk. Poets of Norwalk https://linktr.ee/poetsofnorwalk. @poetsofnorwalk (Instagram) poets.of.norwalk@gmail.com 4. Evelyn Cunningham, NPL Children's Librarian, Won the Connecticut Library Association Faith Hektoen Award 5. FY2025-26 Recommended Operating Budget FY 2025-26 Recommended Operating Budget - Final Library/Starting on page 183 of 306 6. Approved FY 2025-26 Capital Budget and Capital Existing Project Updates https://www.norwalkct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/35927/FY-2025-26-Approved-Capital-Bu 7. Upcoming Programs VI. OLD BUSINESS VII. NEW BUSINESS VIII. ADJOURNMENT Page 2 of 32  CITY OF NORWALK PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS ATTENDANCE: Moina Noor, Chair; Alex Knopp, Laurel Peterson, Haroldo Williams Jannie Williams ABSENT: Patsy Brescia, Thomas Cullen, Mary Mann OTHERS: Sherelle Harris, Library Director; Marcus Eason, SoNo Branch Manager CALL TO ORDER Ms. Noor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL [00:15] Ms. Noor called the roll. A quorum was present. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES [00:25] • Minutes from March 13, 2025 Meeting The following correction was noted: Page 2, under Main Library Renovation Update please change the following from: Originally, there was $500,000 in the budget and $1.45 in the Economic Development account. To: Originally, there was $500,000 in the Library budget and $1.45 million in the Economic Development account. ** MR. KNOPP MOVED THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 13, 2025 MEETING AS CORRECTED. ** MS. WILLIAMS SECONDED. ** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 13, 2025 MEETING AS CORRECTED PASSED WITH THREE (3) IN FAVOR (KNOPP, NOOR AND MS. WILLIAMS) AND TWO(2) ABSTENTIONS (PETERSON AND MR. WILLIAMS). • Minutes from March 19, 2025 Special Meeting ** MR. KNOPP MOVED THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 19, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING AS SUBMITTED. ** MS. NOOR SECONDED. City of Norwalk Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting April 10, 2025 Page 1 Page 3 of 32 ** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 19, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING AS SUBMITTED PASSED WITH THREE (3) IN FAVOR (KNOPP, NOOR AND MS. WILLIAMS) AND TWO (2) ABSTENTIONS (PETERSON AND MR. WILLIAMS). IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION [5:55] There was no one present to comment at this time. V. REPORTS [6:00] A. President 1. Charter revision update Ms. Noor said that she had sent a letter to Mr. Fairbairn on March 24th and followed up on this in person at the April 1st Charter Revision meeting. After the meeting, Ms. Noor said that she sent Mr. Fairbairn a note to find out if there was any additional follow up for the process. The Charter Revision Commission will be meeting again on the 15th. She asked if there was anyone who could attend the April 15th meeting. Another possibility is to get a letter from the State Library Board. Mr. Daniels also replied with some suggested wording on two items. 2. National Library Week April 6th-12th is National Library Week, which celebrates the role of libraries in providing free access to knowledge and literature. She acknowledged the Library Director and the dedicated staff for their hard work. The other Board members agreed. B. Library Director • Marcus Eason - South Norwalk Branch Manager Ms. Harris introduced Mr. Eason and asked him to give the board an update. Mr. Eason greeted the Board and said that they recently had 35 children attend the program recently. Attendance is up. He thanked Ms. Harris for her guidance and mentioned that patrons like the renovations. • Main Library building plan next steps per Norwalk Purchasing Department Ms. Harris said that she had spoken to Ms. Conners in Purchasing. Ms. Harris displayed the Purchasing Guide on screen. Ms. Peterson noted that the information packet was 146 pages. Ms. Harris mentioned that many of the documents had been previously sent, but they were now all in one place. Ms. Noor asked if anyone had reached out to the Bergers for additional information. Mr. Knopp replied that he had not. • Raises for part-time staff update Ms. Harris said that she had presented the request for the part time staff raises to the BET but said that it was not approved. She said the part time staff has not had a raise since 2012. Ms. Harris said that if all staff received raises to bring them to market rate that it would be about $1 million dollars. She said she City of Norwalk Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting April 10, 2025 