HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-05 Board Of Library Trustees MinutesH OrA
Town of Reading
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Library Trustees
Date: 2015 -01 -05
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center
Address: 49 Pleasant Street
Purpose:
Attendees: Members - Present:
HECEIVELl
TOWN CLERK
READING, MASS.
Draft JAN 25 P 42b,
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Lounge Room
Session: General Session
Vicki Yablonsky, Chair; John Brzezenski, Vice Chair; Alice Collins; Secretary;
Cherrie Dubois; Andrew Grimes; David Hutchinson
Members - Not Present:
Andrew Grimes withdrew at 8:01 p.m.
Others Present:
Vanessa Alvarado, FINCOM; Ruth Urell, Library Director; Amy Lannon,
Assistant Library Director
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Alice Collins
Topics of Discussion:
I. Call to Order 7:03 pm
II. Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve minutes from December 14, 2015 as amended (David
Hutchinson / Cherrie Dubois)
Vote: Unanimous
III. Plan of Service (Ms. Urell)
Ms. Urell noted that while the trustees discussed the plan of service at the last
meeting, there was no official vote regarding the plan which will go on file with the
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Motion to accept the plan of service as presented (Alice Collins / Andrew
Grimes)
Vote: Unanimous
IV. Budget Review
Ms. Yablonsky reviewed the upcoming meetings and the current status of the budget
as reported by the Town Manager in December. The Town Manager, Mr. LeLacheur
indicated that there would be significant town wide budget cuts in FY 2017 and
therefore none of the library's budget increase requests would be recommended. In
view of this, Ms. Urell asked for advice from Board of Selectmen member Mr. Barry
Berman who recommended submitting a 3 or 5 year plan outlining the projected
needed budget increase requests that are a direct result of the recent strategic
planning and new library building.
Ms. Urell presented a draft three year plan to the Trustees. In summary, year one
(FY 2017) includes request for the Digital Services Manager, a change in grade for
librarians (Grade E to Grade F), an increase in substitute coverage, and a 15% book
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budget. This is the third year the Board of Trustees have requested the Digital
Services position. The grade change for the librarians will bring librarians to a level
appropriate to work performed, increased expectations and continuing education
requirements. The increase In substitute coverage is derived from current FY budget
and remaining FY 2016 projections. Ms. Alvarado recommended adding annotations
and footnotes between budget lines and summary narrative for ease of viewing.
Year two (FY 2018) request Includes the addition of Thursday morning hours, the
addition of a .5 FTE Children's Librarian, as well as a new programming budget which
would comprise approximately one -third of the current spending on programs.
Programs are a basic part of the core library services, a fact reinforced by the recent
survey and focus groups. Mr. Grimes pointed out that the Town is not currently
providing any funding for programming. Currently, the Library relies on $35,000-
45,000 per year from the Friends of the Reading Public Library, the Reading Public kAL
Foundation and various grants to fund all library programs. Mr. Hutchinson
suggested including a brief summary and cost outline of library programs to plan.
Ms. Alvarado and Mr. Grimes also recommended noting current sources of funding.
Mr. Hutchinson asked for clarification of the order of priority year two. Ms. Urell
responded that the .5 FTE Children's Librarian is the top priority for year two.
Year three (FY 2019) will be an opportunity for reorganization and restructuring
within the library. Ms. Urell anticipates up to a 20% reduction in circulation staff and
redistribution of personnel with other divisions. This request includes the addition of
.5 FT Staff Librarian and .25 FTE School Liaison Librarian, as well as extended
Sunday hours and increase in programming budget. Overall, the FY 2019 budget
reflects the larger shift within the library from materials handling to public services
and programming.
Ms. Urell reviewed the background data relating to the proposed plan. This included
the Level 1 budget request as entered into MUNIS.
Mr. Hutchinson asked how to ensure that the Board of Selectmen receives the
proposed three year plan with enough time to read and analyze the document. The
Board discussed various ways to present and communicate.
Motion to recommend the Year One Incremental request as proposed in the
3 Year budget narrative. (Cherne Dubois / Alice Collins)
Vote: Unanimous
V. Adjournment
Motion to Adjourn at 8:40 p.m. (David Hutchinson /Alice Collins)
Vote: Unanimous
espectfully submitted,
Alice Collins, Secretary
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