HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-13 Board of Library Trustees Packet
Town of Reading
Meeting Posting with Agenda
This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be dis cussed
at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting.
Page | 1
2018-07-16 LAG Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Library Trustees
Date: 2024-11-13 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Public Library Location: Community Room
Address: 64 Middlesex Avenue Agenda:
Purpose: General Business
Meeting Called By: Amy Lannon for Chair Cappy Popp
Notices and agendas are to be posted 48 hours in advance of the meetings ex cluding
Saturdays, Sundays and Legal Holidays. Please keep in mind the Town Clerk’s hours of
operation and make necessary arrangements to be sure your posting is made in an
adequate amount of time. A listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be
discussed at the meeting must be on the agenda.
All Meeting Postings must be submitted in typed format; handwritten notices will not be accepted.
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting will be held in-person in the Conference Room at the Reading Public
Library and remotely on Zoom. It will also be available streamed live through RCTV
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Meeting ID: 861 1729 7460
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The Trustees also accept public comments through email: rpltrustee@noblenet.org
Town of Reading
Meeting Posting with Agenda
This Agenda has been prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be dis cussed
at the meeting. However the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting.
Page | 2
I. Call to Order
II. Public Comment
III. Funds2Orgs Coolidge Middle School PTO Collection Request
IV. Reading Lions February Food Drive Request
V. Friends of Reading Public Library Fundraiser
VI. Discussion: Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment (“ACE”)
Committee
VII. Discussion and Vote: Holds Pickup Policy
VIII. Financial Report
a. Summary of FY26 Level I Draft Budget
b. YTD Report
IX. Director's Report
X. Approval of October 15, 2024, Meeting Minutes
XI. Future Agenda Items
a. December
i. Winter Programming Update
ii. Local History/Archives Update
iii. FY26 Level 1 Budget presented to Select Board
December 10
Clemente, Meaghan <mclemente@noblenet.org>
Re: Reading Public Library Administration "collection box"
1 message
Filleul, Michelle <filleul@noblenet.org>Wed, Oct 23, 2024 at 2:11 PM
To: Amanda Scola <amandamscola@comcast.net>, Amy Lannon <lannon@noblenet.org>, Meaghan Clemente
<mclemente@noblenet.org>
It would be good to get you on the agenda to submit the request.
On Wed, Oct 23, 2024 at 1:14 PM Amanda Scola <amandamscola@comcast.net> wrote:
Thank you!
Do I need to sign up to join the meeting of the trustees or just show up?
Again, I appreciate your help!
Amanda
On 10/23/2024 12:25 PM EDT Filleul, Michelle <filleul@noblenet.org> wrote:
Hi Amanda,
Thank you for your interest in housing a collection box at the library for gently used shoes. Per our library
policy, any collection boxes must be approved by the Board of Library Trustees. The next meeting for the
Board is on Wednesday, November 13th. If you'd like to proceed with your request, you may make the
request in person at the meeting or send a message (similar to the one that you've provided here) to the
library or to the Board of Library Trustees email: rpltrustee@noblenet.org
Thank you again for your request.
Take care,
Michelle Filleul
Assistant Director
On Wed, Oct 23, 2024 at 11:49 AM Library, Reading <rdg@noblenet.org> wrote:
Reading Public Library 64 Middlesex Avenue Reading, MA 01867 781-944-0840 rdg@noblenet.org
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Amanda Scola <wordpress@readingpl.org>
Date: Wed, Oct 23, 2024 at 11:27 AM
Subject: Reading Public Library Administration "collection box"
To: <rdg@noblenet.org>
From: Amanda Scola <amandamscola@comcast.net>
Subject: collection box
Message Body:
Hello! My name is Amanda Scola and I am a member of the Coolidge Middle School PTO in
Reading. We are starting a fundraiser in which we collect gently used shoes to donate to
developing countries (we are working with Funds2Orgs). They have suggested that we ask
local places or business or popular town spots to also house a collection box (that we would
10/24/24, 12:19 PM NOBLE, Inc. Mail - Re: Reading Public Library Administration "collection box"
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=77fcab2669&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f:1813729351579695983&simpl=msg-f:1813729351579695983 1/2
be responsible for). Would you be interested in housing one of the boxes? They are not that
big and we provide everything. The library is a central place that all members of Reading
utilize and it would help us greatly! If this is a possibility could you please email me back
and we can set up the logistics. We plan on launching our fundraiser November 1 through
January 1. Thank you!
