1990-01-14 Board of Library Trustees Minutes

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Board of Library Trustees Minutes of Meeting - January 14, 1990 Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:00 p.m. Present: Dr. Christine Redford, chair; Mrs. Carol Beckwith; Mr. William Diamond; Ms. Cherrie Dubois; Mr. Robert Fields; Mrs. Elia Marnik. Dr. Redford called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Minutes: Mr. Diamond moved that the minutes of November 19 be approved. The motion passed. Financial report: The finances are in good shape, and the upcoming postage increase should not present a problem. Statistical report: Circulation is 5000 ahead of last year's. Circulation for this past December was 2400 over December 1989, even though the library was open for one less day. Director's report: An evening custodian has been hired. Madeleine Gillis requested a leave of absence, due to illness, which the Director forwarded to the Town Manager. Her leave was granted through February 11. New shelving for the magazine room has been installed, paid for by donations. The DPW will install a gas tank to replace the oil tank which is in poor condition. Ms. Flannery understands that the DPW consults the Trustees on building matters when the actual appearance of the building is involved. :`ommunications: The Library was awarded a Library Incentive Grant of $11,295 and a Municipal Equalization Grant of $7,746. All of these grant monies are unrestricted. In the past, about $11,000 of this money has been applied to the book budget. The Board endorsed this again for the current year. Unfinished business: Ms. Flannery suggested that the decision on cuts in hours be deferred until a new director is in place. Also, implementation of a trash fee may effect the budget. No date has been set for the Library's budget hearing before the Selectmen. New business: 1) Mr. Fields moved that Diane Young, Assistant Director, be appointed Acting Director. The motion passed. Mr. Diamond moved that the Board seek authorization from the Town Manager to pay the quarter-point salary of the Director's salary for this temporary position. The motion passed. Ms. Young will be Acting Director as of her return from vacation on February 7. 2) Job description packets have been sent out to a number of possible candidates. Ms. Flannery has also received four or five calls regarding the job. No applications have been received yet. Advertisements in American Libraries and the Board of Library Commissioners job postings will appear after February 1. The position is also being advertised in the Boston Globe and at library schools. Ms. Flannery suggested that a subcommittee be formed to screen applicants, and that no more than ten be interviewed. Ms. Dubois suggested that no more..than five or six candidates be interviewed. Mr. Diamond asked if candidates could be asked to supply a photograph, so that they can be easily called to mind during later discussion. It was agreed that, to eliminate any question of discrimination, candidates could be invited to