HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-18 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - May 18, 1998
Present: Mrs. Maria Silvaggi, chair; Ms. Cherrie Dubois; Ms. Donna InDelicato; Mr. Richard
Ogden; Dr. Christine Redford.
Absent: Mr. Stephen Conner.
Mrs. Silvaggi called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Minutes: The minutes of April 6 were accepted.
Financial report: The municipally-funded budget is pretty much spent, except for salaries.
Statistical report: April's circulation was lower than last year across the entire network, for no
known reason. The Wakefield library reopened in mid-March.
Report from the Chairman: The Board's team effort was successful at Town Meeting. A letter
from Bill Diamond was read, thanking all for his "retirement" party. A trustee orientation
program will be held on May 19 in Andover. The Board will make a donation to the Foundation
in memory of Bob Fields. A $10,000 bequest from Mr. Fields is going to the Foundation.
Mrs. Silva-9i will contact Mr. Conner about whether a change in meeting time would be
advantageous.
Director's report: Ms. Hanley conveyed the staff's gratitude to the Board for all they've done
on the salary issue. Written reports were received from three staff members who attended PLA.
Ms. Hanley talked about a session on the life cycle of organizations and `ideas, with the catch
phrase: What will success look like? She will be attending ALA's annual conference and the
Harvard Conference on the Internet and Society (both at no cost to the Library).
The HVAC situation has been stressful for the past few weeks. The Board will write a letter
outlining the issues and formally requesting a Direct Digital Control Device, which will allow
the system to switch from heating to cooling automatically. The system, as it is built, has four
options: heating, cooling, outside air only, or no air.
Liaisons: The Friends' annual meeting is June 11.
New business: 1) Tentative liaison assignments were made: Dr. Redford, Friends; Mr. Ogden,
budget; Ms. InDelicato, community relations and statewide trustees. Ms. Dubois or Mr. Conner
will be the staff liaison. Other possibilities are planning, development, and legislative issues.
2) There is over $200,000 in the Foundation, including pledges; with about $55,000 in cash after
one and a half years. Only the interest is used. The Foundation needs $100,000 in cash in order
to have Fidelity manage the funds. Spending some of the money now will show donors how the
fund will work. The trustees expressed a desire to stick to tangible programs and materials as
much as possible, for example, children's books. It was suggested that books purchased with
Foundation funds be labeled as such.
3) Kimberly Lynn presented a report on the activities of the Reference division. The Library's
ability to meet the information needs of the community has greatly increased due to the Internet,
and electronic databases. In FY97, 73 questions were received via e-mail; so far in FY98, there
have been 280 e-mail questions. Expectations are rising, as are the number of academic
questions: some of the patrons are working on graduate-level projects. Questions are increasing
in scope, complexity, and depth. Ms. Lynn displayed rising costs for subscriptions to business
sources. Programs and classes given by librarians have increased. Needs include: more seating
(tables and chairs for computer use), more PCs, a fax machine at the Information Desk, and more
staff hours. Board members suggested that Ms. Lynn make this presentation for the Foundation.
A possible use of Foundation funds would be to buy computer projection equipment (cost is
estimated at $3,000-5,000.)
4) Review of the policies was postponed until the next Board meeting. That meeting will also
cover a tour of the building, election of officers, and finalizing liaison assignments.
5) The July meeting will be held on Thursday, July 23; there will be no August meting. The
meeting with the Foundation will be deferred until Mr. Nigro is available.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Diane J. Y
Assistant Director