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Date: 2019-09-09 Time: 7:03 PM
Building: Reading Public Library Location: History Room
Address: 64 Middlesex Avenue Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present;
John Brzezenski, Chair; Nina Pennacchio, Vice-Chair; Alice Collins,
Secretary; Cherrie Dubois; Andrew Grimes; Nina Pennacchio; Monette
Verner
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Amy Lannon, Director; Michelle Filleul, Assistant Director, Lorraine Barry,
Head of Public Services, Cate Zannino, Head of Children's Services, Tom
Mottl, resident, Peter Carcia, resident
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Alice Collins, Secretary
Topics of Discussion:
Call to Order
I. Approval of Minutes from August 12, 2019
Motion: To Approve Minutes (Dubois, Verner)
Vote: Approved 6-0
II. Public Comment:
Residents Peter Carcia and Tom Mottl, members of Reading Neighbors Network, attended
the meeting to request clarification on the use of library meeting rooms and whether there
is published data on room use. Ms. Lannon responded that the library does not currently
publish that data as it is not the basis of determining the meeting room policy. Rather the
current polity is structured to provide most equitable usage to a wide variety of
organizations. Mr. Mottl pointed out that the library is the least expensive room rental
option in Reading, and that the size of their organization makes it difficult to meet in homes.
Mr. Grimes said that the current policy is based on the premise that the organizations
should not use the library as home base and therefore limited to 6 rentals per year. Ms.
Lannon noted that the primary purpose of the meeting rooms is for library programs, and
rentals to outside groups and individuals is secondary. Ms. Lannon encouraged Mr. Mottl to
speak to the schools, local churches or the Pleasant Street Center as meeting space options.
Ms. Pennacchio acknowledged that the RNN is larger than many other community groups,
so their needs for space are not the same as the majority of non-profits that seek to use the
library. Mr. Mottl believes it is unfortunate that there is a larger impression that the library
meeting rooms appear available, but that policy then limits letting groups use the space.
III. Policy Review: Safe Child Policy and Children's Program Policy
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Ms. Barry, Division Head of Public Services and Ms. Zannino Head of Children's Services
reviewed these policies. They recommended minor grammatical and wording changes to
the Safe Child Policy to clarify and update the policy. Ms. Collins asked about the
significance of setting the age of 14 as a responsible caregiver. Ms. Lannon responded that
she is not aware of any legal definition, but it is the age that has worked for this policy for
many years. Ms. Verner asked how we verify the age of the patron. Ms. Barry and Ms.
Zannino answered that staff ask the children their ages. Ms. Collins asked about changing
the wording in the first paragraph from customers to patrons. Ms. Pennacchio asked why
staff members are instructed to contact the police at closing if a child was left at the library
alone. Ms. Lannon explained that this was to address both the safety of the child and
potential liability of the library staff and custodians. Ms. Dubois recommended that the
policy be posted in the children's room in addition to the website.
Motion: To approve the Safe Child Polity as amended (Collins, Grimes)
Vote: Approved 6-0.
Ms. Barry recommended the Board delete the Children's Program policy. She and her staff
will develop a library-wide program policy for approval at a future date.
Motion: To approve the removal of the Children's Program Policy (Collins, Grimes)
Vote: Approved 6-0
IV. Summer Reading Review:
Ms. Zannino reported on the Children's Summer Reading Program.
• 600 registrations in the first week
623 kids got at least one successful Bingo sheet
• 347 went on to get a blackout (10% increase from last year)
"Bingo bundles" - New this year and a big success!
32 programs with 1026 attendees. Programs included space camp, a rocket making
workshop, a Star Wars symposium, and an Out of Space escape room.
• The two new children's librarians were interviewed in Reading Chronicle.
• Our pet gerbil Chumley launched an Instagram account.
Staff created 134 social media posts
• 300 people attended Vehicle Day.
Ms. Barry discussed adult and teen programs. Renee Smith and Susan Beauregard ran the
teen summer reading program and it was a very successful summer with lots of staff and
teen engagement. The teens could get scratch tickets for any items checked out or if they
wrote book reviews. Examples of scratch ticket prizes included a rocket book, candy, or a
book.
76 books were awarded
• 82 students participated.
• All teen programs were filled and had waiting lists.
Kathy Miksis ran the Adult summer reading program that had 99 participants (up 145%
from two years ago). The adults won books as prizes. Ms. Miksis ran a four part design
series with an average of 45 participants attending each program.
The Eats and Beats summer reading kickoff event had 700 attendees of all ages and was
sponsored by the RPL Foundation and Northern Bank.