--
This e-mail was sent from the Reading Public Library website
--
Michelle Filleul, MLIS (she/her)
Assistant Director
Reading Public Library
Reading, MA 01867
781-942-6702
filleul@noblenet.org
A Self Care Note: Your work day/hours may not be the same as mine. So please don't feel obligated to respond outside of your
normal working hours.
--
Michelle Filleul, MLIS (she/her)
Assistant Director
Reading Public Library
Reading, MA 01867
781-942-6702
filleul@noblenet.org
A Self Care Note: Your work day/hours may not be the same as mine. So please don't feel obligated to respond outside of your normal working
hours.
10/24/24, 12:19 PM NOBLE, Inc. Mail - Re: Reading Public Library Administration "collection box"
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=77fcab2669&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f:1813729351579695983&simpl=msg-f:1813729351579695983 2/2
Proposal- Reading Lions Club and Reading Public Library Food Drive
November 7, 2024
The Reading Lions Club, working with the Reading Public Library, is proposing to host a food drive
for the Reading Food Pantry. The following are the proposed details for the food drive.
Who- The Reading Lions Club will be responsible for assisting library personnel with setting up the
donation area and collecting and delivering the donations to the food pantry. We will have
volunteers on-site as needed in order to reduce any impacts on the staƯ. We will also work with the
library, town and food pantry in promoting the food drive.
Reading Lions Club will pay for all related expenses.
When - The donation drive will begin on Saturday, February 1, and run through Tuesday, February
25. Items would be dropped oƯ during regular library hours in a designated donation box in the
library entrance foyer and will be clearly marked.
What – We will coordinate with the Reading Food Pantry to determine what items are needed.
Reading Lions Club will pick up the donated items at the library and deliver to the Food Pantry. This
is typically on a Wednesday afternoon.
The food drive coordinators will be:
Mark Wetzel (marklwetzel@gmail.com, 781-579-1042)
Desiree Zicko (desireezw@yahoo.com)
Privacy for Items on Reserve Policy
HOLDS PICKUP POLICY
To protect the privacy and confidentiality of patrons who place holds on items, we
require that:
• The person picking up the hold item has the library card of the patron who placed
the hold. OR
• The patron who placed the hold has authorized that person to pick up holds for
them by naming them in their library account.
A person may not pick up items for another patron if they do not have the borrower’s
library card or are not authorized via the borrower’s record.
