HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-12 Board of Library Trustees Minutesa
Town of Reading '
Meeting Minutes
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Board - committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Library Trustees
Date: 2026-01-12 Time: 7:00 PM
Building:
Reading Public Library
Location: Community Room
Address:
64 Middlesex Avenue
Session: Open Session
Purpose:
General Meeting
Version: Final
Attendees:
Members - Present:
Cappy Popp, Chair; Patrick Egan, Vice -Chair; Andrew Grimes, Secretary;
Kell! Bacon; Monette Verner
Members - Not Present:
Andrew Gregory
Others Present:
Amy Lannon, Director; Michelle Fllleul, Assistant Director; Meaghan
Clemente, Administrative Assistant; Joseph McDonagh, Finance Committee
Liaison to Reading Public Library (remote)
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.
Mr. Egan noted an email received in the Board's public inbox regarding a trustee
orientation session. The four -week course features four one -hour training sessions. Mr.
Egan is happy to share the details with those who are interested.
III. Community Outreach and Engagement Update
Ms. Filleul presented an update on the Library's recent community outreach and
engagement efforts. Outreach provides services for infrequent users, nonusers, or
traditionally underserved community members. Community engagement involves
collaborating with library users, residents, and organizations to address community
issues. Outreach and community engagement directly align with the Library's mission to
connect all people with opportunities to grow and learn, and to provide resources that
support a welcoming and engaged community.
The Library hopes to reach those who are unaware of its services and programs and is
conducting surveys and focus groups to target those community members. Library staff
members visited several local elder housing locations to discuss services and receive
feedback from residents in Librarians and Lemonade Listening sessions.
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Despite the recent departure of three public services staff members, the Library
continues to focus on engaging with the community as co -creators in library programs,
services, and design, as well as providing access to community members where they
are.
The Library participates in local Town events throughout the year. Despite rainy weather,
180 people visited the Library's booth at the Fall Street Faire, and over 245 visitors
connected with the Library at the Friends and Family Day in June. The Library also
participated in Artsfest, the downtown trick -or -treat, and the Reading Garden Club plant
sale.
Library staff serve as liaisons to local organizations, including the Reading Coalition for
Prevention and Support, the Reading Lions Club, the Health Department, the Reading
Garden Club, The Coalition of Us (CATO), the Reading/North Reading Chamber of
Commerce, the North Suburban Child and Family Resource Network, the Northeast Arc,
and the Children's Cabinet. These connections have led the Library to host events such
as Multilingual Learner (MILL) summer sessions, the Northeast Arc Adults with Autism
resource fair, community flu shot clinics, tax help for older adults, Mandarin storytimes,
and more.
The Library has developed program partnership procedures and best practices to ensure
staff and organizations are on the same page about what the Library can offer. In 2026,
the Library will host the Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment (ACE) Committee Game
Changers series, CPR training through the Town Health Department, Portuguese
storytimes through the Multilingual Learner Department, and more. Staff are also
working with Town Community Services as they plan the Reading Center for Active
Living (RECAL). The Library is excited about opportunities to engage and support older
adults and the Elder Services Division.
The Book Bike continues to visit schools, parks, apartment complexes, and other
locations to meet the needs of those who cannot come to the Library. At one visit to
Reading Recreation's Wednesday morning concert series at Memorial Park, the
performer Matt Heaton gave a shoutout to the Library book bike, dedicated a song to the
Library, and changed the lyrics of another song to reference the Library. Children were
dancing and engaged throughout the concert. This led the Library to schedule and host
its own Matt Heaton and the Outside Toys concert.
IV. Financial Report
The FY26 budget remains on track overall. Supplemental spending from state aid, gifts,
and trusts has remained under budget so far. The Library attempts to spend wisely and
conservatively when possible. Trust fund investments continue to earn interest.
Additional spending for professional development, supplies, equipment, and furnishings
are expected in the remaining half of the fiscal year. RPL will purchase chairs, picnic
tables, and more to enhance the outdoor areas. Several staff members are planning to
attend conferences, and others may submit tuition reimbursement requests.
