HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees 05/11/2022MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Board of Trustees Meeting - May 11, 2022
Attendance: Nancy Breef-Pilz, Deborah Gordy, Kimberly Usselman, Jean Mallon,
Leonard Epstein and Director Catherine Coyne. Jean called the meeting to order at 5:40 PM.
Secretary's report. The report for April was reviewed and approved, with a minor
correction. Four members approved. Nancy abstained since she was not present at the April
meeting.
Treasurer's report. Nancy's Treasurer's report was reviewed and unanimously approved.
The report included useful historical financial data going back to 2016.
Correspondence. None.
Librarians reports. The librarians' reports were reviewed and highlights discussed. Mary
wrote the Children's report.
Catherine reported on two candidates for interviews at the end of the month. One has the
requisite MLS degree and is now the director now of a smaller library. The second candidate is
enrolling in an MLS program and, were she to be hired, she would have to sign an agreement
confirming her enrollment and pursuit of the degree. She has a teaching degree in early childhood
education. Catherine noted that Mary presently has some difficult child care issues and will be
reducing her schedule to seven hours until June. Her husband's work schedule will make it
impossible for her to work evenings. Catherine will look for volunteers for story times.
Town Meeting. The library has not been called upon to make budget cuts. As of the
beginning of May the library had spent 80% of its budget which is appropriate at this point in the
fiscal year. Funds remain in the professional budget, electric, and other categories. According to
Catherine the library will be in good shape for next year.
Capital improvements are being considered with a high priority on cameras, panic buttons
and an overall security assessment. The library will be using a consultant to assess specific security
needs.
OLD BUSINESS
Director's Evaluation. Jean collected two evaluations and will synthesize the board
members' forms when she receives the rest of them.
Home delivery. Catherine reported that home delivery is up and running.
Staff handbook update. The committee will be meeting tomorrow.
Library of things. The new program is proving popular and running well.
Fine free discussion. The board continued its assessment of eliminating overdue fines.
Fine will (currently) be determined by the library in which an item is checked out. Bills for lost
items will not be terminated and a fine free policy would exclude electronics, the library of things,
museum passes, etc. The board discussed the status of other libraries including Foxboro (fine free
for seniors), N. Attleboro (all fines eliminated), Norton (no fines), and Attleboro (likely to adopt the
policy). Conversely, Easton has resumed charging late fines. Catherine pointed out that the
maximum overdue charge is $2.00 per item (no maximum on the patron's card itself).
NEW BUSINESS
Assistant Director, During Catherine's knee surgery Whitney was appointed Acting
Director. Funds were included in the budget for this and Whitney was paid a stipend during
Catherine's absence. After discussion it was moved and unanimously approved to change Whitney's
current title to "Reference Librarian/Assistant Director" with a stipend added to her compensation,
effective July 1, 2022.
Trustees' meeting day. The board discussed a possible change in the time of its monthly
meetings but decided for now to stay with the second Wednesday of the month at 5:30 PM.
Next meeting. June 8, 5:30 PM. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 PM.
Leonard Epstein
Leonard Epstein, Secretary
The foregoing minutes were approved at the June 11, 2022 meeting of the Mansfield Board
of Library Trustees.
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