HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-01-13 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting Januarfy 3,J997
Present: Ms. Cherrie Dubois, chair; Mr. William Diamond; Mr. Robert Fields; Dr. Christine
Redford; Mrs. Maria Silvaggi.
Absent: Mr. Stephen Conner.
Ms. Dubois called the meeting to order at 7:10.
Minutes: The minutes of December 16 were accepted.
Financial report: A fair amount of capital funds has been spent on computers and rewiring the
building for the NOBLE telecommunications upgrade. The new wiring will bear more traffic,
allowing graphics on workstations. The state aid has been received, and some nonfiction bills have
been paid from it.
Statistical report: December was a very good, month, with circulation over 21,000. Circulation
is rarely over 20,000 for December.
Children's Services report: Corinne Fisher reported on increases in use of services and
materials. Because deposit collections can now be delivered by the school van and teachers don't
need to come to the library, there has been an increase in deposits. The Children's Room saw big
jumps in nonprint circulation, due to budget increases for nonprint material. Minor adjustments in
periodical titles have led to a twenty percent jump in circulation for periodicals. The children's
collection accounts for thirty-eight percent of the Library's total circulation, well over the state
average of thirty percent.
The leaking chimneys damaged some books and the ceiling. The chimneys will be repaired when
the HVAC duct work is done. Board members reported receiving positive comments about the
Children's Room from new residents and visitors from other towns. This summer's reading club
theme will be medieval, throughout the Library. When asked what is the biggest issue facing the
Children's Division, Ms. Fisher brought up the salary step system.
Director's report: Circulation staff member Gerri Pothier has joined Michael Colford and Rachel
Baumgartner in attending Simmons' library school.
Liaison reports: Dr. Redford reported from the Friends' Executive Board meeting that the group
has lots of ideas and a good lineup of programs.
Unfinished business: 1) A post office box and bank account have been established for the
Reading Public Library Foundation. The $6500 from the Cripps and the Pratts will be transferred
into the new account. Susan Meuse is vice-president of the Foundation.
2) The Director will find out from the Town Manager what to do next about the bylaws.
3) Ms. Hanley asked the Board to postpone action on her contract until the salary study is done.
4) The Town Manager's recommended budget includes $5000 for extra personnel for interlibrary
loan service, no money for Saturdays in the summer, and no new money for materials. The
interlibrary loan funding was the Library's first priority.
Ms. Hanley distributed the Town Manager's recommendations for new programs. He has
included the construction of a nonprint area for $16,000 in the capital plan. Certain repairs that
the Director had requested, such as the overhang at the entrance, were also requested by DPW in
its capital budget, and Town Meeting will consider them under DPW.
Use of the attic space is no longer an option because of the duct work which will be put in.
Moving the front entrance would gain prime space. Ms. Hanley thinks that the building is large
enough; new buildings are one square foot per capita. An extension might create staffing
problems.
New business: Since customers have asked about access to e-mail accounts via the Library, staff
would like to be able to direct interested customers to HoTMaiL, a company that offers free
e-mail via the World Wide Web. This involves no endorsement, no staff time, and no NOBLE
computer space. The Board agreed to a six-month trial. The trial will begin around the time that
Kimberly Lynn returns from maternity leave.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
( oDiane I Young
Assistant Director