HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees 03/30/1996TRUSTEES OF THE MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
MINUTES OF THE SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 1996 MEETNQ i' _ n
Pi l 3. t
ATTENDANCE: Nancy Breef-Pitz, Leonard Epstein, Chris Cormier Hayes, �Lmda Lipso%
Vivian Sweet, Leslie Pasch
The April meeting of the Trustees of the Mansfield Public Library was held in the Certuse
Room of the library on March 30, 1996. The meeting date had been changed from the first
Saturday in April due to the Easter weekend holiday. Nancy called the meeting to order at 8:10
AM.
Chris read the secretary's report form the March meeting which was approved with no
corrections.
Linda presented the treasurer's report from March. Our current balance is $16, 957.12.
The balance in our CD account as of March 28 is $51,645.96. Linda reported that we were
recently audited by the town and all our accounts were found to be in order. She will report next
month on other options for our CD investments as per information received from Fidelity. The
Board recognized and thanked Vivian for another generous donation to the "Sweet" Account.
This fund was established in 1992 by Vivian Sweet for the express purposes of using the "interest
only" for library programming. Linda will open a separate CD account for the all Sweet funds.
Correspondence included a letter from the Robinson Elementary School with a list of
books requesting the cooperation of Leslie and her staff in ascertaining the availability of those
particular books from our library. The Robinson School is implementing an Accelerated Reader
Program, a computerized reading management system, and they wanted to cross-check the books
needed for the program with those currently available at the library. Leslie and Janet will check
off the books that we own and get back to the contact person at the Robinson School.
Leslie highlighted the Librarian's Report for March.
OLD BUSINESS
Leslie reported that the security problems at the library have improved within the past few
weeks. She feels this is in large part due to the efforts of the police department and their diligence
in the patrolling of the library. The Board authorized Leonard to send a letter to Chief O'Neill
recognizing the improvement of the situation, thanking him and his staff for their attention, and
asking them to remain active in their patrol of the library. Leslie has spoken to Mitch Corrigan
from Clear Concepts to inquire about surveillance cameras to be used in the library. He will
research the issue and get back to her.
Leslie updated the Board about the Bristol County Retirement issue. She has called the
four employees who may be affected by the new retirement information. The Board authorized
Leslie to bring up this issue at the next department head meeting and to send another letter to the
Selectmen, the Town Manager and the Town Treasurer to update them on the situation.
The 5 -Year Plan subcommittee updated the Board on their progress to date. Leslie
presented the patron survey for the Board's approval. The Board approved (motion by Vivian,
seconded by Linda) the survey with a few suggested minor changes. It will be distributed to all
patrons upon check-out and left throughout the library for the month of April. (See attached final
copy).
Leslie requested the purchase of another mini -changer for the Youth Department
(approximately $445.00) . After some discussion, it was decided to table this until next month.
ImoA L.4 ►1 I&I
Leslie presented the current "Stranded Children Policy" for updating purposes. The
Board authorized Leslie to call Chief O'Neill to get his advice on the potential involvement of the
Police Department and incorporate his comments into a revised policy.
Leslie presented the Annual Trustees Wish List for the Friends of the Library. The list
(see attached) was approved (motion by Chris, seconded by Vivian).
Leslie updated us on various computer opportunities available soon for the public's use.
First Search, which will allow access to over 50 technical databases, should be available in April
or May; Periodical Database, which will replace our current Info Track with increased
information for less money, should be available July 1; and text -based Internet should be available
for the public's use in June. First Search and Periodical Database both are coming through our
ABLE system.
The Board approved the program "Rose Growing Simplified" with Armand J. Lapierre
(May 6).
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00. The next Library Trustees' meeting will be held
Saturday, May 4, 1996 at 8 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris Cormier Hayes
Secretary, Library Trustees