HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-11-20 Board of Library Trustees Minutesrva
Board of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - November 20, 2000
Present: Stephen Conner, Donna InDelicato, Eugene Nigro, Richard Ogden. Also: Jim
Francis, FinComm liaison.
Mr. Conner called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Minutes: The minutes of October 16 were accepted.
Financial report: Funds for the regional contract are received in four equal chunks through
the year. The money must be spent to the penny. Mr. Ogden requested data on the use of the
Boston Globe microfilm, because of its relatively high cost.
Statistical report: Seventy-five percent of the increase in circulation is in children's'
materials.
Chair's report: Mr. Conner and Ms. Lynn attended the MLTA/MF'OL conference which
was worthwhile for contacts made. A program presented by the BLC's building consultant,
Patience Jackson, on trustees' responsibilities for the property was practical and
comprehensive. Susan Flannery presented a program on customer service, using Reading's
policy as the example.
The October 21 Financial Forum produced valuable ideas, likely a debt exclusion vote for
FY02.
Director's report: The Library has been awarded a business grant by the BLC, beginning
December 1. Ms. Lynn, Esme Green, and Kathy Miksis will implement it. The Library has
become a member of the Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce, with a very positive
response from the Chamber. Links will be added to the Chamber's Web site for Web-
accessible business databases at the Library.
The Library is going to work on collaborative programming with the Recreation Department,
especially Internet classes.
Minutes of NMRLS' regional reference task force were distributed. At their last meeting, Ms.
Lynn spoke to changing the state law to allow academic libraries to act as regional reference
centers. Their hours and resources are probably better suited to providing supplementary
reference needs. Mr. Ogden said that regardless of whether Reading ultimately gets the
contract, the awarding of the contract should be an open process. Other NOBLE directors
have spoken to the NMRLS Executive Board in support of an RFP process. The BLC has
delayed its discussion of revised eligibility requirements for regional reference centers.
Hearings will be held in January, with approval in February. A letter from Mr. Conner to the
BLC urging a fresh look at eligibility requirements will be mailed tomorrow.
Mr. Nigro attended the BLC's trustee orientation in Billerica and met Greg Pronevitz,
regional administrator for NMRLS.
Ms. Lynn showed a sample piece of the carpet that will be ordered for the main floor. The
Board approved an expenditure estimated at $6,000-7,000 from the Appleton trust fund to
supplement the capital money available for the carpet. This will allow the whole floor to be
recarpeted and will pay for book truck rentals.
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AT&T Broadband has signed on as a sponsor for the Library's monthly "SIPS" program, for
$1000. Bob Soli, who organizes the AARP tax assistance program, has offered to get the
Library two more PCs to accommodate the program. It is expected that AARP will give the
Friends money to buy the PCs, through a program at Fidelity.
The Library has two new staff members: Maria Vagianos as a Sunday reference librarian, and
Patty DiTullio as a Saturday children's librarian. Both have excellent credentials.
Information on the history and services of NOBLE was distributed.
FY02 budget: The presentation to the Selectmen will be on November 9. Our three increases
are the NOBLE assessment (which is fixed, like the Vocational School), the materials budget
to meet the percentage required by the BLC, and .3 FTE. The FTEs are in place already, but
not reflected in the FY01 budget. They are basically circulation clerks funded with money
from vacancies. The dollar cost in FY02 is no higher than FY01, after accounting for the cost-
of-living increase and the step increases. With reductions in the salaries of the director and the
heads of Circulation and Information Services, the Library can be open Saturdays in the
summer in FY02. Summer Saturdays were a one-time cut for FY01.
FY02 action plan: The plan was approved for submission to the BLC, and will be discussed
in detail at the December meeting. Ms. Lynn reprised Patience Jackson's recommendations
for building expansion: adding a wing is preferred to expanding into the attic, since the attic
floor is tiered. The planning process requires four years. There is a substantial amount of
money to fund library construction. Mr. Francis recommended sharing the idea with the
Finance Committee very early on in the process. Mr. Nigro pointed out the concern of
community members to keep the building historically intact.
A meeting with the neighbors will be held in February.
Mr. Nigro suggested that an eye be kept onthe overlap of the Friends `and Foundation's drive
(fall and end of year, respectively), which may be detrimental to both.
Director's goals: Ms. Lynn's goals for FY01 were approved.
Trustees' goals: The goals will be looked at after the Selectmen's goals are established. Mr.
Ogden would like the organization/administration section to reflect the action plan, and asked
that items about responsibility for the budget be included.
Since Mr. Conner will be out of town on December 18, the next meeting date was changed to
December 11.
The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.
Diane J. Young
Assistant Director