HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees 02/05/2000MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING - FEBRUARY 5, 2000
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Attendance: Nancy Breef-Pilz; Chris Cormier Hayes; Leonard Epstein; Joseph Flynn',
and John Walgreen. The Director, Leslie Pasch, was also present.
Nancy convened the meeting at 8:15 a.m. in the Certuse Room of the Mansfield Public
Library and welcomed John Walgreen, the new member of the board.
Secretary's report. Minutes of the January 8, 2000 meeting, taken by Joe Flynn, were
reviewed and accepted subject to a minor correction. Minutes of the December 4, 1999 meeting,
and the joint meeting with the Council on Aging, were reviewed and approved.
Treasurer's report. Chris presented the Treasurer's Report which was accepted. She
reported on conversations with Mike Bellody who had recommended waiting until today's
meeting to initiate closeout of the Mansfield Cooperative account and transfer of its funds to
Merrill Lynch, the purpose being to facilitate the process by writing a check at the meeting.
Mike will segregate $4,500 in a separate money market account, available through checks drawn
on the overall account, for which Chris will be ordering checks. (There will be no additional fee
since the cost is already paid as part of the overall Merrill Lynch administrative charges.) Use of
the Sweet account will simply require a transfer to the operating account, thus making it
accessible by check.
Vivian will be invited to the Sunday, March 19, 2000 program on the Titanic, which will
be funded from her contributions. Joe reported on progress in acquiring the ADA terminal
which will also be in her honor.
Correspondence. Recent correspondence was reviewed, including thank you notes from
several recipients of books given from the old collection, guidelines for budget review session
appointments of John and Nancy to the Board, the SEMLS newsletters, a memo from Dianne
Royle announcing the next chairmen's meeting (2/9 - 7:30), and a memo from Leslie to Town
Manager detailing the budget.
Librarian's report. SAILS. Leslie presented the Librarian's report. ABLE and SEAL
are now dissolved, and are completely merged into SAILS, with 36 libraries in the SAILS
system, including several schools (high school, middle schools, Mass. Maritime Academy,
Bristol Community College, etc.) All materials will be available and searchable through the
database.
Electricity. Leslie reported that, for reasons unknown, the library's power usage has
increased significantly. She has initiated an inquiry with the Light Department. The library is a
commercial account, and thus subject to the "bill demand" system which links cost to peak usage
in the prior year. (Bill demand = highest 15 minute period of usage each month, which subjects
the organization to that benchmark for the next year.) The town will be performing an "energy
audit" to determine if the library is wasting electricity. Initially the lighting department was
going to issue a credit, but Leslie's discussions with the Town Manager has indicated the
shortfall (now approximately $4,000), may be covered from the Reserve Fund. John explained
that the "bill demand" is a separate fee assessed for peak demand, to cover the cost of the
lighting department having to invest to meet future peak demands.
Friends. The Friends will be sponsoring two programs, "Cold Science" and a
planetarium presentation.
Leslie also reviewed Janet Campbell's report.
OLD BusINEss
Election of officers. Leonard nominated the following slate of officers. Chris seconded
the motion which was unanimously approved.
Joseph Flynn - Chairman
Nancy Breef-Pilz - Vice Chairman
Chris Cormier Hayes - Treasurer
Leonard Epstein - Recording Secretary
John Walgreen - Corresponding Secretary
Leonard moved that Vivian Sweet be made a Trustee Emeritus of the board. John
seconded and the motion was unanimously approved.
Leslie then passed the gavel to Joe Flynn who conducted the balance of the meeting.
Budget. Leslie reported that the Town Manager was concerned over the proposed
budget, particularly the pay increases recently voted by the board. Leslie's January 25 meeting
with the Town Manager, Treasurer, Accountant, and Assessor was also covered in her January
28 memo to the trustees. The Town Manager has asked Leslie to prepare a detailed
memorandum explaining the various budget line items. Copies of Leslie's memo will be made
for the trustees.
Leslie recommended that one or more members of the board meet with the Town
Manager to try to resolve philosophical differences over the library's new personnel policy,
selection of the library director, salary, and related issues. Joe Flynn will discuss these issues
with the Town Manager at an appropriate time.
Leslie recommended including various additional materials in the budget submission
including information on increased usage, comparable salary data showing that Mansfield
allocates a smaller percentage of its budget to salaries than do many other comparably sized
libraries, increased services being offered, the library's careful use of alternative funding, etc.
The library is now seeking a new half time person for the children's room, which is the
first increase in staff since 1994.
Leslie will advise as soon as she receives notification of the library's appointment to
present its budget to the Finance Commission.
NEW BUSINESS
Ceiling fans for meeting room. The board reviewed a memorandum from Gale
Farrugia, Director of the Council on Aging, advising that the COA has voted to select Weber
Electric to install two fans on a single circuit for $650. John moved to ratify CONS selection,
subject to verification that DPW also approve the proposal. Leonard seconded the motion which
was approved.
Computer purchase/meg wish list. The library needs six new computers to complete its
replacement of the remaining dumb terminals and the board reviewed a memo from Debby
Conrad and Steve Dalpe describing computers available from SAILS' vendor. The Board
approved the purchase of six Type B machines @ $1,000 each plus $45 setup. The board also
approved a scanner for technical services, $505; setup of the reference department and youth
room on SAILS, $90; patch cables for reference and youth room, $14; printers for technical
services and reference, $600 (plus shipping); YA nonfiction purchases, $500; and a Kendall
Whaling Museum pass, $40.
Programs. February programs were approved including John Porcino, storyteller-
folksinger (February 23), $330.
Gi t . Gifts were reviewed; all have been acknowledged.
Next meeting. March 4, 2000, 8:00 a.m.
Joe adjourned the meeting.
Leonar pstein, R ording Secretary