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Home My WebLink About2020-07-20 Board of Library Trustees Minutes Town ofReading KECEtlVED TOWN CLERK r Meeting Minutes RF;'�D1 "C,, FAA. 0�Y..plM�F 2121 SEP 22 PM 12: 09 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Library Trustees Date: 2020-07-20 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Public Library Location: History Room Address: 64 Middlesex Avenue Session: Open Session Purpose: General Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Nina Pennacchio, Chair; Monette Verrier; Vice-Chair; Alice Collins, Secretary; Andrew Grimes; John Brzezenski ; Cherrie is Members - Not Present: Others Present: Amy Lannon, Director; Michelle Filleul, Assistant Director Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Alice Collins, Secretary Topics of Discussion: Call to Order: 7:02 pm I. Approval of Minutes from June g,2020 Motion to Approve Minutes(Dubois, Brzezenski) Vote: Approved 6-0 IL Ad Hoc Human Rights Committee Update: Andrew Grimes updated the Trustees on the progress of the Ad Hoc committee. There are several new members of the committee,therefore there has been a review of the process and rationaldbehind the proposal for the Reading Alliance for Equity and Social Justice (REASJ) under the library. Ms. Lannon asked who the current committee are. Mr. Grimes will get her a list. Ms. Lannon mentioned that she had met with the Ad Hoc committee members Town Manager Bob, LeLacheur, Select Board members,Anne Landry and Carlo Bacci,and Linda Snow-Dockser.They discussed the library vision and mission. Ms. Pennacchio asked if there was any update or new concerns about REASJ being part of the library structure. Ms. Lannon reported there had been concerns brought to her attention since the March 2020 meeting. Ms.Verrier asked about funding. Mr. Grimes said nothing has been approved. Ms. Collins asked if the REASJ would be too much of a load on library staff. Ms. Lannon said that the REASJ would be managed by a newly created dedicated staff person. If the position is not funded, the work will not get done. Page 1 1 III. Library Services—COVID Response Update Ms. Pennacchio asked for an update from Ms. Lannon regarding the COVIDI9 response. Ms. Lannon reported that Ms. Verner visited the building for a walk through to review safety protocols already in place. Ms. Lannon reviewed the most recent COVID19 reopening document.She noted that state guidelines recommend 24 hours quarantine, however Project REALM has done extensive testing on multiple surfaces and the library will stay with 72-hour quarantine of all incoming materials. Baby books and magazines require quarantine for more than 72 hours and will not be circulated for the time being. Ms. Dubois asked if magazines would remain on display. Ms. Lannon said she didn't think so. Ms. Lannon reported that on July 13"the Board of Health approved the most recent reopening plan and the library will move forward with preparing to implement very limited inside services.The original hope was to begin August 3re but staffing levels and new procedures mean that this will be pushed back to the second week of August. The new Pop-Up Library will start on July 21"and July 28"from 10am-12pm. Registration required and materials be focused on school required reading. The librarians will look at the July experience with the hope to expand the service in August,expanding the service to include things like topic-based backpacks for children. The IT department is still working to expand Wi-Fi access into the parking lot. Wi- Fi/internet access is a technology barrier for some of the community. The big goal for the week of August 3re will be to expand hours of curbside and virtual reference questions. Next steps will be computer use by appointment with limited walk-in spaces also available, as well as restarting the museum pass programs. Ms. Lannon does not foresee adding library browsing anytime soon. The library is considering special hours for vulnerable populations including older populations,special sensory needs, and ESL families/patrons. However,these hours would not count towards the library's required hours for certification. Ms. Dubois noted the library staff are doing a lot of work and this discussion is not easy. She said the Trustees appreciate the effort everyone is making. Ms. Pennacchio supported the pop-up library and the children's backpacks as a way to help serve the children and families. Ms.Verner asked about allowing patrons to pick up materials in the building. Ms. Lannon said outside curbside pickup will continue with plans to add at least one station in the lobby area for inside pick up. Outside service is essential for vulnerable patrons or those who are concerned about entering a public space. IV. Financial Update: FY20: Ms. Lannon thanked the Trustees for approving the small warrant, we did meet our materials appropriation, she is confident that we went over our 14% Page 12 materials spending requirement. FY 21:Town Meeting also approved the library's FY21 budget request.This budget request included a reduction of$10,000 in expenses and is proportionate to expense cuts made by all Town Departments.Salaries were not impacted by the change and Sunday hours will remain the same. V. Director's Report: Personnel: New Reference Librarian Melissa Seldon is starting on August 3'd. Next is the search for a new children's librarian.The process is complicated as everything needs to be done remotely.The part-time Senior Library Associate position has been converted to a PT Librarian I position and filled internally.There is a net loss of a few hours per week, but there is a gain adding a professional position to the Collection Services Division. Starting on August 3`d, library staffing will return to regular scheduling.Should the state roll back to Phase 1 due to spread of COVID-19,the library will reinstate the 4/10 shift model. All shifts are staggered and there should be no more than 22 employees in the building at one time. Collection Services: NOBLE has added an American Sign Language collection Overdrive and is also working on adding the Overdrive collection of classics. Public Services: The Vote Grant on July 2911 with author Tina Cassidy who wrote "Mr. President: How Much Longer Must We Wait" Poet and Professor Nancy Genevieve Kohl will lead a writing workshop about Representative Shirley Chisholm on Wednesday,August 12.There will be a Stamped book discussion for adults and middle school in August. VI. OTHER: Ms. Lannon informed the Trustees that the town is looking at using the library for early voting. They are anticipating that there will be a large number of people voting via mail, so early voting might be less busy. Adjournment 7:58 p.m. Motion:To Adjourn(Verrier, Dubois) Vote: Approved 5-0 Respectfully Submitted, g(" �, Alice Collins, Secretary Page 1 3