HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-20 Board of Library Trustees MinutesRECEIVED Minutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meeting
TOWN CLERK
Monday, October 20, 2008
1;EX11_3IN G, 1`1ASS.
tending: Suzy elson, Chair; Richard Curtis; Cherrie Dubois, David Hutchinson; Karyn
Storti; Vicki Yablonsky. Ruth Urell, Library Director.
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 7 p.m. However, if Town
Meeting does not meet on Monday 11/17, plan to reschedule Trustees for Monday instead.
Change will need to be posted 48 hours ahead.
Minutes
The minutes of the September 15th meeting were unanimously approved. (Dubois/Storti)
Financial Report (R. Urell)
• $12,000 capital expenditure for the new outdoor bookdrops.
• Questions re: Maintenance contract refers to old repair budget when RPL paid for
copying, and it remains a line in the budget for other repair needs.
• Teens & Tweens grant quarterly report filed. Library requested second year funding in
the amount of $9800.
• Note of new account : balance income of $843 in new revolving account of Fines and
Fees collected. This fund requires annual approval. Monies to be spent in current FY.
Statistical Report (R. Urell)
• Circulation is up substantially (appr 15%).
• Network ILL shows more outgoing than incoming (10%).
Budget (R. Urell)
• October financial forum held Wednesday (10115), hosted by Financial Committee.
Message: another round of state budget information will not be forthcoming until Jan 3,
2009. Local picture FY10: P. Hechenbleikner proposed to Department Heads to
consider zero based budget. Town reserve fund just under $6million (10% total town
budget) offers safety net for short term budget.
• Discussion of programs, services and materials.
Long Range Plan (R. Urell)
Draft format distributed. Filed to MBLC 10/1/08. Action Plan due 12/1/08. Completed building
assessment required to finish LRP, and to develop Action Plan. November 18th (or 17th)
Trustees meeting discussion will be dedicated to architect's recommendations and building needs
in conjunction with Action Plan.
Foundation Report (R. Curtis)
Grant proposal ($16,000) submitted to Eastern Bank for summer internships for high school
students (Volunteen program). Annual mailing going out soon.
Friends Report (C. Dubois)
House tour: May 3, 2009; lst Sunday of month. 3 houses signed up. Process continues to line up
more.
Pay and Classification Study
No report yet from consultant. Dept Heads have not
yet reported. P. Hechenbleikner, B.
LeLacheur, and C. Roberts are working on a funding plan. $70,000 proposed for November
Town Meeting warrant to begin implementation.
October 26th Open House:
A low key event is planned to thank the community, town officials, and the Trustees for Sunday
hours and the Foundation for the computer lab renovation. Ribbon cutting dedication for new
computer lab at 3:30 p.m. Request a Trustee speak - K. Stord volunteered as a user of the
computer lab.
Director's Report:
• State aide report filed. Spent 16% on books.
"Love, Forgiveness and Wisdom" grant: R. Urell attended two days of training in
Chicago. Reading PL is the only library in Massachusetts awarded this grant from
American Library Association and the Fetzer Institute. This will be a structured program,
with a series of book discussions. The series will be led by an English Professor who
teaches at Assumption College, Ann Murphy, PhD.
• Fire alarm: R. Urell sent the motion from the September minutes and part of the
architect's recommendation to Facilities, with a request to have the fire alarm system
upgraded. Per Facilities, and confirmed by the Fire Department, the current system is
ADA compliant, which includes the audible and the visual alarms. Trustees will discuss
further at the November 18th meeting.
• Building committee: Selectmen idea to form an ad hoc town committee to assess future
needs, including cultural center, all day kindergarten, DPW garage, library, teen center.
• Assistant Director Search: reviewed 28 resumes; interviewed four candidates so far, with
two more interviews this week. Some candidates from out of state, several qualified
candidates. Anticipate moving ahead quickly.
Piano: Tuner reports that the piano has been tuned. The dryness is responsible for the
cracked soundboard, which does not have an immediate negative affect on the piano. He
recommended a humidification system to help preserve the soundboard.
Adjourn
The motion to adjourn was made by Yablonsky7Dubois.
Respectfully submitted,
lison Slo
aSilva
'Senior Library Associate