HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-26 School Committee Minutes - Board of Library TrusteesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Reading, Massachusetts
Joint School Committee Meeting
With the Board of Library Trustees
JOINT SESSION MINUTES September 26, 1996
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Susan Cavicchi called the session to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room.
All members were present; Mr. Matt Cummings, Ms. Robin D'Antona, Mr. Robert Spadafora, Mr. Tom
Stohlman and Mr. Timothy Twomey. Also present was Superintendent Dr. Harry K. Harutunian.
Chair Cherrie Dubois, called the Board of Library Trustees to order at 7:40 p.m. Members present were
Mr. Steve Conner, Ms. Christine Redford, Ms. Maria Silvaggi, Ms. Deirdre Hanley, Library Director.
Absent were Mr. William Diamond, Mr. Robert Fields, due to illness.
Dr. Harutunian and Ms. Hanley gave background on library-school collaboration. Past efforts have
included book deposits, assignment alerts, and :,e^ommended reading lists. Possible future projects are
sharing the electronic system which provides information on colleges and financial aid, and joint book
purchasing to reduce costs and duplication. Present project is the installation of NOBLE equipment at
the Coolidge library. A document produced by the school media specialists and the public librarians
outlines goats for both.
School libraries don't get enough funding or aa°ion throughout the state. They have no advocacy
/group, are not ruled by the curriculum, and m; a -specialists are being pulled in other directions by
technology needs.
What can the Trustees and the School Comm ""JPF: k"') at this point to help? Everything up until now has
been possible within the confines of the buds; : ,ney is needed to open the school libraries at night,
said Dr. Harutunian.
Ms. Hanley provided information on the pilot ~`.c at the Coolidge Middle School library. It is being
considered a branch of the public library. As s -cll..., Coolidge can be part of NOBLE for some startup costs
and minimal local maintenance. Ms. Hanley, c- - :riztly President of NOBLE, thinks it is going to offer
services to town, not based on membership, but.Cast. The state will be subsidizing multi-type
collaboration (school, public, academic, etc.). rj, ::r :gal agreement between the Board of Library Trustees
and the School Committee is needed, acknowle-`.5_'Ng that the Coolidge library is a branch and that both
parties support the project. The pilot will evalm: ° impact on students, school staff, and public staff.
Mr. Conner asked if the two boards need to add=.-s:3 the concerns cited in a previous document ("Re:
School/Public library collaboration," attached) tf: e formalizing an agreement. Dr. Harutunian replied
that the schools need to examine what the costs are. A letter can be written that meets the letter of the low
as far as NOBLE goes. Town departments want to collaborate, but then pull back when it looks like it's
really going to happen, e.g., the building maintenance issue. The staff need a safeguard.
1v11. 1-U111111111YJ dJxeu 1v1S. rnamey io aenne a branch and its parameters. According to NOBLE's
standards, a branch is linked to the main library by budgetary authority. Ms. Hanley described the impact
Joint Session Page 2 September 26 1997
of the collaboration and how it affects service. Computers in Coolidge will be connected to NOBLE,
allowing students access to the multi-library catalog, the Internet, and a full-text magazine index, and
allowing library staff to use automated circulation functions. Dr. Harutunian questioned whether the
School Committee can or wants to transfer the middle school library budget to the public library, citing
ramifications of ed reform requirements.
Ms. D'Antona expressed concern over a lack of figures. She does not resist the idea, but has concerns
about the cost and needs a proposal before she makes a decision.
Ms. Hanley provided cost estimates: the Library pays out about $25,000 to NOBLE annually. Coolidge
has paid $2,750 each for two NOBLE ports, and has purchased a phone line and a PC. Dr. Harutunian
remarked on hidden costs involved in weeding, scanning, and cataloging. Ms. Hichborn worked a good
portion over the summer inputting and weeding. Mr. Cummings pointed out that all those costs are also
associated with using a local system. Coolidge's NOBLE hookup was paid for largely by a grant.
The current costs for the pilot at Coolidge are covered by the budget. Mr. Conner proposed that the
money spent be kept track of, then both parties can go to FinComm saying, this is how much it costs if
you want to expand it, give us this much money. Athena, a stand-alone library automation product, costs
$10,000. Mrs. Cavicchi asked when the Committee could have something in writing to sign. Dr.
Harutunian replied that he can not make a proposal.
Mr. Cummings said that it doesn't matter if the money is transferred from School to Library, since it's the
community.'s money. Mr. Conner argued against transfer of funds for the pilot. It was suggested that an
agreement be put together based on information from the pilot project. Mr. Spadafora recommended that
the project move ahead as fast as possible. He look to be kept informed of details as it progresses.
The next step is to speak to principals at other schools about the pilot. Mrs. Silvaggi suggested that
FinComm may have to come up with additional money. Mrs. Hanley said that FinComm is well-disposed
toward the project.
Mr. Twomey recommended that the pilot be publicized at Town Meeting. Members can be informed that
they can access the Coolidge library and the Reading Public Library through their home Internet
connections.
Mr. Stohlman said that, even if all the specifics are not spelled out yet, he would like to see Dr.
Harutunian and Ms. Hanley come up with an agreement as detailed as they feel comfortable with,
describing it as a pilot project. Dr. Harutunian expressed his concern that there will be labor issues if this
agreement is set.
ADJOURN
At 9:10 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adjournMr Twomey seconded the motion The meeting
adjourned. The vote was unanimous 6-0.
Ms. Cavicchi Ms. D'Antona Mr. Spadafora Mr. StohlmanMr Twomey Ms Williams
Ms. Dubois. Mr. Conner Dr. Redford Ms Silvaggi Ms Hanley - - -