HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-10 Board of Library Trustees MinutesF Rei
Town of Reading
l Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Library Trustees
Date: 2017-04-10
Building: Reading Public Library
Address: 64 Middlesex Avenue
Purpose: General
Attendees: Members - Present:
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Time: 7:00 PM
Location: History Room
Session: Open Session
Version: Final
John Brzezenski, Chair; Alice Collins, Secretary; Andrew Grimes,
Nina Pennacchio, Sherri VandenAkker
Members - Not Present:
Cherrie Dubois
Others Present:
Amy Lannon, Director; Ashley Waring, Asst. Director; Stephen Crook
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Alice Collins, Secretary
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting called to order 7:04 p.m.
1. Approval of Minutes:
Approval of Minutes from March 20, 2017 proposed. (Brzezenski/Grimes) Vote: Unanimous.
2. Building Update:
a) Lighting: Shades inside the building are being closed in the evenings and opened in
the mornings by library staff. Up -lighting in the high windows in the Reading Room
and lobby have been turned off. Other light spill mitigating strategies are being
investigated for these windows. Other lighting projects are in progress: a new
switch for the Innovation Studio, dimming stairwell lights further, and a new shield
for one of the parking lot lights.
b) Snow removal: Deering St. sidewalk will be added to snow removal list for Town.
A request has been made to DPW to notify library administration when snow removal
will take place so neighbors may be informed.
c) Repairs/Punch list: Wooden railings have been re -sanded, and thresholds off of
patio have been repaired. Many vendors making final deliveries and installations.
d) Communications: The library set up an "opt -in" email list and will be mailing out
(USPS) notice to abutters.
3. Financial Report:
FY17 financials are on track. FY18 will be discussed at May 1 Town Meeting. Some
library staff will be impacted by Town pay & class adjustment that is on the warrant.
A. Lannon discussed the state and federal budget processes and how they may impact
State Aid to libraries.
3. Director's Report:
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Personnel: New circulation associate hired at 12 hours/week to replace a staff member
who left. Seven interviews conducted for two Children's Librarian positions, both to
replace staff members who are leaving the department. Renee Smith, reference and
teen librarian, will increase to 32.5 hours/week, pending approval by Town Meeting.
Staff annual reviews are beginning.
Programming/Services: Baking for Friends fundraiser was a success; the Friends of the
Reading Public Library created, organized, and ran this community event on April 1.
Staff lunch provided by the Trustees was much appreciated. New service is the
implementation of direct access to The New York Times, and hopefully The Wall Street
Journal as well. Database and online resource pricing was discussed.
Statistics: New automated processes include automatic materials handling machine
(AMH) which processes self -check-in. In March 2017, 56% of materials were returned
using the AMH. Goal is to get to about 60%. Another automated process includes the
self -check machines which are located throughout the building. In March 2017, 50% of
items were checked out using self -checkout. The goal is to get to about 75%.
4. Other business:
Rachel Baumgartner, Children's and Local History Reference Librarian, will be retiring in
June after many years of service. A public reception will be organized.
A. Lannon and A. Collins met with a community member who will donate artwork to the
library.
A. Lannon met with the Library Foundation.
Meeting adjourned at 8:12 pm (Collins/Grimes)
Respectfully submitted,
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Alice Collins, Secretary
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