Page 2 Page 4 of 32 wanted to see what she could do with the existing budget and that the Finance Director said they would make it a priority for the 2026-27 budget. • Main Library parking lots update Ms. Harris said that the crews are waiting for consistent weather that is 60 degrees or above. She displayed the directional signage on screen and said they should be receiving it soon. She said the hedges need to be trimmed at the 3 Belden Avenue location and the signage installed to prevent accidents because drivers go in and out of the lot the wrong way. • South Norwalk (SoNo) Library repaving and EV charging station update Ms. Harris said that the paving and the EV charging station is waiting for warmer weather. When they pave, they have the opportunity to make the lot ADA compliant. The first spot nearest the door would be ADA, and the second and third spots would share the EV charging station that would also be able to accommodate an ADA van. The funds have been allocated. OLD BUSINESS [39:00] Ms. Noor said that she had wanted to schedule a walk-through, but wished to hold off until Ms. Brescia can join the group again. Ms. Harris said the Board had tentatively approved the Confidentiality Policy, but they had not heard back from the Corporation Counsel at that time. Since then, Corporation Counsel has reviewed the policy. ** MR. KNOPP MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY. ** MS. PETERSON SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to discuss at this time. ADJOURNMENT [32:50] ** MS. NOOR MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** MS. PETERSON SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, S. L. Soltes Telesco Secretarial Services City of Norwalk Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting April 10, 2025 Page 3 Page 5 of 32 TO: Norwalk Public Library Board of Directors FROM: Sherelle Harris, Library Director DATE: May 3, 2025 RE: Main Library Parking Lots Page 6 of 32  Main Library Parking Lots Meeting & Discussion August 13, 2024 (Revised May 3, 2025) Norwalk Parking Authority: Sirak Legesse, Bryan Lutz Norwalk Public Library: Sherelle Harris, Moina Noor, Jannie Williams Norwalk Public Library (NPL) and Norwalk Parking Authority walked the exterior of the Main Library for the purpose of making library parking more cohesive for visitors with clear signage and easy accessibility to the library from each lot. NPL currently has three (3) lots. NPL’s lot that is directly adjacent to the west side of the library off of Mott Avenue has 37 spaces, one of which houses a storage container and two of which are handicap accessible. West of NPL’s lot is the Eagles Club (6 Mott Avenue) parking lot. The city initially used the library's grounds account to rent 30 of those spaces for library parking; however for FY 2025-2026, the city will use the library ground’s account to rent 17 of those spaces for a lesser amount. The other 13 spaces will be used for the Wall Street Corridor Improvement Project staging materials. Next door to the library’s north entrance is the 3 Belden Avenue parcel, acquired recently by the City of Norwalk. 11 of those parking spaces are reserved for library visitors. See also the acquisition of 11 Belden Avenue. Main Library Parking Spaces Library Lot Mott Avenue 37 spaces 3 Belden Lot Belden Avenue 11 spaces Eagles Lot Mott Avenue 30 spaces at present Please note that Dick Brescia secured approximately 15 spaces in the Yankee Doodle Garage for library parking when he was chair of the Norwalk Parking Authority. NOTE: There was some discussion about the Wall Street Improvement Project team using 13 of the 30 parking spaces that the City of Norwalk rents from Eagles for additional library parking for their staging materials. The NPL Director and Board preferred this to having the staging area take up the parking spaces along the fence in the 3 Belden lot. This way, the fence can be removed and the egress issues between the 1 Belden Avenue and the 3 Belden Avenue parcels can be addressed. The Wall Street Improvement Project staging materials will be placed in the old Norwalk Courthouse. When the staging materials were to be placed in the Eagles, the Library budgeted for 17 spaces. 