HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-11-22 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - November 22, 1993
Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:00 p.m.
Present: Mrs. Elia Marnik, chair; Mrs. Carol Beckwith; Mr. William
Diamond; Ms. Cherrie Dubois; Mr. Robert Fields. Also attending: Ted_
McIntire, Tom Stohlman.
Absent: Dr. Christine Redford.
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
Minutes: Mrs. Marnik asked that the final sentence of the "Statistical
report" section of the October 18th minutes be changed to read "Ms. Hanley
may request trust funds to accommodate new trends in book-buying." The
minutes were accepted as amended.
Financial report: With 42 percent of the year gone, 47 percent of the book
budget has been expended well on target. As of the current billsheet,
all of the Nigro Family gift will have been spent. Ms. Hanley remarked
that the Nigros' gift has made a great impact in the Children's Room.
Statistical report: Circulation is ahead of last year by a healthy amount.
Comparative average daily circulation is down, due to the addition of
Sundays. However, Sundays are the busiest day per hour. Perhaps it could
be counted as half a day, or comparative statistics could be done on an
hourly basis.
actor's report: The Library was broken into on Friday night: a window
'broken and the mullions sawed. An attempt was made to steal computer
equipment, but nothing was taken because a cruiser responded within 45
seconds of a call made by a neighbor. This morning First Security began to
install a security system, which will be complete by Wednesday. The police
will be automatically notified when there is activity on any floor when the
system is on.
Unfinished business: 1) Mr. McIntire presented his department's six capital
requests for the Library, as prioritized and scheduled according to the
perspective of DPW's overall operations. Members of the Board asked how
the parking lot construction could be moved up in priority. Mr. McIntire
suggested that they attend the meeting of the Capital Improvement
Committee. The Board requested that DPW erect a "Do not enter" sign at the
bottom of the exit driveway.
Liaison reports: The Board gave permission for the 350th Anniversary
Committee to distribute their books in the meeting room and to store them
here (in the basement only). The Friends will receive may copies that
remain. The Library's reception in honor of the book's publication is on
hold.
Unfinished business (continued): 2) The Board received a copy of the letter
that Town Counsel sent to the State Ethics Commission, and the Commission's
official reply that an advisory opinion will be given.
3),--There is no news on salaries. The Selectmen have given the Town Manager
`.,adline of December 31.
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New business: 1) Ms. Hanley presented the NOBLE budget for FY95, which
r r.lects a substantial increase, chiefly due to the move to a new central
which is needed because the new campus of North Shore Community
lege will have no space for NOBLE's computers. NOBLE obtained one
million dollars of new equipment this year through a grant, and will
install a new system next year. The Director is confident that NOBLE is
still one of the most efficiently run and economical consortia in
Massachusetts. Mr. Diamond moved to approve the $18,354 expenditure. The
motion passed.
2) A request to use the meeting room for a fundraiser was tabled due to
lack of information from the organization.
3) Ms. Hanley introduced the Board of Library Commissioner's Planning
Initiative. She is a member of one of the task forces which will implement
pieces of this strategic plan. The thrust is not to increase the workload
of libraries, but to increase services and provide access to resources for
every library corporate, school, public, etc. that meets state
standards and is willing to pay. Ms. Hanley will speak about the
activities of the task force at the next meeting.
4) After discussion, Mrs. Beckwith moved to name the computer center the
Arnold Berger Computer Center. The motion passed. Rotary, the donor of
the room, and the library staff will be consulted on this decision. The
use of the Local History Room for quiet study seems to be going fine.
5)-The Director prepared a draft of the Library's goals for the Town
Manager, based on the long-range plan. Trustees may contact her in the
next two weeks if there is any problem with the draft. The Board asked t
receive copies of the final document before it goes to the Town Manager,
and recommended that the goals be prioritized.
r',,The weeklong celebration of the Library's tenth anniversary in the
land School building will begin with a sleepover in the Children's
..___m. On Friday, March 4, the dedication will be commemorated by Board
members, Town officials, et al. with chamber music and a speaker. The
Board preferred a library-related speaker over a politician or author.
7) The Board completed its annual evaluation of the Director and rated her
performance as outstanding on all counts. The Director's salary is still
not commensurate with the position.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~D '0 1 d'-'
Diane Yo ng
Assistant Director
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