The Board discussed potential ways to recognize the positive impact of donor and trust
funds on Library operations. Although thank -you notes are sent to every donor, Ms.
Lannon will work on highlighting Library initiatives made possible by donor support, such
as special equipment, Children's Room pet care, materials, tuition reimbursements,
professional development, and more. Building awareness of the positive impact of funds
available outside of taxpayer dollars could generate additional donations in the future.
The Board complimented Ms. Lannon's FY27 budget presentation to the Select Board.
Ms. Lannon acknowledged the teamwork among Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom
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and all Town departments in reducing municipal expenses while maintaining service
levels in a tight municipal budget year. Although municipal salaries are a large portion of
the Library budget, Ms. Lannon feels fortunate to maintain level services with the help of
supplemental state aid, gifts, and trust funding. Budget difficulties are anticipated in
future years as health insurance costs and other expenses continue to rise.
All town departments were asked about overtime budgets. Overtime is paid to full-time
staff when exceeding 37.5 hours per week and as a premium pay differential for Sunday
desk shifts. Overtime outside of Sunday coverage is rare, as staff usually adjust their
schedules with compensatory time as needed. Offering premium pay rates for Sunday
coverage encourages qualified staff members to work these extra hours, which are not
part of their regular schedule. Adjusting weekday hours to accommodate busy Sunday
hours is complex and would create issues with staff coverage and retention.
Ms. Lannon will present the FY27 Library budget to the Finance Committee in March.
The Finance Committee will then vote on the budget to be presented at Town Meeting.
V. Director's Report
Ms. Lannon acknowledged the dedication of the Library staff, who worked hard in
December to cover staffing gaps during transitions and absences due to holiday
vacations and illnesses.
Cheyenne Smith will begin next week as the new Senior Library Associate — Meeting
Room Coordinator. This part-time position has additional technology responsibilities with
the Library of Things collection and managing meeting room equipment, in addition to
providing service desk coverage.
Karl Bradeen has been promoted to Children's Librarian II and will take on additional
supervisory responsibilities in that department. Reference Librarian Susan Beauregard
has retired after 32 years of service. The Library will be hiring for two general Librarian I
positions: one in Reference and Adult Services and one in Children's Services. Ms.
Beauregard's position focused on community health and established strong, active
community partnerships with the Town Health Department and other external
organizations. An interest in health would be a plus for the new reference librarian
position. In practice, hiring generalists offer greater flexibility and the ability to respond to
evolving trends and community needs.
The Library will be closed on Tuesday, May 19, for a staff development day at the
Massachusetts Library Association Conference in Danvers. Staff will attend various
workshops, learning sessions, networking events, a group lunch, and more during this
valuable learning opportunity.
In collaboration with other Town Departments, the Office of Equity and Social Justice will
host the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day program at the Reading Memorial High
School Performing Arts Center on Monday, January 19. This event features a
complimentary breakfast, student artwork and performances, a keynote speaker, and
more. The celebration is growing each year.
The recent Soup Master program was successful, with 30 enthusiastic attendees filling
soup bags with dry materials. Librarians strive to create a variety of engaging and
interactive programs that will appeal to different community members' interests and
needs.
VI. Approval of December 8, 2025, Meeting Minutes
Motion: To approve the minutes of the December 8, 2025, Trustee Meeting as written.
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(Egan / Grimes)
Vote: Approved 5-0
Y 1. Future Agenda Items
In February, Ms. Filleul will present an update on the Library's technology plan. A report
on patron self-service, including exterior pickup lockers and setf-checkout stations, will
also be presented. Details for an upcoming library card design contest will also be
discussed.
In 2021, the Board approved a Land Acknowledgement, recognizing the Library's
location on the ancestral lands of the Massachusett Vibe, Ms. Lannon is exploring the
placement of land acknowledgement signage alongside the Library's National Register
of Historic Places building plaque and will further discuss with the Board in February.
In March, Head of Public Services Olivia McElwain will present an update on spring
programming.
Adjournment 7:37 p.m.
Motion: To Adjourn (Egan / Verrier)
Vote: Approved SO
Respectfully Submitted,
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Andrew Grimes, Secretary
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