1994-04-25 Board of Library Trustees Minutes

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Board of Library Trustees Minutes of Meeting - April 25, 1994 Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:00 p.m. >ent: Mrs. Elia Marnik, chair; Mr. William Diamond; Ms. Cherrie Dubois; Robert Fields; Dr. Christine Redford; Mrs. Maria Silvaggi. Also present: Tom Stohlman. The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. Mrs. Marnik welcomed new trustee Maria Silvaggi. Minutes: Mr. Fields moved that the minutes of March 21 be accepted. The motion passed, with Mrs. Silvaggi abstaining. Reading Garden Club proposal: The Garden Club would add landscaping to the Library as their donation to Reading's 350th anniversary. Club President Barbara Boyle and landscape designer Natalie Delvaille presented a proposal for the front entryway, which would add benches and planters for annuals, and replace shrubs along the ramp and stairway. Mr. Fields expressed concern about paths being worn in the landscaping areas. The consensus was that the railing improvements have eliminated that problem. Mr. Stohlman asked if the shrubs were hardy enough to take abuse from salt and snow shoveling. Mrs. Delvaille responded that an application of gypsum every spring would prevent damage from salt, and that the plants she was recommending are hardier than the rhododendrons there now. The Garden Club expects to have volunteers water the plants weekly. The benches and planters will be installed before the 350th anniversary; the remaining sections will depend on the Garden Club's budget. Ms. Dubois moved to accept the plan as presented, with gratitude. The motion passed. F" ancial report: The budget is seventy-five percent expended, still right arget. A question was raised about the meaning of the handwritten 6-umn in the trust fund report. The answer will be provided at the next meeting. Statistical report: Circulation was up 2000 from this month last year. The friendly competition between Salem and Reading continues. Liaison reports: Mr. Fields reported that re-carpeting of the meeting room will be done in the near future. Because the Town Engineer left, no work has been done on the parking lot, but several schemes are being studied. Mrs. Silvaggi will be assigned a liaison responsibility.. Unfinished business: The budget will come before Town Meting tonight. Mrs. Silvaggi reported on the Finance Committee meeting last week, at which the reclassification plan was approved. Explanation of the no-fine policy was reviewed: the Library has changed its method of pursuing delinquent borrowers, saving labor costs. There is still a penalty for not returning books. New business: The Library will host a storyteller for Jubileve on Saturday, June 4. The float is coming along nicely. Some trustees will attend the 350th ball, along with staff and Friends. The next meeting is Monday, May 16. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane J. Young Assistant Director 1