HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees 03/09/2022MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Board of Trustees Meeting - March 9, 2022
F, C'EN OFFICE
Attendance: Nancy Breef-Pilz, Jean Mallon, Deborah Gordy, Kimberi} 1, man, Lrard
Epstein and Director Catherine Coyne. Nancy called the meeting to order at S
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Secretary's report. The report for February was reviewed and unaninagt��l� 0 j is
corrected, with Debbie and Kimberly abstaining. S n,.ri{ll
Treasurer's report. No treasurer's report was available yet because of Marianne's departure
from the board.
Correspondence. None.
Librarians reports. The librarians' reports were reviewed and highlights discussed.
OLD BUSINESS
Director's goals. Catherine has developed a questionnaire for patrons' input concerning the
library.
Home -bound delivery service. The library's substitute employees have expressed interest
in participating which will include deliveries to and pickups from home -bound patrons. Catherine
will be working out the details and scheduling. Both of the library's current subs have done this in
other places. They will need to be paid for all such tasks in order to be covered by the Town's
liability insurance. The service will start once a month.
Overdue materials fines. Kimberly noted that most libraries (including Norton) are now
fine -free because of access issues and feels Mansfield should be moving in that direction. The
board tabled the issue for discussion at future meetings, speculating about possible implementation
in late summer or early autumn.
Library of things. Catherine reported that the concept has been well -received and several
patrons' suggestions have prompted several acquisitions including: telescope; microscope; paper
shredder, laminator; slide and film converter; and pomp-pom maker. Video games are popular as
are cake pans. The library had to purchase a separate power supply for the keyboard now available.
Items circulate for two weeks and are renewable. Somethings haven't yet proven popular, e.g.
decorative scissors for scrapbooking.
Physical plant. A more accessible toilet has been installed in the staff restroom, a so-called
"high boy."
Securijy. Kevin Dumas has suggested to Nancy that Catherine should put together a list of
concerns and suggestions. The situation has been somewhat in limbo because the Town prefers a
universal system.
Memory activities. The library has been acquiring items to help people with memory
difficulties. She will make it a point to inform management at Willow Crossing.
NEw BUSINESS
New board members. Catherine and Nancy talked about some of the routines of library
operations, e.g. bill payment warrants and signature requirements (normally three but reduced to
two during the summer).
The new board members spoke a little about their backgrounds. Debbie Gordy has been a
life-long resident of Mansfield, noting that she has seen the towns population grow from 7,000 to
26,000 people. She suspended working for ten years, caring for her young children, then returned
to human resources, working in a senior capacity at General Electric. Kimberly Usselman was the
library director in Putnam, Ct. until mid November. She was head of Children's Services for seven
years in Rhode Island and she is a past president of the Rhode Island Library Association. Both
new trustees have strong histories in volunteerism.
The remaining trustees reciprocated with brief introductions of themselves.
Staff development day. Catherine has scheduled a staff development day on April 5 from
9:00 to 11:00 AM. It will focus on library security with assistance from the Mansfield Police.
Reorganization of the board. Nancy noted that it has been several years since the board
has been reorganized, adding that the new members should have some time to acclimate themselves
before being asked to manage specific responsibilities. Nancy nominated Jean Mallon to take over
as chair and agreed to handle the treasurer's duties, at least on an interim basis. The undersigned
agreed to continue as secretary for now. It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved to
accept the slate of officers.
Next meeting. April 20, 4:30 PM (tentative). Remaining meetings prior to the summer
break will be May 11 and June 8. The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 PM.
Leonard Epstein
Leonard Epstein, Secretary
The foregoing minutes were approved at the April 14 meeting of the Mansfield Board of
Library Trustees.