1999-05-17 Board of Library Trustees Minutes

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f Board of Library Trustees , Minutes of Meeting -May 17, 1999 99 r 4 1 ~ ~ Present: Ms. Maria Silvaggi, chair; Mr. Stephen Conner; Ms. Cherrie Dubois; Ms. Donna Indelicato; Mr. Richard Ogden; Dr. Christine Redford. Ms. Silvaggi called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Minutes: The minutes of April 5 were accepted. Financial report: The May report reflects the transfers voted Town Meeting. Two computers have been ordered using capital funds since the report was produced; the balance of $1500 in that account will be spent by the end of the fiscal year. Statistical report: Videos are fifteen percent of total circulation. About three-quarters of the paperback bestsellers are checked out at any one time. The overall decrease in circulation is similar at other libraries. One theory is that people are buying more of their books. There was a discussion of fiction selection, multiple copies, etc. Report from the Chairman: 1) The Board watched a videotape of Town Meeting's discussion of the Library's budget. Several Town Meeting members spoke in favor of adding $20,000 to the Library's material budget. Since it began to seem that the Library was being . pitted against other departments, Mrs. Silvaggi asked Town Meeting members to reconsider the proposal at the summer Town Meeting, when it is expected that additional state funds will be available. The Director asked that all trustees be present at Town Meeting whenever the Library's budget is up for discussion. The Board discussed options for addressing the need: mail a fact sheet to Town Meeting members; get an article in the newspaper close to the time of the issue, explaining the technical details of state aid, be clear at Budget Council meetings about the intent to present the materials budget as an ongoing commitment by the Town, not as a new program. The President of the Friends is interested in asking the Friends to campaign for the $20,000 increase. 2) Trustees are asked to-attend the Town's upcoming diversity training, and a team-building retreat for the Budget Council on September 17 and 18. 3) Bob Fields' will included a $10,000 trust fund for the Library for books. The arrangements have been complicated and are being handled by the Trust Fund Commissioners and the executor. Director's report: Four visitors from the Manchester, NH library toured the Library, in anticipation of renovating a school building very similar to this one. Liaison reports: None.