V. Friends of RPL Update:
Ms. Barry reported that the Friends voted to add $3270 to program budget and a new slate
of officers, including Eleanor Delaney as president. They also established two new
subcommittees: Communications and Marketing, and the Friends House Tour (May 2020).
VI. Financial Report
a. FY 19 Summary: Fiscal Year 2019 closed the first week of September. MBLC state
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aid and financial reports are ready to be signed and submitted.
b. FY 20 Update: Ms. Lannon reported that she is watching the staff budget to make
sure that all the calculations for the new staffing model are on target.
c. Gifts:
• $770 In memory of Arlene Zemlin
• > $18,000 from the estate of Rosamonde Robinson was donated to the library
through the RPL Foundation. The thank you and acknowledgement letter will
come from Pat Egan on behalf of the Foundation and Mr. Brzezenski on behalf of
the Trustees.
VII. Director's Report
a. Building / Facilities Update: Ms. Lannon reported Facilities is still working to
repair a broken compressor in the HVAC system. Areas most impacted are the
Conference Room and entry way. Ms Lannon reported damage, potentially
vandalism, of two light bollards along the School Street walkway. Facilities repaired
immediately. The incident has not been reported to the police. Ms. Lannon and the
Leadership team will be increasing staff walkthroughs Inside and outside the library.
Ms. Lannon requested that the tree warden, Mike Hannaford do a fall check on the
health of both new and old trees on the property. Traffic cones have been placed in
the front of the entrance to help prevent vehicles from pulling in too close to the
book drop and the entrance of the building. Ms. Lannon and DPW plan to install
permanent safety bollards.
b. Personnel: Library Associate Chris Rutigliano celebrates 20 years of service with the
Reading Public Library this month. In the search for Sunday librarians, the library
received 15 applications, conducted four interviews, and selected two candidates.
Each new employee will work a minimum of two Sundays a month from October to
May.
C. Programs & Outreach: Fall Programming Brochures came out slightly ahead of
schedule. It was a team effort with Desiree Zicko, Amy Lannon, Ashley Waring and
Michelle Filleul all working together. On September 251h, the Reading Public School
Librarians will be here for a luncheon and professional development program with
the Children's Room Librarians. The 61h Grade School Tours are coming up in
October. Coolidge students will stay here for the day. The teachers will have
different stations in the library, including a science and math component. Parker
students will have a 1-2 hour tour of the library. These events continue the library's
traditionally strong and positive partnership with the school system.
d. Collections &Services: Teens are enjoying the library space, although there have
been some typical behavior issues resulting in a few teens being asked to leave for
the day.
e. Other: A Brookline patron was given a no trespass order. Ms. Lannon was asked to
participate in the selection of the new Police Chief.
Ms. Lannon also discussed the presence of First Amendment Auditors (FAA) in the
library community. FAA, who film public spaces, are primarily filming the public
employees, to test the treatment of their first amendment rights. The goal is to
negatively engage the staff and get arrested. Local FAA have visited the Reading
Police Department who "passed." The town counsel has recommended that staff not
engage with any FAA. Library protocol is to notify Ms. Lannon or Ms. Filleul if there is
a FAA in the building. The auditor will be given a guided tour of the public areas in
the library. "Staff Only" will be clearly marked, staff may excuse themselves from
being filmed, and may engage with a patron being filmed.
Children's Librarian, Ms. McElwain, would like to collect new or gently used Spanish
Language or bilingual children's books for 2000 Libros, an organization that donates
books to children impacted by the detention and separation from parents due to
issues of immigration status. The books would be collected in a donation bin in
November. Ms. Dubois felt this will help create conversation on an important topic.
Ms. Pennacchio will speak with Ms. McElwain about 2000 Libros and check with
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Whitelam books about adding Spanish books to the bookstore collection. Ms.
Pennacchio said it would be good tie in for Thanksgiving and gratitude.
Motion: To approve having a collection box at the library (Grimes, Collins)
Vote: (6-0)
VIII. Ad Hoc Human Relations Committee Update
Mr. Grimes reported that the committee talked to other towns and looked at different
organizational structures for similar groups. Models vary and each has its pros and cons.
If the committee is independent, it is not subject to things like open meeting law or public
records law, and has the freedom to run a variety of different programs. However, town
run committees can often apply for more grants.
IX. Other Business:
Ms. Lannon read a quote from an article that said: The most meaningful learning happens
outside of schools" stressing that the library is one of those spaces that provide meaningful
learning to Reading children and teens.
Adjournment: 8:32 pm
Motion to Adjourn (Dubois, Collins)
Vote: Approved 6-0
--�R/e�sspe�ctfu`lllly submi d,
Alice Collins, Secretary`
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