HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-16 Board of Library Trustees MinutesRECEIVED
Minutes of the Board of Library Trustees Meetin READING, T 0 W N C 1_ E R K
Monday, May 16, 2011 MASS.
Present: 2011 JUN 21 P 3: 21
David Hutchinson, Chair; Richard Curtis, Vice Chair; Jeffrey Doucette; Karyn Storti; Vicki Yablonsky;
Ruth Urell Library, Director; Kathryn Melesciuc, Recording Secretary
Absent:
Cherrie Dubois.
Meeting called to order: 7:10 p.m.
April 11, 2011 Minutes approved unanimously. (J. Doucette/K. Storti)
Financial Report (R. Urell)
■ The Trustees want to thank the Foundation for the gift of $5000;
■ $200 Reading Women's Club gift towards Children's Summer Reading Program.
Trustee Liaison's Reports
Foundation (R. Curtis)
No business to report other than $5000 gift.
Friends (V. Yablonsky)
Friends Fundraiser - Mini Golf was a great success thanks to the tremendous work of Susan Axelson.
With only 2 months of planning, the fundraiser made a net total of $9,000. There were 300 tickets sold,
23 different sponsors, 35 raffles and 6 silent auction items. In the future, the event would most likely be
held when the library is closed. A few library staff members were volunteers at the event. Friends are
planning on holding the House Tour fundraiser next year.
Budget FY12
■ D. Hutchinson asked if the FY2012 budget was done - did the Trustees attempt or suggest to ask
for extra funds for library book shortage at Town Meeting. D. Curtis said no the budget was
passed as is with Saturday hours restored from previous Finance Committee budget meetings.
D. Hutchinson stated that despite our advocacy for funds, the library is insufficiently funded and
we have to apply for waiver. The trustees are disappointed that for the first time, the Reading
Public Library will have to apply for M.A.R. waiver from Mass. Board of Library Commissioners
(MBLC).
Building Program
■ Schematic Design approved by Town Meeting on April 25, 2011;
■ R. Urell will need to get certified vote from Town Clerk to send in to MBLC;
■ If grant is approved, a special town meeting and election would be called for a debt exclusion
override;
■ K. Storti stated we need to get clear guidance from Town Manager or town counsel regarding
trustees' actions and publicity costs for the campaign;
■ Once grant is approved, trustees cannot advocate in the library, cannot use library resources. The
plan is to develop the campaign and implement it as soon as we hear after July 15 - that gives us 2
months for a publicity committee. J. Doucette brought up he would support a library building
publicity campaign. D. Hutchinson will email Friends and Foundation members to identify
volunteers to support the committee for short-term planning. R. Urell noted the Friends and
Foundation are supportive.
Director's Report
■ Handout - Statewide Library Snapshot Day summary and comments;
■ Library Staff Day at MLA conference in Danvers on Thursday, April 28 - reports distributed;
■ Town communication system - Reading Community Alerts (town working on a "name") residents
will opt in for email, phone, text regarding non-emergency library, town tax, etc. information.
Trustee Items:
■ D. Hutchinson will draft a response to a letter addressed to the trustees from a library neighbor
regarding the building plans.
■ The open meeting law was brought up and discussed some of the new regulations. As
correspondence comes in for trustees, R. Urell will respond that the trustees will discuss and
respond to the letter at their next regular meeting.
■ Election of Officers will be taken up at June 20 meeting. V. Yablonsky suggested the continuity
of keeping the chair and vice-chair as is, especially during the possibility of the grant approval, if
approved by the current officers.
■ The July meeting was determined to be July 25, 2011.
Adjourn
The motion to adjourn was made 8:30 p.m. (J. DoucetteN. Yablonsky)
Respectfully submitted,
r
Kathryn Melesciuc,
Administrative Assistant,
Reading Public Library
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Board of Library Trustees
FROM:
Ruth S. Urell, Director
DATE:
June 21, 2011
SUBJECT:
Meeting Dates for FY2012 (as approved at 6/20/11 meeting)
In keeping with our schedule of meeting at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise on the third Monday of
each month, a list of the proposed dates follows:
July 25, 2011
August 15, 2011
September 19, 2011
October 17, 2011
November 21, 2011
December 19, 2011
January 23, 2012 (Martin Luther King Day is 1/16)
February 13, 2012 (President's Day is 2/20)
March 19, 2012
April 23, 2012 (Patriot's Day is 4/16)
May 21, 2012
June 18, 2012
cc: Town Manager's Office