HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-08 Board of Library Trustees MinutesMinutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meeting
January 8, 2007 RE
Tows CLERK
DING, MASS.
RE A
Attending: Karyn Storti, chair; Bill Anthony; Suzy Axelson, Karen Brown; David Hutchi oNV443
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Ruth Urell, Library Director; Elizabeth Dickinson, Assistant Director.
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Storti.
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as amended.
Financial Report
• The Professional Development account has been completely expended. Ms. Urell will need to
look for other funding for the remainder of the fiscal year.
• Other accounts are on track
Statistical Report:
• Circulation was up for the month of December, particularly in the circulation of adult materials.
• Largest service increase is in Teacher Deposit Collections which are up 48%.
o Children's Librarians have made concerted effort to insure that all teachers have
Teacher Cards.
• Ms. Urell also noted the involvement of the schools in the LINK Database project which
involves training Reading teachers in using the Library's databases.
Friends Report: Ms. Axelson
• The Friends did not meet in the month of December.
• Ms. Axelson expressed her concern regarding the many demands on the Director's time and
suggested that Ms. Urell attend some, but not all, Friends meetings. This suggestion was
approved by the Board.
Foundation Report: Mr. Anthony
• The monthly Foundation meeting will take place later this week.
• Mr. Anthony reported that Nathaniel Philbrick, who has been confirmed as this year's guest
author for the Helen Nigro Speakers Series, will present a program at the Parker Middle School
on May 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Report of the Bylaws Committee
• Two issues are still unresolved
o Election of Trustee officers which currently occurs in June needs to be moved to April
to conform to the election of new trustees.
o The Director is currently working without a written contract as specified in the general
t\
laws.
o Mr. Hutchinson will seek more information.
Director's Report
• On 12/19, there was a small fire outside of the building caused by careless disposal of a lit
cigarette butt. This was quickly put out and there was no damage, other than a burned shrub.
• Ms. Urell noted the following measures related to increasing fire safety:
o New or updated audible strobes will be installed in the Children's Room and the
Administrative area.
o New fire extinguishers have been ordered to replace those used on 12/19.
o Ms. Urell suggested that the Trustees consider extending the "No smoking" area
• Ms. Urell distributed revised budget packets which prompted a discussion of the contents
o Ms. Urell explained how the MAR (Municipal Appropriation Requirement) is
calculated.
o Other packet materials discussed included
• Library revenues for FY07
• Book Budget Breakout by Source
• ( Non-Municipal) Book Funding Sources 1999-2007
• State Aid Expenditures 1995-2005
• Funding for Library Programs 2003-2007
• Detailed Staffing Requirements to be Open Four Additional Hours (Thursday
morning)
Trustee Items
• Mr. Anthony and Ms. Brown both announced that they would not be running for reelection in
April.
• Ms. Urell reminded Board members that they are invited to attend a joint Friends/Foundation
meeting which will feature Peter Pearson, the President of the Friends of the St. Paul Public
Library.
o Mr. Pearson will speak on his experience in leading a combined Friends/ Foundation
organization
o The meeting will be held at the Library on Friday evening, January 26 from 7:00-9:00
P.M.
Adjourn
Ms. Anthony made the motion to adjourn which was seconded by Mr. Hutchinson and passed
unanimously. The meeting was adjourned. The next Board of Trustees meeting will take place on
Monday evening, February 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth S. Dickinson
Assistant Director