HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-10-18 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting -October 18, 1999
Present: Maria Silvaggi, chair; Stephen Conner; Cherrie Dubois; Richard Ogden.
Also present: Matt Cummings, selectman liaison.
Mrs. Silvaggi called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Minutes: The minutes of September 20 were accepted.
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Statistical report: September's circulation was good, considering that the Children
was closed for a period, and the entryway disruption continued. Heavy discarding in'
September reflects a backlog being taken care of. Children's Room staff took advantage of the
closing to weed the picture book collection. _ v
Reading's circulation is about twice the state average per capita, however, it is not owi
the way it used to. Now the staff is concentrating on those parts of the collection th area
growing: nonprint and trade paperbacks.
Mr. Cummings suggested that a column be added on the circulation report that show increase
over last year for each category. Reference questions have increased by fifty-four percent
since 1993.
Report from the Chairman: The sensitivity training began on October 14. The financial
forum meets on October 28.
Director's report: The next Board meeting was rescheduled to November 22. Focus groups
for the long-range plan are being put together for November. The planning committee meets
November 6. Mrs. Silvaggi asked the Director to look at the impact of ed reform on the
library for budget background.
Reading is going to bid on the contract for regional after-hours reference service. The region
has $50,000 budgeted for this service annually. Hours might include nine to midnight, and
Sunday mornings. Questions will be taken by phone, fax, and e-mail only; the Library would
not be open for in-person visits and would be staffed by one librarian and a custodian. The
proposal is due to NMRLS by November 1. Other bidders will be Andover, Westford.
ULowell. This could be a revenue source for the Library.
Mr. Conner commented that the service itself seems valuable to Reading residents-there are
other positive outcomes besides revenue. Mr. Ogden was concerned about overextending the
current staff, and the impact of this proposal on budget requests for more staffing. The
program is a trial one, due to start sometime after January 1. Service would be provided to the
residents of the northeast library region. Mr. Cummings remarked that this would be a benefit
to the citizens of Reading at no cost to them.
A sound-attenuating fence has been installed around the cooling tower. An incident of
vandalism to the towercaused a lot ofnoise, and destroyed one of the motors. Stillto be done:
air balancing and training in the operation of the system. The actual construction is finished.
The ribbon will be cut on the entryway on October 22 at four p.m. Tom Stohlman and Mike
Debrigard will be formally thanked.
The Friends are planning a dinner for the staff.
Trustee liaison reports: Ms. Brennan, Mr. Ogden, and Mrs. Silvaggi reviewed the FY01
budget with the Town Manager last week. Mr. Ogden concluded that the Board needs to
revisit its budget request, making it clearer and stronger. Mr. Hechenbleikner had questions
about the NOBLE increase-is it based on use or the impact of the new system? The final
figure will come from NOBLE on Thursday and is expected to be lower. He asked for details
on the Sunday differential, and a rationale for a full-time technician position.
Unfinished business: The Director reviewed the state aid forms with the Board. The state
uses this raw data to generate statewide reports on financial, circulation, etc, information. The
number of adult programs increased from 138 in FY98 to 191 in FY99.
New business: 1) The Director presented a proposal for a juried film festival, to be sponsored
by the Friends and the Foundation, in conjunction with the Chlotrudis Awards, a nonprofit
organization. An issue for the Board to consider is that some of the films chosen to be
screened may be inappropriate for children. Mr. Ogden questioned whether a film festival is
within the library's mission. Ms. Dubois asked if the library would be a sponsor or just a site.
A meeting will be scheduled with the full board to discuss the issue further.
2) The Foundation is sponsoring an appearance by author Dennis Lehane on November 12.
The Foundation has $277,000 as of the beginning of October.
3) Board members are invited to attend the MLTA/MFOL conference.
4) Bids for the security system will be opened tomorrow.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
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Diane I Yo g
Assistant Director