HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees 09/3/2020MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Board of Trustees Meeting - September 3, 2020 C
Attendance: Nancy Breef-Pitz, Marianne Mackie, Jean Mallon, Jennifer Hill,and Director,
Catherine Coyne. Nancy read a statement for conducting Open Meetings during the State of
Emergency. This information was posted along with the agenda on the Town's website. The
meeting was called to order at 4:40 p.m. Attendance was taken via roll call
Secretary's Report: The Minutes of the July 14, 2020, meeting were reviewed. Motion was
made by Marianne to approve the Minutes; seconded by Jennifer. Motion was unanimous, via
roll call vote.
The Minutes of the June 2, 2020, meeting were reviewed. Motion made by Jean to approve the
Minutes; seconded by Nancy. Motion was unanimous, via roll call vote.
Treasurer's Report: The Treasurer's report for August was reviewed and approved. Motion
made by Jean to approve the Treasurer's report; seconded by Jennifer. Motion was unanimous,
via roll call vote.
Librarians' Reports: Two questions were asked about the Librarians' Reports, one about the
Boston Public Library (BPL) digitization project; the other about using the electronic wand to
complete the inventory project.
BPL has put a hold on the digitization project.
The hiring freeze and staff vacations have impacted the staff's ability to complete the inventory
project because staff is fully involved with curbside pickup and other outreach activities.
Correspondence: Catherine shared a note that had been received from a patron thanking the
staff for keeping the summer reading program fun, creative, and alive. Overall, the library and its
staff have received positive feedback from the community for their efforts with book bundles,
curbside pick-up, story time, crafts, virtual book chats, author talks, and book discussions.
New Business: Catherine reviewed the Re -opening Plan which was developed with input from
staff, the Board of Health, DPW, and the Trustees. In addition, the Town is developing a Covid
Policy which will subsequently be approved by the Select Board.
Catherine is planning a phased -in approach; first, to open for limited browsing with appropriate
safeguards in place. Ten patrons would be allowed in the library after being screened using the
protocols set up in the Town's Covid Policy. Browsing would be limited to the shelves. Patrons
would be encouraged to use the self -check out station. Catherine is asking if the CARES money
could be used to purchase an additional self -check out station. Curbside pickup and other virtual
services would continue. Catherine has developed a schedule so curbside and in-person do not
conflict.
Use of computers would be part of the future phase of the plan.
Catherine will be offering library patrons "Coming Attractions" about the limited re -opening plan
on the library website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Concerns were raised about custodial coverage in light of the cleaning recommendations
throughout the time the library is open. Current custodial hours leave the library without
coverage from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. with no coverage on Saturday. Nancy volunteered to contact the
Town Manager about these concerns.
Concerns were also raised about opening the rest rooms. Catherine will contact the Board of
Health about this issue. The Trustees felt that the rest rooms should remain closed until
additional safeguards can be put in place.
A concern about re -instituting fines was raised. The Trustees felt that fines should be waived
until the library fully re -opens.
Adjournment: A motion was made by Jean to adjourn the meeting at 5:35; seconded by
Marianne. Motion was unanimous via roll call vote.
Minutes approved at the October 8, 2020, meeting.
Respectfully submitted, Jean Mallon, Library Trustee
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