Adopted: December 2003
Amended: November 13, 2024
As of October 31 (33%)Trustee Budget Summary
SUMMARY Orginal $$Rev/Adj Expended Encumbered Balance % Used
Municipal Salaries 1,754,250$ -$ 517,570$ -$ 1,236,680$ 29.50%
Municipal Expenses 143,000$ -$ 89,952$ -$ 53,048$ 62.90%
Municipal Materials 283,900$ -$ 102,965$ -$ 180,935$ 36.27%
Fines & Fees 13,606$ 4,342$ 4,856$ -$ 13,091$ N/A
State Aid 75,579$ 495$ 22,066$ -$ 54,008$ N/A
Gifts 188,572$ 35,060$ (728)$ 34,109$ 190,251$ N/A
Trusts (Expendable Funds) 114,983$ -$ 336$ -$ 114,647$ N/A
TOTALS $2,573,889 $39,896 $737,017 $34,109 $1,842,659
Municipal Appropriation Orginal $$Rev/Adj Expended Encumbered Balance % Used
Salaries - Library Administration 468,400$ 141,489$ -$ 326,911$ 30.21%
Salaries - Leave Buyback*-$ -$ -$ -$
Salaries - Collection Services 506,450$ 156,892$ -$ 349,558$ 30.98%
Salaries - Public Services 779,400$ 219,189$ -$ 560,211$ 28.12%
Expenses - General
Library Maint Contract Supp 23,000$ 18,124$ -$ 4,876$ 78.80%
Professional Development 14,000$ 4,821$ -$ 9,179$ 34.44%
Library Programs 10,500$ 19$ -$ 10,481$ 0.18%
Software/ Licenses 70,500$ 59,622$ -$ 10,878$ 84.57%
Library Supplies 9,000$ 3,574$ -$ 5,426$ 39.71%
Office Supplies 5,000$ 555$ -$ 4,445$ 11.10%
Technology 11,000$ 3,238$ -$ 7,762$ 29.43%
Materials 283,900$ 102,965$ -$ 180,935$ 36.27%
Books 28,988$ -$
Audio 421$ -$
Video 1,199$ -$
Periodicals 449$ -$
Electronic Resources 34,096$ -$
Other Materials 3,912$ -$
Overdrive (eBooks / eAudiobooks)33,899$ -$
TOTALS 2,181,150$ -$ 710,487$ -$ 1,470,663$ 32.57%
Fines and Fees Orginal $$Rev/Adj Expended Encumbered Balance
Revenue (and Carryover)13,606$ 4,342$ -$ -$ $17,948
Materials -$ -$
Supplies 4,856$ -$ ($4,856)
TOTALS 13,606$ 4,342$ 4,856$ -$ $13,091
State Aid Orginal $$Rev/Adj Expended Encumbered Balance
Revenue (and Carryover)75,579$ -$ -$ 75,579$
Expenses -$
Office Supplies -$ -$ -$
Professional Development -$ -$ -$
Materials -$ -$ -$
Library Other 495$ 19,988$ -$ (19,493)$
Library Equipment 2,078$ -$ (2,078)$
TOTALS 75,579$ 495$ 22,066$ -$ 54,008$
Page 1
As of October 31 (33%)Trustee Budget Summary
Gifts & Donations Orginal $$ Adj/Income Expended Encumbered Balance
Revenue (and Carryover)46,109$ 15,346$ (3,088)$ 15,218$ 49,325$
Professional Development -$ 700$ -$ (700)$
Recreational -$ 814$ -$ (814)$
Programs & Services Adults 28,522$ -$ -$ -$ 28,522$
Programs & Services Teens 24,265$ -$ -$ -$ 24,265$
Programs & Services OESJ 11$ 823$ 80$ -$ 754$
Programs & Services Childrens 26,629$ -$ 501$ -$ 26,128$
Programs & Services- Local History 500$ -$ -$ -$ 500$
Studio 30,298$ -$ -$ -$ 30,298$
RPL Foundation -$ 18,891$ -$ 18,891$ -$
Garden -$ -$ 265$ -$ (265)$
Other Gifts (Combined)4,685$ -$ -$ -$ 4,685$
Materials 27,552$ -$ -$ -$ 27,552$
TOTALS 188,572$ 35,060$ (728)$ 34,109$ 190,251$
Trusts Original $$Avail/Income Expended Encumbered Balance
Appleton / Mansfield 7,911$ -$ -$ -$ 7,911$
Edward Appleton 46,381$ -$ 336$ -$ 46,045$
R/M Babcock 3,323$ -$ -$ -$ 3,323$
Stephen Foster 10,246$ -$ -$ -$ 10,246$
Charles Torrey 1,300$ -$ -$ -$ 1,300$
Donald Tuttle 1,105$ -$ -$ -$ 1,105$
Elaine & George Long 36,201$ -$ -$ -$ 36,201$
Barbara Hewitt 6,878$ -$ -$ -$ 6,878$
James Rawstron 1,637$ -$ -$ -$ 1,637$
TOTALS 114,983$ -$ 336$ -$ 114,647$
Name Non-Expend Purpose
11,000$
5,000$
3,598$ "Books on literary subjects and self-government" (BOOKS)
12,000$ "Books … to be inscribed 'Stephen Foster Fund'" (BOOKS)
1,000$ "Books on non-fictional subjects" (NONFICTION BOOKS)
500$ "Books"
5,000$ "Books or Equipment"
8,952$ "Books"
1,613$ "Books on tape& furniture to house books on tape" (AUDIOBOOKS)
TOTALS 48,663$
Stephen Foster
Appleton / Mansfield "…for the purchase of books other than those listed as fiction" (NONFICTION BOOKS)
Edward Appleton "Purchase of books, paintings, engravings, works of art or other suitable useful
furnishings for said library. R/M Babcock
Charles Torrey
Donald Tuttle
Elane & George Long
Barbara Hewitt
James Rawstron
Page 2
1 | Page
November Board of Library Trustees Meeting
VIII. FINANCIAL REPORT
a) FY26 Budget Recommendation: $2,260,050 (+3.6%)
The FINCOM guidance is for an overall budget increase of 3.5%. Based on this, the
town manager set FY26 non-union salaries to increase by one step + 1.25% COLA.
