1992-01-14 Board of Library Trustees Minutes

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8 Board of Library Trustees Minutes of Meeting - January 14, 1992 Director's Office - Reading Public Library - 5:30 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 5:30 p.m. Communications: Ms. Dubois read a letter from Mary Vincent, commending the Director and Karen Brown for their handling of the memorial funds that Mrs. Vincent established for her parents. New business: Mrs. Marnik thanked the Trustees for attending the reception for the online catalog. Mrs. Marnik presented the reason for calling a meeting of the Board: the Town Manager will present a plan to the Selectmen this evening, asking the Library to take over extra duties. His plan will reorganize town government into eight departments. Under the general administration of the Library Director, he proposes to add the Historical Commission, the Arts Council, the Recreation Division, and Adult Education. The department ld be called "Library and Cultural Services." This would include ,tever might be worked out with the school department concerning school libraries. Ms. Hanley pointed out that the reorganization would not eliminate any services. Mr. Diamond remarked that Recreation stands out. Since it is often put under Parks, it could be put under Public Works in Reading, or the proposed department called "Public Services." Ms. Dubois expressed concern about the workload of the Director. If it were to include just some responsibility for the school libraries, it would a job and a half. The Director had two concerns about the proposal: 1) that Recreation is not relevant at this point to the mission of the library; 2) that there is not a current relationship between taking on these boards and divisions and getting funds to do them. Reorganizaton would save $300,000, all in salaries. Ms. Dubois felt that it would result in some salaries for the positions remaining having to be increased. -The Board saw a growth of responsibility for subordinates and more committee work for the Director. Ms. Hanley reported that the Town Manager said he would return the $7400 required for certification to the Library. To him, the joint school library/public library is a long-term project, but he is willing to commit some capital funds to it. Mr. Diamond did not find much fault with the adding of the Historical Commission and the Arts Council, the amount of work would be negligible. Ms. Hanley would not like to just say no about the Recreation Division,'' but research the matter: is there any town operating this way? Mr. amond suggested that cultural activities could be divided from sports. If the Selectmen approve the plan, the budget will be predicated upon lt. Town Meeting can approve or disapprove of any reorganization, but cannot propose one. 1