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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-12-16 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees Minutes of Meeting - December 16, 1991 Conference Room - Reading Public Library - 6:00 p.m. P ent: Mrs. Elia Marnik, chair; Mrs. Carol Beckwith; Mr. William Diamond; Ms Cherrie Dubois; Dr. Christine Redford. Absent: Mr. Robert Yields. The meeting was called to order at 6:15 p.m. Minutes: Ms. Dubois made a motion to approve the minutes of November 18. The motion passed. Statistical report: Circulation is down a little from last November, but cumulative circulation is still considerably over last year's. There has been an increase in reference questions, and a huge increase in children's reference questions -- almost double that of last year. Ms. Hanley theorized that this is due to the state of the school libraries. Mrs. Marnik stated that the Library cannot pick up slack from the schools and continue to go about with business as usual. The impact must be recognized. Division head's report: A report from Renee Olson on reference division activities was moved up from "New business." Ms. Olson anticipates that the staff will spend a lot of time in the next three or four months introducing the online catalog to patrons. The staff has used the catalog for a year at the Information Desk, so they are comfortable with it. A 1? °t of commonly requested topics is available for browsing. `?roQuest, a new magazine index on CD -ROM, was added in September. Nz..,,zine Articles Summary, which covers 1986 to August 1991, is still in the reference room also, and will be used as a backfile, perhaps until the end of the school year. The Apple computer is out of commission. An IBM has been installed in the typing room in its stead and will be ready for use, without a printer, tomorrow. When Mr. Berger donates the laser printer, Reading will be the only library in the area to offer a laser printer. Charges will be re- evaluated because of the high cost of toner. This new arrangement will be' especially good for resumes. If the Apple can be fixed, it may be set up in the Children's Room. The pickup rate on faxed copies of magazine articles has increased from 50o to 1000, now that patrons are called instead of having to remember to call the library. The fax machine has come in handy for answering reference questions also, such as obtaining a copy of a poem from an anthology at the Boston Public Library. Ms. Olson had been investigating a full -text newspaper on CD -ROM. A bad review of the software for the Boston Globe means that she will wait' until the products have been improved before considering a subscription. The company that produces ProQuest is now offering the New York Times on CD -ROM. The cost of that product is $250 above the cost for the print index and the microfilm versions combined. It is difficult to commit to a CD -ROM subscription with budget vagaries. The two new reference librarians are working out very well. Trudy Paradis, who has taken up the gap in mechanical aptitude left by Doreen B '?_ck, will be starting a young adult literature class in January. Robin E" breadth ofexperience is appreciated. 1 During a week in November, statistics were kept by categories of use. Surprisingly, adult reference questions were spread across all categories, including independent learning and formal education support. The staff had e" 7ted that popular materials would greatly outweigh all others. Interlibrary loan footwork has been taken over by the Technical Services staff, allowing reference staff to be more available at the desk. Ms. Olson distributed copies of "Books We've Liked," a list compiled from the staff's recommendations. Ms. Dubois asked what the Library will do when we can't accommodate everything. Ms. Olson answered that you do away with the expensive tools, but there is a hidden staff expense in working with less efficient tools. She expressed concern over cuts in the book budget: less sources erodes staff time. Ms. Dubois said that cuts in hours and staff only result in more questions in a smaller number of hours -- a concentration of work. Ms. Hanley noted that it is difficult to make a value judgment on the importance of particular questions. Director's Report: The Friends have been very active. Dr.,Redford suggested a Friends of the Children's Room. The Trustees discussed the great amount of work that the Friends have undertaken this year, and considerations of PR for the Friends. A lot of life memberships were received from a distribution of membership forms to the schools. Mrs. Marnik expressed appreciation for the "wonderful job" done by the staff for the Friends' Holiday Tea book reviews. Communications: A check for $19,960.87 for state aid is forthcoming. The effect of compliance with certification requirements must be publicized to residents. U,-, ,nished business: 1) An informational letter was received from Len Rucker of the RMLD. Ms. Hanley added the information that the special photocell would last perhaps a few years, but Mr. Rucker was unsure because it is new technology. Some members of the Board supported a single pole at the back fence with two floodlights on the parking lot and the building. They also wanted increased wattage for the stair lights. Ms. Hanley will research the options further. 2) Behavior at the Library is much improved. The article in the Chronicle has helped. New business: 1) January 8th at 7:30 p.m. was established as the date for the online catalog reception. Contributors, town boards and committees will be invited. A separate reception for school librarians and teachers will be arranged by Corinne Fisher and Nancy Aberman. 2) Ms. Hanley asked if the number of signatures required on billsheets could be reduced, so that billsheets can be sent out quickly in the summer. Mrs. Beckwith moved that two members of the Board be sufficient to authorize billsheets during the months when the Board does not meet. The motion passed. 3) The School Department may be cutting two media specialists and an aide, and closing the high school library for four hours a week. Ms. Hanley urged that the Library analyze and be prepared for the impact of these cuts, and work with the schools to avoid decimation of library services in the town. Mrs. Marnik asked that Ms. Fisher's assessment be represented a ±,- ._.'`fie next Board meeting. The Library may have to set limits on what can b ne to support the schools. 2 The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane J. Young Assistant Director