This translates to a salary increase of 3.6-3.8% for each employee, depending on the
grade of the position.
Salaries (+3.2%): This budget does not increase to the substitute budget
(Administration), and Sunday hours (Collection Services and Public Services) have a
flat 3% increase. Additionally, due to voluntary personnel transitions, we have moved
ten weekly Public Services Librarian I hours (Grade D) to Collection Services Library
Associate hours (Grade B) for further cost savings, resulting in an overall salary
increase of 3.2%.
Expenses (+5.4%): In FY23 and FY24, RPL spent 100% of the budgeted expenses. To
control costs, we work to find the best prices for materials and supplies and use best
procurement practices. The two most significant increases, 4.3%, and 5%
accommodate increases in library technology licenses and maintenance contracts.
New this year is an expense line for the Office of Equity and Social Justice. Funds will
be used for community programs, offset by a reduction of $6500 in the Library
Programs line. The OESJ budget will also be used for outside consultants and trainers
to assist the OESJ director, who has no additional staff, in providing more support to
town-wide and inter-departmental work.
LIBRARY WAGES FY25 Budget FY26 Request % Change
Administration 468,400$ 485,300$ 3.6%
Collection Services 506,450$ 538,250$ 6.3%
Public Services 779,400$ 787,400$ 1.0%
1,754,250$ 1,810,950$ 3.2%
2 | Page
b) October Gifts
DONOR AMOUNT PURPOSE
Cash Donation $16.00 General
Total $16.00
IX. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
a) October Snapshot
Physical Circulation Overdrive Circulation
Usage October 2024 September 2024 October 2023
Circulation 26,629 25,957 27,085
Locker Use 80 72 103
Meeting Rooms Rentals 32 31 19
Museum Passes 102 105 119
New Library Cards 119 101 91
Overdrive 5,015 5,034 5095
Programs 60 38 66
Reference Questions 1,855 2,131 1,528
LIBRARY WAGES FY25 Budget FY26 Request % Change
OESJ PROF SERVICES / TRAINING -$ 17,000$ NEW
LIBRARY MAINT CONTRACT/REPAIR 23,000$ 24,000$ 4.3%
LIBRARY PROF DEV - REGISTRATN 10,000$ 10,000$ 0.0%
LIBRARY PROF DEV - TRAVEL 4,000$ 4,000$ 0.0%
LIBRARY PROGRAMS 10,500$ 4,000$ -61.9%
LIBRARY SOFTWARE LICEN & SUPP 70,500$ 74,000$ 5.0%
LIBRARY SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT 9,000$ 9,000$ 0.0%
LIBRARY OFFICE SUPP 5,000$ 5,000$ 0.0%
LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY SUPPLIES 11,000$ 9,000$ -18.2%
LIBRARY LIBRARY MATERIALS 283,900$ 294,000$ 3.6%
426,900$ 450,000$ 5.4%
3 | Page
Visitors 15,130 14,971 14,042
Volunteer Hours 12 48 11
b) Collections, Programs, and Services
i) Museum Pass Report
RPL offers over eighteen free and discounted passes to local and regional cultural
attractions. After dropping during the pandemic, use has been up almost 50% since
FY22.
