HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-10-18 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - October 18, 1993
Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:00 p.m.
resent: Mrs. Elia Marnik, chair; Mr. William Diamond; Ms. Cherrie Dubois;
Mr. Robert Fields; Dr. Christine Redford. Also attending: Peter
Hechenbleikner, George Hines, Ted Cohen, Tom Stohlman.
Absent: Mrs. Carol Beckwith.
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
The agenda was taken out of order in deference to representatives of the
Town.
New business: An issue was raised after the board training session last
month concerning conflict-of-interest. It seems that Mrs. Marnik and Dr.
Redford are in conflict as municipal employees serving on a municipal
board. Town's legal counsel has informed them formally that they are in
violation of the law and have thirty days to correct the situation. The
Town Manager has suggested to the Board of Selectmen that they grant
special employee status to the library Board on a temporary basis, through
December 31, 1994 or until legislation corrects the situation. Mr. Hines
noted that the issue has not yet had full discussion by the Selectmen, but
his sense is that they want to do whatever is possible to retain Mrs.
Marnik and Dr. Redford as trustees.
Mrs. Hanley has consulted with the Board of Library Commissioners on the
subject; that agency needs an opinion from the state ethics commission.
Legislation may be filed by the BLC, the Massachusetts Library Trustees
Ociation, or the Town may request that Sen. Tisei file legislation.
minutes: Ms. Dubois made a motion to approve the minutes of September 20.
The motion passed.
Financial report: Expenses for the past month were very low. A special
billsheet may be presented for the construction of the reference desk,
which will take place in late November.
Statistical report: 923 books were circulated in four hours on the first
Sunday open. Members of the Board requested that a people-counter be
installed. The staff will meet tomorrow to discuss circulation trends and
statistics ; ideas and findings will be brought to the Board. Ms. Hanley
may request trust funds to accommodate new trends in book-buying.
Director's report: No additions.
Liaison reports: None.
Unfinished business: None.
New business: 1) The visit of the capital Improvements Advisory Committee
has not been rescheduled. DPW has some library projects on their list;
Data Processing has computers for library staff use on their list. The
Board urged that parking be made a priority. It is on DPW's list for next
along with a new meeting room rug, painting the meeting room, more
m windows. The Board would like to see DPW's priorities. Ted McIntire
will be invited to a meeting. Concerning the NOBLE project, the shift to
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client-server technology will require more expensive microcomputers to
replace dumb terminals. Self-checkout is not in existence yet. Shelving
,needed particularly for nonprint. Some of the furniture needs
ntenance. In ten years, the window blinds will need to be replaced.
The kitchen should be updated. Old photographs will be hung in the meeting
room. Awnings should be hung over the Children's Room windows. Painting
and carpeting throughout the building, a new boiler, and a new chiller.
2) One of the library computers has died. The computer used by staff in
the workroom is old and incompatible with other town computers. The Town
manager is willing to buy one for the library for $2000. Ms. Hanley
requested trust funds to buy a computer for reference with multimedia
capabilities. Mr. Fields moved to take up to $3500 from trust funds to buy
a computer. The motion passed.
3) The Board is frustrated with the lack of action on the
salary/reclassification issue.
4) The Massachusetts Library Trustees Association conference is October 30.
Peter Hechenbleikner is a featured speaker.
5) The Director's evaluation will be on next month's agenda.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane ).Young
Assistant Director
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