HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-11 Board of Library Trustees MinutesMinutes of the Board of Librarv Trustees Meeting
February 11, 2008 i E I V E 0
Tt dCLERK
Ms. Storti called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. R E ~,L1 G, M NSS'
Attending: Karyn Storti, Chair; Suzy Axelson; Dick Curtis, Cherrie Dubois, David Hutchinson,
Vicki Yablonsky. ghR 1 S P 12~-
Also attending: Ruth Urell, Director, Tom White, Financial Committee Liaison.
Minutes
Minutes of the January 14th meeting were approved.
Financial Report
Ms. Urell noted that two grants are completed, and Nancy. Smethurst will omit them on the next
month's financial report to avoid any confusion.
Statistical Report
Ms. Urell noted the statistics have remained slightly up or even with previous fiscal year. The
pattern is very consistent. This month Ms. Urell delved more deeply, in her Director's Report,
into two specific library services: circulation trends in music CDs and Large Print Books.
Friends of the Reading Public Library Report: Ms. Axelson
■ Cherrie Dubois has stepped forward to be the 2009 House Tour Chairperson
■ The Friends are sponsoring two smaller fundraisers instead of their traditional House
Tour this year. The first is taking place on February 28th at 7:30 in the Meeting Room: A
Girl's Night Out featuring the very entertaining Bill Graham, a Floral and Accessory
designer. The second fundraiser is scheduled for May 4, and will take place at
Burlington's Crate and Barrel.
■ The Friends group has formed a new subcommittee to examine Membership and how to
revitalize it.
■ The Friends will sponsor a piano recital, organized by Rusty Palumbo on Saturday,
March 8 at 8:00 p.m.
Foundation Report: Mr. Curtis
Mr. Curtis noted the Foundation has not met since the last Trustee's meeting. They will be
meeting this week, on February 14. The Foundation is currently working hard on charitable gift
annuities
Director's Report: Ms. Urell
Ms. Urell compared the CD Collection Make-up to the CD circulation. She noted that the Pop
collection was by far the most popular category at 68%, while it makes up 51% of the collection.
The Classical collection represents 10% of the makeup, and it circulates at 5%. Ms. Urell noted
that the Library spends under $4,000 on this collection and it is being borrowed heavily,
concluding that we should be spending more to satisfy the growing appetite for music
circulation.
The Large Print Collection is very popular with our older citizens and those who are
visually impaired. The Lions Club made a significant donation to the Library specifically for
Large Print books in 2005, and the circulation statistics indicate a jump in usage that year. The
most popular months for Large Print circulation is March - September, indicating perhaps a
group of borrowers that go south for the colder months. The Library is running out of space for
books, and Ms. Urell is looking at national trends as well to make a conclusion around how
much space we allocate to Large Print books.
19:
Ms. Urell also provided a building update. Another roof leak has occurred in the
Children's Room. The custodians are dealing with it by placing buckets in the attic and emptying
- them periodically. A roofer has looked at the problem, and it appears to be a result a blockage in
the gutter system. The roofer will come back in a few weeks to rectify it. The trustees were
relieved it was not a larger problem, yet noted that the bucket system is completely suboptimal.
Eight windows are scheduled to be delivered and installed in 8 weeks.
Carpeting for the Children's Room has been selected: carpet tile for the majority of the
room, and broadloom for the upper portion of the room.
The Library will be receiving new computers in the Children's Room, and computer
screens in the computer lab and reference areas.
Ms. Urell has been in contact with the two architects who have been asked to submit
quotes to perform a Building Assessment in the broad areas of electrical, HVAC, plumbing and
the integrity of the structure itself. One of the key questions is whether this building is indeed
capable of carrying a "Library Load" as opposed to a "School Load." The funds for these
Building assessments have not yet been identified:
Along with the building issues, Ms. Urell noted that parking has become an issue, and
many patrons are having to park on the street.
The Library Open House will take place on March 1 and the theme is "Books in Bloom."
FY 2009 Budget:
Tom White reviewed the FinComm decision to spend the extra I% in Town State Aid, which
changed the Library's budget allocation from 3.31 % to 3.84%. With the "extra" .053%, the
Trustees have identified Programming and Professional Development as a priority. Because of
the timing of the Library Trustees' meeting with the Selectmen just a few days after the
FinComm decision, the Trustees have not yet seen a revised Library budget, showing the
additional $5,800. Mr. Hutchinson volunteered to discuss this matter with Bob LeLacheur before
FinComm's next meeting.
The Trustees still are hoping the Sunday afternoon hours can be addressed if any
additional funds are available, as this was a clear priority of the Town of Reading in our recent
survey to all the residents.
Trustee Items:
Ms. Storti offered to work with Mr. Curtis on preparing a monthly "Spotlight on the Library"
through our local cable channel, RCTV.
Ms.'Storti reminded the trustees to keep our emails to each other factual.
Ms. Axelson brought up the Library staff salary issue. A Trustee committee has formed
(Ms. Storti, Ms. Dubois and Mr. Hutchison) to examine the topic, specifically the question of
non-union library staff salaries. An outside group has been hired by the Town to look at the
Town wide Salary Classifications. A. study such as this has not been done in over 20 years, and it
is long overdue. Mr. White offered that many of the inequities and problems in Library staff
salaries can hopefully be addressed when this study is complete.
After a motion was made and seconded, Ms. Storti adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Important Dates: February 28, 7:00 p.m. Finance Committee
March 1, Library Open House, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
March 17 at 7:00 p.m., (next regularly scheduled Trustees Meeting)
Respectfully submitted,
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