Library staff and trustees were asked to complete a satisfaction and use survey as required by the SALS Plan of Service 2012-2016. One hundred forty-nine people began the survey; one hundred seventeen people completed the survey (sixty-five staff, thirty-two trustees, twenty-six directors). Here are some of the survey highlights.
98.3% of the respondents are satisfied with SALS services.
98% of the respondents find SALS services to be valuable and relevant.
66 years of combined library service in Washington County, NY
Committee on Open Government (COOG)
Q: Can a board gather in a parking lot, even informally or spontaneously to conduct library business?
A: No, there is no such thing as an informal meeting
Q: What is executive session – when can it be called and what does a board do after the session ends?
A: From the COOG website: “…. It is noted that an executive session is not separate from an open meeting but rather is a portion of an open meeting during which the public may be excluded. … First, a motion must be made during an open meeting to enter into executive session; second, the motion must identify the general area or areas of the subject or subjects to be considered; and third, the motion must be carried by a majority vote of the total membership of a public body. See advisory opinions under “E” for “Executive Session” in the OML Advisory Opinion Index.”
This means that first the meeting must be called to order; you can not begin your meeting in Executive Session and then start the public meeting. Personnel is not an excuse to go into executive session.
Continue reading