1998-01-05 Board of Library Trustees Minutes

Home Browse Search

Board of Library Trustees Minutes of Meeting - January 5, 1998 Present: Mrs. Maria Silvaggi, chair-, Mr. Stephen Conner'- Mr. William Diamond; Ms. Cherrie Dubois; Dr. Christine Redford. Absent: Mr. Robert Fields, due to illness. Mrs. Silvaggi called the meeting to order at 7:10. Minutes: The minutes of December 9 were accepted. Continuing education: 1) Corinne Fisher reported on highlights of 1997 in Children's Services including graphical Internet access (last year's biggest challenge), new furnishings, building disasters, the very successful sing-along program, collaboration with schools on assi(inments, personnel changes, and increases in circulation. 2) Each trustee signed up for an Internet class to be given during the next month Financial report: The Library has spent $64,920 on materials so far. It needs to spend between $110,000-120,000 to meet the state-required fifteen percent of budget income. Most of the municipal budget for adult nonfiction is gone, according to plan. Usually, $12,000 of the state aid money is spent on materials. The Library is making progress every year in it's ability to meet customers' needs for materials. Statistical report: November's circulation shows an increase over last year. Report from the Chairman: Mr. Conner will draft the letter requesting Budget Council membership to be sent to the Selectmen and the Finance and School Committees. He will leave it at the Library for signatures. Mrs. Silvaggi learned that the Finance Committee recently discussed whether the Trustees should be on the Budget Council. Their consensus, as she understands, was that the Library Board should not be a member of the Council, otherwise all other boards would want to be. Mrs. Silvaggi requested that the Finance Committee reconsider. Unfinished business: 1) Ms. Dubois moved to appropriate $2500 to pay the expenses of Corinne Fisher and Nancy Aberman to attend the Public Library Association conference. The motion passed. 2) The HVAC work is done. Ms. Hanley has been talking to the Town Manager about the need for someone to now be responsible to run the new system. She reported that a new Director of Facilities has been hired. Mr. Diamond suggested that copies of all information pertaining to the running of the HVAC system be sent to the Facilities Department. The Town Manager authorized another $10,000 for patching, soffeting, painting, etc., and money for installing plywood flooring in the attic. So far, the entryway is in the capital budget for next year. 3) There is no update on the FY99 budget. 4) Ms. Hanley distributed a draft of her goals for 1998. Trustees commented that receiving her notes on the agenda and the staff news have both been very helpful. It was suggested that she document the amount of time she spends on building issues. Ms. Dubois moved to approve the Director's goals. The motion passed. r