HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-10 Board of Library Trustees Minutes Town of Reading R E C E I V E D
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2021 FEB 16L�M 3: 05
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Library Trustees
Date: 2020-11-10 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 Verner, Vice-Chair; Alice Collins, Secretary;
Andrew Grimes; Cherrie Dubois; John Brzezenski
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 7:06 pm
I. Approval of Minutes
Minutes from September 14, 2020, and Notes from October 13, 2020 (the meeting was
not posted correctly)
Motion: To approve the corrected minutes from September 14, 2020(Dubois, Collins)
Vote:Approved. 6-0
Motion: To approve the notes from the October 13, 2020, meeting. (Brzezenski, Dubois)
Vote:Approved: 6-0
II, Public Comment
No public comment
III. Financial Report
FY 21: Nothing significant to report. As of November 2, all open positions have been
filled, and Sunday services have resumed, so this budget line is now back to the
expected run rate. One thing to note is that the leadership team is working to ensure that
all the staff can take their vacation time. Employees were eligible in July to buy back
vacation time. Those who did not were allowed to carry over more vacation time. We are
juggling with desk schedules so staff can take time earned.
Materials spending is on target.
The financial report and application for State Aid have been filed. Reading will not have
to file for a waiver.
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The Vote Grant is complete. Ms. Andrea Fiorillo did a fantastic job managing the grant
with outreach and programs, including the voting garden and voter registrations.
There were no significant gifts this month. Ms. Collins noted that trust fund reporting
lines were different than in the past. Ms. Lannon stated that new trust fund reporting
requirements change how the monthly statements. In the future, Ms. Lannon will report
trust fund accounts with non-expendable amounts, expendable amounts,
expenses/encumbrances, and totals.
Ms. Lannon asked if the Board is comfortable with the COVID process for approving
invoices. There were no objections. Ms. Lannon will make specific copies of invoices
available upon request. Ms. Verner finds the weekly notes and highlights helpful.
IV. Discussion of WIFI availability
Ms. Lannon reminded the Board that the library closed in March, we lifted the
restrictions, and WIFI was available all the time. The library did not advertise the change.
Neighbors have noticed an increased use of the parking lot overnight and expressed
concerns (e.g. idling engines, noise). Ms. Lannon reviewed WIFI availability at nine
surrounding libraries. Seven of the nine libraries in the area have WIFI available at all
times. Ms. Lannon also checked with Reading Police regarding parking limitations and
problematic behavior reports (none as yet). Ms. Lannon asked for guidance from the
Trustees about when and where the WIFI should be available. Ms. Dubois suggested
returning to pre-COVID-19 hours (9-9). Ms. Pennacchio had heard that neighbors were
concerned about this issue. She would like to respect this while also offering WIFI at
reasonable hours such as 8 am-10 pm, with the greatest need being during regular
business or school hours. Ms. Lannon noted that limiting WIF will not guarantee that
people will not return books (available overnight) or walk/use public property. Ms. Dubois
added that starting at 7 am would support remote school needs. Ms. Lannon
recommended keeping the service available until 10 pm to ensure users (including staff)
have some buffer time at the end of the evening.
Motion: To provide WIFI access from 7 am to 10 pm, seven days a week. (Grimes,
Collins)
Vote: Approved. 6-0
V. Strategic Plan Draft and Discussion
Ms. Lannon introduced Pam Fitzgerald from the Ivy Group. Ms. Fitzgerald reviewed the
methodology and findings. Ms. Lannon reviewed the three main strategies and related
tactics, noting that the plan meets the planning standards set by the MBLC. The main
foci are Convenience and Personalization, Community Learning and Engagement, and
Library as Space and Place. The Board discussed various aspects of the plan and
tactics.
The Board likes the Mission Statement and Core Values. They felt the Vision Statement
needed more work to better align with the plan. Ms. Lannon suggested two trustees work
with Ms. Fitzgerald to draft a more effective, aspirational, and meaningful vision
statement. Ms. Lannon noted that the Strategic Plan could be approved and submitted to
the MBLC without a vision statement.
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Motion: To approve the strategic plan without the vision statement. (Dubois, Verner)
Vote:Approved: 6-0
VI. Reading Alliance for Equity and Social Justice Position Discussion
Ms. Collins noted a grammatical error. Ms. Verner asked that Mr. Grimes add an
explanation of the financing of the position into the FAQ. The Board agreed to a full
discussion at the next meeting.
Motion: To table the discussion until the December Trustee meeting. (Grimes, Collins)
Vote:Approved: 6-0
VII. Other Business: Ms. Pennacchio recognized Librarian II Andrea Fiorillo for her great The
Vote program.
Adjournment 9:11 pm.
Motion: To Adjourn (Dubois, Grimes)
Vote: Approved 5-0
Respectfully Submitted,
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Alice Collins, Secretary
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