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Home My WebLink About2007-10-15 Board of Library Trustees MinutesMinutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meeting October 15, 2007 T0U~~dCLERK READING, M ,SS. Ms. Storti called the meeting to order. ro P 2 Attending: Karyn Storti, Chair; Suzy Axelson; Dick Curtis, Cherrie Dubois, WaviThutchinson,; Vicki Yablonsky. Also attending, Elizabeth Dickinson, Assistant Director Sunny Vandermark, library consultant. Minutes Minutes of the September 17th meeting were approved. Financial Report Mr. Hutchinson questioned the $6,200 expense noted under the State Grant. After checking the records, Ms. Dickinson reported that the amount represented several expenses: $5,700 toward the town-wide survey, and some smaller costs related to printing, advertising and incidentals. Statistical Report Ms. Dickinson reported that the total circulation was down a little in the Adult area. The numbers, vary up and down, but for the most part, are very steady from year to year. Friends of the Reading Public Library Report: Ms. Axelson • The Friends October Meeting will take place next week on October 22' • The newsletter has been sent, with their annual membership appeal, to each Reading household. • A travel program on Morocco was enjoyed recently by 21 people. This is considered a good turnout for a weekday evening. • Next month the Friends will present a program on nature photography. • Tickets are on sale for "Closet Smarts" an entertaining program on fashion and closet organization. This Friends fundraiser will be held on Friday, November 2. Foundation Report: Mr. Curtis The Donor Appreciation event was well attended on October 12' Major donors and consistent donors were honored. Several Reading Selectmen and the Town Manager were in attendance. Director's Report: Ms. Dickinson Ms. Dickinson reported that the elevator is repaired, but awaiting inspection. The Library hopes to have it inspected later this week. • Playaways are very popular. The instant success of this program has lead the staff to decide to cancel the downloadable audio book contract and put the funds toward other audio formats (playaways, books on CD) LINKS and LiveWire Grants are expended as of today. There is a group of LiveWire "regulars" who have enjoyed the programming, and who have expressed a desire for it to continue. There is a very nice "esprit de corps" among the LiveWires group. • The Library plans to request funds from the Lions Club and the Friends to continue LiveWires-type programming. • The Teens and `Tweens Grant was recently received. • Dawn Colford has accepted the position of Senior Library Technician. Her replacement in Circulation has been hired. Review of the Findings of the Reading Public Library Community Survey Conducted May 2007 Discussion led by Sunny Vandermark- Ms. Vandermark went through the findings slide by slide, making comments based on her experience as a former library director and librarian. Below is a summary of the survey findings, Ms. Vandermark's comments, and comments of the trustees Library Use: • 20% response rate is considered a " very nice response" • traditional respondents: older women, people with children under 18 • Reading has a very high library-use population, quite unusual • Non-users of the Library gave the following reasons: o it is difficult for them to get to Library, o do not have children o can get information elsewhere o library not open enough hours • Important! People with children under 18 - high usage, particularly interested in convenience features and more materials and programs for children. . • People with no children at home use more traditional information services • Online services - awareness is variable Overall Attitudes About the Library: 9 out of 10 of respondents were very satisfied, 65% of respondents, entirely satisfied Highly rated features: staff, ILL Weakest features: Hours, CD selection, DVD selection NOTE: Need to upscale audio/visual materials, especially in the Children's Room These have the least positive impact: • Library Website, one of the items with low positive impact, Ms Dickinson noted that the website is in process of being upgraded. Library Improvement/ Enhancements and Programs Desired: Most popular improvements: more bestsellers more DVD's drive up book drop Moderate Interest: more parking self service check out reading room restrooms in basement more children's books Reading respondents were very clear they want Sunday hours Visits to Other Area Public Libraries: People visit other libraries mostly because they need a book quickly and don't want to'wait for the ILL. Another reason, the other library is near work, family or friends or is convenient for their situation. Other reasons are facility-related for instance children's sections or study rooms Of particular interest to the Trustees: Sunday hours IMPORTANT! The survey did not really address the issues of the building. How does this information impact our building and parking? Does our Library building meet the needs of library users? New technology? The renovation of our current library 20+ years ago did not add any structural support to the existing building, therefore we must keep the majority of our collection in the basement. Is there a way to shore up this building? The building is historic, and well-loved. Is there a way or a place to add on to it? Ms. Dubois spoke of building on the "hill" with an archway connecting to the old building. We need an assessment of our building - Patience Jackson from the MBLC Structural engineer to look at building Local architect Many architects now who specialize in libraries Trustees need to look at new libraries. Ms. Vandermark suggested we visit the Brookline Public Library - which was a gut rehab and a new addition. She oversaw new construction at the Weston Public Library. The architects for the Weston project were Galliher, Baier, and Best of Symsbury, Connecticut. Teen Survey will be helpful. Their voices were not heard in this PRL Community Survey. We are building for the future of these kids! While libraries are changing rapidly, the social aspect will always be there. People may be getting their information more on-line, but we still like to gather and attend programs. The Trustees discussed the need for more funds for both adult and children's programming. Currently, we rely on the Friends and Foundation for programming funds, but perhaps it is time to add it back into the town budget, with Friends and Foundation as a supplement. There is a strong interest in increased Children's Room, and Adult Programming. Ms. Storti and Ms. Yablonsky will summarize the survey findings and write an article for the local papers. From Ms. Urell (via email): Short Term Goals: Drive up Book Return More copies of popular movies and cd's Work on new webpage - redesign Online sign up for library cards Create brochure about online services Brochure for middle school and h.s. students (will they look at it?) Input from Teen Advisory Groups Long Term Goals: Opening on Sunday between 1- 5 Self Check Out Roving Reference - a new trend now Re-org of space to create study rooms Drive up Window (bank-type) - more long term Marketing: monthly cable program Welcome wagon packet Outreach - clubs, churches, schools Commercials on local cable by our very popular librarians! Capitalize on staff - weekly messages i.d. unmet needs from survey, online services underused more family programming more conveniences Trustee Items: Mass. LTA Conference - this coming Saturday. Mr. Curtis will attend. Adjourn: Ms. Dubois made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Hutchinson. Ms. Storti adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will take place on Monday, November 5th at 7 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Suzy Axelson Trustee