HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-18 Board of Library Trustees MinutesMinutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meeting
December 18, 2006 RECEIVED
TOWN CLERKS.
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Attending: Karyn Storti, chair; Bill Anthony; Suzy Axelson, Vicki Yablonsky, Ka rown,
Ruth Urell, Library Director; Elizabeth Dickinson, Assistant Director. _q P 3 QU
Michele Williams, Finance Committee Liaison
The meeting was officially called to order by Ms. Storti. Minutes of the previous meeting were
unanimously approved.
Financial Report
• Grant money is now being expended as the Library's two LSTA grants get underway.
• $8000 in technology funds were not available this fall, as expected. The amount was not
requested at November Town Meeting because of the school's request for an additional $1.5
million to complete the high school project. It is unclear whether $8000 for library
technology will be proposed at the February Town Meeting.
Statistical Report
Circulation was up for the month of November.
Ms. Urell noted the following additional points:
• Adult materials account for 61% of the total circulation; Children's materials account for
28%.
• Print materials account for 64% of total circulation; non-print comprises 35%.
• There were 87 checkouts of downloadable audiobooks in the first month of this new service.
Friends Report: Ms. Axelson
• The Friends will present the first in their new series of travel programs on Wednesday
evening, January 24. The initial program will feature the Koppels, a local family who spent a
year traveling around the world.
• The Friends Holiday Store is underway and is doing well.
• Heidi Bonnebeau and Lisa Bloom are organizing the upcoming Spring House Tour. They are
looking for Reading residents who would be willing to have their homes showcased on the
tour.. The Tour will take place on May 6, 2007.
• The Friends are working to take advantage of new legislation which provides for a partial
match of funds donated to public libraries.
Foundation Report: Mr. Anthony
• Mr. Anthony reported that $6000 was collected in response to the Foundation's recent special
mailing.
• $14, 000 has been received as of December 4 from the annual mailing.
• The Foundation continues its work on setting up charitable gift annuities.
Tom Smith will do a presentation on planned giving at a future board meeting.
Board member Bill Hecht will provide a training session for the other members on
soliciting charitable gift annuities.
• A long range planning session, possibly scheduled on a Saturday, will be held early in 2007.
• After a discussion of the calendar and the many demands on the Director's time, the Board
recommended that the Director does not need to attend all monthly meetings, but will attend
as necessary.
Director's Report
• The Children's Services Department will be piloting a series of drop-in storytimes for two and
three year olds. The drop-ins will be on Monday mornings in January and February.
• Ms. Urell distributed a revised proposal for the volunteen internship program.
Funding for this new initiative will be requested separately from the Library budget.
• A discussion of the FY08 Library budget focused on the need for the Town to fully fund the
book budget.
o A review of the funding for the past several years shows that the Town has provided
79-82% of the required book funding.
o There has been a shortfall of approximately $30, 000 each year which has been made
up from State Aid and trust funds.
• Financial Forum will be held on January 10.
Maintenance and Safety Issues
• . Don Johnson of the Facilities Department is working to resolve the problem with the fire
alarms. Strobes are expected to be installed tomorrow morning.
• As a result of November Town Meeting, the following funds were approved for Facilities:
o $20,000 for roof and ceiling repairs:
o $20,000 for the replacement of windows and doors. There are over one
hundred windows in the building. Replacement will take place over a period of
four years.
o $25, 000 for the replacement of the basement carpeting. Carpeting for the
second floor will be proposed for the following year.
• The chiller which runs the air conditioning system needs replacement at a cost of
approximately $70,000480, 000. It is doubtful if the current equipment will last another
season.
Trustee Items
Mr. Anthony noted that other libraries are in line for state construction funds, and raised the question
of Reading's planning for future needs.
Adjourn
Ms. Yablonsky made the motion to adjourn which was seconded by Ms. Axelson and passed
unanimously. The meeting was adjourned. The next Board of Trustees meeting will take place on
Monday evening, January 8 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth S. Dickinson
Assistant Director