HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-10 Board of Library Trustees MinutesMinutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meeting.,.,
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Monday, January 10, 2011
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David Hutchinson, Chair; Richard Curtis, Vice Chair; Cherrie Dubois; Karyn Storti; Vicki Yablonsky;
Ruth Urell Library, Director; Dorota Socha, Assistant Director; Frank Fardy, Finance Committee Liaison.
Meeting called to order: 7:00 p.m.
December 13, 2010 Minutes approved unanimously Yablonsky/Stord
Financial Report (R. Urell)
■ Around 50% of the library budget has been spent as of December 2010
■ State Aid - first round of FY 2011 $11,776 has been received;
■ Green Library Grant of $7,500 was received and beginning to implement;
■ Money raised through private donations for magazine and periodical subscriptions are being
received;
■ D. Hutchinson commented on Capital Expenditures ($85,000 total) -1st phase of Library Building
Design has been expended per contract;
■ A generous holiday donation may be used for the Louisa May Alcott Program.
Statistical Report (D. Socha)
■ A new stat of "Visitors" walking in and out is being looked at;
■ D. Hutchinson noted how busy Saturdays and Sundays stats are, also noted high number of
Volunteer hours;
■ V. Yablonsky and C. Dubois noted the meeting rooms are in high demand - important to Town;
■ Trustees were pleased with color graphs making statistics easy to read and interpret.
Trustee Liaison's Reports
Foundation (R. Curtis)
■ The Foundation is ready to make a contribution to the Library. R. Curtis will discuss with R. Urell.
Friends (C. Dubois)
■ No report.
Municipal Building Committee (V. Yablonsky)
■ The Municipal Building Committee will present their report to the Board of Selectmen
on January 25, 2011.
Budget FY12 (R. Urell)
■ A number of $1,223,530 (FY12 MGR) was given to Director from Town Manager to work with;
■ R. Urell entered Budget scenario A (FY12A -Level Services includes 2% step increases to
median pay but no Cost of Living Adjustment) & B (FY12 MGR) into Munis;
■ Close 13 Saturdays - June, July and August = 3% of annual hours;
Staffing level reduced approximately 2.5% average from Level Services budget
Expenses - Technology and Supplies reduced $3,000 and Books reduced $12,000 from Level
Services.
Budget Discussion (all Trustees):
■ The State Aid: Municipal Appropriation Requirement (M.A.R.) The FY12 is $1,251,170. Short
$27,640 to be certified;
■ Building Program at risk without certification -
■ Alternative is to apply for M.A.R. waiver - but $27,640 risk of certification vs. $5 million
Building Program;
■ Gifts to Book budget may be used to make up for shortfall in book budget;
■ Board of Selectmen will discuss budgets during their meetings on January 11, 18 and 25.
State budget update: Governor's budget reduces all state funding for libraries - Network and
resource sharing costs will probably increase in future years.
Building Program
■ Application for the grant is due January 27, 2011; we should hear back by end of July, 2011;
■ Schematic Design will need Town Meeting approval (April 2011) (not for funding - design only)
■ D. Hutchinson asked for language needed for Town Meeting Article from designers or project
manager.
Director's Report (R. Urell)
■ R. Urell presented slide show to Reading Rotary and read "We Believe in the Library" written for
"Friends of Libraries, USA";
■ HVAC is newly being set remotely - heat setting too low and not turned on early enough to heat
building before Library opens - working with Facilities to remedy.
■ Data loggers on each floor measuring temperature and humidity. Preliminary findings in stacks
and Local History Room measured unacceptable levels of fluctuation in both temperature and
humidity;
■ R. Urell will discuss Building Program on RCTV "Ask the Manager" on Wednesday, January 19
from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Trustee Items:
■ V. Yablonsky wanted to pass on a compliment from a patron friend of the Flint Library in North
Reading who commented about how wonderful and easy to use the RPL website is.
Adjourn
The motion to adjourn was made 8:21 p.m. (Curtis/Storti)
Respectfully submitted,
Kathryn Melesciuc,
Administrative Assistant,
Reading Public Library