HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-10 ad Hoc - Search Committee Minutes - Library DirectorTown of Reading RECEIVED
, o Meeting Minutes = nws CLERK
" ',DING. MASS- _
Board - committee - commission - council: 1016 AUG 30 P 1: 41
Ad Hoc Library Director Search Committee
Date: 2016-08-10 Tlme: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Public Library Location: Meeting Room
Address: 80 General Way
Purpose: Library Director Search Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Alice Collins, Cherrle Dubois, Andrea Fiorillo, Heather Stepler, Ashley Waring
Members - Not Present:
Vanessa Alvarado
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Alice Collins
Topics of Discussion:
Call to Order7:01 pm
Approval of Minutes from July 27, 2016.
Motion to approve minutes (Waring / Collins)
Vote: Unanimous
1. Update on Job Posting for Director's Position
Position Is posted on all fronts. Vanessa did two of three website postings, Ashley and
Andrea posted remaining local and regional listings. After conferring with Town Manager,
Judi Perkins placed the listing on the ALA website, as we had requested, In order to reach a
national audience. To date, one application has been received.
Procedure for circulating applications: Since the Library will be closing Aug. 19th for The
Move, access to printers will be spotty. Ashley will ask Judi Perkins If she would print copies
for all committee members, available at HR for pick-up on a weekly basis, at Judl's
convenience. Also, only copies of cover letter, resume, and application are necessary at this
point.
Group determined to wait untll after September 9" deadline, then discuss with Judi
how/who will communicate with the unsuccessful applicants. At that time, we will also
revisit the deadline.
2. Candidate Rating System
Discussion followed on the checklist of qualifications for a director which Cherrle prepared,
and the grid Alice compiled. Alice will make the proposed changes and have the revised
grid ready for further Input at the next meeting.
3. Interview Questions for Candidates
Discussion followed on areas to cover when creating Interview questions.
STAFF: Experience hiring, recruiting, retaining good staff - and dismissing staff If
necessary. Quality of staff and the organizational culture are essential elements of RPL's
success, as apparent In the community survey. What makes Reading exceptional? We have
a staff that is extraordinarily experienced but also incredibly fresh. Our patrons feel this.
Page 1 1
Communicate to applicant that this is a really high functioning, creative staff. Someone
coming In with preconceived, fixed Ideas of how the library should operate may not be a
good fit.
LONG-TERM PLANNING QUESTIONS: Best applicants will have looked at Reading - or know
that they'd want to know Reading well before they make suggestions.
"Presuming you've looked at our long-range plan", or, "Have you had the chance to look at
It?" or "We've just gone through a five year planning process ... have you had a chance to
review It, and how would you prioritize the budget to achieve the goals?" Does applicant
think on his/her feet, make an Intelligent response or a wise sidestep?
Second Interview Questions:
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: Describe the Library's structure, 5 divisions. How have
libraries where you've worked been structured? What other structures have you
liked/dlsliked?
The library needs to hire a Digital Services librarian (add Thursday morning hours and
extended Sunday hours, hire another Children's librarian). The library needs this position
filled, and you're going before the Fincom, the BOS, Town Meeting. Prepare oral, written,
and visual materials to make a convincing argument.
Misc. details - Assign someone as timekeeper during Interviews so they don'ttake too long.
Also, remind applicants that its an hour and everyone has the same time slot. Tell them
ahead of time how long to allot.
NEXT MEETING: August 24th at 7 p.m. at the Pleasant Street Center, upstairs meeting
room.
Preparation:
Bring a list of your favorite ten questions and list them In rank order. Not too many original
questions... refer to MBLC booklet, our discussions. Make sure the questions cover all the
categorles/Issues.
Get a look at the applicants, determine if numbers dictate need for a subcommittee to
screen the first round of applicants.
16 Select the Interview dates (3 choices) for applicants to choose. Alm for October, during the
day.
Consider next meeting date: Applications due by Friday, September 9th. Give HR a little
extra time to compile copies of all the final applications - - Sept. 14 or after?
Meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
(�Respectfully submitted,
'Alice
\ Collins
C
PW 12