HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-06-21 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - June 21, 1993
Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:00
Present: Mrs. Elia Marnik, chair; Mrs. Carol Beckwith; Mr. William'
Diamond; Ms. Cherrie Dubois; Mr. Robert Fields; Dr. Christine Redford.
Also attending were: Russ Graham, Jim Russell, Tom Stohlman.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
Russell Graham presented to the Board and the Director the final report of
the national Bicentennial Commission. The book, entitled We the People,
will be added to the Library's collection. Mrs. Marnik expressed the
Board's appreciation.
Minutes: Mr. Fields made a motion to approve the minutes of May 17. A
correction was made to show that Mr. Diamond was present at that meeting.
The motion and the correction passed.
Financial report: The personal budget has been updated to include the
"fifty-third payroll."
Statistical report: Reading was bested by the Salem Public Library in
circulation last month. Mrs. Marnik remarked that Salem is`a larger city
and should be expected to have a higher circulation. The videos are going
out well; the size and circulation of that new collection will be reflected
in next month's statistics.
Director's Report: Sally McDonald has set up a Book Nook at the Senior
rater, stocked with Library books yailable for check-out.
lmunications: Mrs. Marnik read letters of thanks from Karen Burke, Fran
Sheehy, and Tom Stohlman on behalf of the Friends for'the party in their
.Lionor. The Chair also read a letter from the Garden Club thanking the
Board for permission to hold their plant sale on the Library lawn.
Liaison reports: Mrs. Beckwith spoke to Sue Theophanis, a member of the
350th steering committee, concerning holding the ball at the Library. An
orchestra could play on the first floor, with food and seating scattered
around the building. The bylaw outlawing alcoholic beverages in public
buildings would need to be addressed. Ball-goers could be shuttled from
outlying parking lots in limousines or on trolleys. The ball itself could
extend to the parking lot. Tke"~ ate for the ball is Friday, June 3. Ms.
Theophanis was concerned about the,'ioad-bearing levels of the floors
because of the number of people dadicing. Tom Stohlman offered to research
a practical number of people that can fit in the building comfortably.
Unfinished business: 1) Mr. Stohlman presented his plans for the reference
desk. It provides ten more feet of counter space, including the back work
area, and would accommodate a handicapped employee or patron. The desk
will jut out further into the walkspace than it does now. Mr. Stohlman
assured the Board that the new trim would be a very close match to existing
trim. Some patching of the carpet will be necessary. Re-routing of
electrical/telephone/computer cables will be a big cost.
No price has been quoted yet. Mr. Stohlman's opinion is that the
rent proposal looks more like a $10,000 project than a $3,000 project.
ae pieces could be cut, for instance the front display shelves, the back
pboards, the column. The Friends will also donate to the construction.
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The Director said that, because the construction of the desk will be a
disruption to both staff and patrons, September would be an ideal time
building it, being one of the quieter times.
Mrs. Marnik commented that the Board will need to sit down with prices,
and does not meet during the summer. It was recommended that qualified
bids be sought. Ms. Hanley will get back to the Board when more
information is available on the specifics, prices, etc.
2) Jim Russell presented ideas for the Library's participation in the 350th
parade. He suggested a bookworm about twenty-five feet long, which would
be maneuvered by kids. As the parade continued, costumed kids would come
out from the crowd of spectators and join the bookworm. Discussion also
included the importance of representing the "electronic library" and a
model of the library building itself. The Board agreed that the Library
should be represented and gave their support to the Friends for this
project.
3) Mrs. Marnik reported that the cost of the party for the Friends was
reasonable. The Friends will again hold a picnic at the end of the summer
for Friends, staff and trustees.
New business: 1) Ms. Hanley distributed copies of a memo from the Town
Manager about salaries. She reported that municipal employees are upset at
the perceived higher raises for teachers. Some members of the Library
staff are composing a letter urging the Town to correct the inequity in
FY95. The consensus of the Board was that it will continue to push for
better salaries for Library employees, but will not take action on this
particular issue.
2,) About $100 was stolen from the Library last week. It is believed that
meone was hiding in the building after closing time. Some keys were also
olen. The police recommended that motion detectors be installed. Mike
.brigard got an estimate immediately from FSA of about $1800 for eight
detectors. Mr. Fields offered his assistance in determining the details of
the motion detectors. The installation will be handled by DPW.
3) The Nigro family has made a generous donation of $5000 to put children's
books on the shelf as soon as possible. The books will be plated. The
Board thought some kind of public recognition would be appropriate after
the books are purchased.
4) Overeaters Anonymous requested permission to ask for donations at their
meeting next January. The Board agreed to make an allowance for this one
particular meeting.
Ms. Hanley informed the Board that the Chlidren's Room staff will be
honored with a Community Services Award on Tuesday. She will be attending
the American Library Association conference from Thursday through Tuesday.
The children's summer reading club starts Friday, and the young adult
reading club starts on June 30.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
CIL
Diane J` ou g
Assistant Director
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