HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-12 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees 'rv
Minutes of Meeting - September 12° 1994-
Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:00 p.m.
sent: Mrs. Elia Marnik, chair; Mr. Viiliam D'iamorid; Ms. Cherrie Dubois;
Mr. Robert Fields; Dr. Christine Redford; Mrs. Maria Silvaggi. Also
present: Mrs. Rachel Baumgartner, Mr. Tom Stohlman.
Mr. Fields called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
Minutes: Mr. Diamond moved that the minutes of June 20 be accepted. The
motion passed.
Statistical report: Circulation for FY94 was up 17,000 over last year.
Annual circulation was just shy of 300,000 again.
The Director introduced Kathleen Miksis, Young Adult Librarian, to the
Board.
Director's report: Kimberly Shapiro Lynn has been hired as Head of
Reference. The meeting room has been painted.
Liaison reports: Mr. Fields reported that the Board is still waiting to
hear from DPW concerning parking.
Mrs. Silvaggi presented a proposal for remodeling the meeting room kitchen
and adding some kitchen facilities to the staff lounge. Shared use of the
kitchen is becoming unmanageable: organizations needing more space for
their preparations are spilling over into the staff area, and it is
ficult for staff to use the kitchen when groups are also using it (37-51
ys per month). Mr. Stohlman contributed the design. Points made in
u-6cussion included: the kitchen needs to be updated; the staff needs a
place removed from the public; summer would be the most convenient time for
remodeling. If the cabinets were built ahead of time, construction could
be completed in two weeks.
It was suggested that organizations that use the meeting room might want to
contribute to the remodeling. Two letters will be drafted for the next
meeting, targeted toward organizations. The Friends seem very supportive
of this kind of contribution. Mr. Diamond offered to seek a donation from
an appliance store.
There was general consensus to proceed. $9000 are available in
unrestricted trust funds. State aid is coming in January.
Unfinished business: 1) The Director proposed some basic guidelines for a
new tuition reimbursement policy. The Library can still quote the Town's
professional development policy. To make repayment enforceable if the
employee does not meet the terms of the policy, Mr. Diamond suggested that
a promissory note be obtained in advance. Mr. Diamond moved that the Board
adopt the policy as presented with the addition of the promissory note
requirement and stipulations if the degree is not completed, with a
commitment to review at the next meeting. The motion passed.
2) Discussion of parking was tabled, due to a lack of further information.
Mrs. Marnik asked whether the Library's neighbors' complaints about the
appearance of the grounds had been satisfied. Mrs. Hanley notified the
Board that the Soucys, who abut the Library on School Street, have applied
f'_."-,,a variance to build an addition. Construction workers may have to
1
approach their property over the Library lawn to put in the foundation.
Mrs. Soucy was very pleased to receive Mrs. Hanley's letter about the
Funds and is pleased that the areas are looking better.
the Director displayed a sample of the carpet chosen for the meeting
i_jm, Chestnut Burl from Atlas Archives. It is nylon and stain resistant.
The cost will be about $3800; bids are still being studied.
New business: 1) Mrs. Hanley presented a new school/library policy,
developed with Dennis Richards, the Assistant Superintendent of Schools.
They recommend adopting a pre-existing policy from the Massachusetts School
Library Media Association and the Massachusetts Library Association. It
states in positive terms the common purposes and the differences of the
public and school libraries. Mr. Richards is passing the policy on to the
school librarians and the School Committee. Mr. Diamond moved to adopt the
draft as the Board's policy of the Town of Reading School/Public Library
Services to Children. Mrs. Silvaggi asked if the Board should wait to
adopt to see if the School Department has any changes. Ms. Dubois
suggested that the Board proceed with adoption, then if school librarians
have further concerns, everyone could meet to discuss it. The motion
passed.
2) The Director would like to reinstate the space planning committee. Mrs.
Marnik, Ms. Dubois, and Mr. Fields volunteered. Some staff members will
join the committee also.
3) Mrs. Baumgartner, Co-President of the Friends of the Library, listed
upcoming activities. The Friends' Board will meet on the second Thursday
of each month. Coffee hours will continue; four concerts are scheduled;
the Executive Council will discuss increasing the fee for musicians; on
November 13, Robin Lane will perform in "Queen of the Back Bay;" a bus trip
the Gardner Museum will take place in April; a trip to the Nutcracker is
aduled for December. Mary Bastiani is events organizer.
4)"Mrs. Hanley distributed a very preliminary concept of the Children's
Room desk, designed by Mr. Stohlman.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_D
Diane J. Yo 'ng
Assistant Directo