From John “Salty” Soltis, Bridgeport Public Library:
Bridgeport Public Library and University of Bridgeport Announce a New Strategic Partnership
Two of Bridgeport’s premier educational and cultural institutions have announced the formation of a new strategic partnership. Working together, the Bridgeport Public Library and the University of Bridgeport (UB) will provide programs in all five of the city’s library locations.
Designed to provide enriching educational and cultural opportunities for the entire Bridgeport community, the co-sponsored lectures, workshops, and other programs will be free to the public. They will be conducted by UB faculty and staff who are experts in fields ranging from business and health, to technology and the sciences, arts, and politics. Events also will highlight the numerous Bridgeport Public Library resources that are available to the public and are suitable for all ages, from the youngest learners to senior citizens.
“Bridgeport’s residents are curious about their world and the world around them, and time and time again they look to UB and their libraries to provide information about a vast array of topics,” said UB Vice President of University Relations Mary-Jane Foster. “As a member of the University community and a longtime Bridgeport resident, I’m personally thrilled that the University and the Bridgeport Library will provide enriching programming to benefit the entire community.”
“This partnership is a win for the university, the library, and especially for the Bridgeport community,” said Community Librarian John Soltis. “We have exciting programs scheduled with UB’s health sciences and business departments, and are lining up even more programming, including homework help from the University’s School of Education, writing workshops, musical concerts, and more.”
Upcoming Bridgeport Library and UB events include:
· BEYOND GLUCOSAMINE: with Dr. Eugene R. Zampieron- 12:00 – 1:00 PM Wednesday May 14h at the Black Rock Branch 2705 Fairfield Avenue.
· The Danger of Stopping Vitamin D Supplements in the Summer! with Dr. Jared M. Skowron – 12:30 – 1:30 PM Tuesday May 10th at the Black Rock Branch 2705 Fairfield Avenue.
· Coccygodynia “A Pain the Rear” with Dr. James J. Lehman, DC, MBA, DABCO – 12:30 – 1:30 PM Tuesday June 14th at the Black Rock Branch 2705 Fairfield Avenue.
Good for the Library. Still trying to assist Bridgeport citizens in their search for education. A place for computer use, safe and efficient.
Even though the Library Board has a 1-mil budget per the referendum that amounts to $6,723,003 for current 2011 and the same number for 2012, that never was a 1-mill increase as advertised dishonestly by the City on tax bills. The Library previously had a $4,741,139 budget that had flatlined for several years, leaving building maintenance in terrible shape, expectations of several neighborhoods disappointed for lack of services, and open hours cut among other difficulties.
The referendum changed that. A City Council person was assigned to the Library Board as liaison but there has not been much liaising since the referendum. B & A had questions that could have been easily answered in advance of the meeting but took two hours of “micromanaging questions.” Wonder why? Friday night it was reported staffing levels and budgets to support a new pattern of organization have been ready for nine months but City processes for handling new employee paperwork has changed since the referendum and thus no new hours yet. Council members claimed surprise at the difficulties encountered by the Library. B & A members and Chair Tom McCarthy vowed to check on the stuck paperwork. Stay tuned.
Finally, the Library Board’s members indicated they are budgeted and ready to build two new facilities. They listened to Bob Curwen hospitably advise them how to get Capital Budget feasibility accomplished. What impressed me is they know how much, and no more, they can afford to spend monthly to repay bond principal and interest and how to staff new facilities and existing ones as well, before starting a building project. Now there is an interesting approach to financial responsibility! How many other groups appearing before the B & A has a grasp of those numbers. Tom Sherwood was not present for the historic first-time review by B & A as an “independent” but “fully responsible to the taxpayer entity,” but I am sure with the intelligence and desire to provide services of the Head Librarian and Board, the City will be proud of the changes eventually, sometime after Council members discover where the paperwork is stuck!
BEACON2 // May 2, 2011 at 6:32 pm
to your posting
B2,
How right you are …
The Mayor has never said the campaign won by the library called for 1% of the final budget. What he says is 1% is added to the final budget.
If the Mayor lies long enough, he believes his own lies.
In the meantime, the Library and the public it serves is being treated by this administration in a manner that is short of criminal.
Perhaps the Mayor doesn’t read like he told those attending the BCAC breakfast last week … and maybe he doesn’t know what a good library does.
Time for this Mayor to go.
1 mil, not 1%.