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Minutes of the Free
Library Health & Safety Committee
May 22, 2001
In Attendance: Joe Perry, Carolyn Hale,
Joe McPeak, Rich Somers, Linda Mitchell
(for Dennis Taylor), Sondra Corry, Michelle
Belluomini, Carol Boardman, Bill Fleming,
Kathy Black
Joe Perry opened the meeting with a review
of the new membership list and introductions
of new participants.
NE Regional Library - The
HVAC system is scheduled to be replaced
beginning on or about July 24, 2001. The
branch will be closed for two weeks. While
there is some recognition that this is
an awkward time to close, due to the summer
reading programs, etc., there is a tight
window of time in which this work can be
done and paid for. In any case, this is
very good news and the work needs to be
done, inconvenient or not.
Central Library Issues
Wood Street Employee Entrance - The
door has been widened and fixed and the
handicapped access button has been installed.
Some finishing work remains to be done,
but overall, employees are happy with the
changes. Buildings is considering installing
an inside door as well, which would block
noise from the GPD and improve air quality.
No more complaints about adverse health
symptoms have been reported by employees
in the area.
Cafeteria - A vendor has shown
some interest in the cafeteria and will
take a second look at it. All others decided
it was too old a facility and not enough
of a money-maker. Bill Fleming talked about
how the facility could be marketed to nearby
workplaces, like Family Court. He is considering
making some improvements to make the facility
more desirable to a vendor, although this
would raise code issues that could be problematic.
No guard will be posted there in the meantime.
This idea will be tabled for the summer
until we see what happens with the prospective
vendor.
Funding and Budget - Bill Fleming
reported that Capital Programs is taking
back projects and funds from the Library’s
control and will now oversee such matters.
Bill felt that this was inevitable though
regrettable.
Library H&S Committee
Minutes -page 2- May 22, 2001
Guard Staffing Issues - There
is still one vacant position, though interviews
for a replacement are being scheduled.
Five guards are closing down the Library
now, except on days when someone is out
sick or on vacation.
Windows by Second floor elevator lobby
- A BSR will be submitted to secure
these windows. They are huge, and patrons
open them periodically. There is a sheer
drop from the windows and having them
open is a clear hazard.
It was requested that the old phone
booths be removed from the building,
as they are used for unsanitary and unsafe
acts by patrons. The pay phones will
remain.
The streetlight at the corner of 20th & Vine
needs to be replaced. This is a huge
light that illuminates the entire corner
where the bus stops. Bill Fleming will
look into it.
Ceiling lights in the Collection Development
Office go out and are not being replaced.
Employees are being told the entire ballasts
need to be replaced and they can’t be
obtained. The lights burn out frequently
because they must be left on all the
time. They are on the same electrical
panel as IT and the computers must be
kept on. Joe Perry suggested obtaining
task lighting. However, Carol Boardman
does not think there are enough electrical
outlets to accommodate additional lights.
Bill Fleming will look into this.
Northwest Regional Library - During
the few very warm days we experienced in
April, this facility again heated up into
the 80s, making it very uncomfortable for
patrons and workers. The air conditioning
was put on May 1, per the contract with
Harkins, and it seemed unlikely that this
schedule could be changed. Various procedures
must be followed before the system can
be converted from heat to air conditioning.
Once the switch is made, the system can’t
go back to heat until the Fall. Moving
up the date for the air conditioning could
mean the facility could be quite cold if
the weather changes again. Also, questions
were raised about whether the system would
provide air exchanges if it was just shut
off. Bill Fleming did not know enough about
this system to answer these concerns or
suggest remedies. The contractor needs
to be consulted. Also, Joe Perry suggested
that Beryl and Kevin Ivery meet and work
out a protocol for turning the system on
and off, once the system questions can
be addressed by Harkins.
Northeast Regional and Welsh Road - There
has been an incident or two of thieves
ransacking purses. We had a discussion
about securing work rooms, lockers and
drawers. Buildings Department is working
on solutions, but Rich Somers emphasized
that employees are frequently in and out
of the rooms and they fail to lock the
doors, although locks are provided.
Library H&S Committee
Minutes -page 3- May 22, 2001
Joe Perry distributed copies of a report
on the most recently Quarterly Meeting
with Risk Management regarding the IOD
system and health and safety projects. Kathy
reviewed a few of the items in more detail.
The report is also available on the DC47
website - www.dc47afscme.org.
Rodin Place - There are
serious lighting and heating concerns in
the Bindery at Rodin Place. Bill Fleming
said that the operation was expanded "into
a cave", and lighting and heating
were not given adequate consideration at
the time. BSRs have been submitted repeatedly.
However, because this is leased space the
landlord must provide approval before any
work can be completed. He will be looking
into it and try to find a solution by September.
The next meeting of the Health and Safety
Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, July
24, 2001 at 3:00 p.m.
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