HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-30 Board of Library Trustees Minutesv
Board of Library Trustee
Minutes of Meeting - April 30, 20021,
Present: Stephen Conner, chair; Roberta McRae; Eugene Nigro, Richard Ogden, Mda iP'
Silvaggi; Vicki Yablonsky.
Mr. Conner called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
Evaluation: The Board worked on its annual evaluation of the Director.
Minutes: The minutes of March 18 were accepted.
Hours of operation: Ms. Lynn presented a recommendation for FY03 hours developed by
her and endorsed by the management team, as follows:
Summer: September-June:
Monday 9-9 Monday 9-9
Tuesday 9-9 Tuesday 9-9
Wednesday 9-5 Wednesday 9-5
Thursday 1-9 Thursday 1-9
Friday 9-1 Friday 9-5
Saturday closed Saturday 9-5
The 9 a.m. opening is advantageous for children--those who nap mid-morning, for visits by
school groups, for programs for young children. Customers still show up at 9 a.m. although
the Library has opened at 10 for over ten years. Sorfie staff members -are concerned about the
loss of a weeknight, especially for students.
- A motion to accept the hours as presented failed 3-3.
Discussion: closing at 8 p.m. is an unattractive option because ROC hours start at 9 p.m.
Closing Monday morning would close the Library for 72 hours straight during the summer.
A motion to change the proposal to open at 10 a. m. Monday to Friday all year long, at 9 a. m.
on Saturdays September to June, and add back Wednesday evening, passed 5-1.
Discussion: the original proposal shows the Library's willingness to be bold and inventive in
serving its customers, 9 a.m. benefits the Children's Room significantly, the loss of
Wednesday night during the school year is offset by longer hours on Saturday.
After a straw vote on an alternate proposal, a motion was made and passed to reconsider.
A motion to change the hours as follows passed, 6-0:
Summer: September-June.-
Monday 10-9 Monday 9-9
Tuesday 10-9 Tuesday 9-9
Wednesday 10-9 Wednesday 9-5
Thursday 1-9 Thursday 1-9
Friday 10-1 Friday 9-5
Saturday closed Saturday 9-5
Holiday policy: A proposal was presented, changing the closing time from 5:30 p.m. to 5
p.m. on the days before Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, and to close on the Saturdays
before Memorial Day and Labor Day. An amendment was made to remove Easter from the
list of days closed. A motion to accept the proposal as amended passed, 6-0.
Hiring of Assistant Director: There had been an agreement between the Town Manager and
the Finance Committee to freeze hiring until the state budget is finalized. The Director and
Board would like this position (vacant mid-July) to be exempted. A motion to authorize the
Director to begin the process of hiring the Assistant Director with the approval of the Town
Manager passed, 6-0.
Town reorganization: The Recreation Division will be under the Department of Public
Works.
Election of officers: The following nominations were made and accepted unanimously: Mr.
Ogden, chair; Mr. Nigro, vice chair; Ms. McRae, secretary.
Director's report: Alarms and locks are being installed, as are shades in the Children's
Room, and tinting of windows in the reference room. The Friends house tour is May 19, and
their annual meeting is June 12. Ms. Lynn showed the latest promotional piece for ROC,
directed toward young adults. Reading was second in NOBLE circulation last month.
FY03 ineeting dates: The proposed meeting dates were approved, with the change of
February's meeting to the 20'.
Chair's report: Town Meeting voted that, if the state budget comes in lower than expected,
the difference will be put to the Town in an override vote. If that happens, the Board may
want to consider supporting a line item override.
Mr. Nigro and Ms. Yablonsky attended the BLC's trustee orientation.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Diane J. Young
Assistant Director