17 spaces at $600/space came to $10,200. My recommendation is that we continue to rent the 30 spaces that staff can use for evening parking, so that employees who work evening hours can don’t have to walk to the Yankee Doodle Garage. The Executive Board of the Library Board agreed as did the Mayor, Tom Livingston during the community services meeting on April 28. Page 7 of 32  Page 2 of 11 Striping NPL’s parking lot off of Mott Avenue We revisited a previous discussion on May 23, 2024 about striping the parking lot for a better visibility and adding signage at the parking lot’s exit alerting that there is additional parking in the Eagle’s lot. We discussed all day and overnight parkers. Bryan and Sirak suggested a three (3)-hour parking limit to prevent all day and overnight parking. Supervisors suggested 4-hour parking, instead, for patrons who attend programs and then want to use the library. The Library Board’s opinion is that parking spaces are tight and suggested wider spacing between the lines. Sign, left, instructs drivers how to pay for on-street parking While parking will remain free, the lot will be monitored by the Parking Authority monitors on-street parking and violators of the specified parking limit will receive tickets. This will help with parking turnover, so more people get a chance to park in the lot and use the library. Page 8 of 32  Page 3 of 11 Library parking exit at Mott Avenue Requested actions: 1) Stripe NPL’s parking lot for better visibility of parking lines, widen spaces. 2) Make the exit arrows on the pavement more visible. 3) Add signage at the exit alerting to additional parking in the adjacent Eagle’s lot. 4) Inquire as to whose responsibility it is and/or get an estimate for this cost of the work. NOTE: The Parking Authority has taken this responsibility. Page 9 of 32  Page 4 of 11 Reversing NPL’s parking lot entrance and exit We discussed changing NPL’s entrance and exit for the purposes of placing our exterior book drop closer to the library. The book drop allows patrons to deposit their library books from the driver’s side of the car without exiting the car. Reversing the two would also have drivers go down the slight decline rather then up the slight incline. The recommendation is not to reverse the entrance and exit due to a blind spot which causes concern for liability and safety. Accessibility Parking We also revisited the topic of on-street handicap/accessibility parking. At present, the two handicap spaces the library presently has are in the parking lot and they are not near either entrance. Current handicap spaces in the NPL lot. These two spaces are located just to the left of the lot’s entrance, across from the sidewalk leading to the Mott Avenue entrance. Page 10 of 32  Page 5 of 11 Eight (8) street spaces 30-minutes free Page 11 of 32  Page 6 of 11 There are eight (8) free, 30-minute on-street parking spaces in front of NPL’s Mott Avenue entrance. We discussed making two of those spaces accessibility parking. Dilemma: The Parking Authority can manage paid, accessibility parking, but they are unsure as how to unpaid accessibility parking will work. (Bryan and Sirak discussed having standardize on street parking, a regulation change that will have SoNo match Wall Street). This is a great idea for ease, but considered dangerous to have patrons with accessibility parking needs to exit their cars in the traffic on this relatively busy street. Page 12 of 32  Page 7 of 11 In addition to discussing the possibility of having on-street) accessibility parking in front of the Library’s Mott Avenue entrance, we discussed moving the two handicap/accessibility spaces from the south side of the parking lot to the north side because accessibility to the sidewalk is flatter and less prohibitive. Directly across from the two current This area has a curb. accessibility spaces. Directly across from the area proposed to move the accessible spaces for easier access to the north entrance. We will discuss with Bull Hnatuk, City of Norwalk’s ADA Coordinator. Page 13 of 32  Page 8 of 11 We will forgo the thought of having accessibility parking on the street in front of the library entrance due to the dangers posed. If we decide against moving the current handicap/accessibility spaces to the opposite end of the lot, we would like to have leveled the area where the two spaces are at present Requested actions: 1) Level the ground where the current two handicap parking spaces are in the library parking lot. 2) Consider if we should have four (4) handicap spots, two (2) on both ends of the parking lot. Eagle’s Lot NPL leases 30 spaces in the Eagle’s parking lot. Those spaces are directly adjacent to the west side of NPL’s lot, but they are neither noticeable nor identified as library parking. Norwalk Public Library’s leased spaces in the Eagle’s parking lot Requested action: The 17 spaces leased from Eagle’s should be identified with signage. Herb Sanford, Eagles Treasurer, said he is fine with the signage. He likes the wording used to identify library parking