HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees Minutes 9/29/2007MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY f T +
BOARD of TRUSTEES MEETING - SEPTEMBER 29;1 ,3QP7t11 ,9 3 11. 1,6
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Attendance: Nancy Breef -Pilz; Chris Cormier- Hayes; Leonard §�intli�$
John Walgreen; and Director Janet Campbell. Joe convened the meeting at 8:20 a.m.
Secretary's report. The minutes of the June meeting were reviewed and approved.
Treasurer's report. Treasurer's reports for June, July and August were reviewed and
approved.
Librarian's report. The Librarians' Reports were reviewed and highlights discussed.
Overdue materials. Janet reported that in the spring she had telephoned numerous
patrons with accrued fines of $25 or more. The effort was not particularly successful. A recent
overdue report disclosed large fines due from several patrons and she will again be attempting
collection with phone calls. Mansfield, with its population close to 25,000, has over 15,000
active library cardholders, viz. those who have used their cards within the past three years.
NEW BUSINESS
Collection development; audiobooks. Because of sharply reduced circulation and
diminishing shelf space, the board approved Janet's recommendation to terminate purchases of
audiotapes and to expand the audiobook collection with CDs only.
Decertification of Bridgewater Library., Janet reported that Bridgewater refused to
pass a tax override and accordingly has totally eliminated funding for the Senior Center,
Recreation Department and the Library. Elimination of the library will result in the town
becoming liable for repayment of $400,000, plus interest, in state and federal funds provided for
the building's construction subject to a requirement of 20 years operation. The board reaffirmed
its policy of denying service to residents of cities and towns with decertified (or, in this case,
nonexistent) libraries.
Edaville Railroad passes. The board approved Janet's recommendation to exempt
library staff members from the library's policy of limiting Edaville passes to one use per year per
family.
Computer management; "Envisionware." Sails now has available software to manage
library patrons' computer usage. It relieves staff of having to keep track of users' on/offtimes,
collect printing fees, etc. The system is being used in the Norfolk and Attleboro libraries with
excellent results. Janet is to investigate further but the board has approved the initial investment
of approximately $5,000 which will cover the four internet computers (three adult and one
childrens') and two word processors. The board also approved Janet's recommendation to
increase printing fees to $0.10 for black and white and $0.25 for color.
One Book, One Town. The Mansfield Women of Today are working on jointly
sponsoring a community reading project. The goal is to motivate as many people as possible in
the town to read a particular book which then becomes the subject of derivative programs and
discussion groups. The work chosen is Three Cups of Tea, the account of Greg Mortensen's
attempt to combat extremism in Pakistan by building schools, especially for girls, in a region
controlled by the Taliban. The board approved up to $2,000 in MFG funds for book purchases
and programming, although Janet noted it may be possible to obtain copies of the book from
other communities which are now using it for the same type of program.
Staff training. Most of the staff will be participating in an October 1 program dealing
with violence in the workplace.
Staff shortage. Two staff members are scheduled for surgery with long convalescent
times. Janet is confident that other personnel will be helpful in covering the shortages.
Public Library Association. In March Janet will be attending the annual meeting which
this year is in Minneapolis.
Fine complaints. In a recent incident a patron disputed accrued fines for what was
confirmed by staff members to be the third time. Although the board approved waiving the
disputed fine, the staff will start noting such incidents in patrons' records in order to document a
basis on which to deny multiple waivers in the future.
Fiber optics. The MIS Department has asked for $2,000 for fiber optics communications
which would allow remote work on the library's computers. Based on the MIS Director's
previous comments to Janet that the MIS Department has money allocated for the library, the
board denied the request for funds.
Next meeting. November 3, 2007. The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
Leonard Ep to ecording Secretary