HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees Minutes 9/19/2009MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING - SEPTEMBER 19, 2009
Attendance: Nancy Breef -Pilz; Leonard Epstein, Joe Flynn, Johlt Walgreen, and Director
Janet Campbell. The meeting was convened at 8:10 a.m. j
Secretary's report. Minutes of the April meeting were reviewed and approved. Minutes of
the May meeting were not yet finalized.
Librarian's reports. The librarians' reports were reviewed and details discussed.
A patron recently requested aspirin, reporting chest pains. She had walked from Mansfield
Meadows and refused offers to summon medical help, very upset that the library would not provide
her with medication.
OLD BUSINESS
FY10 budget; state aid request. The library's state aid request has been completed but the
library mist apply for a waiver since the current budget is short by $21,000.
NEw BUSINESS
Meeting room. Questions continue to arise over requests to use the meeting room. Recent
requests include political groups which are believed to be essentially fund raising organizations.
There is also concern over monopolization of the room by groups which reserve prime times for
months in advance. The matter was tabled for continued discussions at a later meeting.
Museum passes. The board approved Janet's recommendation to slightly relax the library's
policy concerning passes and allow patrons to have two at once when the dates are for a consecutive
Saturday and Sunday.
Family card linking. A new Sails program will allow cards in a family (or a group) to be
linked for the purpose of dealing with delinquencies. It will not allow access to the checkout details
of another persons account. More details should be available after Barbara Sheffield attends a Sails
circulation meeting next week.
Staffing. With the possibility of widespread flu, it is likely that library will have to close at
times if it is impossible to have three staff members on duty. Janet will discuss the issue with
Interim Town Manager Nick Riccio and suggest that we be allowed to have people "on call" for
such contingencies. The library cannot replace Kristen because of the Town's hiring freeze.
Magazine theft. The library has recently had a number of House Beautiful magazines
stolen. When the thief triggered an alarm she refused to stop and the police were contacted. The
patron has a long record of petty theft and the board directed Janet to send her a letter terminating
her library privileges.
Holiday hours. The library will close Saturday, December 26.
Library survey. Janet recently initiated a patron survey and has had close to 600 responses,
of which approximately 470 were on line. This was done in connection with preparation of the new
five year plan.
Internet stations. The library is planning to add four new internet stations for a total of
seven. Space is a concern and it will likely be Q 1 in calendar 2010. By contrast, new libraries such
as Norfolk have more internet access, e.g. twelve stations in Norfolk.
Holds. A significant problem is developing with people who don't pick up holds. Some
libraries are now charging patrons for failing to pick up a reserved item.
Next meeting. October 31, 2009. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
Leonard Eps ein,- •etary