HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-10-17 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - October 17, 1994
Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 5:30 p.m.
Present: Mrs. Elia Marnik, chair; Mr. William Diamond; Ms. Cherrie Dubois;
Mr. Robert Fields; Mrs. Maria Silvaggi. Also present: Mr. Steven
Baumgartner; Mr. George Hines.
Absent: Dr. Christine Redford.
Mrs. Marnik called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.
Minutes: Mr. Fields moved that the minutes of September 12 be accepted.
The motion passed.
Statistical report: September statistics were received just this week and
have not been tabulated yet. The gross total is 23,542, an increase from
last year. Records for inactive patrons were automatically deleted over
the summer, so the reduced number is accurate.
Mr. Diamond asked about the status of the music collection. He is working
on a bequest to the Library for music acquisitions. Ms. Hanley offered to
gather some information on what is needed. Also suggested were the
endowment of a concert series, piano maintenance, and acquisition of
recordings.
Director's report: A reception in honor of Mrs. Marnik being named to the
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners will be held on November 3 at
8 p.m.
According to the Board of Library Commissioners' data office, the Library's
rculation for last year exceeded 300,000. That office counts
erlibrary loan figures differently than the Library does. The number is
c final yet.
Liaison reports: Concerning parking, the new Town Engineer starts in
November.
The Director introduced Kimberly Lynn, new Head of Information Services, to
the Board.
Unfinished business: 1) The tuition reimbursement policy was tabled until
the next meeting.
2) The draft of a letter soliciting funds for the remodeling of the kitchen
was discussed and amended. The letter will be sent out.
New business: 1) Mrs. Hanley presented a proposed budget for FY96. It is
due on October 28. The Town Manager is proposing three percent salary
increases. A municipal inflation factor of 2.2 percent may be added to the
base budget. He is also accepting structural increases (due to increased
business, for example) and new program requests. Ms. Hanley would like to
submit the budget that the Library needs, i.e., in excess of the 2.2
percent increase allowed. The bottom line of her proposed budget is
$558,961, a 3.8 percent increase. She went through her proposed budget
line by line.
The personnel budget will not go up by three percent, because turnover in
personnel has reduced the overall budget. The amount for NOBLE is
uncertain, but will increase due to facility costs. Book prices have
~ 1ized.
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In supplies, the Library spent $7135 last year, with all but $4000 coming
out of donations. Members of the Board expressed the feeling that using
ations instead of municipal funds for supplies was inappropriate.
.tputers, the fax machine, and circulating videos have added costs to
supplies.
The postage line item will be reduced, with the balance going to the Town;
most postage costs are paid out of the General Services budget.
Equipment/furniture line item proposes funding, since it has been zeroed
out for several years, but the Library still has to buy equipment.
More staff hours for the Children's Room and the Information Services
division are being sought as structural increases. Under new programs, Ms.
Hanley suggested a new position, that of technology coordinator. She
recommends asking for a 20-hour staff member, although it could easily be a
full-time position. The position would not be responsible for computer
programming, but for information technology issues, such as local area
networks, Internet access, electronic mail, etc. The staff member would be
based at the Library, but support town-wide efforts in this area.
Mrs. Silvaggi asked about the increase in the NOBLE line item. Mrs. Hanley
noted that the Library receives all of NOBLE's services for less than the
cost of a fulltime librarian. Ms. Dubois said that it is still an
incredible bargain. NOBLE has just been awarded a grant to develop the
prototype of statewide information gopher.
Mrs. Marnik commented that she was disheartened at the lack of increase in
the book budget. Ms. Dubois suggested a five percent increase, saying that
now that prices are stabilized, the Library can catch up.
reorge Hines spoke on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. The Board
lourages departments to abide by the budget guidelines. He asked about
anges in revenue.
Concerning capital requests, they are much the same as last year, with a
percentage increase as instructed: four projects for the facility under
DPW, self-checkout, and terminals and wiring for NOBLE equipment. Ms.
Dubois moved to approve the capital budget items as submitted. The motion
passed.
Mrs. Marnik decided that another meeting should be sheduled to allow Board
members time to think about the budget. The next meeting will be October
26.
2) The Director outlined various complaints that have been received about
items in the Library's collection. She feels that it is time to reiterate
the Library's role in upholding the principles of intellectual freedom.
The complaints have been about a lesbian mystery (followed by another
patron the next day with a request for more of that genre), a video with
scenes including lesbian sex, and a biography of Robert Mapplethorpe. Ms.
Hanley remarked that she personally sees a disturbing trend of homophobia.
There were also some issues raised in the Children's Room: an objection to
using stories about witches in storyhour, and a complaint about the
parent-child role models in a picture book. Mrs. Silvaggi said that we are
on dangerous ground when we try to determine what is right according to
some ideal. Whose ideal is used? Ms. Dubois remarked that if you don't
like it, don't take it out.
M- Hanley proposed revising the "Request for Reconsideration of Materials"
Ms. Dubois doubts that the Library should reconsider anything. Mrs.
iaggi added that the Library is not a schoolroom, not a church, not an
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organization's specific domain. Mr. Fields suggested that signature on the
f^rm be optional. Other Board members disagreeed, concerned about
giving anonymous complaints. Ms. Hanley reminded all that only a
'ent can censor his child's reading.
3) Mr. Baumgartner updated the Board on Friends activities.
4) The Town Manager has invited the Director and the Trustees to the Board
of Selectmen's meeting on Tuesday, November 1 to talk about general issues
and intellectual freedom.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15.
Respectfully submitted,
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41 K-11n~
Diane J. Y ng
Assistant Direct r
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