HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-12 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - April 12, 2004
Present: Vicki Yablonsky, Chair; Kimberly Lynn, Director; Bill Anthony; Suzy Axelson,
Karen Brown; Steve Conner; Karyn Storti.
Ms. Yablonsky called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. With a motion made by K4--r en
Brown and seconded by Steve Conner, the minutes of the March meeting were approved
subject to amendment.
Financial Report
Ms. Lynn reviewed the acquisitions budget breakout showing that all divisions are on
track. More bills are coming in, and items on wish lists are being purchased. There was
a question on state aid and revenues/reimbursements. Ms. Lynn explained the criteria for
state aid: that the library must spend at least 15 % of the total budget on materials; the
library must be open a certain number of hours; and the library director must have a
master's degree in Library Science.
Statistical Report
Ms. Lynn reported that circulation is up again for the month of March. "E" rated video
games have been purchased for the collection. Reference questions are up for the third
month in a row.
Executive Session
The Board of Trustees went into Executive Session to discuss Ms. Lynn's annual
performance evaluation.
Presentation by Rachel Baum artner, Local History Librarian (in addition to Children's
Librarian and Reference Librarian)
Ms. Baumgartner passed out a summary of the materials available in the Local History
Room. She explained that customers who contact her are on a "quest," and that she has
enjoyed helping people on their search for information. The Local History Room
contains both historical and current information on the Town.
The most popular aspects of the Local History Room are the real estate valuation books,
Reading Memorial High School yearbooks (starting from 1892 with a few gaps) and the
Reading Chronicle (from 1854).
Theresa Bond, a former RPL employee and longtime and much valued Local History' Room volunteer, has recently retired. Ms. Baumgartner is very pleased and relieved to
find new helper, Sharlene Santo. Ms. Santo is also involved with the Historical
Commission and will be a great link between the two organizations.
Ms. Baumgartner's challenges are balancing Local History work with her simultaneous
work at the Reference Desk. There are a lot of interruptions. Ms. Baumgartner
concluded that the future of the Local History Room is digitization. She is seeking funds
from different sources including the town's historic trust (money left over from the 350't`
celebration) as well as a possible grant from NIVIRLS. Ms. Baumgartner also shared
some extremely interesting books and stories.
Director's Report
The Library has been working with other Town notaries to draft a Notary Policy that will
conform to the Governor's new Executive Order on notary service. Notary service is
provided during all of the hours that the Library is open.
Ms. Lynn has been dealing with some difficult customer issues. A woman has been
"acting inappropriately" in the Library and with staff members. Ms. Lynn and Ms.
Dickinson met with the person. The person then requested a meeting with town manager
Peter Hechenbleikner. Ms. Lynn believes that the situation is under control. Another
woman was concerned that there was a case of identity theft that occurred in the Library.
Ms. Lynn explained that, in fact, an honest mistake was made at the Circulation Desk and
we were very sorry.
The staff and trustees are proud of staff member Allison DaSilva who has been
nominated for the MLA outstanding paraprofessional award. Also, we congratulate
Corinne Fisher and Rachel Baumgartner for their very successful presentations for the
Northeast Massaschusetts Regional Library System.
Ms. Lynn submitted a "Community Languages" Library Services and Technology Act
grant proposal in order to meet the needs of our growing ethnic community. Lorraine
Barry submitted an LSTA grant application to participate in `The Library Experience:
Older Citizens."
Trustee Items
There were no trustee items.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. The next meeting will be May 17a' at 7 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan H. Axelson
Trustee