HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees 09/12/1998MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING - SEPTEMBER 12, 199,5 S F j 12. 3 1
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Attendance: Nancy Breef-Pitz; Chris Cormier Hayes; Leonard Epstein;, VivianwCet.
The Director, Leslie Pasch, was also present. Joseph Flynn was unable to attend.
Nancy convened the meeting at 8:15 a.m, in the Certuse Room of the Mansfield Public
Library.
Secretg yr 's report, The secretary's report was read and approved.
Correspondence. Recent correspondence was reviewed.
Librarian's report, Leslie presented the reports of the Director and Childrens'
Librarian.
Hockomock Community Partnership The board unanimously voted to accept a large
supply of materials to be made available by the Hockomock Community Partnership for
Children (as described in Ms. Campbell's report). Leslie noted there will be some difficulty with
space but re-arranging of some materials will be feasible.
Treasurer's report, Chris presented the July and August reports, both of which were
closed prior to the transfer of funds to the checking, account for investment in Prudential.
$64;220,24 has been moved to the checking account which had a total balance of $67,115.95 as
of September 9. The Scudder account balance is $16,642.50. The board voted to transfer
$80,000 to Prudential Securities for investment for investment in a modified moderate portfolio
as described in minutes of the July 13, 1998 meeting, (Joe had approved the amount of the
proposed transfer prior to this meeting.) After discussion it was decided to allow dividends to
accumulate to maximize the library's return, with cash to be withdrawn if and as required for
program funding or other needs deemed appropriate by the board. Nancy and Chris executed
Prudential's Customer Account Transfer form authorizing Prudential to close the Scudder
account and transfer the funds.
OLD BUSINESS
Charter review. The latest draft was discussed. Leslie will contact the commission to
determine whether there is any reason for further input from the library and to understand
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whether the proposed charter will be accepted or rejected in total, or whether portions may be
adopted piecemeal.
. Library sign(s). Leslie reported that to date she has been able to obtain only two
acceptable quotations. No response has been forthcoming from Paul Farmer, who made the
Foxboro COA sign which is very attractive, notwithstanding numerous promises to provide a
quote. Vivian suggested contacting Bill Cross, another sign maker who may be interested in
bidding. The board concluded that the present sign will have to be used for the winter especially
since it will be necessary to obtain input from the COA. October 13 was tentatively scheduled
for <a joint meeting.
Hope Street Parking,. Leslie attended a meeting on August 20 and expressed the library's
continuing concerns about the lack of paving and the absence of a fence behind the library.
Paving remains uncertain. Fencing is planned to extend only to the rear of the gas station, i.e.
the fence is not now planned to extend behind the library which the board sees as a significant
issue because of (1) an increased possibility of vandalism and (2) parents using the library as a
drop off point when taking children to the athletic fields. The anticipated completion date is
spring 2000.
NEw BUSINESS
Security guard for Halloween. The board voted to engage a security guard for Friday and
Saturday nights, October 30 and 31, from sundown through 2:00 a.m.
.Origival libra collection. Leslie will have Nora Belmore, President of the Friends,
review the original collection to determine whether there are any titles which may be particularly
valuable or which should be kept. Routine titles will be sold at the Friends' annual book sale.
Extra hours for FY budget
The board discussed, increasing the library's hours of operation in connection with Leslie's need
to commence work on next year's budget. Leslie noted that Mondays in August are particularly
busy when the library is not open on the prior Saturday, The cost of Saturdays in August would
be relatively modest, $1,039.52 including Labor Day weekend. Adding an hour to the closing
time for the year (9:00 p.m.) would cost $3,653.52 and would likely be a burden to the staff.
Nancy noted that opening at 10:00 a.m. on Mondays would be helpful and Leslie confirmed that
she receives many complaints from the public about the noon opening. The board voted to
authorize Leslie to budget for remaining open on Saturdays during August and to open at 10:00
a.m. on Mondays (year round).
Rental collection. The board again discussed the possibility of a rental collection (which
would be operated by the Friends). The idea received favorable support in the library's public
survey and is part of the extant five year plan. Operational considerations include whether to
buy or lease materials which would bear on the processing requirements prior to putting
materials into circulation. Most libraries are charging $1.00 for a one week rental, and $0.25 per
day thereafter. Leslie has inquired about the public reaction at other libraries which have similar
programs and reported that there were no complaints and a lot of favorable response from people
who were happy not to wait for new materials to become available. Leslie also found that
having a rental collection has shortened the reserve lists at the various libraries she sampled.
Leslie noted that new fiction is often depleted, even with her rental program which she uses for
multiple copies of best sellers. Leslie has increased her lease program which is now $7,000.
Chris continued to express strong opposition to the idea which she views as antithetical to a free
library.
The board also discussed the increasing demand for unabridged audiobooks, including
the choice of vendors. Vivian and Leonard questioned the relative scarcity of titles from
Recorded Books, which has the greatest selection of titles and highest quality among the various
vendors. Leslie reported that Recorded Books' discount policy is far less favorable than those of
competing companies including Books on Tape, Brilliance, etc.
The board decided to take no action on the issue of a rental collection and the matter was
tabled.
Fine free period. The board voted to authorize a fine free period for the first two weeks
in October. Food pantry donations will be accepted,
September programs A single program was approved (power language for women).
Gifts. Gifts were noted.
Salary schedule, Leslie reported on an anomaly which has arisen from the
implementation of the new salary, schedule. A problem has arisen in that the personnel policy
provides that employees who commence work in the first half of the fiscal are eligible for a raise
in July. Employees commencing in the second half of the year must wait until the next July.
This results in certain new employees being paid more than similarly situated older staff
members. It was suggested that Leslie handle the situation as tactfully as possible, stressing the
problem as one that typically occurs when working for a government entity.
Next meeting_. October 3, 1998.
The meeting was adjourned at11:05 a.m.
Leonard