in the 3 Belden Avenue lot. Page 14 of 32  Page 9 of 11 3 Belden Avenue Parking Lot There are 11 spaces reserved for NPL visitors in the 3 Belden Avenue parking lot. These spaces are closest to the M&T Bank. The other spaces, the spaces closest to the 3 Belden Avenue building are for those utilizing the space and their visitors. An island divides the two. Cars enter on the side where the 3 Belden Avenue parking spaces are and exit on the side where the NPL spaces are. NPL spaces have signs identifying the spaces as for library visitors; however, there is neither directional signage nor signage from the street (Belden Avenue) indicating that parking for library visitors is in the lot. There is also a leaning pole at the beginning of the island that looks hazardous and unsightly. East side of the 3 Belden Avenue, nearest the street Page 15 of 32 3 Belden Avenue parking on the left. Library visitor parking on the right. Page 10 of 11 Photo of car going out the wrong way in the 3 Belden Avenue parking lot, April 2025. Many cars also go in the wrong way causing near collisions with those trying to exit both the parking lot and the M&T drive through window. Page 16 of 32  Page 11 of 11 The fence the library’s north entrance and 3 Belden Avenue parking lot. Requested actions: 1) Trim hedges on the east side of 3 Belden Avenue, near the sidewalk/street. 2) Clean up the growth along the fence. 3) Add directional in/out and one-way signage. 4) Add signage alerting to library parking that can be seen from Belden Ave. 5) Remove the tilting pole at the beginning of the island separating library and 3 Belden parking spaces. 6) Remove the fence between the library and the 3 Belden Avenue parking lot Page 17 of 32  and fix the egress issue for easier accessibility from the 3 Belden Avenue parking lot to the library. In April 2025 the Parking Authority stated that Guardian will be in charge of 3 Belden Avenue. END PROGRESS 4.1.25 Sign Proofs Page 18 of 32 Page 19 of 32 UPDATE 5.1.25 Directional parking signs were added to the 1 Belden lot Page 20 of 32 I asked that a library parking sign be placed on the Eagle’s lot fence so when library see the “additional library parking” sign as they exit the library lot, they will know where the additional parking is. Page 21 of 32 UPDATE 5.3.25 1 Belden parking lot (Mott Avenue) has been restriped and the directional arrows repainted. Page 22 of 32 The 3 Belden lot was also restriped. TO DO LIST 5.3.25 Page 23 of 32 Per board member Knopp’s recommendation, we need to meet with the Parking Authority to revisit their department taking over the library parking lots again. I proposed having them monitor library lots, which will remain free of charge for the allotted three or four hours, and giving tickets to those who overstay their allotted time. The fence removal and egress issues have not been taken care of. Note: We rolled over money from the FY2024-25 budget to pay for this. The Parking Authority says that is now the responsibility of Guardian, the City of Norwalk’s building management company. Page 24 of 32 TO: Norwalk Public Library Board of Directors FROM: Sherelle Harris, Library Director DATE: May 3, 2025 RE: Library Landscaping (Main and SoNo) October 29, 2024/January 24, 2025 It was agreed upon in a meeting/conversation with Lamond Daniel’s, Community Services Chief and Neil Rennie, Guardian Property Manager, that $15,000 would be added to the Library’s budget for Landscaping. The amount was also approved for the FY2025-26 budget SNOW REMOVAL Originally, Seaman Construction was going to handle snow removal from the parking lots at both libraries. Later it was decided that DPW would do the job. LAWN CARE AT BOTH LIBRARIES Chisholm Landscaping will handle the landscaping at both libraries. The scope includes • Spring cleanup - Attend to plant/flower beds, clean lawn of organic debris and trim plantings as needed. • Weekly lawn maintenance - Cut and edge grass as needed. • Fall cleanup - Attend to plant/flower beds and clean lawn of all organic material. (We were told the season normally starts in April and ends in October). • Basic trimming of shrubs will be covered as needed January 28, 2025 We learned that DPW will manage parking lot snow removal for both libraries. Trees at most City of Norwalk properties are managed by DPW/Parks and occasionally by an outside contractor. To date, we have not been notified about will handle tree care and tree trimming at both libraries. Page 25 of 32 Main Library Grounds 5.3.25 Our guys mowed SoNo and Main before we begin to receive complaints. Page 26 of 32 I contacted Neil to inquire as to when