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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-15 Board of Library Trustees Minutes_F/ c.! Minutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meeting Monday, December 15, 2008 RECEIVED Attending: Suzy Axelson, Chair; Richard Curtis; Cherrie Dubois, David Hutchinsorp LI Ruth Urell, Library Director. Guest: Peter Hechenbleikner. Meeting was called to order at 7:05pm IGH JAN I q P 3 31 Minutes The minutes of the November 17th meeting were unanimously approved. (Yablonski/Dubois) Financial Report (R. Urell) Status quo, no changes this month. Statistics (R. Urell) Children's reference questions up 14% this month Children's programs attendance increased substantially this month • Convenience of `drop-in' programs • Weekly evening pajama story • Attendance increase of fathers at programs News reports indicate library usage increased during difficult financial times. Foundation (R. Curtis) • Eastern Bank grant did not come through due to economic situation. Committee plans to resubmit application on the next cycle • Annual appeal sent out. Responses expected. Many donations are small gifts and may be donated this year despite economy concerns. Friends of the RPL (C. Dubois) • House Tour has 6 houses committed. • The committee is working on one more to complete the tour. • Waiting for holiday season results to identify sponsors: - Small advertisers may be best opportunity - Large sponsor businesses Pay & Classification Study (P. Hechenbleikner) Peter spoke about the process of the Study and results. 18 meetings were held with town staff. Since few library staff members were able to attend the meeting at town hall last week, he met with Library staff on 12/15/08 in the Library meeting room. Approximately 15 people attended. Study process: • Study showed no major changes or problems in relative ranking of positions • This is due to ongoing and continue classification studies • Salary study shows entry level positions comparable, however at upper end 6-8% low 1 Minutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meeting 12/15/2008 • If presented in an ideal economy, the changes would be implemented immediately • Due to current economic situation plans to make 4% correction immediately and wait to assess ability to make further adjustments • Grades compressed from 19 grades (each 7%) to 13 grades (each 10%) • Steps increased from 10 (2% between) to 12 steps (2% between) • Job descriptions compared and adjusted • New range is 24% from step 1-12 (previously 20%) • Two focus groups met with consultants (2 groups of 10 employees) • Focus group feedback was helpful • Charts distributed • Received good data from market comparable info from 20 communities with comparable budget size, value per capita, and other information • Employee questions included : how are job requirements weighted? e.g. supervisory responsibility, manual labor, work conditions, etc. to pay people with disparate functions. • Questions re: revised job descriptions • What information was included in the study • Library staff anticipated j ob descriptions would be considered • Where is the growth potential in the grades? • 2"d tier job descriptions needed to allow for growth and promotion. • Plateau anticipated at Grade 12 • Can another grade be built in? Can categories be added? e.g. all Circulation department staffers are titled "Library Technicians". Concern expressed for future professional development • Addition of consideration of job requirements, job skills, and professional development ' • Current structure: 38% of non-union employees are on top step and can only receive cost of living (cola) increase, not step increase • Change shifts to allow more salary growth at upper end • Cost of implementation midyear approx $62,000 • This is the first time the town has done an increase midyear • FY2010 annualized cost double and 2% cola in July 1 • Results were biased to the benefit of the employee. Employees inserted in new chart at the closest level above their current level. All employees were increased at least I%. • 2-3 year review planned dependent on market situation • Cost of this study by Stone Consulting : $15-17,000 0 Carol Roberts has conducted internal reviews in between Consultant studies • School assessment done this past summer, also by Stone Consulting, using same communities, same process under separate contract. Only non-union personnel included • Midyear changes to payroll will be in effect January 5, 2009 if the Selectman approve the plan at 12/16 meeting. Otherwise implementation will be 3 weeks later Trustee questions: • Kind of information requested • Unique job titles 2 Minutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meeting 12/15/2008 • 'Range based • How is education factored in? • Rating structure? e.g. MLS degreed Librarians vs. jobs that don't require advanced degrees rated higher • Internal equity to consider • Discussion of impact on RPL jobs Brief discussion of town-wide building assessment in Feb-Mar-April time frame. Auditors will report, priorities established, grant funding researched, and budgets will be considered before implementation. Rebuilding Turret roofs discussed. Copies of the "Plan of Service 2009-2014" distributed. Discussion points: • Disappointment in ranking of librarians • Concerns re: report is based on local communities • Concerns that if a pay rate remains underrated in another community that translates into an underpayment in Reading • Library Trustees were not invited to participate in the process in the beginning • Suggestion that assessment should consider professional level positions ratings At the 12/16 Selectman's meeting, the Trustees wish to impart to the Selectman that the Trustees appreciate the time to look at the paperwork and to speak to the Town Manager. As an elected board, the Trustees would like to have input into the process as pay and classification are reviewed over the next two years to promote the interests of the library. Director's Report (R. Urell) • Budget news: state has said the next 2 distributions to the towns will be only 80%0 of state aide ($12million distributed quarterly) FY09 down about 10%. Forecast that this will be the situation again next year, and Reading can expect approximately 5% reduction. • It represents $16,700 salary cut, or the Technology Librarian. • Town Manager's Office has requested a 0% budget proposal and a 4% level services budget to be submitted. Next meeting is scheduled for January 12~'. Adjourn The motion to adjourn was made 9:15pm (Dubois/Hutchinson) spectfully su mittedd n Allison Sloan DaSilva Recording Secretary Senior Library Associate 3 Minutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meeting 12/15/2008