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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees 09/14/2022y MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY Board of Trustees Meeting, September 14, 2022 Attendance: Nancy Breef-Pilz, Jean Mallon, Deborah Gordy, Kimberly Usselman, Leonard Epstein and Director Catherine Coyne. Jean called the meeting to order at 5:40 PM. Secretary's report. The report for May was reviewed and unanimously approved. The secretary's report for June was unanimously approved with minor corrections. Treasurer's report. The report for August was reviewed and unanimously approved. Correspondence. The board reviewed a thank you note and $1,000 contribution from Debra Tatum in appreciation of the library's long time efforts and service to her deceased husband, Randall Tatum, a life long resident of Mansfield. Librarians reports. The librarians' reports were reviewed and highlights discussed. Staffing. The new children's librarian, Kacee Rimer is doing very well, with new programs including family story time, baby playtime and "Pumpernickel Puppets." Attendance has been excellent. Catherine noted that children's programs are unusually strong, her sense being that some normality is returning after the worse of Covid 19. Family fun night, Welcome to Mansfield night. Family fun Night went well again this year with many new people attending. Outreach to local businesses was successful. Although the Friends of the Library did not participate in Family Fun Night, we are hopeful for their presence at Welcome to Mansfield Night. Fine free transition. Catherine reported the new policy is going well. There has been one complaint from a patron which the staff handled well. Foster care night. The library is trying to get the word out although there was minimal attendance on September 12. OLD BUSINESS Staff handbook update. There was an initial meeting with Jocelyn overt e summm�er. ci second was planned but was not able to be scheduled and will hopefully occur in tobeeToddyn is optimistic about her ability to be helpful and is looking into a number of specifwl�ouek i> _� r- M Annual goals. Goals for year. Jean would like to link our goals to long ran wtoitten-nm strategic plan which she believes will be very helpful, especially since it would Igoe t.46 fifg-c action item on each goal to ensure that it is within the library's strategic plan ands wZthetib should be pursued. r~n o Home delivery. This goal has actually been achieved, albeit with only three people participating. The service is described on the library's web page so there is little else that can be done if people choose not to take advantage of it. Collection development policy/space needs The board continued it's it's ongoing deliberation of the library's need for more space. One long term hope is demolishing the old police station in order to build a multi purpose senior center which could conceivably allow reconfiguration of the Hope Street facility for the library. NEW BUSINESS December holidays. Christmas eve and New Years eve are both on Saturday this year, which will mean being closed Monday. The voted moved and unanimously approved closing Saturday, Sunday and Monday for both holidays (December 24-26 and December 31-January 2). Budget 2024. Catherine will be submitting the library's initial budget in October. The board discussed cost of living adjustments which have been 2% per year. Jean noted that as of Jan 1, 2023 Massachusetts' minimum wage will be $15.00 per hour and recommended that, even though the library is not unionized, the library should follow other departments' practice. Step increases are being adjusted by Jocelyn to about 2% every other year. The board agreed that salary guidelines should be reviewed and revised as necessary before July 31, 2023. Consultant for strategic plan. The library's strategic plan expires this year. Catherine has reached out to other libraries which have used consultants in the past learning of three people who appear to be viable candidates to assist the organization. Sage Consulting Services appears to offer to most experienced and comprehensive altemative. After discussion it moved by Debbie, seconded by Nancy and unanimously voted to pursue Sage to assist in the library's strategic planning, utilizing up to $10,000 in MEG funds. Selectboard invitation. Kerry Champagne has invited the chairs of committees and boards to the November 2 meeting of the Selectboard (5:30 PM) to discuss the top three accomplishments of which the boards of most proud. Library accomplishment include the transition to fine -free policy, increased attendance with strong circulation, and managing the transition November 2 meeting, 5:30 PM. Kerry Champagne, Select Board. Invitation to chairs. Top three things most proud of. Fine free; attendance up; circulation strong. ?Managing transition when all three people left children's room. Managed during pandemic; still able to service citizens of Mansfield. Making the library the focus of the community. What can they help with? MPL wants to be part of the process of designing and building a new senior center. Next meeting. October 12, 2022. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM. Leonard Epstein Leonard Epstein, Secretary The foregoing minutes were approved at the October 12, 2022 meeting of the Mansfield Board of Library Trustees. [h:Vnp1trnp1220914.03.dW1