HomeMy WebLinkAboutLibrary Trustees 05/27/1988t
MINUTES OF TRUSTEES MEETING, MAY 27, 1988 �� I
MAR 1 5 10
All trustees and Director D. Amsden present at meeting which began'' 9:05 a.m.
Guest speaker Bob Hall, a trustee at the Needham Public.Library andian officer -
of a local bank, spoke to the trustees about Needham's handling of endowment
and trust funds. He emphasized that we must draw up a Policy for the use of
trust funds. His example was "Trust Funds must be used for things other than
tax items, e.g. Painting collection. Books should come out of tax funds not
trust funds. He also explained that investing of their sizable funds was done
very conservatively, citing the best and safest investment as Mass. Municipal
Fiduciary Fund, or Money market funds. Trustees should protect the principal
and spend only the interest. Mr. Hall said that Needham goes after funds,
asking people to remember the Library in theri wills, etc. Before he left he
requested the trustees think about donating the Civil War cannon on the front
lawn on the present library to theMass. Military Archive in Natick, which con-
tains all military records from 1775 to the present.
At 9:30 regular meeting got under way. The Treasurer's and secretary's reports
were read and accepted. Alex Salachi moved each trustee give $14 toward the
purchase of Great Woods Fundraising tickets for use by staff members. Marie
Willis seconded and motion passed. A discussion on the policy of museum passes
followed with D. Tighe noting that during vacation weeks with a Monday holiday
a pass could be out of commission for three days. No action was taken.
M. Willis suggested Mansfield get a copy of Needham's policy
statement from Mr. Hall before we set our own policy. D. Amaden
reported tkat'ABLIr 's new system was in use,and totally -automated.,
A.'Salaohi reported on the Fundraising Committee meetings , the
Phon-A-Thou results were approximately $4500; Night at Jimmy's
Pub netted #2000; but the business campaign was not doing very
well. The House Tour by the Fr ends—of the Library was postponed
until the fall.Colin Cauldwell reported that progress on the
new faoility'waa'quite slow and that a Clerk of the Works still
had not been hired. Personnel Committee report was tabled until
the fall and a new policy should 'be ready for the new building.
Nancy Preef-Pilz moved that juvenile sex education books be shelved
in appropriate areas in the youth room, thus reversing a 1951
decision of the Board to remove such books from the youth room.
Al Salachi seconded the motion which passed. The Board also voted
on a motion by A. aalaohi, seconded by M. Willis to 1ae close the
library on Saturdays during July and August, reopening the Saturday
after the Labor Day.weekend, Director D. Amaden left the meeting
.while the Trustees did the annual fob review for the Librarian s
position. The same.foom from the Town Manager was used as 1n the
past several years. However, several trustees expressed dissatis-
faction with the wording of the categories to be reviewed. In
essence, the Trustees voted to find the Director "very good " in
most areas instead of the "outstanding" report she had received
In the past. Outstanding in every category really left no room' `
for discussion or improvement and seemed unrealistic. The ,lob
review was not meant to be critical but the Trustees wanted to
stress to the director their uppermost: goals for improved public
service and referenoe and user/reader services. Meeting Adjourned
at 12:30 p.m. Next meeting was set for Septem 10.
VResp tafully submittedAcreta
Doeen Tighe, recor Ing