1994-12-19 Board of Library Trustees Minutes

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Board of Library Trustees Minutes of Meeting - December 19, 1994 Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:dO p, m. Present: Mrs. Elia Marnik, chair; Mr. William Diamond; Ms. Cherrie Dubois; Mr. Robert Fields; Dr. Christine Redford; Mrs. Maria Silvaggi. Also present: Mrs. Rachel Baumgartner; Mr. Stephen Baumgartner. -Mrs. Marnik calledthe meeting to order at 6:00 p.m Minutes: The minutes of November 21 were amended as follows: the date of the meeting was corrected; the spellings of the names of the Meek family and Stephen Baumgartner were corrected. Mrs. Silvaggi moved that the -minutes of November 21 be accepted as corrected. The motion passed. Financial report: Mrs. Marnik remarked that the financial condition of the Library looks to be in good shape. The Director reported that almost $27,000 was received in state aid. Donations are healthy, but money is designated for computers, the children's Room desk, and the kitchen project. Mrs. Marnik asked about tracking money spent on equipment and furniture. Ms. Hanley responded that funds are not specifically designated for those categories, but expenditures are kept track of. The Meek fund will not appear on the trust fund report until the November/December report. The interest rate for the town's trust funds is only two and a half percent. .Statistical report: Circulation is up over last year. Mrs. Marnik remarked on the great number of new cards that were issued. L_-rector's report: The Director conveyed the staff's thanks for the fruit .basket which was given to the employees. Ruth Clay of the Health :Department had received a complaint about the ventilation in the library. She is bringing a state inspector here to take readings. Ms. Hanley has been invited to appear on the cable television show, "Community Connections" in January to talk about intellectual freedom. The staff has been brainstorming some space planning ideas for the main floor. The Local History room is not working as a.room for quiet study because of the noise heard from without. The staff is interested in moving the quiet study area to the former Archives room. Board members did not support such a move, suggesting more signs for quiet inside. The Director will talk to the Reference staff to determine the exact nature of the problem. Liaison reports: None. Report of the Children's Division: Corinne Fisher distributed plans for the new desk, designed by Tom Stohlman. The new configuration will relieve congestion, add much-needed closed storage and wiring for additional terminals and PCs. She also described the book review e-mail project she has been doing with the Killam fifth grades. After she brings deposits and booktalks them, the students read the books, write reviews and e-mail.them to the Library using Clarisworks. Recommendations and photos of the reviewers are posted in the Children's Room. Ty---finished business: 1) The Friends' holiday party will be held on Anesday, December 21 in the meeting room at 4 p.m. The Nutcracker trip got rave reviews and will be repeated next year. After that, the Friends 1