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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees 03/04/2000MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING - MARCH 4, 2000 _ Joe convened the meeting at 8:10 a.m. in the Certuse Room of the Mansfield Public Library. Attendance: Attendance: Nancy Breef-Pitz; Chris Cormier Hayes; Leonard Epstein;, Joseph Flynn; and John Walgreen. The Director, Leslie Pasch, was also present. , c: Secretary's report. The minutes of the February meeting were reviewed and approved: Treasurer's report. Chris presented the Treasurer's Report which was accepted. Chris has received materials from Merrill Lynch to establish our checking account and in that context the board discussed alternatives for check processing and signing requirements. Correspondence. Recent correspondence was reviewed including a February 17 memo from Leslie to the trustees reporting on the latest developments in trying to resolve the Electric Department's incorrect billings; a February 28 memo from Leslie to John D'Agostino concerning the incorrect electric billings; and the SEMLS newsletter. Leslie went on to explain more details of the electric bill problem. The library's power account is now exhausted in that the current bill exceeds the remaining funds. The library has received a credit for $2,100, which was far less than Leslie had anticipated. On March 13 Leslie will be meeting with the light department, the town manager, and Gale Farrugia to discuss the matter further. The town manager had previously assured Leslie that any shortfall will be covered with a reserve fund transfer. Recently, however, he has also mentioned the possibility - of adding the funding requirement to the agenda for a special town meeting. Leslie continues to believe that something is radically wrong since the increased charges are so large (e.g. the bill for August 1999 was $600 higher than August 1998). The board recommended that Leslie continue to press the position that the problem rests with the Electric Department, and the Iibrary will pay no charges until the error is corrected. Librarian's report. Leslie has signed the new SAILS/SIRSI contract with implementation scheduled to commence in August. Weeding has continued. An anonymous patron has donated a television and VCR for the small conference room. The old collection has been removed and Mary will be rearranging the Certuse Room. Leslie highlighed Janet Campbell's report, noting in particular the extraordinary popularity of the under 2 story times. Janet has started her program of volunteer story readers who will be going to day care centers. OLD BUSINESS ADA Workstation. Joe reported on his efforts to locate a source for an ADA workstation. Vendors are very backlogged and it will be difficult to complete the acquisition by March 19 (the date of the Titanic program which will be in Vivian Sweet's honor). Trustee emeritus. Leslie has investigated the question of Vivian's election as a Trustee Emeritus. Betsy Wolfe, Trustee Liaison with the Board of Library Commissioners, has opined that technically such an appointment would require an amendment of the by-laws. After discussion the board agreed to change the designation to Honorary Trustee. Leslie will prepare a certificate and will obtain a commendation from the BLC, which Ms. Wolfe also recommended. Budget. FY 2001. Leslie still has no appointment with the Finance Commission. The only uncertain items concerning the budget are electricity and heat, the latter because of a vendor change. Chairpersons' meeting. Leslie and Joe attended the chairpersons' meeting which went well, with significant interest in the library's operations and well being. There was a discussion about library staffing, with Joe using the opportunity to point out that staffing has been held essentially constant, notwithstanding a great change in the duties of library staff who must now be computer literate. Diane Royle remains supportive and complimentary about the library. There was interest in the library's internet capabilities, museum passes, and services for young adults. NEw BUSINESS Fine freeep riod. The board unanimously approved Leslie's recommendation of a two week find free period from April 3-15. Internet service. Leslie will investigate the availability ofDSL internet service, which Media One began offering on March 1. March programs. March programs were approved including: Your Garden Shouldn't - Drive You Crazy (C.L. Fornari, 03/16/00, $200); Clay Work (Ann McCrea, 03/18/00, $215); The Titanic; A History (John Gosson, 03/19/00, $200); Sign Language: An Introductory Course (Lucille Vose, 4 classes commencing 03/23, $200); Cooldng Chinese & Chinese Cooking for Young Adults (two programs, Norma Chang, 03/27, $400). Gifts. Gifts were reviewed; all have been acknowledged. Selection of board members. Leslie has received a request from the Board of Selectmen for questions to be used in interviewing prospective applicants. She invited board members to submit any proposed questions which she will use in responding to the Selectmen. Meg funds. In response to her inquiry, Leslie was instructed to continue to be alert for possible uses for MEG funds. John Walgreen suggested the library acquire a biography of Gen. George C. Marshall. Joe recommended the addition of more non-fiction works to the books on tape collection. The board approved two expenditures for promotional materials including bookmarks and a welcome banner for the library. Next meeting. April 8, 2000, at 8:00 a. m, The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.