1993-03-15 Board of Library Trustees Minutes

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Board of Library Trustees Minutes of Meeting - March 15, 1993 Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:00 p.m. Present: Mrs. Elia Marnik, chair; Mrs. Carol Beckwith; Mr. William Diamond; Ms. Cherrie Dubois; Dr. Christine Redford. Absent: Mr. Robert Fields. The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. Minutes: Ms. Dubois made a motion to approve the minutes of February 22. The motion passed. Nancy Smethurst, Administrative Secretary, was introduced to the members of the Board. Financial report: For next month, the Director and Administrative Secretary will encumber all anticipated bills in each account before paying any bills. The very low amount expended in the postage account is due to the Library's use of the Town Hall postage meter. Money from the postage account is transferred to Town Hall at the end of the year. Book ordering has slowed down in the adult department; this month only $2000 was expended. Ordering of children's books has ended for the year, although the children's librarians have only ordered from review journals dated through December 1992. An additional $1000 may be allocated to the Children's Room to beef up their paperback collection before the summer reading club begins. Members of the Board expressed concern about the state of the non-personal expenses. tistical report: Circulation for February was good, considering the harsh weather. The yearly cumulation, however, is lower than last year. Director's Report: Ms. Hanley announced that she is President-elect of Rotary. Liaison reports: The Library should consider its part in the 350th celebration. Unfinished business: 1) The Board will present its budget request, with increases in book budget and personal accounts, at Town Meeting if the override does not pass. If the override does pass, the funds for additional salary increases will still be sought at Town Meeting. Ms. Hanley warned that the Library's budget may be vulnerable to cuts if the override does not pass. w 2) The posting policy, and the policy of the Swampscott library, were discussed. Mr. Diamond moved to amend paragraph four of the sample policy to read: "No organization or individual shall be permitted to place in the library any box or receptacle which solicits donations nor shall any poster or display be permitted which advocates or solicits consideration of any product or service sold for commercial or profit making purposes." The Director will discuss implications of this change with the staff, and bring it back for discussion at the next meeting. 'business: 1) Ms. Hanley recommended that the Book Selection policy Gated 1973) be updated, particularly in light of the advent of a video collection. Sections relating to audio-visual formats and topics 1