HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-21 Board of Library Trustees MinutesMinutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meeting
Monday, May 21, 2007 RECEIVED
TOW CLERK
READING, MA SS.
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Attending: Karyn Storti, Chair; Suzy Axelson; Dick Curtis; Cherrie Dubois; D1 chins
Vicki Yablonsky. 1 r % 1 *9 d: 5 8
Michele Williams, Finance Committee member.
Ruth Urell, Library Director; Elizabeth Dickinson, Assistant Director.
Ms. Storti called the meeting to order. The minutes of the April meeting were approved.
Financial Report
• Ms. Urell reported that all accounts are on track for this time of year.
• $6000 has been received for the LSTA Database Grant
Statistical Report
• Ms. Urell reported a small but incremental growth in circulation.
• Ms. Urell and Jamie Penney, Head of Technical Services, will work together to track
statistical trends and will report their findings to the Trustees at the July meeting.
Friends Report: Ms. Axelson
• Ms. Axelson was unable to attend the April Friends Meeting because of a conflict with
Town meeting which occurred on the same evening.
• The House Tour was very successful, with a last minute burst of ticket sales.
Foundation Report: Mr. Curtis
Foundation is discussing ways to motivate members of the community to contribute to the
endowment. Some Foundation members have expressed their opinion that one obstacle to
giving is that people prefer to give for a specific reason, such as a capital campaign.
Director's Report
Long Range Planning
• Drafting of the long range planning survey is finished, and the survey will be in the mail
within a few days.
Building Report
• Air Conditioning system has been completely replaced. The new system is expected to save
water as well as energy.
• Chimneys are scheduled to be repaired this summer
• Carpeting in tech services has been replaced, and quotes are being solicited for the cost of
carpeting the remaining area in the basement.
• Mr. Huggins from Facilities brought in a restoration expert to look at the Library's windows
and prepare specs for their replacement.
• The "Reading Public Library" sign on the front lawn needs to be replaced or repainted.
• The Reading Garden Club is developing a plan to redo the plantings on the parking lot side
of the building. There will be an opportunity for public review of the plan.
Personnel:
Staff Day was held on April 13. Staff participated in long range planning activities
facilitated by consultant Wendy Rundle, and enjoyed a trip to the Alcott House in Concord.
We have hired a new page, Sofia Commito, in the Children's Room and are in the process of
hiring a 10.5 hour per week technician who will work in Circulation and in the Children's
Room.
Ms. Urell and Ms. Dickinson participated in revising the Town's performance review forms.
The new forms are goal and objective based. All employees will have performance reviews
in May and June.
Awards
The Massachusetts Library Association presented their biennial Public Relations Awards at
their annual conference on May 4. Reading Public Library was awarded first place for the
"ListenUp Reading" campaign in the brochure category, and for "Library Takeout" in the
Logo category. Evaluation criteria included design, originality, and presentation.
Revision of Meeting Room Policy
The Meeting Room policy was revised to include the following wording: "Organizations can book the
meeting rooms no more than twice a month or twelve times a year." The motion to accept this revision
was made by Mr. Hutchinson, seconded by Ms. Dubois, and was voted unanimously.
Proposed Meeting Dates for FY2008
Ms. Urell distributed a schedule for the Board's meeting for FY 2008, which was accepted without
revision.
Trustee Items
Mr. Curtis asked Ms. Urell to bring the Board up to date on the status of the Saugus Public Library. Ms.
Urell explained that if the Saugus Library is closed, it will be decertified immediately.
Ms. Williams announced that she is ending her term as a member of the Financial Committee.
Adjourn
Ms. Yablonsky made the motion to adjourn which was seconded by Ms. Axelson and passed
unanimously. The next Board of Trustees meeting will take place on Monday evening, June 18.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth S. Dickinson
Assistant Director