HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-01-14 Board of Library Trustees Minutes8
Board of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - January 14, 1992
Director's Office - Reading Public Library - 5:30 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 5:30 p.m.
Communications: Ms. Dubois read a letter from Mary Vincent, commending the
Director and Karen Brown for their handling of the memorial funds that Mrs.
Vincent established for her parents.
New business: Mrs. Marnik thanked the Trustees for attending the reception
for the online catalog.
Mrs. Marnik presented the reason for calling a meeting of the Board:
the Town Manager will present a plan to the Selectmen this evening, asking
the Library to take over extra duties. His plan will reorganize town
government into eight departments. Under the general administration of the
Library Director, he proposes to add the Historical Commission, the Arts
Council, the Recreation Division, and Adult Education. The department
ld be called "Library and Cultural Services." This would include
,tever might be worked out with the school department concerning school
libraries. Ms. Hanley pointed out that the reorganization would not
eliminate any services.
Mr. Diamond remarked that Recreation stands out. Since it is often put
under Parks, it could be put under Public Works in Reading, or the proposed
department called "Public Services."
Ms. Dubois expressed concern about the workload of the Director. If it
were to include just some responsibility for the school libraries, it would
a job and a half.
The Director had two concerns about the proposal: 1) that Recreation
is not relevant at this point to the mission of the library; 2) that there
is not a current relationship between taking on these boards and divisions
and getting funds to do them. Reorganizaton would save $300,000, all in
salaries. Ms. Dubois felt that it would result in some salaries for the
positions remaining having to be increased. -The Board saw a growth of
responsibility for subordinates and more committee work for the Director.
Ms. Hanley reported that the Town Manager said he would return the
$7400 required for certification to the Library. To him, the joint school
library/public library is a long-term project, but he is willing to commit
some capital funds to it.
Mr. Diamond did not find much fault with the adding of the Historical
Commission and the Arts Council, the amount of work would be negligible.
Ms. Hanley would not like to just say no about the Recreation Division,''
but research the matter: is there any town operating this way? Mr.
amond suggested that cultural activities could be divided from sports.
If the Selectmen approve the plan, the budget will be predicated upon
lt. Town Meeting can approve or disapprove of any reorganization, but
cannot propose one.
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Mrs. Hanley pointed out that Governor Weld has stated very clearly that
state aid will be level-funded for FY93. Reading's FY93 budget so far is
predicated on a 4.25% reduction. Library aid will continue to be earmarked
thanks to the lobbying efforts of the Board of Library Commissioners.
The Chair and the Director will attend the Selectmen's meeting. The
budget required to meet certification for the library is $451,063,
supposing that the MAR/LIG requirements remain the same'as the current
fiscal year. The Town Manager knows that this number is subject to change,
and the Library may request more money if the requirements demand more.
Mr. Hechenbleikner is coming to the Library tomorrow to discuss his
proposal with the staff.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Repsectfully submitted,
Diane Yo ng
Assistant Directo
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