Present:

Sandy Ward, Sandra Lawson, Doug Fleury, Ernestine Stowell, Kathleen McDonough, Chris Lapon, Michelle Eberle, Omaida Perez, Maria Pagan, and Craig Dreeszen (guest).

1.

Meeting was called to order at 1:38. A round of introductions was made.

2.

Sandy introduced Craig Dreeszen, organizational consultant and principal associate of Dreeszen and Associates. Sandy purchased his services through a fundraiser and set him to work analyzing where the HCHL is currently positioned and where we should be heading. He described the process of his study of the HCHL and offered these observations:

A.

The foundation has been put in place - the pilot library is accessible, there is a Board of Directors, and a tax exempt status. These are big steps.

B.

The missing elements are customers/users, staff, and money.

C.

The problems are twofold; the library is not visible either visually or through referrals and the tiny budget does not allow for the hiring of staff.

D.

The choices to be made are twofold; market aggressively, which might not make sense since the library is only open two hours a week, or locate the library someplace where potential users happen to be.

3.

Sandy offered highlights of her discussion with Daniel Ross, executive director of Nuestras Raices, who is currently the most active partner of the HCHL.

A.

Daniel proposed that Sandy’s time would be better spent writing grants that would bring in money to support a project director who would take the HCHL to the next level. (Sandy does not want to take on grant writing.)

B.

Daniel recognizes the value of the library being located at the Holyoke Health Center.

C.

Daniel would like to have the current collection remain at Nuestras Raices and have his staff be more vested in its use so that the collection becomes more a part of his operation rather than exist as a separate entity.

D.

Daniel reminded Sandy that HCHL initially agreed to pay half of the cost of Internet connectivity. Nuestras Raices has, up to now, had a grant from Access Holyoke to pay these charges, but this grant will soon expire.

4.

Sandy offered highlights of her discussion with Jeff Harness, Director of Western Mass Center for Healthy Communities.

A.

His vision is one of community self-empowerment in which professionals step away from the project. A "life skills" library that links together the community that has built up around Nuestras Raices would give community members what they need to feel good about themselves. Physical and mental health comes after.

5.

Craig and Sandy summarized choices they saw for HCHL.

A.

Keep HCHL at its present location and get grant money for staff to market and administer the library.

B.

Find partners who can provide a location that is more visible and move the library to that location.

C.

Move the library into the hands of the community and let them dictate its direction.

6.

There followed a discussion of these observations from those present at the meeting.

A.

Keeping the library at its present location and having the library also at another location are not necessarily mutually exclusive options. It is very encouraging to hear that the collection is a welcome presence at Nuestras Raices. The collection could be duplicated and also be a presence at the Holyoke Health Center.

B.

HCHL at the HHC allows the collection to be used as an extension of the patient’s visit. The HHC staff is always interested in maximizing the usable time that the patients are present and are currently experimenting with using hallways and waiting rooms as repositories of educational materials.

C

There is the issue of security of the collection if it resided at HHC. Some kind of library staff would be needed. Michelle indicated that the New England Regional Libraries of the National Library of Medicine will be offering grant money in the coming year. However, there are risks with relying on grant money for ongoing staff salaries. Doug offered his expertise at grant writing.

D.

There does not appear to be any “tug of authority” at the proposal of HCHL partnering with HHC.

E.

The HCHL business cards are the only printed form of marketing currently available but are being distributed widely, especially by Omaida.

F.

The HCHL might have a role as a catalyst/advisor rather than a just a physical presence if it brokers information needs.

7.

Wrap up - Craig summarized his observations of the general discussion. His complete report will be distributed to Board members.

8.

Adjournment at 3:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen McDonough

Clerk