2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024
1 New England Aquarium
(205)
New England Aquarium
(223)
New England Aquarium
(236)
2 Zoo New England (148) Museum of Science (170) Museum of Science (184)
3 Museum of Science (124) Zoo New England (145) Zoo New England (158)
4 Boston Children’s Museum
(93)
Children’s Piazza (137) Children’s Piazza (148)
ii) The AV upgrade in the Conference and Community Rooms is almost complete.
Assistant Director Michelle Filleul is working through the final punch list.
iii) On Saturday, 11/23, Indigenous artist Thomas Green will unveil the community art
beading project. Thomas will give a talk on the "Three Sisters" that inspired the
project and the significance of these plants in indigenous culture.
iv) RPL is starting a children's-only newsletter that will be sent weekly via MailChimp
and premiere in December.
1,003
1,235
1,483
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024
Museum Pass Use
4 | Page
v) RPL hosted Connected Reading: A Resource Fair for Our Community on
Tuesday, October 22. The event—FKA New Resident Open House—was open to all
residents who could learn about 46 different town and community organizations. The
feedback from the organizations and attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Next
year, the planning committee hopes to target newer community members and those
living in apartment complexes.
vi) The new RPL app is live, with more updates and enhancements coming.
vii) RPL is connecting with the Language Line Solutions service offered through MLS
viii)We had a great turnout for Trick-or-Treat Storytime (112) and Mara and Motoko
(167)! Many adults thanked us for offering a “practice run” for their littles.
ix) The Collections Services Division is delighted with the new portable RFID scanner
and laptop. Dubbed "Wanda," the new tool is easy to learn and operate and has
multiple functions. Wanda can locate items from a wedding list, find items marked
missing or lost, and turn RFID tags “on” that are “off.”
x) We had a good turnout of tweens at our Open House for the Tween Space. Many
thanks to artist James and designer Martin for their work and to the Trustees and
Friends who turned out to show their support.
xi) Lots of school visits and the sixth-grade tours!
xii) The Privacy & Identity Theft/Scam Protection program with the Mass Bureau of
Consumer Affairs attracted 20 people, many of whom had good questions. The
speaker was engaging, and the Town Manager even made an appearance!
xiii)Staff assisted a patron at the low-vision workstation who was struggling to use the
keyboard, and RPL now has a more accessible keyboard for that workstation.
xiv) Jocelyn helped a patron with Italian records, where they located the father's birth
record along with a number of his siblings and one that she didn't know about. Upon
receiving the documents, the patron replied, "I am ecstatic to have received all this
wonderful detailed information. I am so happy!!! Thank you again."
xv) Author Brenda Smith delivered an inspiring talk to 11 attendees. She uses a
wheelchair and has stiff-person syndrome. Ms. Smith traveled all the way from
Maine to talk about her memoir and world travel. She is currently working on a book
about her diagnosis and living with her condition. The talk was very engaging and
entertaining, with lots of positive patron feedback!
c) Rooted in Reading
5 | Page
i) October was a busy month working with Gardens by Demetra and Gagnon
Landscaping. We are working on cataloging all the new plants and creating
educational signage to engage visitors. New planting areas include an example
sensory garden, native plants to support pollinators and birds, and indoor plants
galore! The Children's Team has named their Australian Tree fern “Laura Dern the
Fern.”
ii) The Plant Lab on 10/25 was very successful, with pumpkin carving and garlic
planting. Megan introduced pumpkin carving to a child who had never done it before!
iii) The Children's Turret was Rooted in Reading and was themed with an orchard and
farmer's market.
iv) Meghan M. and Meaghan C. held the first TAG meeting with a solid group of (6)
teens, who planted succulents for the Teen Room.
d) Personnel
i) If you see them, take a moment to celebrate these November work anniversaries:
• Susy Axelson (9 years)
• Sara Kelso (3 years) *Sara was a substitute librarian from 2015-2017. She
rejoined RPL full-time in 2023!
