HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-09 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - February 9, 1998
Present: Mrs. Maria Silvaggi, chair; Mr. Stephen Conner; Mr. William Diamond; Ms. Cherrie
Dubois; Dr. Christine Redford. Also present: Mr. Richard Ogden.
Absent: Mr. Robert Fields.
Mrs. Silvaggi called the meeting to order at 7:05.
Minutes: The minutes of January 5 were accepted.
Financial report: Trust funds stand at about $116,000.
Statistical report: December's circulation was slow due to construction and the displacement of
the Children's Room. The number of reference questions is climbing, as expectations for service
increase. Ms. Young presented some circulation statistics for new fiction. Average circulation
per book in the first year has increased considerably over the past few years. This seems to be a
result of more conscientious selection of fiction. Board members expressed concern that patrons
may not be being exposed to titles outside the mainstream; however, staff is making efforts
through programming (such as the Word of Mouth discussion group) to encourage reading of
titles other than bestsellers.
Report from the Chairman: Ms. Silvaggi recommended the editorial in the
November/December issue of Public Libraries.
At the Budget Council meeting, all three boards of the Budget Council voted against Library
Board membership. Board of Selectmen chair Camille Anthony stated that anyone is welcome to
attend and participate and make recommendations. Town Counsel gave the Town Manager an
opinion supporting the legal existence of the Budget Council. Other citizens are challenging
Budget Council's use of executive session and are contacting the Attorney General.
A joint meeting with the Foundation Board will be held on the April 7.
Director's report: Progress is being made on the new nonprint area. The low bid was $13,000;
$20,0000 was budgeted. Remaining funds can be used to buy furniture. Installation will take
place in May. Kimberly Lynn is working on the staff page of the Library's Web site.
A volunteer reception is scheduled for April 29. Lucille and Frank Husarik are two outstanding
volunteers in Technical Services. Candidates' night is March 19. Doris Kearns Goodwin is
speaking at the high school on March 27 for a Foundation fundraiser. Her fee is being
underwritten by the Reading Cooperative Bank, the Foundation directors, and the Friends.
Liaisons: The Friends' coffee hours are very successful. They are planning a formal tea in April
and the house tour in May. At the dinner given by the Foundation at the Larsons' home,
community leaders were asked to give the Foundation their financial and personal support.
Continuing education: Discussion of the Internet classes was deferred until all trustees have
attended a class.
f.:
New business: The Director presented a list of the many advocacy activities that she and trustees
currently participate in on local, state, and national levels, and recommended that the list be
organized into a lobbying plan. Board members suggested that the Friends should be more
aggressive in recruiting members.
Unfinished business: The Library's budget goes before the Finance Committee on February 11.
The first Board of Selectmen meeting about the budget was fairly uneventful. The Town
Manager feels that he is responsible for presenting a balanced budget. This can mean that some
departmental requests are not presented to the Finance Committee or the Budget Council.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m
Diane I Young
Assistant Director