2010-10-18 Board of Library Trustees Minutes

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i r, DV Reading Public Library Board of Trustees Minutes October 18, 2010 7:00 p.m. E A 10. ul ~l Attending: David Hutchinson, Chair; Dick Curtis; Jeffrey Doucette; Cherrie Dubois; Karyn Storti; Vicki Yablonsky; Ruth Urell, Director; Nancy Aberman, library staff; Joe Huggins, Facilities; high school students Caitlin Menzie & Dennis Smith; Bill Hecht, Foundation Chair; Sharlene Reynolds-Santo, Historical Commission; Peter Byerly & Richard Smith, architects. Minutes: Approved minutes of Sept. 27 meeting (Curtis/Dubois). Building Program Peter Byerly referred to his experience with the MBLC and his past successes with libraries in Falmouth, Leominster and Georgetown. He commented that when reviewing grant applications, the MBLC will be looking seriously at libraries that have the greatest potential for completion. He reviewed the proposed schedule and indicated that conceptual design alternatives will be available for a meeting on Oct. 26. Once a preferred approach is approved, an initial planning design will be prepared for a meeting in November. The final schematic design will be ready for review in mid-January. The MBLC grant application is due by Jan. 27, 2011. Richard Smith reported on their building site review to date. About 75% of the current space is reusable but there is a need for an additional 8,000 square feet, which can be incorporated into a two-story addition of 4,000 square feet per floor. He mentioned that the children's room could remain on the 2nd floor but the meeting room should have greater accessibility by moving it to the 1St or ground floor. He saw three areas for expansion. 1. Rear of building, but it would require rearranging parking. 2. Front of building, may face historical concerns and may be more difficult to get by existing library services in center of current main floor and second floor. 3. School Street side will involve rearranging exit for cars. Cherrie Dubois questioned use of the attic space, which Smith said would not be practical. Dick Curtis asked about a separate addition on School Street side with a connecting walkway. Smith gave several reasons why this would not be practical. David Hutchinson mentioned the importance of reinforcing the floor loads. He also questioned how new technologies would fit into a 20-year projection. Ruth Urell