HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-02-27 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees _
Minutes of Meeting - February 27, 1995
Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:00 p.m.
Present: Mr. William Diamond, Ms. Cherrie Dubois, Dr. Christine Redford,
Mrs. Maria Silvaggi.
Also present: Mrs. Rachel Baumgartner, Mr. Stephen Baumgartner, Ms.
Kimberly Lynn.
Absent: Mrs. Elia Marnik, Mr. Robert Fields.
Ms. Dubois called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
Minutes: Dr. Redford moved to accept the minutes. The motion passed.,
Financial report: Finances are on target. The meeting with the Finance
Committee to review the FY96 budget is scheduled for March 6.
Statistical report: January was a very good month, reported the Director,
for both reference and circulation. Circulation is up 5000.
Director's report: The sprinklers above the Picture Book Room were
re-piped today, -to repair the damage of February 9. The pipe burst in
exactly the same spot as last time. Because it is the low point in the
system, water collects there. The pipe has been brought down into the
closet, below the ceiling, so that it will be heated. DPW is considering a
new sprinkler contractor. There are three ceilings in the Picture Book
Room; they will be taken down and replaced with one. The rug is fine.
Mrs. Silvaggi suggested that the Board write a letter to.the staff
r -nplimenting them on their fast action in the emergency. She agreed to
pose it.
.'~Carello, the Library Aide who processes new books, has retired. That
position is five hours per week. The Director is thinking of incorporating
it into a page job and abolishing that classification, of ;which the Aide is
the only position.
Liaison reports: Mr. Diamond is given to believe. that Gray's will donate,
something to the kitchen, depending on their inventory.
Report of the Reference Division: Kimberly Lynn presented her ideas about
promoting the Library's collection and services to the-business community..
She proposes 1) a brochure, 2) her attendance at Chamber of Commerce
meetings, 3) leader tours with a trustee or two on hand,' and 4) research
consultations by appointment. A'discussion ensued about who to market the
consultations to. Trustees were concerned, because of the already-large
workload for reference librarians,` that it would be-exploited forhomework
purposes. Ms. Lynn assured them that there would be a screening process at
the Information desk. Mr. Diamond suggested that she talk to the staff of
Kirstein. She has obtained a lot of good ideas from an `Internet discussion
on service to businesses.
Reference has experienced some minor thefts in the past few weeks: a
computer mouse, headphones, a trackball, and a CD-ROM disk. Mrs. Silvaggi
has written an article on the subject for the Chronicle. Staff is
investigating cable traps that lock up to five peripherals.
finished business: 1) The Baumgartners listed the Friends' upcoming
nts: Monday, March 20, Frederick Schauer on censorship; Sunday, April
30, a trip to the Gardner Museum; Sunday, May 7, the house tour; Sunday,
May 20 (to coincide with Garden Club's plant sale), a book sale; June 8 or
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15, annual meeting with the author of Capitol Elites. Mrs. Baumgartner
ught permission to sell copies of the book. The Board approved selling
book if the proceeds go to the Friends. Alternatively, they could pay
the author an honorarium. The spring newsletter is in process now.
2) _,In advance of the neighborhood meeting to talk about parking
improvements, the Board discussed a flyer circulated by some neighbors on
i the issue.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
' Respectfully submitted,
Diane J. Y ung
Assistant Direct r
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