HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-18 Board of Library Trustees MinutesBoard of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting - June 18, 1996,
Conference Room - Reading Public Library -G6:00 p.m.
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1 ant: Ms. Cherrie Dubois, chair; Mr. Williamialnond; Mr. Robert Fields;
Mrs Elia Marnik; Mrs. Maria Silvaggi.
Absent: Dr. Christine Redford.
Also present: Mary Bastiani, Rachel and Steve Baumgartner, Harry
Harutunian, Peter Hechenbleikner, Mary Hichborn.
Ms. Dubois called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Harutunian provided some background on the school library-public
library collaboration. Areas to address include automation, collective
buying, and splitting up collection strengths. Where the money comes from
is something that needs to be worked out. As an experiment, the Coolidge
Middle School library could be opened up one night a week to allow the
public access to its collection and computers. Money from the Finance
Committee would be needed to do this.
The first step is to put electronic capability in one school, i.e.,
Coolidge. A Title II grant (typically $8,000 to $10,000) could cover costs
for NOBLE ($10,000 to $12,000). The school library will be a satellite of
the public library. Reading will be the first community to have this
arrangement. A joint meeting of the Board of Library Trustees, the School
Committee, the Town Manager, and the chair of the Finance Committee will
follow.
Ms. Hanley said that the Library's point of view in this collaboration is to pro
- t effectively, and to teach children lifelong library skills. If the
lidge library joined NOBLE on their own, it would cost $20,000. As a
uanch under the aegis of the Reading Public Library, it will cost $10,000
to $12,000 (one-time). A formal document is needed stating the relationship
of the Coolidge library and the Reading Public Library.
The collaboration will inevitably produce more work for the public library
staff. Several staff members assisted in an extensive weeding project at
Coolidge on June 3. Dr. Harutunian said that about fifty percent of the
books in Coolidge, as in school libraries elsewhere, are no longer
appropriate, culturally and in terms of gender. Money will need to be moved
in the School Department to update the collection. The library can work
with the public library to decide what should be purchased.
A discussion is needed about the discrepancy between school librarian pay
and public librarian pay. However, said Dr. Harutunian, the discrepancy
should not be allowed to stop progress. The pilot program will begin in
September.
Mr. Diamond was excused from the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
There is state grant money available for technology hardware, and possibly
for personnel. A local corporation may be interested in co-sponsoring this
kind of project. Mr. Hechenbleikner recommended using grant money for
capital and one-time expenses. Another potential partner is RMLD, which is
looking into sharing an electronic source for Massachusetts laws with the
public library and Town Hall.
The goal is not to cut costs, said Mrs. Marnik, but to provide the best
service.
Ms-....,Hanley stated that it is important that the pilot project focus first
nhancing Coolidge'_s service as a school library, _ before expanding its
%ce area and responsibilities beyond students and faculty.
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Mr. Hechenbleikner said that the Trustees should meet with the School
Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Selectmen. Staff will
flesh out this pilot program. Dr. Harutunian said that he and Ms.
ay will meet and brainstorm, and make a presentation to the other
boards.
Dr. Harutunian, Mr. Hechenbleikner, and Ms. Hichborn left at 6:45 p.m.
Citizen support for this project was discussed. There was concern that only
parents of schoolchildren would support it. On the other hand, there is a
general dislike of leaving a building idle.
Minutes: Mrs. Silvaggi distributed her attachment to the minutes of May 16.
The minutes were approved.
Financial report: With this billroll, the Library's municipal budget will
be used up. One more small billroll will finish out the fiscal year.
Report from the Chairman: A special meeting will be scheduled to discuss
the endowment campaign.
Director's report: All three summer reading clubs will be starting soon.
Friends report: Mary Bastiani, the new President, was introduced. The
Vice-President is Maria Blewitt. The Baumgartners will run the booksale.
This year's was four times more profitable than in past years. The former
Archives room will be used for storing books. The Board commended their
work as Co-Presidents and thanked them.
t'--Finished business: 1) Mrs. Marnik made a motion to accept the NOBLE
Taws discussed at the last meeting. The motion passed.
`..~'The next regular meeting is September 16.
New business: The following slate of officers was elected unanimously:
Cherrie Dubois, Chair; Elia Marnik, Vice-Chair; Maria Silvaggi, Secretary.
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane J. Young
Assistant Director
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