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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-09 Board of Library Trustees MinutesMinutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meeting April 9, 2007 1'RECEIV EJ TORN CLERK Ms. Storti called the meeting to order and welcomed our new Trustees, Cherrie DuBois a icI&CRis A. 7001 MAY 2 3 P 3: 18 Attending: Karyn Storti, chair; Suzy Axelson; Dick Curtis; Cherrie DuBois; David Hutchinson, Vicki Yablonsky. Ruth Urell, Library Director; Elizabeth Dickinson, Assistant Director. Also attending: Corinne Fisher; Head of Children's Services Presentation by Corinne Fisher Ms Fisher distributed several handouts illustrating Reading's activity in the following areas: circulation, reference questions, teacher deposits, number of programs, and program attendance. She then presented a slide show which demonstrated the many, varied activities in the Children's Room throughout the year. Among the highlights: Chess players, Friday morning sing-a-longs, Lapsits, Summer Reading Program, the Writing Contest, Vehicle Day, and the Volunteen Party. Ms. Fisher also spoke about Backpack Express, a new service that is being inaugurated by the Children's Department. Backpack Express provides busy families with a backpack pre-stocked with books on popular topics such as trucks, dinosaurs etc. Currently, there are 12 bags available for check out. Kickoff date for this new service will be Saturday, April 28. Minutes Minutes of the March meeting were approved as amended. Financial Report • Ms. Urell reviewed the budget reports for the benefit of the new Trustees. • There were no unusual expenditures this month. Reading Public Library has received $2, 415 from the Public Libraries Fund. The purpose of this program is to provide a matching incentive for funds raised by Friends of the Library groups and library foundations for the enhancement of library services beyond those provided through municipal funds. Eligible funds were matched at the rate of a $.04983 on the dollar. Statistical Report • Circulation statistics showed a small increase over the same time period last year. • Ms. Urell also pointed out the following interesting facts regarding circulation in March: • 61 % of circulated items are adult materials; 39% are children's • 66 % of all circulated items are books; 34 % are non-print. • 12 % of circulated items are non-resident Friends Report: Ms. Axelson reported on her attendance at the Friends of the Library's most recent meeting: • The Friends have approved funding requests for the next six months, totaling $13, 415. Requests include funding for Staff Day, the Library's Annual Open House, Book Page, Summer Reading and the Museum Pass program. • Membership is down slightly from previous years. The Friends are discussing new ways to attract membership. For example, a member of the Friends might talk about the Friends and what they do at programs sponsored by the Children's Room. • The Travel Series has been resurrected, and was inaugurated with a very successful program. The Friends are hoping to present several additional travel programs during the upcoming year. • Upcoming dates on the Friends' calendar: Open House will be April 28; the annual House Tour will be May 6. Foundation Report: Mr. Curtis volunteered to replace Mr. Anthony as the Trustee liaison to the Foundation. Director's Report • Town Meeting will begin on Monday, April 23. • Open House will be Saturday, April 28 Trustees will conduct short library usage surveys with the public Facility • Ms. Urell met with Joe Huggins, Director of Facilities to discuss building needs • Meeting Room has been painted and the rug shampooed • Capital request for chairs will be voted on at Town Meeting • Plans are going forward to replace the carpet in the remaining area of the basement • Air conditioning system is "on borrowed time" and needs to be replaced. Long Range Planning Process • Staff day will be this Friday, April 13 o Wendy Rundle will facilitate a long range planning session with staff • Ms. Urell presented information to the Board regarding the possibility of having a professional survey distributed to all homes in Reading as part of the long range planning process o Cost of creating, printing, and mailing the survey is approximately $12,000415,000 which will be partly covered by donations o Consensus of the Board is that the survey would provide a. powerful tool for guiding the long range planning process Trustee Items The Trustee Symposium was attended by Karyn Storti, Vicki Yablonsky, David Hutchinson and Suzy Axelson. All agreed that the information presented, especially on new technologies in libraries, was excellent. By Laws Committee A motion was made by Ms. Yablonsky and seconded by Ms. Axelson to disband the by-laws committee as their work has been completed. The motion passed unanimously. A motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Dubois and seconded by Ms. Axelson. Ms. Storti then adjourned the meeting. The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on May 21 at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth S. Dickinson Assistant Director I C4_L~~