HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-03-15 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - March 15, 1993
Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:00 p.m.
Present: Mrs. Elia Marnik, chair; Mrs. Carol Beckwith; Mr. William
Diamond; Ms. Cherrie Dubois; Dr. Christine Redford.
Absent: Mr. Robert Fields.
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
Minutes: Ms. Dubois made a motion to approve the minutes of February 22.
The motion passed.
Nancy Smethurst, Administrative Secretary, was introduced to the members of
the Board.
Financial report: For next month, the Director and Administrative
Secretary will encumber all anticipated bills in each account before paying
any bills. The very low amount expended in the postage account is due to
the Library's use of the Town Hall postage meter. Money from the postage
account is transferred to Town Hall at the end of the year.
Book ordering has slowed down in the adult department; this month only
$2000 was expended. Ordering of children's books has ended for the year,
although the children's librarians have only ordered from review journals
dated through December 1992. An additional $1000 may be allocated to the
Children's Room to beef up their paperback collection before the summer
reading club begins. Members of the Board expressed concern about the
state of the non-personal expenses.
tistical report: Circulation for February was good, considering the
harsh weather. The yearly cumulation, however, is lower than last year.
Director's Report: Ms. Hanley announced that she is President-elect of
Rotary.
Liaison reports: The Library should consider its part in the 350th
celebration.
Unfinished business: 1) The Board will present its budget request, with
increases in book budget and personal accounts, at Town Meeting if the
override does not pass. If the override does pass, the funds for
additional salary increases will still be sought at Town Meeting. Ms.
Hanley warned that the Library's budget may be vulnerable to cuts if the
override does not pass. w
2) The posting policy, and the policy of the Swampscott library, were
discussed. Mr. Diamond moved to amend paragraph four of the sample policy
to read: "No organization or individual shall be permitted to place in the
library any box or receptacle which solicits donations nor shall any poster
or display be permitted which advocates or solicits consideration of any
product or service sold for commercial or profit making purposes." The
Director will discuss implications of this change with the staff, and bring
it back for discussion at the next meeting.
'business: 1) Ms. Hanley recommended that the Book Selection policy
Gated 1973) be updated, particularly in light of the advent of a video
collection. Sections relating to audio-visual formats and topics
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prohibited from the collection need to be changed. She suggested that some
c'_,ff members attend a Board meeting to discuss how materials are selected.
Hers of the Board appreciated the idea, and also suggested that Board
.__,bers be invited to a book meeting. A proposed Materials Selection
policy will be presented at the next meeting for discussion.
2) Ms. Dubois moved that the Library proceed with the plans that Tom
Stohlman has prepared for the new Information Desk, subject to changes that
the staff deems desirable. The motion passed. Changes proposed for the
Fiction Room include adding a couple of longer bays where the large print
and AV sections are now.
3) The American Library Association annual conference will be held in New
Orleans. Ms. Hanley requested funds from either Incentive or trust funds
to offset expenses for herself and Renee Olson to attend the conference.
Mr. Diamond moved to spend $1000 from whatever fund is most appropriate.
The motion passed.
4) The Director requested funds for a continuing education workshop, to be
done jointly with the Wakefield library, as a follow-up to the Myers-Briggs
workshop which the entire staff did a few years ago. The workshop teaches
teamwork and appreciation of different strengths. The cost of the workshop
would be between $600 and $700. Wakefield would pay a little more than
that amount as their share. The Library would have to find a way to cover
the public service desks with non-library staff, perhaps with staff from
other NOBLE libraries. The Board approved the expenditure and asked that
particulars be forwarded to them.
5) Among recent acts of vandalism, a fire was set outside the building,
when kids playing with cigarette lighters lit the Galbraith banner hanging
from the portico. Wood is charred and paint has bubbled up. Five interior
P-ms were stolen. Ms. Hanley called the principals to solicit their help
finding the culprits.
the Board approved hanging in the conference or meeting room some
photographs of old Reading, which are being re-framed by the Historical
commission.
7) The Board approved having an April Rotary meeting take place at the
Library, so Rotary members can see the computer purchased with their
donation.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane ung
Assistant Direc or
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