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Home My WebLink About2007-09-17 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees Meeting 1`GF September 17, 2007 ! G ' C L M RE/"DING, PASS. Ms. Storti called the meeting to order. 2Q 1 i v -8 P 1. 3b Attending: Karyn Storti, chair; Suzy Axelson; Dick Curtis; Cherrie Dubois; Davi Hutchinson, Vicki Yablonsky. Also attending: Ruth Urell, Library Director; Elizabeth Dickinson, Assistant Director; Ben Tafoya, Selectman Liaison to the Library, Tom White, Finance Committee Liaison. Minutes Minutes of the July 16 meeting were approved, as amended. Capital Plan There are two tiers of planning: 1. Items that will be presented at the November Town Meeting 2. Items to be included in the long range capital plan - - Ms.-Urell ziistributed-a-h-anziDat-slrowiig genar ~l-items ilia are includee- in th-e own' s Capital--- Plan and additional items which the Library is requesting. The following capital items are scheduled or have been completed: 1. Window replacement: The plan is to replace eight windows this year, starting in the workroom. The current plan is for the replacement of all windows to take place over a ten year period. Ms. Dubois moved that efforts be made to replace windows on a five year cycle (or less) for reasons of safety, compatibility, and efficiency. The motion was seconded by Ms. Yablonsky, and passed unanimously. 2. Carpeting has been replaced in the stairwells, meeting room, and in the basement. 3. The Meeting Room has been painted. 4. The turret roofs have been repaired. 5. The Children's Room ceiling has been repainted, cracks repaired, etc. Items not included in capital plan are lighting, masonry repairs, painting, technology infrastructure (cabling and wiring). The elevator is not working, and requires a custom manufactured part for repair. It is estimated that the elevator will be out of service for several more weeks. The Facilities Department has been helping out by providing workers to transport library materials between floors. Ms. Urell concluded her review of the building needs by stating that enormous progress has been made, and that there are additional projects in the works. 1' Mr. Tafoya asked the Trustees what process they use to communicate the library's needs to the School Committee. FY08 Money available now: Furnishings: $16,500. Meeting Room chairs, Children's Room chairs. To be requested again at November 07 Town Meeting: Public computers: $13,000. Purchase 3 laptops, replacement of oldest PC and monitors, 2 new PCs for Teen Spot Roving Reference: $10,000. Purchase headsets, tablet PCs, portable bar code scanners. Will allow the public to be served where and when needed rather than at a fixed service point. FY09 Drive Up Book Drops: $11,000 FY10 Additional money will be needed in the future to replace tables, media shelving etc. Self checkout: $50.000 Mr. White expressed support for Sunday hours. Mr.Tafoya provided some history of the budget process, highlighting last year's budget, and discussed the outlook for the future. Finance Report: • Ms. Urell announced that the Foundation has donated $12,000 to upgrade the computer lab, contingent on the approval of the Trustees. Mr. Hutchinson moved that the Trustees accept their donation for this purpose. Motion was seconded by Mr. Curtis, and passed unanimously. • Next week, the library's administrative staff will be meeting with the Town Treasurer to review the Town's new personnel and accounting software. Circulation Report • Circulation is up slightly. Friends of the Library Report: Ms. Axelson • The Friends of the Library are planning a photography contest that will happen this year. • Winning photographs will be included in a fundraising calendar for 2009. • Save the date: On Friday evening, November 2, the Friends will present "Girls Night Out," a program focusing on how to make the most of your wardrobe. The program will feature Emily Neill, author of ClosetSmarts. Tickets are $15.00 each and will go on sale October 9. The Friends newsletter is in the final stage of editing and will be distributed soon. Foundation Report: Mr. Curtis • Invitations have gone out for the Donor Appreciation Event which will be held Friday evening, October 12. Directors Report: • Ms. Urell demonstrated how to use "playaways," a new variety of audiobook which we have just introduced. Earphones and battery packs are available at the Circulation Desk for the price of .$2.00. Currently there are 15 titles available. • There was a 20% return rate on the community survey (approximately 2, 000 responses). *--Ms UreU-polled4he-Trustees t"e--e-iftley-would-fnd-it useful-to-have-a------ consultant at their next meeting to review the survey results, and assist with long- range planning. Trustee Items • Mr. Hutchinson raised the issue of a new library versus renovation of the existing building. Decision on this will be informed by the results of the long range planning process. • Ms. Dubois and Ms. Axelson will work on a volunteer appreciation event to be held in the spring. Adjourn Mr. Hutchinson made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Yablonsky. Ms. Storti adjourned the meeting. The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on Monday evening, October 15 at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth S. Dickinson Assistant Director