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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-10 Board of Library Trustees Minutes4P �� Town of Reading i Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Library Trustees Date: 2025-02-10 Building: Reading Public library Address: 64 Middlesex Avenue Purpose: General Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM Location: Community Room Session: Open Session Version: Final roWNEIVEo VDING K 1RR A. 11 AFl g• 2 Cappy Popp, Chair; Patrick Egan, Vice-Chalr; Andrew Grimes, Secretary; Cherie Dubois; Andrew Gregory; Monette Verner Members - Not Present: Others Present: Amy Lannon, Director; Michelle Filleul, Assistant Director; Meaghan Clemente, Administrative Assistant; Megan Wu, Reading Municipal Light Department Director of Integrated Resources Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Andrew Grimes, Secretary Topics of Discussion: I. Call to Order 7:01 p.m. It. Public Comment No public comments were made in person or remotely. III. RMLD Update on EV Charger Use Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) Director of Integrated Resources Megan Wu, a Reading resident and library patron, presented an update on the Library's electric vehicle charging stations. RMLD is a municipal electric utility serving over 70,000 residents in Reading, North Reading, Wilmington, and Lynnfield Center with reliable, low-cost, and increasingly non - carbon energy. RMLD is governed by a Board of Commissioners and a Citizens Advisory Board with membership across all towns. Electric vehicle (EV) chargers are a key customer electrification program. RMLD is also developing in -territory non -carbon generation initiatives with solar, storage, and other innovative technologies. Two different EV chargers are available at the Library. RMLD installed one 2-port Level 2 ChargePoint EV charging station in June 2022. It takes several hours to charge the Level 2 charger fully. in December 2023, RMLD installed a Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) EV Conned charging station, allowing compatible vehicles to quickly charge for many miles in under an hour. The DCFC is the first publicly available charger in RMLD territory and is quite popular. Page 1 1 Both chargers were installed with Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) state grant funding support. The grant requires one accessible parking space and one parking space marked for electric vehicles, and the chargers must be operational for three consecutive years. The DCFC station needs to provide accessibility to both CHAdeMo and CCS ports to allow for compatibility with different types of electric vehicles. Unfortunately, the CHAdeMo port is incompatible with most new EV models but is required for equity purposes under the rant. Ms Wu presented data on charging sessions and charging times for both EV chargers at the Library. There has been significant growth in charging sessions each year. Most charging sessions last less than two hours, similar to Library patron visits. In 2024, the DCFC charger was out of order for five to six months. This was clearly indicated on the mobile app and with signage on the charger. WILD worked diligently with vendors to replace and repair equipment. However, 1,359 total charging sessions took place in 2024, with over 300 charging sessions in 2025. Charging sessions during evening hours are similar to those during the day. The number of sessions when both ports are used simultaneously has been increasing. It is possible to charge two vehicles with the Level 2 charger at the same time due to the two separate ports. Typically, two parking spaces are utilized when both ports are in use. Spaces are available on either end of the EV charging area to allow for handicap accessibility. The area on the right is hashed out to indicate handicap accessibility despite the lack of signage. The area on the left is too tight to be an official parking spot but may provide some accessibility —the DCFC charger cable length and weight are also an accessibility concern. Five parking spaces are currently associated with the EV charging area, rather than the four originally planned for the project. RMLD proposes that the middle Level 2 charging space could revert to a regular parking space available to all Library users on a first - come, first -serve basis. Markings would be removed. This change could be implemented now or when the grant requirements are eased in June 2025, The Board will reflect on this information and discuss further in March. Ms. Wu thanked the Board and excused herself at 7:17 p.m. IV. Technology Plan Update Ms. Filleul presented an update on the Library's technology. The Library is committed to staying current with technology and providing resources for the Reading community to bridge the digital divide. A detailed internal plan is updated every year to outline goals and