Meaghan Clemente, Cate Zannino, Ashley Waring, and Andrea Fiorill all attended the
2024 NELA Annual Conference in Portland, ME. Ashley and Andrea presented on
adaptive programming and Intellectual Freedom in New England, respectively.
All staff meetings included a morning dedicated to reviewing current FY goals and a
brainstorming session around the new FY26-FY30 Strategic Plan.
Additionally, 27 staff members gathered at UTEC in Lowell. RPL chose this venue
because of their important work with young people and their dedication to sustainability
(UTEC is now the oldest LEED Platinum Certified building in the world). The staff heard
from New Americans Librarian Katelyn Duncan from the Worcester Public Library. The
afternoon program was a Boott Cotton Mill Museum tour with a National Park ranger-led
talk about immigrants' historical and current impact in Lowell and the surrounding areas.
The day highlighted RPL’s core values of education, equity, access, and accountability.
Thank you to the Friends of RPL and the RPL Foundation, which funded this
year's Staff Development Day.
Other learning (selected)
a. Adaptive Umbrella--Disability in the Workplace
6 | Page
b. Adaptive Umbrella--From Audit to Action: Enhancing Accessibility in Library
Spaces
c. Adaptive Umbrella--Redefining Accessibility: A Disability Justice Approach
d. Beyond Books & Brews: Engaging Millennials & Gen-Z
e. Beyond the Shelves and Manipulatives: Learning Environments That Nurture
Young Children
f. Boston Book Festival
g. Crafting Effective Prompts: Leveraging Generative AI in Libraries
h. Growing Engagement Through Gardening
i. Disability in the Workplace
j. Engaging Beyond Our Walls: Libraries Connecting Communities Through
Outdoor Games and Stories
k. Getting Teens to Work for You: Managing Teen Volunteers in Libraries
l. Jargon-Free Libraries: Using the Language of Our Patrons
m. Loose Parts Alive: Exploring Nature with Preschoolers
n. MBLC Legal Resources
o. Quiet Leadership
p. Recipient Training – Massachusetts Library LSTA (AmpliFund)
q. Repair Cafes in Libraries
r. Social Media Marketing and Engagement for Libraries
s. The Basics of Online Research for Historic Buildings
t. Toxic: Current Events, Political Trauma & Social Media: Mental Health Prof
Break Down the Impact
u. Who Let the Dogs in? Using Therapy Dogs to Help Your Patrons De-stress
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Fang Lannon, Director (she/her)
November 8, 2024
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Page | 1
2016-09-22 LAG Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Library Trustees
Date: 2024-10-15 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:
Cappy Popp, Chair; Patrick Egan, Vice-Chair (remote); Andrew Grimes,
Secretary (remote); Cherrie Dubois; Andrew Gregory (remote);
Members - Not Present:
Monette Verrier
Others Present:
Amy Lannon, Director; Michelle Filleul, Assistant Director;
Meaghan Clemente, Administrative Assistant; Albert Pless, Director of Equity
and Social Justice (remote); Linda Snow Dockser, Resident
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Andrew Grimes, Secretary
Topics of Discussion:
I.Call to Order 7:01 p.m.
II.Public Comment
No public comments were made in person or remotely.
III.Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment (“ACE”) Committee
The Board would like to wait for the arrival of Director of Equity and Social Justice Albert
Pless to discuss the Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment (“ACE”) Committee.
Motion: To table discussion of the Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment (“ACE”)
Committee. (Popp / Dubois)
Vote: Approved 4-0
Mr. Pless joined the meeting remotely at 7:05 p.m. He explained the purpose of the
Committee, which will commemorate Bill Russell’s legacy. The Board can designate a
Committee member on behalf of the Library. Mr. Pless is involved with the Pre-Ad Hoc
Committee, which has been meeting regularly to review the application process. Mr.
