1994-09-12 Board of Library Trustees Minutes

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Board of Library Trustees 'rv Minutes of Meeting - September 12° 1994- Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:00 p.m. sent: Mrs. Elia Marnik, chair; Mr. Viiliam D'iamorid; Ms. Cherrie Dubois; Mr. Robert Fields; Dr. Christine Redford; Mrs. Maria Silvaggi. Also present: Mrs. Rachel Baumgartner, Mr. Tom Stohlman. Mr. Fields called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Minutes: Mr. Diamond moved that the minutes of June 20 be accepted. The motion passed. Statistical report: Circulation for FY94 was up 17,000 over last year. Annual circulation was just shy of 300,000 again. The Director introduced Kathleen Miksis, Young Adult Librarian, to the Board. Director's report: Kimberly Shapiro Lynn has been hired as Head of Reference. The meeting room has been painted. Liaison reports: Mr. Fields reported that the Board is still waiting to hear from DPW concerning parking. Mrs. Silvaggi presented a proposal for remodeling the meeting room kitchen and adding some kitchen facilities to the staff lounge. Shared use of the kitchen is becoming unmanageable: organizations needing more space for their preparations are spilling over into the staff area, and it is ficult for staff to use the kitchen when groups are also using it (37-51 ys per month). Mr. Stohlman contributed the design. Points made in u-6cussion included: the kitchen needs to be updated; the staff needs a place removed from the public; summer would be the most convenient time for remodeling. If the cabinets were built ahead of time, construction could be completed in two weeks. It was suggested that organizations that use the meeting room might want to contribute to the remodeling. Two letters will be drafted for the next meeting, targeted toward organizations. The Friends seem very supportive of this kind of contribution. Mr. Diamond offered to seek a donation from an appliance store. There was general consensus to proceed. $9000 are available in unrestricted trust funds. State aid is coming in January. Unfinished business: 1) The Director proposed some basic guidelines for a new tuition reimbursement policy. The Library can still quote the Town's professional development policy. To make repayment enforceable if the employee does not meet the terms of the policy, Mr. Diamond suggested that a promissory note be obtained in advance. Mr. Diamond moved that the Board adopt the policy as presented with the addition of the promissory note requirement and stipulations if the degree is not completed, with a commitment to review at the next meeting. The motion passed. 2) Discussion of parking was tabled, due to a lack of further information. Mrs. Marnik asked whether the Library's neighbors' complaints about the appearance of the grounds had been satisfied. Mrs. Hanley notified the Board that the Soucys, who abut the Library on School Street, have applied f'_."-,,a variance to build an addition. Construction workers may have to 1