guide projects in accordance with the Library's mission and strategic plan. Ms. Filleul highlighted recent accomplishments on technology projects in 2024. The conference and community rooms now have updated microphones, cameras, and audio- visual upgrades, allowing seamless hybrid meetings. The Library has transitioned its mobile application to Communico, creating a more visually pleasing software that enables users to access holds, checkouts, meeting room reservations, and electronic resources like Libby, Hoopla, and the New York Times. The mobile app has 3,232 users as of the end of January. Communico's Attend module for events and Reserve module for meshing room reservations has improved the patron and staff experience over the past several months. The Library's new website is currently being developed on Communico's platform to create a cohesive and simplified user experience. The new website will have fewer images and pages to promote information effectively and efficiently. A draft of the new website may be available in the spring. The Library has overcome technical issues that occurred during these transitions. Page 12 Library staff will educate the public through the implementation of a redesigned patron tutorial program. The Library plans to offer classes and individualized technology training covering the basics, artificial intelligence tools, and other emerging technologies. Library staff actively attend conferences and other professional development activities to learn about technological advances. Staff are also exploring the capabilities of a donated 3D printer and considering how to provide public access to this service. The renewable, nontoxic, plant -based filament was donated along with the printer and will be used going forward. V. Financial Report The Library is seven months, or 58%, through its FY25 budget ending June 30. The Library is currently running approximately 1.4% under budget for salaries. We also received a special $1,000 gift in recognition of Jocelyn Gould's local history research. Smaller programs, such as one-on-one genealogy research sessions, can have a meaningful impact on community members. The Library is grateful for all donations received. Ms. Lannon reviewed a mid -year professional development summary compiled by Ms. Clemente. Staff across all departments participate in various professional organizations, conferences, webinars, and other professional development opportunities. She has anticipated one tuition reimbursement request in the FY25 municipal professional development budget. In FY24, gifts, state aid, and trust income supplemented the municipal budget. In FY24, two staff members attended the biannual Public Library Association (PIA) conference in Columbus, Ohio. Annual spending varies due to travel costs and unexpected yet valuable opportunities. Ms. Lannon noted that the Friends of the Reading Public Library generously supplement numerous Library programs outside the scope of the municipal program budget. The Library has absorbed programming costs associated with Office of Equity and Social Jusfice events such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth celebrations. However, the Office of Equity and Social Justice will have separate expense lines in FY26. VI. Director's Report Despite a bit of snow, the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at Reading Memorial High School was a wonderful community event. Teamwork from the DPW, Facilities, Food Services, and many volunteers made for a successful event. Over 60 participants attended and enjoyed Sparkly Storytime, which went safely and smoothly. Staff have a number of Rooted in Reading programs planned for the spring. The Library is exploring the possibility of using gifts or state aid funds for a professional monthly service to care for the many exotic indoor plants that have been incorporated into Library spaces. Maintaining plant health while retaining the investment in greenspaces is key. The new Craft & Hobby database provides a curated virtual collection of self -paced, guided video tutorials on a variety of crafts and activities ranging from knitting to yoga. In February, Ms. Filleul will celebrate 22 years of service, and Communications Specialist Desime Zicko will celebrate six years of service. VII. Discussion: Sunsetting or Extending the Ad Hoc Library Landscape Committee The Ad Hoc Library Landscape Committee has met for approximately two years to investigate and recommend possibilities to the Board for improvements to the Library's Page 1 3 outdoor space. The proposed Library terrace design will be further explored in the design bidding procurement process using the $40,000 of Library gift and state aid funds approved by the Board in January. However, the Committee is a public body, not a fundraising group, and would like further guidance about the Board's expectations for the group. The Committee