HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-13 Board of Library Trustees MinutesOF Di
Town of Reading
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Library Trustees
Date: 2015 -04 -13 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Public Library Location:
Address: 80 General Way
Purpose: General Business Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
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WN CLERK
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Vicki Yablonsky, Chair; John Brzezenski, Vice Chair; David Hutchinson;
Cherrie Dubois; Andrew Grimes
Members - Not Present:
Alice Collins
Others Present:
Ruth Urell, Lorraine Barry
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Cherrie Dubois
Topics of Discussion:
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Chair Vicki Yablonsky.
Minutes approval: Minutes for the March 16 meeting were accepted with date correction; the minutes for the
April 2 meeting were accepted as written.
Services Report: Lorraine Barry updated the Trustees on the RPL's in -house and outreach programs being
held in various locations in town now that the library's in tighter quarters. First, staff needs to secure space
months in advance because meeting spaces are in demand by many organizations. Second, staff needs to
truck equipment, including "just -in- case" items, such as extension cords, etc., to be sure off -site programs go
smoothly. Third, at least two staff members attend each off -site meeting. In general, every need must be
anticipated so programs run smoothly in places like the RMHS Media Center or the Police Station meeting
room. After each outreach program, staff fills out a report form which reports attendance, special remarks, and
also includes space for mileage, etc.
As the staff gets ready to head out to another location, a nifty rolling cart lends a helping hand carrying all sorts
of things, from projectors or book to library cards, laptops, etc. A large schedule chart indicates what events are
being held where. Although the logistics are a bit complex, everything seems to be going well, as other
departments have been very cooperative as the RPL continues to offer the same high level of programming.
Some events are still held in the library, such as the teens and the book group. The Winter Warmers program,
the snowy season's answer to spring's Summer Sizzlers, was held on a February Friday after closing and drew
80 people.
Although Live Wires programs have been on the scene for years, a recent twist includes hosting a series —
ones that take three or four weeks; History of the North Shore, Bird Watching, and Yoga are some examples.
Attendees are able to get to know one another a bit more this way. The library also continues to offer single -
time Live Wires programs.
The technology series has been well attended and is held at the RMHS Media Center. Net Guides help out, as
there are sometimes 15 -20 learners.
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Other programs continuing and flourishing, despite either new quarters or tighter ones, include The Not Too
Stuffy Book Group, Need to Know programs for teachers, and a new teen program where they swap books and
chat over steamy brewed hot cocoa.
Making everything happen smoothly and keeping the library delivering the quality services and programs
residents have come to expect has been more difficult for staff from the temporary space, but patrons are
delighted to still be able to enjoy the events and series they've come to love over the years.
Director Ruth Urell described some changed work patterns as a result of the temporary space and outreach
requirements. She is currently hoping to have staff work on projects such as RIFD and to do more digitizing in
FY 2016.
Financial Report: Substitutes salaries, supplies, and local travel are over budget.
Friends report: Portland Pie Company will donate a dollar to the Friends for each pie purchased and each
glass /bottle of Shipyard ale on April 16 from 5 -9. This is a simple and welcomed fundraiser for the Friends.
Director's Report:
Legislative Issues: In her monthly report, Director Urell indicated that she and some trustees attended a
Massachusetts Municipal Association legislative breakfast in Lexington in March. On April 1, she attended the
annual Massachusetts Library Legislative Day at the State House, particularly to congratulate Senator Jason
Lewis, who represents our district, on his Advocacy Award from the Massachusetts School Library Association
for his support for certified school librarians for school libraries. Librarians across the state are working
legislatively to get the state's support for public libraries back to 2002 levels. The national ESEA (Education)
bill currently under discussion on the federal level failed to address school library issues. In her capacity as
ALA Councilor for Massachusetts, Urell asked US Senator Elizabeth Warren to support an amendment offered
by Senator from Rhode Island to include school libraries and librarians in the bill.
Suggestion Box: We learned that at least one couple has expressed interest in having a wedding in the
meeting room of the new library. Who knew! A homebound patron expressed her appreciation for the visits she
gets with her book delivery.
Facility: One book drop is out of service. It won't fit through the storage area door and is an obstruction in the
back hallway. Urell asked for Trustees' guidance on disposition. Trustees recommend removing it and
disposing it appropriately. Trustee Hutchinson recommended adding a replacement cost for it to the furniture
and equipment budget for the new building if necessary.
Planning: Urell disseminated a request for quotes for a strategic planner in March. She posted it on a national
listsery for Library Planners, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners list, and sent it to 20+ firms or
individuals familiar from state and national conferences. So far there area few interested firms or individuals.
Urell asked for trustees to review quotes and proposals later in April.
Staff Day is April 30; the library will be closed.
On April 27, Chairman of the Library Building Committee Hutchinson will present a report on library building
project to Annual Town Meeting.
On May 20, STV will host a public meeting at the temporary library at 80 General Way to update the Middlesex
Avenue library's neighbors and others interested in what's happening and what's coming up.
Several staff members will present at the Massachusetts Library Association Annual Conference in May;
several others will also be attending over the 3 -day event.
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting (Dubois /Grimes) at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
y
Cherrie Dubois, Trustee Secretary pro tem
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