HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-12-19 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - December 19, 1994
Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:dO p, m.
Present: Mrs. Elia Marnik, chair; Mr. William Diamond; Ms. Cherrie Dubois;
Mr. Robert Fields; Dr. Christine Redford; Mrs. Maria Silvaggi.
Also present: Mrs. Rachel Baumgartner; Mr. Stephen Baumgartner.
-Mrs. Marnik calledthe meeting to order at 6:00 p.m
Minutes: The minutes of November 21 were amended as follows: the date of
the meeting was corrected; the spellings of the names of the Meek family
and Stephen Baumgartner were corrected. Mrs. Silvaggi moved that the
-minutes of November 21 be accepted as corrected. The motion passed.
Financial report: Mrs. Marnik remarked that the financial condition of the
Library looks to be in good shape. The Director reported that almost
$27,000 was received in state aid. Donations are healthy, but money is
designated for computers, the children's Room desk, and the kitchen
project. Mrs. Marnik asked about tracking money spent on equipment and
furniture. Ms. Hanley responded that funds are not specifically designated
for those categories, but expenditures are kept track of. The Meek fund
will not appear on the trust fund report until the November/December
report. The interest rate for the town's trust funds is only two and a
half percent.
.Statistical report: Circulation is up over last year. Mrs. Marnik
remarked on the great number of new cards that were issued.
L_-rector's report: The Director conveyed the staff's thanks for the fruit
.basket which was given to the employees. Ruth Clay of the Health
:Department had received a complaint about the ventilation in the library.
She is bringing a state inspector here to take readings. Ms. Hanley has
been invited to appear on the cable television show, "Community
Connections" in January to talk about intellectual freedom. The staff has
been brainstorming some space planning ideas for the main floor.
The Local History room is not working as a.room for quiet study because of
the noise heard from without. The staff is interested in moving the quiet
study area to the former Archives room. Board members did not support such
a move, suggesting more signs for quiet inside. The Director will talk to
the Reference staff to determine the exact nature of the problem.
Liaison reports: None.
Report of the Children's Division: Corinne Fisher distributed plans for
the new desk, designed by Tom Stohlman. The new configuration will relieve
congestion, add much-needed closed storage and wiring for additional
terminals and PCs. She also described the book review e-mail project she
has been doing with the Killam fifth grades. After she brings deposits and
booktalks them, the students read the books, write reviews and e-mail.them
to the Library using Clarisworks. Recommendations and photos of the
reviewers are posted in the Children's Room.
Ty---finished business: 1) The Friends' holiday party will be held on
Anesday, December 21 in the meeting room at 4 p.m. The Nutcracker trip
got rave reviews and will be repeated next year. After that, the Friends
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will alternate the Nutcracker trip with one to the Pops. The membership
drive is on target. $660 has been received so far for the kitchen project,
.-i addition to $300 raised by the Tupperware sale. At the next meeting the
;fends Board will know better how much they can commit to the the kitchen.
A poetry reading will be held in February. The "Country Store" is doing
well, and was publicized in the Chronicle in an article by Mrs. Silvaggi.
2) Two organizations have donated money to the kitchen project. Mr.
Diamond will check with Doyon's after Christmas. A local contractor has
offered to round up free labor. Ms. Hanley will work with him on this.
3) The Selectmen and the Town Manager have made a first pass at
prioritizing new programs and structural changes for funding in the the
FY96 budget. Increased hours for the Children's Room were the top choice,
along with property re-evaluation; increased reference staffing was high on
.the list. The Information Technology position was further down. The
School Department has proposed a'similar budget item. Mrs. Silvaggi
commended the staff for jumping into and learning about changing
technologies. Trustees who had attended NOBLE's open house complimented
the Central Site.
4) The Director explained where the new NOBLE terminals would be located in
the building. She and other staff members and Mrs. Marnik attended the
MLIN ribbon cutting.
New business: 1) Mrs. Hanley prepared the Board for a consideration of
policy issues re providing Internet access for the public, such as
censorship and quality control. The Internet will be made available in
January, with a disclaimer. The Cambridge, Walpole and Sharon libraries
already provide.Internet access. The staff will work on a draft policy for
the Board's review.
-ie meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane J. Young
Assistant Director
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