HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-16 Board of Library Trustees MinutesReading Public Library Board of Trustees
Minutes
November 16, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Id
u P 2: 05
Attending: David Hutchinson, Chair; Karyn Storti; Cherrie Dubois; Vicky Yablonksy;
Jeffrey Doucette; Dick Curtis; Ruth Urell, Director; Dorota Socha, Assistant Director.
Minutes: Approved Minutes of October 18th meeting (Dubois/Yablonsky)
Financial Report:
Trustees reviewed the financial report. The Supplies and Equipment fund is low,
however, all other funds on track. Ruth Urell noted that the $7500 LSTA Green Grant
fund has been received and showed up on report.
Statistical Report:
Dorota Socha revealed a new template that she will be using to create the monthly
statistical report. The report includes information such as how many patrons visit the
library and how many items are checked out per day. David Hutchinson asked how the
library is tracking and recording these numbers. Socha responded that they purchased a
People Counter which tracks the number of people who enter and leave the building.
The software used to check out materials, Millenium, tracks the number of items checked
out per day. Other information contained in report included: types of programs and
services and the number of people in attendance; the number of outside groups placing
room reservations; number of volunteer hours per month and a wide range of E-Statistics.
Vicky Yablonsky pointed out that the statistics pertaining to the number of people in
attendance at the various meetings might be very useful if we are requesting additional
meeting space in the Building Program proposal.
Foundation
Curtis reported that the Foundation is sending out letters of appeal for annual giving.
Friends
Dubois reported that the Friends are having the Little Black Dress event this Friday.
The annual house tour has secured 5 houses.
The Friends sent out an appeal for members and received a great response shortly after
the appeal went out. No exact amounts are known yet.
Ad Hoc Municipal Building Committee
Yablonsky reported that the group will soon be disbanded.
Budget
Urell presented the revised budget information she received from Finance Director, Bob
LeLacheur, with the Trustees. The library needs to meet the Finance Committee's
bottom line, which is 1.75 % below current budget.
Building Program
• Urell reported that the library is changing to a single-service desk model that will
be located straight in front of the patron upon entering the library. It will be a
service desk with both circulation and reference staff present. This decision to
change from a two desk model to a combined one is based on research indicating
that this design provides better service for patrons.
• Urell shared that they will not be buying a book security system because they are
extremely expensive and theft is not enough of a problem.
• Parking for the new building: the library is supposed to have 91 spaces by
formula; however at present, there are only 55. Dick Curtis pointed out that we
can count street parking towards that number which alleviates some of the
problem. The contract engineer will be meeting with the Town Planner to discuss
the issue.
Directors Report
Urell shared the FY2012 Action Plan. Trustees approved the FY2012 Action Plan
(Dubois/Doucette).
Action Plan goals include:
• Offer intergenerational programming via the Louisa May Alcott grant from
Spring 2011 through Fall 2011
• Offer Nintendo Wii games attractive to 20 to 30 year olds
• Connect with new audiences at community events
• Establish a more visible presence in the community
• Use technology to provide content and form connections
• Customize and personalize service
• Create young readers: early literacy
• Enhance the family experience
• Conduct a series of 10 life skills classes such as banking online, booking airline
tickets, paying bills online etc.
Other Business
Urell reported that there is a chronic problem with mildew in the basement. Custodian
John Davis had to scrape wall and run a dehumidifier. Better ventilation will be required
because there is still an unpleasant odor.
Karyn Storti recommended an online local news source - the Reading Patch.
Meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m. (Storti/Dubois)
Submitted,
i~ l~'`/~
Susan Coyle