HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-13 Board of Library Trustees Minutes wH Ory
� Town of Reading
? - Meeting Minutes RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
`av„xaan•�e READING, MA.
Board - Committee - Commission - council: 2819 JUN I I PM 1: 21
Board of Library Trustees
Date: 2019-05-13 Time: 7:06 PM
Building: Reading Public Library Location: History Room
Address: 64 Middlesex Avenue Session:
Purpose: General Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
John Brzezenski, Chair; Cherrie Dubois; Alice Collins; Nina Pennacchio;
Monette Verrier; Andrew Grimes
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Amy Lannon, Director; Lorraine Barry, Acting Assistant Director; Allison
Sloan, Sr. Library Associate
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Alice Collins, Secretary
Topics of Discussion:
Call to Order
I. Approval of Minutes from May 13, 2019
Motion: To Approve (Grimes, Dubois)
Vote: Approved 6-0-0 as amended
II. Public Comment - none
III. Financial Report - FY2019
a. Salaries: Ms. Lannon reports salaries continue to be under budget
b. Expenses: Ms. Lannon reports a slight increase in WT Cox magazine costs
c. Gifts:
i. Reading Lions $300 Large Print
ii. Reading Garden Club $120 Gardening Books
iii. In Memory of Camille Anthony $75
iv. William Fowler, speaker at the April 40 Foundation event, donated his
honorarium of$1500 back to the Foundation in honor of retiring librarians
Corinne Fisher and Brenda Wettergreen
IV. FY20 Proposed Trustee Meeting Schedule for review to be voted at the June meeting:
July 8, 2019 ,
August 12, 2019
September 9, 2019
Tuesday, October 15, 2019 (holiday)
Tuesday, November 1i9� 2019 (Town Meeting conflict)
December 9, 2019
January13, 2020
February 10, 2020
March 9, 2020
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April 13, 2020
May 11, 2020
June 10, 2020
Meeting date to be voted on in June 2019.
V. Directors Report
a. Building / Facilities: Nothing to report
It. Personnel
i. Thanks to Teen Librarian Susan Beauregard who coordinated a Teen Advisory
Group (TAG) Library Beautification Project this week. 19 TAG members
planted Flowers in the planters, cleaned up the area, picked up trash and
landscaped the beds on the side of the building.
ii. Children's Librarians:
• Meghan Ebbitt, an experienced children's librarian, started April 22 full time
37.5 hours
• Olivia McElwain, who recently finished an MLS at Simmons College, started
April 30 full time 37.5 hours.
• Ashley Waring, former RPL Assistant Director and Children's Librarian, will be
rejoining the Children's Room staff, part time 20 hours per week. Ashley's
first day back will be Tuesday, May 28.
iii. Librarian II: Circulation (Collection Services):
The hiring committee interviewed 4 candidates of 15 applications received.
We are in the process of finalizing a verbal offer to Lauren Forsythe Gardner,
who has been a per diem substitute in Reading for over 3 years. Lauren has
strong analytic and customer services skills that will be a great compliment to
the new Collection Services Division.
iv. Staff Development Day: The library will be closed on Friday, May 17`" for the
annual staff development day. The focus will be on in-house training and
instruction of the new systems that will be launched in June 2019, including
Evergreen and a new museum pass management software. Staff day was
coordinated and planned by Lorraine Barry, Michelle Filleul, and Jamie
Penney.
V. Ms. Vernier asked for a list of current library staff, with photos if possible. Ms.
Lannon will work with staff to provide it.
c. Programs & Outreach
i. Ms. Barry reports the New Resident Open House was attended by 40 families
with 45 organizations and town departments. This made full use of the lower
level space. There were requests for a repeat event. Ms. Barry thanked
Custodians John Davis and Linda Florence for their help to set up and break
down. Sample Comments: Terrific night! Loved speaking with everyone,
getting info, and receiving free bag of goodies and delicious food! I learned
about events. Thank you!!
ii. Garden Club Plant Sale (May 18) The custodial staff will be assisting with set
up for this event. Theme: Bees in the garden
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iii. Pulse of Reading: Change &Transition (May 30)
iv. Our Town, Your Story: Community Scanning &Download Day (lune 8) - Ms.
Lannon reports digital download capabilities are in place; this will be in
coordination with the Reading 375`" celebration
V. Friends & Family Day (June 15)
d. Collections &Services
i. Washington Post (June 1)
ii. Lynda.com (Linkedln Learning) (June 1)
VI. Other Business
a. Polity Manual distributed by Ms. Lannon. It is also available on the library
website. Ms. Lannon explained this includes revised and new policies, and older
policies to consider for review, and offers an opportunity to consider
supplemental policies
b. Ms. Lannon discussed a letter from Louise Ward, Reading Neighbors Network, re:
concerns noted about the revised Meeting Room Policy (e.g. 48 hour payment
policy); Following the discussion, Mr. Brzezenski suggested advising Ms. Ward the
Trustees have reviewed the requests and decided not to amend the policy at this
time. Ms. Collins will follow up.
c. Ms. Lannon distributed a copy of the 2018 Annual Report submitted to the Town
(January - December, 2018)
d. Mr. Brzezenski is working with Ms. Lannon on her annual review
e. Ms. Verrier asked about the result of the Security Meeting. Ms. Lannon reported
on the discussion of the security plan for the Town, which includes the maximum
expenditure allowed. A summary of the meeting is reported fully in The Patch
newspaper. Ms. Lannon reports Mr. LeLacheur, Town Manager, confirmed the
Library will be involved in the security plan decision process
Adjournment: 7:53 p.m.
Motion: To Adjourn (Dubois, Collins)
Vote: Approved 6-0-0
espectfully Submitted,
r
Alice Collins, Secretary
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