DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 13, 2003
Members Present: Theodore Flynn (Chair), John Hill, Lynne Walsh, Carl Meier, Margaret Lougee and Nancy Delano
Staff Present: Elaine Winquist (Director), David Murphy (Assistant Director), Nancy Denman (Assistant Director), James Jaquette
(Assistant Director), Deborah Killory (Administrative Assistant)
Also Present: Sally Redmond
The meeting was called to order at 7:45 am in the Setter Room at the Duxbury Free Library.
Minutes of previous meeting
The minutes of the executive session of October 15, 2003 were presented. One amendment was made.
Moved by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Meier, to approve the minutes of the executive session held on October 15, 2003, as amended.
Vote: 6 – 0 in favor
The minutes of the October 15, 2003 regular meeting were presented. One amendment was made.
Moved by Mr. Meier, seconded by Mr. Hill, to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2003 meeting as amended.
Vote: 6 – 0 in favor
Chair’s Report
Mr. Flynn asked Mr. Meier to report on the Inc. Board meeting. Mr. Meier praised the Director on her efforts to maintain staff morale through the tuition reimbursement process and through union contract ratification. He reported that the Friends have already achieved their goal of raising $14,000 and noted their continued fundraising enthusiasm. He also said that the library must begin work on a new long range plan and that the raising of private funds will be higher on the priority list this time, while also cautioning that the library should not become too reliant on non-municipal funding.
Mr. Meier praised the new relationship of the Friends, Trustees and Inc. Board, noting that the co-presidents of the Friends had been invited to the Inc. Board meeting. The trustees discussed setting up a meeting of representatives of the Inc. Board, Friends, public trustees and library staff.
Director’s Report
Ms. Winquist reported that there had been great attendance at the Friends’ meeting and expressed appreciation of the staff’s reader advisory presentation. She thanked Ms. Redmond for all the Friends’ good work. There also has been much enjoyment of the “stress-free book club” collection that provides multiple copies of books as well as discussion questions.
The Director expressed her thanks to Fire Chief Bill Harriman who has arranged for work on repairs to the alarm system, with the fire department handling the invoice.
Both an insurance adjustor and a door technician have looked at the exterior door where a patron injured her foot earlier this year and declared it not to be a door problem; they said that human error led to the injury and suggested a warning sign. The major roof leaks have been repaired.
The Selectmen ratified the library staff union contract at its last meeting; at the November 24, 2004 Special Town Meeting, funding of the contract will be addressed in Article 2.
Patron Behavior
There have been an unusual number of student behavior problems this fall. One sixth grade repeat offender has been banned from the building. There was also a problem with an inebriated adult patron that led to police involvement and a no trespass notice being issued.
Departmental Reports
Reports of the Circulation, Children’s, Reference and Technical Services Departments were distributed. Extension of wireless internet access to the lower level of the building (which will require a new piece of equipment) was discussed. Mr. Flynn asked about the grant for an emergency supply kit mentioned in the reference report and Mr. Murphy explained that the money is available through MIAA.
Friends Report
Ms. Redmond reported that the annual meeting had been spectacular and that she would like to have the staff reader advisory presentation repeated in the future. Ms. Redmond thanked the trustees for the awards to outgoing Friends board members. Material from the presentation will go on the Friends page of the library website. The Friends have $24,000 in their treasury, with $14,000 pledged for the FY04 library budget and $3,500 raised by the Alden walk-a-thon earmarked for the Children’s Department. There is a new, enthusiastic board which is planning to do a major fundraiser. A new fundraising brochure from the Inc. Board will encourage donations through the Inc. Board or the Friends. Mr. Flynn thanked the Friends for their support
and fundraising efforts.
Conflict of Interest Update
Ms. Walsh had attended the town-sponsored workshop on conflict of interest. She found the workshop helpful and provided a phone number for the State Ethics Commission. Ms. Winquist has contacted the commission and found them very helpful.
Budget Updates
There are no budget updates at this time.
Moved by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Meier, to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 am.
Vote: 6 – 0 in favor
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