hopes to meet next week and is tentatively scheduled to meet monthly. Ms. Dubois indicated that the group seems interested in continuing. Ms. Lannon has met with Town procurement and engineering staff to discuss different directions for the Library Terrace project. Although the Library project will be privately funded and is relatively small in scope, several other major Town procurement projects currently underway take precedence. Due to local elections and other priorities, progress may occur in late spring or early summer. Mr. Egan noted that the Reading Public Library Foundation has not made any final decisions about how to approach the estimated $350,000 for the project. Targeted fundraising ideas and other options are being explored. A new Foundation member dedicated to helping with the Library Terrace project would be welcomed. A joint Foundation meeting with the Committee to share ideas is also a possibility. Ms. Lannon noted that the Committee's focus could shift to communications, marketing, and advertising for the project in the community. Meetings with neighbors could be held throughout the design process. Public meetings provide an important forum for the community, as well as documentation and transparency for the project as it progresses. Vill. Approval of January 13, 2025, Meeting Minutes Motion: To approve the minutes of the January 13, 2025, Trustee Meeting as written. (Egan / Dubois) Vote: Approved 6-0 IX. Future Agenda Items In March, Public Services Division Head Andrea Fiorillo will present an update on spring programming, and the Board will review the Policy Regarding Minors as needed. The Board will further discuss the Reading Municipal Light Department electric vehicle charging stations and potentially the status of the Ad Hoc Library Landscape Committee. Director of Equity and Social Justice Albert Pleas will present an update in April. Trustees elected on the April 8" Town election will also be introduced. Adjournment 7:46 p.m. Motion: To Adjourn (Grimes /Varner) Vote: Approved 6-0 Respectfully Submitted, Andrew Grimes, Secretary Page 14 RMLD Public EV Charging Stations Report Reading Library Trustees Meeting February 10, 2025 7t * RT D RddinR Muni L E PO W E� R' w Introduction of RMLD Reading Municipal Light Department (BMW) A municipal electric utility servingq over 70,000 residents in Reading, North Reading, Wilmington and Lynnfleld Canter RMLD's Mission Serving our customers with reliable, low-Wst and increasingly nonurbon energy RMLD's Governance Structure 5-person Board of Commissioners and 5-Person Citizens Advisory Board RMLD's Non -Carbon Strategies Customer Electrification Programs (energy, efficiency, heat pump, EV charger, load management, solar, Shred -the -Peak etc.) In -Territory Non -Carbon Generation (solar, storage, innovative technologies) ww o —t� Public EV Chargers at Reading Library • One 2-port Level 2 ChargePoint EV charging station was installed in June 2022 • One 2-port DCFC EV Connect charging station was installed in December 2023 DEP Grant Requirements • one accessible space • one space marking for EVs (but a DCFC station needs to provide accessibility to both CHAdeMO and CCS ports( • operational for three consecutive years Reading Library EV Stations' Charging Trends Significant growth in charging sessions year on year Most charging sessions last less than 2 hours Reading Library EV Stations' Charging Trends • Charging sessions during evening hours are similar to those during the day • The number of sessions when both ports are used has been increasing • The CHAdeMO port is not compatible with most new EV models but is a DEP grant requirement for equity purposes Proposed Parking Space Change Current Proposed RMLD 0 Thank You from the RMLD Team j) j� �{ T Rpdiog Municipal Ught Department 1\1VLL RELIABLE POWER TECF PLAID 2025 The Library is committed to staying current with technology and providing resources for the Reading community to bridge the digital divide, HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2024 • Meeting Room Audio Visual Upgrade • New Library App • New Events and Meeting Reservation Software FUTURE STATE OF TECHNOLOGY Create The library will create a new website using Communcio, our current platform for the library app, room reservation system, and events calendar software. Educate Learn Library staff will implement a Library staff will stay redesigned patron tutorial updated on the use of program that offers classes artificial intelligence and individualized technology tools and other training, covering everything emerging technologies from the basics to navigating by participating in artificial intelligence tools and conferences and other emerging technologies. engaging in professional development activities. Explore The library received a 3D printer, and staff will test its capabilities and consider how to provide public access to this service. 1TRM