1993-10-18 Board of Library Trustees Minutes

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Board of Library Trustees Minutes of Meeting - October 18, 1993 Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:00 p.m. resent: Mrs. Elia Marnik, chair; Mr. William Diamond; Ms. Cherrie Dubois; Mr. Robert Fields; Dr. Christine Redford. Also attending: Peter Hechenbleikner, George Hines, Ted Cohen, Tom Stohlman. Absent: Mrs. Carol Beckwith. The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. The agenda was taken out of order in deference to representatives of the Town. New business: An issue was raised after the board training session last month concerning conflict-of-interest. It seems that Mrs. Marnik and Dr. Redford are in conflict as municipal employees serving on a municipal board. Town's legal counsel has informed them formally that they are in violation of the law and have thirty days to correct the situation. The Town Manager has suggested to the Board of Selectmen that they grant special employee status to the library Board on a temporary basis, through December 31, 1994 or until legislation corrects the situation. Mr. Hines noted that the issue has not yet had full discussion by the Selectmen, but his sense is that they want to do whatever is possible to retain Mrs. Marnik and Dr. Redford as trustees. Mrs. Hanley has consulted with the Board of Library Commissioners on the subject; that agency needs an opinion from the state ethics commission. Legislation may be filed by the BLC, the Massachusetts Library Trustees Ociation, or the Town may request that Sen. Tisei file legislation. minutes: Ms. Dubois made a motion to approve the minutes of September 20. The motion passed. Financial report: Expenses for the past month were very low. A special billsheet may be presented for the construction of the reference desk, which will take place in late November. Statistical report: 923 books were circulated in four hours on the first Sunday open. Members of the Board requested that a people-counter be installed. The staff will meet tomorrow to discuss circulation trends and statistics ; ideas and findings will be brought to the Board. Ms. Hanley may request trust funds to accommodate new trends in book-buying. Director's report: No additions. Liaison reports: None. Unfinished business: None. New business: 1) The visit of the capital Improvements Advisory Committee has not been rescheduled. DPW has some library projects on their list; Data Processing has computers for library staff use on their list. The Board urged that parking be made a priority. It is on DPW's list for next along with a new meeting room rug, painting the meeting room, more m windows. The Board would like to see DPW's priorities. Ted McIntire will be invited to a meeting. Concerning the NOBLE project, the shift to 1