HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees 03/07/2020MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Board of Trustees Meeting - March 7, 2020
Attendance: Nancy Breef-Pilz, Marianne Mackie, Jeri Riordan, Jean Mallon, Leoriaard r n
Epstein and Director Catherine Coyne. Nancy convened the meeting at 8:05 a.m. , n c I CF
Secretary's report. The secretary's report for February was reviewed and
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Treasurer's report. The treasurer's report for February was reviewed and approved;
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Correspondence. The library received a thank you note from the family of Fred Peterson
for the library's assistance in choosing several books in his memory.
Librarians reports. The librarians' reports were reviewed and highlights discussed.
Inventory. The collection inventory is proceeding well. Catherine will be looking for a
small handheld tablet to facilitate some of the steps (a tablet being less cumbersome). Several
missing items have been found, suggesting that previous concerns about thefts may have been
overstated.
Budget. Catherine met with Barry LaCasse to discuss the cut from the budget submitted by
Catherine.
Public Library Association meeting. Catherine reported on her attendance in Nashville,
February 25-29. She was particularly interested in,# program dealing with library services for
dementia sufferers. There is an effort in Tevgesse�to establish a'parental advisory board' to
oversee all library purchases. 8,000 librarians have signed petitions in opposition. Catherine
reported widespread concern over Macmillan Publisher's recent restrictions on libraries' access to
ebooks and audiobooks, with some organizations embargoing the company. At Whitney's request
she attended a presentation on recruiting teen volunteers.
Friends of the Library. The annual meeting is scheduled for April 21, 6:30 p.m.
Old Business
Trustee iPads. The board agreed that protecting the new iPads with covers would be
appropriate. Possible choices will be evaluated, including keyboards.
Director's goals. 2020. Catherine updated the board on her liaison with Jocelyn LeMaire,
Human Resources Director, working on three of her primary goals for the year, viz. updating the
Step schedule, reviewing and updating job descriptions, and updating the employee handbook,
particularly seeking to make it as compatible as possible with the Town's manual. Jean suggested
adding target dates to goal benchmarks along with brief statements of context. Catherine will revise
her goals statement to incorporate these suggestions and increase specificity in the planning process.
Securi1y. Catherine reported on her meetings with the Mansfield Police and DPW discuss
enhanced security. A PA system through library's phone system is a possibility but loudspeakers
would also be needed.
Grant applications. Catherine has inquired with the BPL about submitting a second
application for digitizing yearbooks. She was advised to wait until the current grant project has
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been completed (annual reports 1879-1998). She noted the process could possibly be accelerated if
the library were to deliver the reports to Boston instead of waiting for the BPL to arrange packing,
pickup and transport. Marianne suggested looking for other grant possibilities to fund the yearbook
digitization.
Library restrooms. Marianne will draft a letter to the Board of Selectmen to upgrade the
library's staff restroom which the board agreed will boost employee morale.
Next meeting. April 4, 2020. The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
Leon d Ep cretary