HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-12 Board of Library Trustees MinutesMinutes of Board of Library Trustees Meeting D E C E I V E D
February 12, 2007 TOWN CLERK
READING. MA 'SS.
Attending: Karyn Storti, chair; Bill Anthony; Suzy Axelson, David Hutchinson; Vic'
Ruth Urell, Library Director; Elizabeth Dickinson, Assistant Director, Michelle Will h, ita b Ipm ttP
member.
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Storti.
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as amended.
Financial Report
• FY07 State Aid has been received by the Town and credited to the Library.
Statistical Report:
• Circulation was up 11% for the month of January, 2007.
13% in adult circulation; 8% increase in Children's circulation
Extra day in current year only accounts for 4%
Actual increase over same month, previous year is 7%
Friends Report: Ms. Axelson
• Ms. Axelson reported that the Travel Talk Program, featuring the world travels of the Koppel family, was a
great success.
• Progress has been made in signing up homes for the annual House Tour to be held in May.
• Friends attended a special joint Friends/ Foundation meeting on January 26.
Mr. Peter Pearson spoke about his experience in leading a joint Friends/ Foundation group in St. Paul,
Minnesota.
A second joint meeting will be held on March 8 to discuss in more detail how the Friends and
Foundation can work together to support the Library.
Foundation Report: Mr. Anthony
• The Foundation Board has met three times since the last Trustee Meeting.
They have instituted a long-range planning process involving setting goals, increasing community
participation, and "personalizing" contacts with major donors.
Director's Report
• Ms. Urell passed out a handout summarizing the services and programs in the Children's Department.
Budget 08
Ms. Urell distributed the first revised budget with commentary showing what was not included.
The Budget will be reviewed at the Finance Committee meeting on February 21. Trustees are
encouraged to be present. Town meeting will make final decisions in April.
• 08 Capital Budget
$14,000 for replacing broken chairs in the Meeting Room, Computer Lab, and the Children's
Room will be included in the 08 capital proposal at Town Meeting.
• Current Year Facilities/Maintenance Budget
$25,000 has been allocated for carpeting of basement, and possibly the Children's Room.
$11,000 has been designated for replacement of windows on the north side.
• Other Maintenance Issues:
Turret roofs have been repaired.
Plasterers are scheduled to repair the water damaged walls and ceiling in the Children's Room and
Meeting Room.
The Meeting Room drapes will be cleaned to remove the mildew, and the linings will be repaired.
The Meeting Room will be painted.
• Technology
$18,000 is needed for FY08
$10,000 for public technology
$8,000 for "Roving Reference."
Upcoming Spring Events
March 31 State Wide Trustee Symposium
April 3 Town Election
April 13 Annual Professional Development Day
April 28 Library Open House
May 18 Nathaniel Philbrick, bestselling author of The Mayflower
$10.00 per ticket at Parker Middle School, 7:00 p.m.
Report of the Bylaws Committee
Mr. Hutchinson will seek more information regarding the timing of elections and the question of a written
contract for the Library Director.
Trustee Items
Several ideas were suggested regarding the orientation of new Trustees and Board development:
• New members should meet with the Library Director previous to their first Board meeting
Review financial and statistical reports
Distribute list of names, phone numbers and email addresses of Board members
Provide list of library staff by department
Inform new members who to contact if they can not attend a meeting
Provide minutes from previous meetings for new members to review.
Distribute a "fiscal calendar" at the beginning of the fiscal year.
Adjourn
Ms. Axelson made a motion to adjourn and was seconded by Ms.Yablonsky. The meeting was adjourned. The
next Board of Trustees meeting will take place on Monday, March 19, at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth S. Dickinson
Assistant Director