HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-09-18 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - September 18, 1995
Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:00 p.m.
ant: Ms. Cherrie Dubois, chair; Mr. William Diamond; Mr. Robert
F,ids; Mrs. Elia Marnik; Dr. Christine Redford; Mrs. Maria Silvaggi. Also
present: Rachel and Steve Baumgartner.
Ms. Dubois called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes: Mrs. Silvaggi moved to accept the minutes of June 19. The motion
passed.
Financial report: The Director reported that book money is being spent a
little faster than she'd like, but spending will be adjusted. Much of the
adult book budget is going toward specific collection development projects.
Statistics: FY95's circulation was 313,572.
Chairman's Report: No report.
Director's Report: The trustees' orientation scheduled for September _
has been canceled and may be rescheduled. Three members of the Library's
fundraising committee--Ms. Dubois, Ms. Hanley, and Eugene Nigro--will
attend a fundraising program this month. -The summer was very busy: reading
clubs were successful, the kitchens were finished, the work of the Garden
Club on the grounds has made the neighbors happy.
Liaison reports: No reports.
Friends report: Upcoming events include: trips to Newport (September 30),
the Christmas Pops, a Winslow Homer exhibit at the MFA in the spring, and
the house tour. The Coffee Hour series starts Wednesday, and the concerts
in October. The Friends' newsletter will go out right after Columbus Day.
V`-,ership numbers are staying steady. It seems that each year, 50 renew
R 350 are new members. This year the membership form--will stress
~i - iewa1. n
In response to a request from the Friends' Board, the staff has asked that
donations be focused on nonprint. The Friends will also be funding some
adult programs coordinated by Nancy Aberman, e.g., resume writing,
financial aid, and a summer reading club for adults.
Correspondence: Ms. Dubois announced that there is no longer a conflict of
interest for teachers on the Board of Library Trustees. She handed out
MLTA membership forms.
Unfinished business: The staff kitchen has been painted. Staff will
organize a thank-you reception.
New business: 1) Ms. Hanley outlined recent personnel changes. Irene
Sunbury, Senior Technician in Technical Services, retired after 25 years
and 11 months. It was decided to split up her position and shift more
hours to Circulation. The new configuration provides for a twenty-five
hour Senior Technician, ten of whose hours are spent at the Circulation
desk and a fifteen-hour position in Circulation. Circulation Technicians
who currently work twenty hours per week will spend some time in Technical
Services each day. This will help to address the problem that work at the
Circulation desk is physically demanding and monotonous.
Allison DaSilva, who had been a Circulation Technician, has been appcghted
to the Senior Technician job. Her old desk hours and the new hours wi-°11
most likely be filled by three new part-time people. 'Z3
1
Michael Colford, formerly Senior Library Associate, has been promoted to
Head of Technical Services. This will allow the Assistant Director to
perform her primary job on a full-time basis. In sum, the Technical
c'. ..,ices Division is being reduced from 2.3 FTE to 1.8 FTE.
h;. 'Marnik mentioned that the Library has had problems in the past with
justifying a full-time assistant director. Mrs. Silvaggi would remind those
who question the need that the Library is a $600,000 operation.
In addition, Nancy Aberman has changed her title from Community Information
Librarian to Adult Services Librarian, in line with the Library's goal to
strengthen services to that clientele. She will develop programs and
oversee sections of the adult collection.
Michael Colford will also be responsible for troubleshooting in the
Computer Center, formerly one of Ms. Aberman's duties.
2) A celebration of the building's hundredth anniversary will be held in
conjunction with the fundraising campaign. That committee, whose members
are Ms. Dubois, Ms. Hanley, Mrs. Marnik, Mr. Nigro, and Mrs. Silvaggi, has
been discussing whether the Library will need professional guidance for
this effort, whether they want to raise a set amount of money or encourage
continuous large donations, and what strategy would be best.
Ms. Hanley remarked that the Library cannot continue to be as good as it is
if it relies only on municipal income. A fundraising campaign will ensure
the future of the Library. Mrs. Baumgartner noted that the busiest part of
a campaign is the quiet time before the program is announced. She
recommended having the anniversary celebration at the end of the campaign.
Ms. Dubois described the pyramidal aspect of donations during such an
effort.
3) The Library has not formally thanked its volunteers for a year or two. A
reception is scheduled for Wednesday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. Gifts will
r' ''urchased for the volunteers.
4) It was decided to hold the reception for the new kitchens on Sunday,
October 1 at 2 p.m., for those people and organizations who contributed
time and money.
5) Diane Young reported on the recent town government retreat. The Board of
Selectmen, the School Committee and the Finance Committee worked on
team-building exercises, particularly related to the budget process and
cooperative efforts. All three boards voted support for the pursuit of
three cooperative initiatives: building maintenance, technology, and
school/public library services. Ms. Hanley and Superintendent of Schools
Harry Harutunian talked at great length last week. He is very enthusiastic
about cooperation between the Library and the schools.
The three boards will meet on October 5 to work on guidelines for the FY97
budget. Ms. Hanley would like to see a column in the budget showing the
Library's request, rather than just the recommendations of the Town Manager
and the Finance Committee. In past years, the format has resulted in a
false image of what the Library has requested. The Library's liaison from
the Finance Committee is Carol Grimm.
6) MLA is requesting letters to elected officials in support of the MBLC
strategic plan, which will increase funding for libraries. Ms. Hanley will
mail out the information.
The meeting adjourned at 7 p.m.
~pectf 11 submitted,
, AAA
T" `°e J.~ ou g
k stant Di ector
2