HomeMy WebLinkAboutVolunteer Advisory Sub Comm. 12/13/2023Volunteer Advisory Sub -Committee
Meeting Minutes for December 13, 2023
ri'(1 11� ���� RECEIVEDatR Present: Ms. Maureen Doherty and Mr. Brendan Roche attended the meeting " G6M&amICE
room 2 A/B. Ms. Jean Mallon, Chair of the Board of Library Trustees and Ms. Cath ejRyn4, Director of
the Mansfield Public Library were also present to participate in the interviews. AA�� LL P b: 01
• Open the Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Roche 6:4713M.
MANSFIELD
MASSACHUSETT'S
• Consideration to Approve Meeting Minutes of November 29, 2023
Motion: To approve the meeting minutes of November29, 2023 as written. (Doherty/Roche) Passes 2:0
• Interview Candidate for Board of Library Trustees —Katherine Pope
Mr. Roche introduced Ms. Jean Mallon, Chair of the Board of Library Trustees and Ms. Catherine Coyne,
the Library Director. Ms. Mallon then explained the role of the Board of Library Trustees. She stated that
they meet the second Wednesday of the month at 5:30PM. She said they have financial oversite of the
library and are responsible for the policies and Ms. Coyne is responsible for the day to day operations of
the library.
Mr. Roche then thanked Ms. Pope for attending the interview and asked her to share her background. She
responded that she is from Missouri and majored in communications and had a minor in English Literature.
She said that she had worked in a school setting, but is not working right now and has availability to
volunteer. She then said that she goes to the library frequently.
Ms. Doherty asked her what motivated her to become active in the community. Ms. Pope responded that
she moved here in April of 2020 and not super integrated into the community, but this would help me get
further into the community. She stated that he has worked elections and that despite being here in
Mansfield a short time she thinks that can be a strength because she has spent a lot of time at other
libraries and an outsider perspective can be useful.
Mr. Roche then asked what made her interested in serving on this Board. She stated that she is passionate
about libraries and that it is one of the last places you can exist for free. She further noted that you do not
have to buy anything like a coffee and that libraries are an essential part of every community. She stated
that Towns need a good library and Mansfield has a good library and it needs to be protected.
Ms. Doherty then asked her what skills and experiences make her a strong candidate and asked her if she
had a book recommendation for her book club. Ms. Pope recommended reading a,summer book when it is
cold weather and read a winter book when it is hot in the summer. Ms. Pope responded that she reads a
lot and read about 120 books this year. She said she is a strong candidate because she reads a -lot and
spends a lot of time at other libraries which gives her lots of ideas that she could bring to Mansfield.
Mr. Roche then stated that sometimes as a Board member your asked required to make decisions that
could involve friends, family or neighbors and how would she handle that situation. She stated that she
does not think there are any conflicts that she foresees.
Ms. Mallon commented that she knows Ms. Pope from book cubs and book chats and she is very
enthusiastic and asked her to explain more about the work she did with students. Ms. Pope explained that
she was working in after school program with elementary aged students. Ms, Coyne did not have any
additional questions. Mr. Roche stated that her appointment will be on the next Select Board agenda.
Other items not known 48 hours in advance of the meeting
There were no items.
• Adjourn
Motion: To adjourn the December 13, 2023 Volunteer Advisory Subcommittee meeting at 7:1113M.
(Doherty/Roche) Passes 2:0
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Prepared by Carrie Champagne
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