[Conntech] CLA Legislative Committee's Next Meeting

[Moran, Michael J]

(please excuse cross-postings)

The CONNECTICUT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION's Legislative Committee will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, June 17, at 2:00 PM, at the Middletown Library Service Center in Middletown.  For directions go to: http://www.cslib.org/facmlsc.htm.  We've appended below the approved minutes of our April 1 meeting. We'll distribute the minutes of our May 6 meeting after they're approved at next week's meeting. 

Our agenda will focus on starting to build next year's CLA legislative agenda.  So if you can't be there but have ideas for the agenda, please contact either co-chair of our committee before the meeting.  If you haven't done so already, please also thank your legislators for their support of CLA's agenda during the Spring 2008 session of the General Assembly, particularly if they were members of the Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee of Appropriations, which oversees the State Library's budget, including all statewide library programs.  A list of subcommittee members is at this link (scroll down the page):
http://www.cga.ct.gov/APP/APP.asp

On a personal note, some of you have already heard that at the end of this month, I'll be leaving Asnuntuck (and Connecticut) to become the new Director of Library and Information Services at Bay Path College, just across the state line in Longmeadow, MA.  I've enjoyed working with many of you in CLA, CLC, CCALD, and the community college system over the years.  I'll miss all my wonderful colleagues in Connecticut libraries, but I won't be far away, so anytime you're passing through Longmeadow after July 7, please remember that the door of the Hatch Library at Bay Path is always open to you.

For more information, contact either co-chair of the Legislative Committee: 
Mike Moran (Asnuntuck Community College, 170 Elm Street, Enfield 06082; 860-253-3171; mmoran at acc.commnet.edu)
&
Peter Ciparelli (Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington Street, New London 06320; 860-447-1411; peterc at lioninc.org)

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CONNECTICUT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 1, 2008 MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY SERVICE CENTER
 
Present: Carl Antonucci (CLA President), Sharon Brettschneider (CSL), Barbara Bryan (ACLB), Peter Ciparelli (co-chair), Suzanne Maryeski (at large), Mike Moran (co-chair), Lynn Barker Steinmayer (at large)

Excused:  Tracy Ralston, Bob Shea, and Ken Wiggin
 
A.  The meeting was called to order at 2:10 P.M.
 
B.  Minutes from the February 26, 2008 meeting were approved as submitted.
 
C.  Business:
  
1. Legislative Update
 
Mike reported for both Ken, who had a conflict with today's meeting, and Bob Shea, who is now attending sessions at the Capitol.  Mike mentioned that HB 5790, the bill which would protect children from Internet predators, was not reported out by the Judiciary Committee.  Bob told Mike that he feels the bill will reappear as Speaker Amann wants to enact the proposal outlined in the bill.  Bob will keep the committee posted on its progress.  Mike also mentioned HB 5021, which adds the $50,000 back into the CLC budget.  It was removed by Governor Rell in her budget proposal but has been restored by the Appropriations Committee.

Sharon encouraged CLA's support for HB 5536, An Act Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership," which would open the state employee insurance pool to municipal employees and could thus benefit local library employees.
 
2. Legislative Breakfast Reception 2008

Suzanne reported on the March 5 reception at the LOB which all considered was extremely successful.  The attendance was much like it was in 2006, with 25 legislators and aides and 35 library people in attendance.  Further discussion included strategies for a better response from local librarians.  Mike suggested the committee think about Legislator of the Year candidates and will discuss this with Bob Shea.
 
3.  Local Legislative Receptions

Mike reported that he had not been informed of any local receptions being held within the next month.
 
4.  National Library Legislative Days 2008
 
The ALA National Library Legislative Days are scheduled for May 13 and 14 in Washington, D.C.  Peter contacted Jay Johnston about scheduling meetings with our senators and representatives at that time and informed Jay that Sharon has prepared folders with LSTA-funded programs in Connecticut for distribution to them.  He will check with Jay again to see how the plans are progressing.  Scott Hughes, new City Librarian from Bridgeport, will be in Washington for the programs, and the committee felt that he would be an excellent addition to the delegation when we see the legislators.
  
5.  Connecticut Urban Libraries Caucus Report
 
Peter reported that the Connecticut Urban Libraries met on Friday, February 29th at the LOB.  They lobbied Senate and House leaders on issues such as literacy and the retraining of former inmates just released from state houses of correction.  Mike will talk to Candice Brown from New Britain to see if any other issues need to be considered by our committee.
 
6.  Other

There is no other at this time for a report.
 
D.  Date of Next Meeting
 
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 6th at 2 PM in the Middletown Library Service Center.  
	 
E.  Adjournment
 
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 PM.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Peter F. Ciparelli
Co-Chair
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