HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-07-17 Board of Library Trustees MinutesV
Minutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meeting
July 17, 2006
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Attending: Karyn Storti, chair; Bill Anthony; Suzy Axelson; David Hutchinson J G
Ruth Urell, Library Director; Elizabeth Dickinson, Assistant Director.
Prior to the meeting, the Trustees participated in a brief ceremony to dedicate a new bench,
given by the Chappell family in memory of Dorothy Stratton Williams.
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Storti.
Minutes of the meeting of June 19, 2006 were unanimously approved.
Financial Report
Ms. Urell reported that 100% of the operating budget has been expended as we are now at the
end of the fiscal year. Remaining bills will be paid out of trusts and donations.
Statistical Report
Circulation for the current fiscal year is up 4200 over the previous fiscal year. The current
month's circulation exceeded the same month, previous year by 115. The following factors
which affect circulation were noted:
• Open one additional day in June FY06
• Air conditioning is now working properly
• More popular materials are being purchased
Director's Report
Building Update
• New carpeting has been installed in stairwells and landings
• Painting of stairwells is finished
• Carpet the is being installed now in the basement area. The area where carpeting is
being replaced was damaged due to spring flooding. The town is submitting the bills
for the new carpeting and the associated costs of moving books and shelving to the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Equipment Update
• Nine new computers have been purchased. These will come equipped with Windows
XP operating system, and the latest versions of Microsoft Office software.
• Ms. Urell and Ms. Barry met with Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur and
Technology Administrator Bill Connors to discuss the Library's technology needs.
Discussion included the need for more tech support and also for a plan to secure and
protect the Library's technology equipment.
Staffing
• Two new pages have been hired in the Circulation Department.
WOW! We're Open Wednesdays
The Library celebrated the reopening of Wednesday evenings with a ribbon cutting
ceremony and ice cream sundaes for all. The following week, 149 people came into
the Library between 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Collection Development
A review of the current collection development procedures has been done, and a new
plan for allocating resources and responsibilities has been established:
• Non-fiction: Each of the professional librarians on staff will have responsibility for
acquisitions in a specific area of the collection.
• Fiction: The fiction will continue to be purchased through the established book
selection committee.
• Staff with acquisition responsibilities received training in using the Bowker Book
Analysis System and the online version of Books in Print. These new tools were
purchased to help staff carry out a comprehensive review of the collection.
Liaison Reports
Friends of the Library: Ms. Axelson
There was no report as the Friends do not meet in the summer.
Reading Public Library Foundation: Mr. Anthony
• Mr. Anthony reported that the Foundation has added Bill Hecht as their newest board
member.
• Mr. Hecht has met with a sub-committee of the Foundation to explore ways of raising
money for the Foundation. The full Board will not meet again until September, but
the sub- committee will continue its summer meetings.
Trustees Items
• Mr. Hutchinson asked for a report of maintenance expenditures for the Library.
• Ms. Urell updated the Trustees on the status of library funding legislation.
• There was no report from the by-laws committee
The meeting was adjourned by the Chair, Karyn Storti at 8:30 p.m. The next meeting of the
Board of Trustees of the Library will be Monday, September 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Elizabeth S. Dickinson
Assistant Director