1998-06-15 Board of Library Trustees Minutes

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L_ Board of Library Trustees Minutes of Meeting - June 15, 1998 Present: Mrs. Maria Silvaggi, chair; Mr. Stephen Conner; Ms. Donna InDelicato; Mr. Richard Ogden. Absent:. Ms. Cherrie Dubois; Dr. Christine Redford. Mrs. Silvaggi called the meeting to order at 7:23 p.m. Minutes: The minutes of May 18 were accepted. Statistical report: Circulation was down, presumably the effect of Wakefield reopening. Report from the Chairman: Mrs. Silvaggi read her letter to the Town Manager requesting a direct digital control device be included in phase two of the Library's HVAC work. It would automatically switch the system between heating and cooling dependent on the outside air r temperature. The Board will meet with the Budget Council this Wednesday. Election of officers: Mr. Ogden moved to continue with the slate of Mrs. Silvaggi, chair, and Mr. Conner, vice-chair. The motion was seconded and passed. Mr. Conner nominated Dr. Redford for secretary, pending her acceptance. Dr. Redford was elected. Mrs. Silvaggi thanked the trustees for their support, and remarked that the Board will have two major concerns next year: the materials budget and building maintenance, since the Library is the Town's oldest and most-used building. Director's report: Information on the summer reading clubs was distributed. DPW will hang a banner, designed by Pam Bourbely, over the portico again. Mr. Ogden suggested that Director's election to the presidency of the Massachusetts Library Association be publicized in the local papers. Renee Olson, former head of Information Services, has been appointed editor-in-chief of School Library Journal. Concidentally, the editor-in-chief of Librar Journal also worked at the Reading Public Library, many years ago. Delivery of the nonprint area shelving has been delayed until August. The staff held a brainstorming session about the cafe and are thinking of moving it to the basement. The Friends have no president yet for this year. Supervisors completed twenty-nine staff evaluations for the step raise procedure. The recent heavy rains have caused one leak in the Children's Room. Ms. Hanley mentioned the idea of closing the Library for a professional day to the Town Manager and he was supportive. She is proposing a Friday in early/middle September. Mr. Ogden suggested that it be held on a day when the Library can reopen in the evening. Ms. Hanley will look into the feasibility of staffing the Library that evening. The closing will be well-publicized, along with options to use other area libraries. Ms. Hanley was evaluated by the Town Manager last week. She appreciated having another opinion. The Board reiterated their responsibility for "hiring and firing" and all that goes in between. Any raise that the Director is eligible for is based on the Board's evaluation. An Assistant Town Manager will be hired and will serve as Head of Human Services and Acting Town Manager, work on special projects, and attend alternate Selectmen's meetings.