Pless is happy to help the Board in a supportive advisory role.
Resident Linda Snow Dockser arrived in person at 7:09 p.m. As another Pre-Ad Hoc
Committee member, she is happy to help with any questions or concerns.
Page | 2
The position requires a one-year commitment to the mission. Although operational
details have yet to be determined by this new Committee, regular monthly meetings are
likely. Reading residency is required. An appointee familiar with the Library and
interested in human and civil rights may be preferable.
Mr. Grimes joined the meeting remotely at 7:16 p.m. The Board confirmed receipt of the
Charge document for the Committee and will review it further. However, no Board
members indicated an interest in serving as a self-appointed Committee member at this
time. The Board should only discuss potential appointees in their official meetings but
can reach out individually to the Chair, Ms. Lannon, Mr. Pless, or Ms. Snow Dockser
with any questions. Ms. Lannon will also reach out to Library staff members to gauge
interest.
Volunteer applications for the Committee are available on the Town website for the
Select Board’s appointee. Ms. Snow Dockser noted that these volunteers may also be
willing to serve as the Board’s designee if not selected to represent the Select Board.
Volunteer names can also be forwarded to Ms. Lannon, who will pass them along to the
Board for consideration in November.
Further discussion with the full Board is needed before a nominee can be voted on. Mr.
Pless and Ms. Snow Dockser excused themselves at 7:23 p.m.
IV. Toys for Tots Collection Request
Ms. Filleul requested approval for the Library to be a collection site for the annual Toys
for Tots program organized by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. The Library has
participated in the program in prior years. Collections start in November and continue
through December 9.
Motion: To approve the placement of a collection bin for Toys for Tots through
December 9, 2024, in the Reading Public Library lobby. (Dubois / Gregory)
Vote: Approved 4-0
V. Lions Scarecrow Contest Table Request
The Reading Lions Club is running its 4th annual Scarecrow Contest to raise money for
local charities such as the Reading Food Pantry and the Reading Scholarship
Foundation. A basic scarecrow frame kit is provided in exchange for a $15 donation.
Participants submit photos of their decorated scarecrows for the chance to win prizes.
The Reading Lions Club would supply their own table and materials. Ideally, they would
like to set up a table outside the main entrance if the weather is seasonable. The
morning and early afternoon of Saturday, October 19, would work well due to increased
foot traffic, especially around the Library’s popular Jumping Beans storytime event.
Motion: To allow the Reading Lions Club to set up a table on October 19, 2024, to sell
scarecrow kits. (Dubois / Gregory)
Vote: Approved 5-0
VI. Review: Holds Pickup Policy
Page | 3
Ms. Lannon reviewed the revised Holds Pickup Policy, which will be formally voted on in
November. The policy was originally adopted in 2003 as the Privacy for Items on
Reserve Policy and has not been revisited until recently. These revisions remove
procedural language to shorten and simplify the policy. Patrons placing holds may
authorize other people, such as family, friends, or other household members, to pick up
items on hold in their library account. Pickup permission can also be granted to others if
they have the library card of the patron who placed the hold in hand during pickup.
These rules protect patron privacy. However, hold pickups can sometimes be tense if
these rules are not known or are misunderstood. Both adults and children are informed
of this policy when registering for library cards and are offered the chance to authorize
others for hold pickups. Authorized individuals can also be added or removed at any
time upon request. The Borrower Services staff strives to be kind and flexible, extending
hold pickup times upon patron request.
VII. Financial Report
The FY 25 budget is running smoothly. Ms. Lannon will present the draft Level 1 FY26 to
the Board in November for discussion and questions. She will then present the draft
budget to the Select Board in December. The Town Manager will balance the Town
budget with the School budget and present it to the Finance Committee in March.
Nonunion staff pay increases are estimated to be a step increase plus a 1.25% COLA.
