1990-03-26 Board of Library Trustees Minutes

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Board of Library Trustees Minutes of Meeting - March 26, 1990 Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:00 p.m. Present: Dr. Christine Redford, chair; Mrs. Carol Beckwith; Mr. William Diamond; Ms. Cherrie Dubois; Mrs. Elia Marnik. .__jsent: Mr. Robert Fields. Dr. Redford called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Minutes: Ms. Dubois moved that the minutes of February 26 be approved. The motion passed. Financial report: Because of ov rlarr_, n processing, office, and photocopy supplies, the deficit in the first two accounts is offset by the $1165 surplus in the third. There remains a combined total of $500 in these accounts. Communications: 1) Dr. Redford read a thank-you letter from Miriam Barclay for the naming of the Local History Room in her own and Mrs. Bishop's honor. 2) The Friends of the Library requested permission to sell copies of Waterfalls of the White Mountains by Bruce and Doreen Bolnick in conjunction with a Friends program on May 2. Ms. Dubois moved to approve the sale of the book by the Friends. The motion passed. Unfinished business: 1) In light of the override failure, the Director plans to devote considerable time to fundraising in the next year, concentrating on money for books. The Director informed the Board of an "80-10-10" committee being formed by Reading residents for fundraising: 10 per cent of all money raised would be donated to the library. Money for -classification of professional staff is still being held by the Town. e Finance Committee is aware that the funds have been earmarked for that purpose. 2) Mrs. Marnik moved that a laser printer be purchased with $1500 from state aid. The motion passed. New business: 1) The Director recommended that a new reference desk be constructed to accommodate increased staffing at busy times and new technologies. The floor around the reference desk will be re-carpeted soon due to flood damage and normal wear, making this an opportune time to change the desk. Dick Surette will propose a design for a U-shaped desk that would extend further out into the aisle, allowing better visibility into the reference room. Cost is estimated at $2500. The Board directed Ms. Flannery to seek private donations for the purchase of a new desk. 2) Discussion of where to place the plastic literature rack, currently in the vestibule, was tabled. 3) The Town Manager proposed that the Arts Council and the Historical Commission be subordinated to the library on the town's organizational chart. This would put all cultural organizations under one head, which would be convenient for reports to the state. The Trustees expressed their opposition to this idea. 4) Mrs. Beckwith moved that an amnesty day be held in conjunction with Earth Day. The motion passed. 1