HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees 05/13/2020MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Board of Trustees Meeting - May 13, 2020
[Virtual Meeting]
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Attendance: Nancy Breef-Pilz, Marianne Mackie, Jen Riordan, Jean Mallon, Leonard
Epstein and Director Catherine Coyne. (Nancy Griffin, Executive Assistant to the T*#,,MaOhger,-% r;. 5
was also on line to coordinate and facilitate the meeting.) Nancy Breef-Pilz convened the meeting
at 4:33 p.m. Nancy Breef-Pilz read a statement dealing with emergency modifications to the Open
Meeting Law and then called the roll. All board members were present. -
Secretary's report. The secretary's report for March was reviewed. Marianne moved to
approve the minutes. The motion was seconded and unanimously passed.
Treasurer's report. The treasurer's report for April was reviewed and a motion to approve
the report was unanimously passed.
Librarians reports. The librarians' reports +vee reviewed and highlights discussed.
Catherine discussed her pride in the staff who have been working diligently to continue providing as
many services as possible functioning as a "digital branch" notwithstanding the library's physical
closure.
New Business
Amy Donovan Palmer. Health Agent. Town of Mansfield. A motion to suspend the
official agenda was unanimously passed after which Ms. Palmerjoined the meeting as a guest to
discuss prospects and plans for reopening the library. Catherine's draft plan was discussed in
general pending release of the state advisory board reopening plan scheduled for May 18.
Catherine's provision for having all returned materials sit for three days before being returned to
inventory was particularly well received. Inter -library book sharing be feasible remains an open
question. Catherine consulted with the Board of Health to discuss shared spaced, copiers,
restrooms, etc. Restrooms for patrons remain an open question since a custodian is only on duty
until 2:00 p.m. And it remains to be seen whether additional cleaning arrangements will be made.
Ms. Palmer left the meeting at 5:03 p.m. She will plan on visiting the library when staff starts to
return on a modified schedule.
Summer readingpro¢ramming. Catherine has been thinking about purchasing gift cards
and possibly craft bags with invitations to join Facebook crafting sessions, the idea being to have
children do something to help keep track of how they spend this summer. Jean raised some concern
over giving out materials which people will be touching. The board decided to postpone
consideration of crafting materials to the June meeting. It was moved and unanimously voted to use
$600 from the trustees' account to fund summer programming.
Library services during building closure. The library has been offering on-line crafting
programs, story times, book clubs and chats. Enewsletters are sent on Mondays. Whitney has been
focusing on teens and staff members continue to offer book recommendations. Catherine noted that
one benefit of this difficult period has been that some people have learned of library services that
they hadn't known about. Jean raised concern over Mansfield residents without internet services.
FY2021 budget. Budget cuts will clearly be needed for the entire town although no details
are yet available. The town managers expressed priority has been to keep everyone employed.
Catherine is in contact with the Board of Library Commissioners concerning certification issues and
requirements.
Neat meetin¢. In light of the uncertainties of the current situation, the board agreed to
postpone scheduling the next meeting. Upon a motion unanimously approved the meeting was
adjourned at 5:27 p.m.
Leonard Epstein, cretary
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