The FY26 budget will include a new expense line for the Office of Equity and Social
Justice. Mr. Pless will provide more details on the budget request at the Select Board
meeting. The Office of Equity and Social Justice collaborates with many Town
Departments, who benefit from the Office's staff hours and resources. OESJ will
implement strategic plan activities identified in the Town’s recent DEI Community
Assessment.
Ms. Lannon referred to the Coalition's budget structure. The Coalition's funding comes
from within the Police Department, but its programming and services are not police
activities but rather for community and inter-departmental support.
RPL is moving approximately 28,000 pages of previously digitized content posted from
the Internet Archives to the Community History Archive platform. The content
complements the newspaper archives with Reading Town Reports, the Reading
yearbook collection, and several local history items.
The Friends of the Reading Public Library and the Reading Public Library Foundation
are working on mailings soliciting donations. The Library greatly appreciates the
generous support of both organizations and their donors.
VIII. Director’s Report
Ms. Lannon noted that September statistics were corrected and apologized for the
reporting error. The correct data should be 1,470 reference questions and 13,172 library
visitors for October. The Library is open on Sundays from October through May.
The Library’s new mobile application is now available for both iOS and Android.
The Dig In grant has been rebranded to Rooted in Reading. The year-long grant will fund
programs, collections, and educational green spaces focusing on nature, health, and
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sustainability. New garden plantings around the parking lot are underway. Sensory
gardens with educational signage are also being planned. The Library is pleased to work
on this project with local businesses such as Gardens by Demetra and Gagnon
Landscaping. Gagnon Landscaping may also be able to help with seasonal cleanups
using compostable leaf mulch, which falls outside the purview of the Department of
Public Works (DPW).
Town Clerk Laura Gemme and her staff registered new voters and helped others check
voter status at the Library’s National Voter Registration Day event. Ms. Lannon
commended the Town Clerk’s Office for their hard work and professionalism.
The Library hosted Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support for a Narcan
Administration training session covering Narcan's history, uses, and administration. RPL
will offer this training at a spring all-staff meeting.
Two new high school pages started this month. Julia Dillon is paging in the Children's
Room, and Indigo Boyko is paging for the multimedia, adult, and teen collections. Mr.
Pless celebrated his one-year work anniversary. Susan Beauregard has completed 31
years of service, and Ms. Lannon has served for 21 years.
Technology upgrades are currently underway in the Conference and Community Rooms.
Generously funded by the Reading Public Library Foundation, these improvements will
enhance both in-person and hybrid programming.
A new RFID inventory tool will enable Library staff to quickly check for missing and
misfiled items in the collection. The Lucius Beebe Memorial Library in Wakefield uses
this equipment and has provided guidance throughout the ordering process.
A patron recently donated a 3D printer to the Library. Several staff members visited the
Memorial Hall Library's maker space in Andover to learn more about 3D printing and
other equipment. Staff are still discussing if and how to provide access to 3D printing.
Issues include policies prohibiting the creation of weapons, limiting print jobs over three
hours, and other actions to minimize risk.
Ms. Filleul noted that the Library would supply 3D printing filament for patrons at no
charge and use plant-based Polylactic Acid (PLA) materials to minimize ventilation
issues and ensure quality control. Mr. Gregory noted that filament supply costs are
negligible for 3D printing jobs under three hours.
IX.Approval of September 9, 2024, Meeting Minutes
Motion: To approve the minutes of the September 9, 2024, Trustee Meeting as written.
(Egan / Dubois)
Vote: Approved 5-0
X.Future Agenda Items
In November, the Board will revisit the discussion on the ACE Committee and possibly
vote on an appointee. The Board will vote on the Holds Pickup Policy. Ms. Lannon will
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also present the FY26 Level 1 Budget to the Board before her informational budget
presentation to the Select Board in December.
Adjournment 8:02 p.m.
Motion: To Adjourn (Egan / Dubois)
Vote: Approved 5-0
Respectfully Submitted,
Andrew Grimes, Secretary