Chisholm will begin caring for the lawns. He and I spoke last year about replanting the roses for Divya’s rose garden and the best time of the year to replant. We had a terrible time with mosquitos last year and the bushes were removed as the custodians mentioned that the bushes closest to the building were infested with them. I contacted Neil last week to follow up with him and Deanna about a conversation last year where I learned that this was an issue for other City of Norwalk properties and to try to get ahead of the mosquitos this year. Neil responded on April 29 that Guardian’s intent is to put mosquito dunks into all storm drains, gutters around the property as the weather warms up. He provided a brief description about the product: • Kills mosquitoes before they're old enough to bite • The only product with bti, bacteria toxic only to mosquito larvae • Lasts for 30 days and treats 100 square feet of surface water • Non-toxic to all other wildlife , pets, fish, and humans • Labeled for organic gardening by the USPE • Use Mosquito Dunks in any standing water including rain barrels, bird baths, tree holes, elevator shafts, planter reservoirs, rain gutters, etc. END Page 27 of 32 Dear Evelyn, It is my honor to inform you that you have been chosen for the Connecticut Library Association's Faith Hektoen Award. Congratulations! We would love to celebrate with you, but your attendance is not required in order to accept the award. You are invited to receive your award at the ceremony on Tuesday, April 29th, at 8:00 AM, at the CLA Annual Conference at the Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa in Groton, CT. If you are not registered to attend the conference that day, you can be granted a special badge to attend the awards ceremony and a breakfast. You are welcome to bring up to 2 guests to the awards ceremony. On behalf of the entire CLA Awards Committee, we congratulate you on your dedication to the profession and excellent work on behalf of the Norwalk Public Library, your staff, and your community! Please respond with the following: • The organization's name as you choose for it to be written on the plaque • The phonetic spelling of the name of the person accepting the award, for pronunciation (for example John Cass-ee-yellow) • The name(s) of people who will be attending the award ceremony So that we can ensure registration and correct seating, a response by Monday, April 7th is necessary. Sincerely, John Casiello -- John Casiello Chair, Outreach Committee Page 28 of 32 Fifteen years ago Evelyn Cunningham came on board as a substitute librarian at the Norwalk Public Librarian. From the moment I met her I was charmed and delighted by everything about her - her work ethic, her dedication to helping every patron to the best of her ability, and her congenial personality made her the most sought after sub in our system. Luckily, she found that her passion lay in working with children and their families. I was grateful that she came on first as a permanent part-timer in our children’s department and then, soon after, as a full-time children’s librarian. In these fifteen years, Evelyn has become a beloved figure to the children of Norwalk, making each one of them feel special and bonding with parents and caregivers, even becoming personal friends to many. She uses her boundless energy to run multiple storytimes per week, organize craft and cooking programs, and order books, all while sitting at a public desk answering reference questions all day long. I know her retirement is on the horizon but, before that, I want her to know how special and loved she is by me, her co-workers, and children of Norwalk. Warmest Regards, Vicki -Vicki Oatis Pronouns: she/her/hers (why pronouns) Director of Youth Library Services Norwalk Public Library 203.899.2780 x15127 www.norwalkpl.org Page 29 of 32 Page 30 of 32  NORWALK PUBLIC LIBRARY TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE: REGAIN YOUR HEALTH KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Wednesday, April 30, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Thursday, May 15, 2025 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Life’s daily stresses and environmental factors are taking a toll on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. But you don’t have to suffer in silence! TOPICS COVERED: Digestive Problems & Gut Health The Gut-Brain Connection Understand how your gut health impacts your mood, focus, and energy. Immune System Imbalances & Autoimmunity Find out what weakens your immune system and how to strengthen it. 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