HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-18 Board of Library Trustees Minutesrw
Minutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meeting
September 18, 2006
Attending: Karyn Storti, chair; Bill Anthony; Suzy Axelson; David Hutchinson; Vicki Yablonsky 3
Ruth Urell, Library Director; Elizabeth Dickinson, Assistant Director.
Special Guests: Representative Brad Jones; Bob LeLacheur, Assistant Town Manager; Michelle Williams,
Finance Committee member
Grants Announcement: Equal Access and Links
Ms. Urell presented a power point demonstration which highlighted the main features of each of the two LSTA
grants that the Library has recently received. "Equal Access" is a $5000 grant that will be used to provide
materials, programs, and services to Reading's "active, older adults" (age 55+). "Links" is a $10,000 grant
which will be used for publicizing the Library's online database resources.
Lorraine Barry, Head of Reference Services, provided an amusing and very informative live demonstration of
several of the databases which will be showcased by the grant, including Access Science, Infotrac, Greenwood
Daily Life Online, ELibrary, and Ebsco.
Following the two presentations, the meeting was officially called to order by Ms. Storti.
Minutes
Ms. Axelson moved that the minutes of the `July 17 meeting be approved. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Hutchinson and passed unanimously.
Financial Report
Ms.Urell explained that she has again reduced the number of acquisitions categories in order to make the
report easier to read. Ms. Urell also noted that the donation from the Foundation has not yet been expended.
Statistical Report
• Circulation for fiscal year 07 is up almost 5% over fiscal year 06. 4.7% in adult circulation; + 4.6%
in circulation of children's materials)
• Currently the Library is circulating 60 additional items per day when compared with last year's
figures.
• Circulation of non print materials continues to go up.
Foundation Report
Fourteen members attended the most recent meeting of the Board. New Director Bill Hecht, who is a retired
development officer, has been meeting with a sub-group of Board members over the summer, and is
spearheading a drive to focus on the endowment and the need for effective fundraising. Mr. Anthony also
reported that seven members of the Board will be attending an upcoming all day fundraising session.
Friends Report
There was no report as the Friends of the Library did not meet over the summer. Ms. Axelson noted the many
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contributions made to the Library by Laurel Kluge, an active member of the Friends, who passed away earlier
this month.
Director's Report
9 Ms. Urell explained that the Library will begin offering downloadable audiobooks this fall.
This new service will provide library patrons with the opportunity to download entire books from a
computer to an MP3 player. In addition to purchasing digital audio rights to recorded books, the
Library purchased five MP3 players which can be checked out by patrons. Promotional Services
Librarian Kathy Miksis has created a PR campaign entitled "ListenUp Reading" to publicize this new
service.
• Ms. Urell also reported on the Summer Reading Program which was a great success again this year!
Building and Maintenance Issues:
o Air conditioning problems appear to be resolved. There have been no outages this summer.
Don Johnson of the Facilities Department has recommended that an alarm be placed on the
system to warn of malfunctioning parts.
o Painting and carpeting of the stairs and stairwells has been completed.
o Carpet the in the basement has been installed in the area where water damage occurred.
o Next steps: replace remaining old carpet and turret roofs, repointing, restoring windows,
interior painting.
o Ms. Williams asked Ms. Urell to keep her informed regarding the Library's capital and
maintenance needs.
• Ms. Urell reported on the plans for the Town Department Heads Retreat which she is involved in
organizing. The retreat will be held on October 20.
• An all staff meeting will be held on Thursday, October 26 from 9:00- Noon. It will be a joint meeting
with the Wakefield Public Library staff and will be held at the Beebe Library. Guest speaker for the
morning will be Holly Weeks, a consultant specializing in communication, who will facilitate a
discussion on the topic of "Sensitive and Difficult Communication."
• Bestselling authors Mameve Medwed and Elinor Lipman will present a free program on Friday,
November 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Coolidge Middle School. The program is sponsored by the Friends of
the Library.
Trustees Items
• Report of the Bylaws Subcommittee
The Subcommittee will report at the next Board of Trustee Meetings.
• Strategic Plan
Ms. Urell is currently taking an online course on strategic planning
• Matching Funds for Libraries
Ms. Urell reported that the Legislature has approved a bill spearheaded by Senator Augustus of
Worcester which will provide matching funds to Commonwealth libraries. For each dollar raised by
the Friends or Foundation, the Library will receive a % on the dollar in matching funds. The exact %
has not yet been determined.
Smoking Regulations
There was a brief discussion regarding complaints about smoking near the building. It was decided that no
action would be taken at this time, but that the issue would be revisited at a later meeting.
Mr. Anthony made the motion to adjourn which was seconded by Ms. Axelson and passed unanimously. The
meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The next Board of Trustees meeting will take place on Monday evening,
October 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, ,
Elizabeth S. Dickinson
Assistant Director