HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-12 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting -January 12, 2004
,L_L.zs
'i.QJC.
Present: Vicki Yablonsky, acting chair; Suzy Axelson; Steve Conner; Roberta. McRae; Karyn Storti; Kimberly
Lynn, Director; Elizabeth Dickinson, Assistant Director; Corinne Fisher, Head of Children~s ter 'kes.
Reading resident, Ms. Mary Williams, also attended the meeting to express her concern regarding the RPL
privacy policy for items on reserve.
Ms. Yablonsky called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Minutes of the December 22 meeting were approved.
Ms. Lynn thanked Mrs. Williams for coming to the meeting to share her concerns. A discussion of the privacy
policy for items on reserve followed. The discussion included the following points:
• State law protects the confidentiality of all library patron records. The Library's privacy policy for items on
reserve is not a state law. The Library's policy was crafted in order to uphold state law. The Board of
Library Trustees approved the policy.
• The "requester" is the person who originally requested that an item be placed on hold. A person who is not
the requester may pick up an item on hold if they have been granted permission. The only acceptable forms
of permission are possession of the requester's library card, or, a designation in the requester's record
indicating permission has been granted.
• A customer may set up permissions at any time by physically coming into the Library and having a
designation placed in his/her borrower record. Permissions remain in the customer's record until the
customer requests a change. The Library does not accept written or phoned permissions.
• More training regarding this policy and related procedures is needed for circulation staff.
As a result of the discussion, the following actions will be taken:
• The Library will provide additional training for all public service staff..
• A number of specific suggestions relating to additional publicity will be implemented:
Post the reserve policy on the library website.
Have staff ask people if they wish to give anyone else permission to pick up their materials when issuing
new or replacement cards.
Have staff remind patrons that they will need to formally grant permission if they intend to have someone
else pick up reserved materials for them when they place materials on reserve.
Investigate whether NOBLE could add a message explaining our policy on email notifications.
Financial Report
• Ms. Lynn passed out the acquisitions budget breakout which showed that all departments are doing well.
Statistical Report
• Circulation is up again for the month of December.
Presentation by Corinne Fisher, Head of Children's Services
Ms. Fisher passed out a summary indicating highlights of the year in the Children's Department. Special
emphasis this year has been on SmartStart, an early literacy program. SingAlongs, special booklists, the Board
Book Collection, and lapsit programs all were a great success. "Beginning with Mother Goose," an evening
program for parents, teachers, and caregivers was also a very popular program.
In addition to describing the activities and programs of the Children's Department, Ms. Fisher also reported on the
Board on Massachusetts Library Commissioners YSLead initiative, a leadership program for youth librarians.
Rachel Baumgartner of the Children's Department was selected to participate in this special program. Ms. Fisher
was honored by being asked to serve as a mentor.
Again this year, the Summer Reading Program won 1st place at MLA Public Relations Awards. The Board
expressed its admiration for Ms. Fisher, and the many accomplishments of the Children's Services Department.
Director's Report
• Plans for the 20th Anniversary Celebration and Open House are in full swing. The event will be held on
March 13, rain or shine. The main focus of the celebration will be the Library's attempt to enter the Guinness
Book of World Records by creating the world's longest human conveyor belt.
• FY05 budget: Currently, there is a $465,000 deficit. However, the Selectmen would like additional funding
for specific projects and capital needs. Therefore, the deficit is likely to increase.
• The Library has signed a two-year contract for copying services with a new company.
• The MBLC has affirmed its support for the Virtual Catalog project. The NOBLE Executive Board has
agreed to implement the feature of patron placed holds. Member libraries will vote on Feb 3.
• Ways and Means Day will be held at the State House in Boston on February 3.
Trustee Items
Globes on top of the lighting fixtures at entrance of the Library need to be replaced.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Eliza. eth Dickinson/Assistant Director