HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-06-18 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - June 18, 2001
Present: Stephen Conner, chair, Donna InDelicato; Roberta McRae; Eugene Nigro, Maria
Silvaggi.
Mr. Conner called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
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Donation from the Foundation: Russ Graharn, Foundation President, presented the.-Board with a check for $12,000. On October 19, a plaque commemorating charter member„ ill be
unveiled. Mrs. Silvaggi asked trustees to attend, and speak about library excellence.
Minutes: The minutes of May 21 were accepted. > ai
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Financial report: The personnel line looks okay. The Library will exceed the 15 pewent,
requirement for materials expenditures.
Statistical` report: Circulation is up considerably over last May. Videos are up almost 19
percent. Reading is responsible for 16 percent of NOBLE's renewals over the Web. Since
publicity contributes greatly to use of new services such as Web renewals, hours devoted to
publicity work will not be reduced in FY02 despite personnel cuts.
Report from the chair: Mr. Conner commended Ms. Lynn's firmness in handling the June
11 vandalism. A disruptive behavior log kept at the public service desks docurnents repeat
offenders.
Elder Services report: Librarian Sally McDonald pointed to the large print collection as the
centerpiece of the Library's service to seniors. She thanked the Nigro family for their large
donation to this collection and its housing. Described videos for the visually impaired are
donated periodically by the Lions Club, which also donated a magnifying machine.
There are 18 active homebound accounts. While the service works very well, people are
reluctant to sign up for it. Many are referred by the Town's social worker. The service should
also be advertised for those on bed rest. »
80 books and videos are sent to the Senior Center each month for circulation from its Book
Nook. Mrs. McDonald leads a monthly discussion group at the Senior Center which is
attended by ten to twelve wornen. She has been teaching Internet classes to seniors for four
years. Last year 140 people took both the beginning and advanced classes.
Director's report: The Friends made $12,000 from the house tour, and now have $27,000 in
the bank. Suzy Axelson is President-, Liz McCaron is Vice-President. The Friends have
purchased school summer reading titles for sale at the Library.
The public's response to cuts for FY02 has been surprise, disappointment, and support. Ms.
Lynn has some ideas for a publicity campaign by the Friends next year, in relation to the
- budget. When funds are restored in years to come, the Board must consider carefully whether
to reinstate Sundays or to first staff Monday to Saturday at the level needed. The Library is
1.58 percent of the Town's budget. State aid is coming in half a million dollars lower than
expected for FY02,- further cuts will need to be made Town-wide.
Camille Anthony is the new liaison from the Selectmen. Ms. Lynn and Richard Foley are
organizing a department heads retreat for the fall, which will focus on mentoring for the three
new department heads.
There was flooding in Technical Services this past Sunday. Drainage needs to be improved.
The Library needs both a disaster plan and a maintenance plan.
Action plans: Objectives for FYOI were achieved, with two exceptions: the Innovative Grant
was tabled because of technological developments, and the Library did not add more high-
speed Internet connections.
Concerning the proposed action plan for FY02, the following comments were made: the
Friends may develop new programs in place of the Coffee Hour; the Foundation also needs to
do programming; a building maintenance calendar and capital plan will be added; adding staff
in the Children's Room requires more funding, the Board, in addition to the Director, will
work on ideas to obtain increased funding in FY03. The new census data should be used in
planning services.
Use of Foundation funds: The Board discussed whether funds from the Foundation could be
used to pay for personnel to select, order and process material for the collection. As the
materials budget increases and staff hours are cut, Technical Services' ability to manage
orders is degraded. The division frequently has a backlog already. Ms. Lynn proposed that
$2,000 of the $12,000 donation be used to pay for the personnel component to a collection
development project. The general sense of the Board was that the trustees found it acceptable,
but were concerned that donors would not. Further discussion was postponed.
The Board approved allocating the $12,000 where needed in the materials budget, when split
outs in accounts are made at the beginning of the fiscal year.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Diane J. Young
Assistant Director