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Home My WebLink About2022-02-14 Board of Library Trustees Minutesrn °_ Town of Reading 3 Meeting Minutes �a IMOP�� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Library Trustees Date: 2022-02-14 Building: Reading Public Library Address: 64 Middlesex Avenue Purpose: General Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:03 PM Location: Session: Open Session Version: Final DECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING, A. 2022 MAR 31 AM 10: 36 Nina Pennacchlo, Chair; Monette Vardar, Vice -Chair; Andrew Grimes, Secretary; Cherrie Dubois, Monique Pillow-Gnanaratnam Members - Not Present: John Brzezenski Others Present: Amy Lannon, Director; Michelle Filleul, Assistant Director, Ally Dowds, Head of Public Services, Reading Public Library, Carla Nazzaro, School Committee Representative Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Andrew Grimes, Secretary Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely on Zoom. RCTV will also stream the meeting. I. Call to Order and Welcome If. Public Comment: There were five emails received following the Town of Reading Board of Health removing the town -wide mask mandate. The emails urged the Trustees to rescind the library policy on face coverings. Monette Verrler responded to the emails saying the Trustees would be voting on the mask mandate at the February meeting. III. Discussion and Vote regarding Library Face Covering Policy: Ms. Lannon reviewed the history of the library policy. Ms. Pennacchio fell the library policy should be consistent with the Town policy and that this would be easier for staff. Ms. Dubois requested to include language recommending masks. Ms. Pillow- Gnanaratnam agreed. Mr. Grimes asked how employees felt about the decision and suggested having language in the signage that reminds the public to respect others. Ms. Lannon noted that COVID and vaccine circumstances differed from the previous policy changes, and rescinding this policy was a significant step after the recent COVID surge. Motion: To rescind the September library face -covering policy. (DuboisrPennacchio) Vote: Approved 5-0 IV. Approval of Minutes from January 10, 2022 Motion: To approve the minutes from January 10, 202Z as submitted. (GnmesNerner) Vote: Approved SO Page I 1 V. Public Services Report: Programming, Readers' Advisory, and Reference. Ms. Allyson Dowd, Head of Public Services, reviewed Public Services activities from January 2021 through December 2021. She noted personnel changes, including a new Teen Librarian and the transition of another staff member to Community Health Librarian. In addition to a list of popular and creative virtual and in-person programs (a fall concert series, bird walks, and an outdoor tent for Children's Programming), Ms. Dowds discussed the 2021-2022 LSTA Civic Hub grant focused programming around storytelling and amplifying local voices. She noted staff has leaned into virtual programming while still maintaining connections with the public, including doing programs like virtual school visits. There are consistently 45-50 programs per month, with a slight drop in January 2022 due to COVID. The attendance statistics for programming are less important than the impact that attendees take away from the events. Adult attendance to virtual programs is strong. However, children's and teen programs are better attended when they are in person. Ms. Pennacchio noted that the virtual adult programs are often more convenient for those adults with children. Ms. Dowd discussed the challenges of COVID and staff transitions. Current projects include working with our new teen librarian to improve the teen area, pop-up programming, and topic -specific programs on mental health and teen dating violence. Ms. Dowd also reviewed the programming pillars that guide program planners: Climate Justice, Human Rights, Diversity and Inclusion and Representation, Racial Justice, and Health and Wellness. Ms. Dowd highlighted some upcoming programs. Ms. Carla Nazzaro asked how programs are chosen and about program funding sources. Ms. Narzarro stated she does not feel comfortable with Pride Storytime with Drag Friends saying she didn't feel the program was appropriate for the age group. Ms. Dowd stressed the importance that the library be a space where everyone can celebrate their identities. Ms. Dowd also noted that questioning identity starts relatively young and that the