HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-17 Board of Library Trustees MinutesMinutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meeting
Monday, November 17, 2008
RECEIVED
Attending: Suzy Axelson, Chair; Richard Curtis; Cherrie Dubois, D#ccion; Karyn
Storti; Vicki Yablonsky. Ruth Urell, Library Director. ` MASS,
Meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. 2000 DEC I I P 4: 29
Minutes
The minutes of the October 20th meeting were unanimously approved. (Curtis/Yablonsky)
Statistics (R. Urell)
• Explanation of statistical data - numbers affected by shorter month, Sundays counte&by
MBLC as a "day" but actually only a short day (3hrs).
Foundation (R. Curtis)
• Have not heard from Eastern Bank re: teen volunteer program
• Annual mailing going out shortly
Friends of the RPL (C. Dubois)
• Historical commission contacted House Tour people to coordinate
• Having difficulty identifying houses; only 2 homes are committed so far
• Discussion re: possible homes; themes; using local contacts; planning phone call tactics
• January deadline to reconsider status of House Tour
Director's Report (R. Urell)
• Town meeting:
$70,000 voted to begin funding the results of the classification study town wide;
Study discovered salaries of positions at the top end of the scale are 10% under
median salaries of comparable towns;
Plan for I% increase for staff in January to begin to equalize;
Next budget year expected to be difficult, loss of State money; $6million in reserve
fund will hold town through FY2010;
Assistant Director's position will be filled;.library will be shortstaffed due.to unfilled
Technology Librarian unfilled position;
New Classification: Evaluation of salaries and positions: added two steps to current 10
step system, raising salary ranges to 24%.
• New capital improvement plan approved on paper by Town Meeting but funding must be
voted annually. The RPL has placeholder for FY2011 budget (July 2010) to fund a new
circulation system - current estimated cost of $100,000.
• Assistant Director has accepted the position to start January 5, 2009. Thanks to Vicki
Yablonsky for help with interview process. Letters of appreciation were sent to all
candidates.
• Suggestion box comments shared: many complimentary; complaint re: telephone
recording because library closed on Thursday morning.
• Discussion of problems: student who has "no trespass" order; a problem patron at
Circulation desk.
• Fire Alarms: Per Joe Huggins, Facilities is willing to meet with Trustees. Facilities
prioritizes Emergency and energy related projects. Trustees would like to request written
confirmation from Facilities that the alarm system is in compliance.
Long Range Plan
• 5 Year Plan redrafted. New plan reorganized and expanded actions throughout.
Submitted to MBLC.
• Overview: Working teams needed to prioritize how to proceed, and prepare a tactical
implementation action plan; assistance required to conduct feasibility study; use of
architect's report; comparison of report and Long Range Plan; to identify square footage
needs of programming; consideration of an addition; begin to work to develop town
support.
• Questions for discussion: preparation of a summary report for the Selectmen, including
funding questions and-how to present the facility needs (e.g.)
infrastructure;
space needs;
Circulation office;
Children's Room;
quiet study space;
shelf space;
floor space;
storage space;
improved lighting.
• Option l: addition to square footage of existing building. Trustee consensus as the
practical option.
• Option 2: new library building. Not considered practical option for near future.
• Recommendation: December 15th meeting -
Trustees to conduct thorough review and discussion of architect's report and LRP
Develop a list of building needs
Prepare a summary report for the Selectmen
Identify one - five year specific actions toward accomplishing LRP goals
Assist the Director to write a list of short term solutions and identify immediate
actions: (e.g.) handrails; outdoor lighting; door alarms on Children's Room turrets, etc.
• Identify and clarify why current building is not meeting needs and additional square
footage is needed
• Hire professionals to develop specific solutions.
Trustee item (K. Storti/D. Hutchinson)
• Massachusetts Library Association license plate information.
• Explanation of Interlibrary Loan (ILL) process and loan periods (NOBLE consortium,
Virtual Catalog, NOBLE ILL Center)
Adjourn
The motion to adjourn was made 8:41 p.m. (Storti/Hutchinson)
Respectfully submitted,
~ J4 &
Allison Sloan DaSilva
Recording Secretary
Senior Library Associate