HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees 02/14/1998MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING - FEBRUARY 14,1998 -' i
Attendance: Nancy Breef-Pili; Chris Cormier Hayes; Leonard Epstein; Joseph Flynn,
Vivian Sweet; 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. Chis read the minutes of the January 3, 1998 meeting which were approved.
Treasurer's Report, Chris presented the Treasurer's Report which was approved.
Various accounts were discussed: It was noted that the Sweet account certificate of deposit will
mature in June 1998. The Trustees' account continues as a 90 day certificate of deposit, with
what have been essentially automatic renewals with no funds having been withdrawn. The next
renewal is scheduled in March. Chris suggested considering whether longer term CDS would be
advantageous to avoid the frequent renewals,
Correspondence. Various memos from Leslie were reviewed.
OLD BUSINESS
Librarian's Report. Leslie presented her monthly report and initiated discussion with the
Board of several issues.
PCLogistics. Leslie reported in detail on major problems with the three computers
purchased in December 1997 from PCLogistics. Initially only two of the three machines
worked. The third has never functioned properly and recently one of the two that had worked
has started to evidence significant problems. Numerous service calls have been made, without
significant improvement. At the time of the meeting all three of the systems were out of service,
undergoing a series of diagnostic tests to continue for several days. The Board was very
concerned about the unacceptable performance of the systems and, after extensive discussion,
voted to instruct the Director to inform PCLogistics that the equipment was being rejected for
failure to satisfy the terms of the purchase contract, Leslie was further instructed to refuse any
further offers by PCLogistics to repair or replace equipment and to engage the assistance of
Leonard Epstein should the company fail to comply with her demand to remove it.
Georgia Pacific, Leslie informed the Board that the library's claim had been settled by
Town Counsel for approximately $10,000 which has been placed in a special account for
building related expenses for MPL/COA.
Sien. Leslie noted that the library's sign is in poor condition and needs replacement; the
matter will be discussed with the Council on Aging.
Childrens' Librarian. Leslie presented Janet's Campbell's report. She informed the
Board that a newspaper article is in the process of being written which will note, inter alfa, that
Mansfield has Massachusetts' highest per capita concentration of children under 14.
Budget. The budget has been approved by the Finance Committee without reduction,
including funding for the continuation of Sunday openings. (Leslie reminded the Committee that
last year Sunday openings were paid from state aid.) Chris congratulated Leslie on her polished
and comprehensive financial package, and for her highly effective presentation to the Finance
Committee. The Town Manager was at the review meeting and appeared similarly pleased and
satisfied.
Trustees' Fundraising At Leslie's request Mary Tynan had located the results of prior
Trustees' fundraiser targeting the Mansfield business community. The results of the prior effort
were marginal at best (10 contributions) and the Board tabled the matter, concluding that another
such campaign would not be productive.
Joe reported on independent research he has begun (at the Attleboro Library) to identify
foundations and businesses which have funds available for grants to libraries. He had several
directories with him including The Big Book of Library Grant Money and The National Guide to
Funding for Libraries & Information Services and had prepared copies of illustrative pages for
the trustees. Joe described his recent discussion with a representative of the National
Geographic Society which arose from his concern over the lack of geography courses in
Mansfield beyond fifth grade. The Board expressed appreciation of Joe's efforts and
enthusiastically accepted his offer to investigate further the feasibility of identifying possible
corporate and foundation donors for future contact. This led to a discussion of the Friends'
continuing fundraising on behalf of the Library and possibility of periodic contributions to an
endowment.
Mansfield Charter Review. Leslie outlined significant changes in hiring and reviewing
the Library Director which are under consideration by the Charter Review Commission. Jt was
agreed that Nancy will seek a meeting with John Dunn for the Board to make another attempt to
convince the Commission of the Library's uniqueness in order to maintain the trustees'
independence in selecting and reviewing Directors.
Personnel Policv. Leslie presented recommended additions to the library's Personnel
Policy covering Sunday compensation. The additions were approved by the Board.
NEW BUSINESS
Refinishing Certuse Room table. Leslie presented quotations obtained from four vendors
and, having obtained satisfactory references, recommended accepting the lowest bid which was
by Finishers Touch, Inc., W. Bridgewater, $1,260, with the work to be completed approximately
MANSFIELD LIBRARY, TRUSTEES' MEETING, FEBRUARY 14,1998 -PAGE 2
one week after the table is removed from the library. The Board unanimously approved and
directed payment from state aid funds.
Computer Committee. Leslie reported that she is serving on anew Town of Mansfield
computer committee.
Programs. Recommended programs were approved.
Book reviews for library VAtrons. Joe reported on his calls to The Washington Post and
New York Times, neither of which make free copies of reviews to libraries. However, he has
located another publication which maybe of interest, viz. Phoenix Literary Section (Elizabeth
Bausch, Editor), which is apparently a review service published by the Boston Phoenix which
will supply approximately two hundred free copies to the library. Leslie will review a sample.
Next meeting March 7, 1998. (Joe noted that he will be absent.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
Leonard p ein, Recoi-6 -Sesr`
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