program is one route to literacy, reading, and sharing stories. She also confirmed the organization has been vetted and is well thought of in the community. Ms. Dowd welcomed Ms. Nazzaro to attend one of the programs. Ms. Dubois stated that there might be parents in the town of Reading who participate in drag, and the program may reaffirm their identity. Ms. Dubois also noted that nobody is forced to attend these programs. Ms. Dowd stated that the library offers a variety of programs and materials in the collection, and it is up to the parents to choose what to read and attend. Ms. Pillow-Gnanaratnam and Mr. Grimes thanked Ms. Dowd for the presentation. VI. Review and Discussion: Safe Child Policy update Ms. Dowd reviewed proposed changes to the Safe Child Policy. The new language clarifies and affirms parental and caregiver responsibility for the care and minding of children under nine. This change is in response to increasing safety issues and clarifies that library staff cannot provide child care or assume a child's care safety. Additionally, the policy has new language to outline appropriate use of the youth spaces, such as the Children's section and the Teen Room. Lone adults are discouraged from extended use of the Teen Room and Children's Room. This policy change is on par with policies from local libraries and aligns with the American Library Association's suggested Page 1 2 wording. Ms. Dubois and Ms. Verner suggested some edits and the need for clarification on one statement. Ms. Dowds will update the document for a vote at the March meeting. VII. Review and Discussion: History Room Policy clarificationlupdate Ms. Lannon reported that she met with Local History Librarian Eileen Barrett to update the language regarding using the History Room as a meeting space and clarify that all users need to sign in to use the room. Ms. Dubois suggested the policy refer to the History Room as a research space. Motion: Move to accept the History Room policy as amended. (Dubois/Pillow- Gnanaratnam) Vote: SO VIII. Space Update Ms. Lannon reported the installation of a phone booth for phone calls. She noted there is no firm date for the shelving installation in the lobby turret. The new Director for Equity and Social Justice office has been wired for phone and network access. The office furniture is delayed but will be arriving soon. Some new directional and restroom signage is expected this month. IX. Approval of FY23 Budget Request Adjustment Ms. Lannon reviewed a change to the FY23 salary request related to the timing of pay periods. Motion: Move to approve the salary adjustments for FY 23. (Duboisr Grimes) Vote: Approved 80 X. Reading AARPA Advisory Committee Appointment The town is putting together a committee to decide how to spend the AARPA money for the town and would like to have Trustee involvement. Mr. Grimes volunteered to be on the committee. Motion: To nominate Mr. Grimes to serve on the AARPA Advisory Committee. (Duboisr Pillow-Gnanaratnam) Vote: Approved 60 XI. Financial Update: There were no outstanding issues to report for FY22. Ms. Lannon recognized the work of Head of Collection Services, Jamie Penney, who has is coordinating spending of Trust income. XII. Directors Report a. January snapshot: Ms. Lannon noted that January is typically a quieter month. Circulation is was 89% of 2019 usage; visitors to the building were down, likely due to the COVID surge; museum passes use is still low. Overdrive usage continues to increase, and reference statistics are high. The Leadership Team met with the Public Health Nurse to have a better understanding of local COVID protocols. Ms. Racine and Ms. McCabe, Children's Librarian and Teen Librarian, visited the Boston Public Library Teen Space to get ideas for library services. Winter Warmers debuts on February 14. Melissa Seldon is developing a dementia -friendly collection for the Library of Things that includes a therapy baby doll, a puppy, and a robotic cat. b. Personnel: Dr. Sudeshna Chatterjee has accepted the Director for Equity and Social Justice position and has a start date of March 1, 2022. c. Professional Development: Page 1 3 d. Ms. Lannon reported that all staff who work 10 hours or more are taking a mental health first aid training course. XIII. Other Business None. Adjournment: 8:54 p.m. Motion: To Adpum (Pennacchio/Pillow-Gnanaratnam) Vole: Approved 5-0 Respectfully Submitted, 1d/r�M11N' fid/• i2) +Q Andrew Grimes, Secretary Page 14