1996-02-15 Board of Library Trustees Minutes

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Board of Library Trustees AS Minutes of Meeting - February 15, 1996 AV11end4eQ F Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 5 : 45 p.m. pent: Ms. Cherrie Dubois, chair; Mr. William Diamond; Mrs. Elia Marnik; Dr. Christine Redford; Mrs. Maria Silvaggi. Guests: Stephen and Rachel Baumgartner. Absent: Mr. Robert Fields. Ms. Dubois called the meeting to order at 5: 50 p.m. Minutes: Mr. Diamond moved to accept the minutes of January 21. The motion passed. Financial report: The budget status is fine. Statistics: January was amazingly busy, with more reference questions than any month in years. Circulation was down from last year, but not by much, considering the bad weather. Director's report: The new Children's Room desk will be installed March 1. A spelling bee team has been assembled, with two staff members and two Friends. The children's librarian position has been advertised. Ms. Hanley hopes to fill the reference position soon. Liaison reports: Mr. Diamond asked if the Director had heard from Town Counsel on the legality of establishing a 501 (c) 3 corporation. Town Counsel has reported that the Library can set up a corporation. A recent edent is the Town's 350th Committee. The Board of Trustees have of over the spending of trust funds; the Commissioners of Trust Funds h control over investing trust funds. Mrs. Silvaggi called attention to her report researching the history of Library trust fund management, as assigned by the Board. Friends report: The decision was made to name the music collection for Fran McSheehy. A plaque will be installed and music will be purchased with the rest of the money. Funds for nonprint shelving can be a Friends project, rather than a memorial. Some sort of dedication ceremony will be planned, perhaps in coordination with a Friends concert. The membership drive has brought in about $9800 so far, very close to the goal of $10, 000. Because of ice dam damage, some of the hosts have postponed their involvement in the house tour. Other homes are being sought. A nominating committee will be named soon. Mary Bastiani, currently Vice President, is willing to be President next year. The Bonds have agreed to help with the book sale. Unfinished business: 1) Ms. Dubois recapped Dan Baker's second visit with the fundraising committee. His recommendation was to retain professional counsel to assist the committee in establishing financial goals and in other aspects of the project. What kind of money can the Library raise -- $100, 000? A million? Over one year? Long-term? Until we can establish that, we are not ready to begin. We need a definitive organizational structure, a timeline, assistance with writing materials. The goal is to be moble to use income; principal remains intact in perpetuity. Once the al effort is done, there will be annual drives. 1