HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-19 Board of Library Trustees Minutesd
Board of Library Trustees Meeting Minutes
R E C E I V E D March 19, 2007
TOW CLERK(
READING, MASS.
Attending: Karyn Storti, Chair; Bill Anthony; Suzy Axelson; Karen Brown; David Hutchinson;
Vicki Yablonsky. Ruth ~lhRRb[aJy PreLWo5 $$lizabeth Dickinson, Assistant Director.
Also attending the meeting were Trustee candidates Dick Curtis and Brian Kimerer.
Ms. Storti called the meeting to order and welcomed the candidates. Ms. Storti, members of the Board, and
Ms. Urell then expressed thanks to retiring Board members Karen Brown and Bill Anthony for the exceptional
wisdom and experience they have brought to their service as Board members.
Minutes of the February meeting were unanimously approved.
Financial Report
• Ms. Urell reported that the Library recently received a bequest in the amount of $4000. As the bequest
was earmarked for "endowment," the money has been added to the Trust Funds held by the Town.
Only the interest will be expended.
• We are expecting to receive approximately $2000 in response to our grant application from the Fund
for Public Libraries, a new state program which provides for a partial match of funds donated to public
libraries.
• All accounts are on track for this time of year.
Statistical Report
• Circulation was down in February for the first time in several years, possibly due to the extreme cold
weather.
Friends Report: Ms. Axelson
• Ms. Axelson noted that the Friends hope to follow up last month's successful Travel Talk program by
presenting similar programs in the future.
• Approximately 25 people attended the joint Friends/Foundation meeting on March 8.
o Both groups are interested in exploring ways that they might work together to benefit the
Library. Areas of potential cooperation include solicitation of donors, marketing and public
relations, and events
o Both groups recognize the need for further discussion and clarification of their respective
missions before proceeding further.
Foundation Report: Mr. Anthony
Long range planning sessions have been held which have identified the following objectives:
• Build knowledge and awareness
• Develop personalized large donor plan
• Develop planned giving program
• Identify new vehicles for giving, such as charitable gift annuities
• Develop annual recognition event/plan
• Continue dialog and develop joint projects with Friends of the Library
Director's Report
FY 08 Budget
• The FY08 Budget increases the materials budget to 15%, to bring it into compliance with State Aid
certification requirements.
• The current version of the FY08 Budget does not include $59, 774 which is the amount required to
reinstate four hours of service (Thursday morning) that were eliminated in 2001.
• Finance Committee will be voting on all department budgets on Wednesday evening, February 21.
Open House
• This year's Open House will be held on Saturday, April 28 from 10:00 to 2:00 p.m.
• This year's theme is: "Things are Hoppin' at the Library." The decorations will feature frogs.
• Trustees will participate and interact with the public by doing a survey in connection with long range
planning.
• A special feature of this year's Open House will be the celebration of Ben Nichols' birthday. Mr.
Nichols will be 99 years old on April 8. The Library is preparing a giant card to present to him.
Long Range Plan
Ms. Urell has contacted a national library survey company, and is waiting for an estimate of the cost
for developing a survey which would be distributed to every household in Reading.
o Ideal would be to distribute survey before summer
Staff Development Day (April 13) will include strategic planning session for staff.
Lending to Residents of Decertified Libraries
Ms. Urell reported that both Saugus and Stoneham are in danger of losing certification this year. Ms. Brown
moved that the Reading Public Library not serve the residents of either town, if the town does not provide
sufficient funding to meet the requirements for certification. Ms. Yablonsky seconded the motion, and it was
unanimously approved. The specific vote on these two towns is in agreement with the general "Policy on
Lending to Residents of Municipalities with Decertified Libraries" which was approved by the Trustees in
August, 2002.
Report of the Bylaws Committee
• After some discussion, it was agreed that formal election of officers will take place at the June
meeting.
• If the chair person steps down or is not re-elected in April, the Board will appoint a chairperson to the
vacancy for the period from April to June.
Trustee Items
• Elia Marnik who has recently completed her service as a member of the Massachusetts Board of
Library Commissioners will be honored for her service at the May 18th Foundation event, featuring
author Nathaniel Philbrick.
o Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner has been invited to present a citation.
o Ms. Urell will investigate the possibility of a legislative proclamation in Ms. Marnik's honor.
• Ms. Urell is putting together Trustee Orientation packets for the newly elected Trustees.
• Next month's Board meeting will feature presentations by Jamie Penney, Head of the Technical
Services Department and by Corinne Fisher, Head of Children's Services.
Adjourn
Mr. Anthony made the motion to adjourn which was seconded by Ms. Brown and passed unanimously. The
next Board of Trustees meeting will take place on Monday evening, April 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth S. Dickinson
Assistant Director