BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2010
MASHPEE LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: David Burton (arrived 6:10 p.m.), John Kowalski, Jane Dolan, Carlo D’Este, Patricia Gamache, Nancy Soderberg (arrived 6:15 p.m.), and Helene DeFoe, Library Director.
Absent: Dianna Smith.
A quorum being present, Jane Dolan called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
John Kowalski motioned to accept the minutes of the Meeting of May 13, 2010 as presented; Carlo D’Este seconded this motion; and the motion was approved by all Trustees then present, with Patricia Gamache abstaining.
Reports
Helene DeFoe distributed her monthly report and the CLAMS Circulation Statistics report for the month of May as well as PersonNameJanet Burke’s report for the same timeframe. Copies of these reports are attached to the printed set of these minutes. The reports were reviewed and discussed.
· Helene reported that they still don’t know the cause of the odor but that the building Project Manager said he noticed it about a week or so prior to the start-up of the AC.
· Contractor doing an ionization treatment tonight in hopes it will remove the odor.
· Jane Dolan suggested contacting the Plymouth High School that has this same system to determine whether they had any such issue.
Staffing
David briefly updated Pat Gamache on the Trustee activities during her absence.
Trustees were informed that next Friday Attorney Mark Gildea will meet with Town Counsel Pat Costello. This is the meeting the Trustees asked Mark Gildea to attend on behalf of the Trustees in an attempt to work towards a resolution to add staff to the Library. Trustee Jane Dolan will attend the meeting, but the particulars—time; agenda; attendees—not yet available. David commented that we’ve been looking at how we can best utilize temporary staff and what concessions can we get from Town. David reiterated that the Friends have made funds available for the short term; we need Town to help by running payroll through the Town. Also, we need Town
to provide long-term staffing. Jack Kowalski said after the Friday meeting he thinks we will have a much clearer picture.
Helene advised the Trustees that at the staff meeting with Joyce Mason the staff brought up the building issues they’ve been facing, the staffing issues, and Janet Trask asked Joyce where the library is on the priority list. Joyce responded the priority is Police, Fire, and Library. Joyce told the staff: we’ve heard; we understand; we support, but money not there right now. Jane Dolan was at the staff meeting and said Joyce brought up the subject of October town meeting.
Helene said Selectmen Terrie Cook is entering the data to update the library inventory for Helene. Selectmen Mike Richardson was pushing to train the volunteers. Carlo D’Este said a retiree, Peter Epstein, approached Carlo and is offering to volunteer his services.
Staffing (continued)
Carlo’D’Este stated that the Trustees need to publicize our case and he said he feels we should ask the public to stand by us. Carlo submitted to the Trustees for their consideration a petition he drafted with the goal of obtaining at least 500 signatures; an announcement encouraging the public to let elected officials know the public feeling about the library; and Carlo also proposed that a recent article published by PersonNameBarbara Notarius should be reproduced and copies left at the library for patrons to reference. After reviewing the proposals the consensus was to see the outcome of Friday’s meeting and if needed begin with the petition.
Motion: David Burton motioned that the Trustees approve Carlo’s petition as presented and its implementation is to be determined; Patricia Gamache seconded this motion; and it was unanimously approved.
Town Meeting Article
The Trustees agreed that an Article should go on the October Town Meeting Warrant to create 2 staff positions for the library. The consensus of the Trustees was that since October Warrant Articles are to be submitted in July and the date may be before the July Trustee meeting that the Trustees should approve submission of the Article at this meeting.
Motion: John Kowalski motioned to adopt proposed updated verbiage of last year’s Article to create 2 full-time library staff positions; this motion was seconded by Carlo D’Este; and was unanimously approved.
Special Events Room
Jack Kowalski advised that the Friends keep asking about the Special Events Room policy. Jack said he explained that with staffing issues we haven’t addressed this yet. Jack suggested that perhaps this topic is something we should address at the next Trustee meeting.
Helene commented that about 2 months ago she went to a meeting with Joyce Mason about user fees. Helene said about a year or so ago PersonNameBarbara Notarius asked Joyce whether the Friends could get any money from these fees. Town Counsel said money could not go to the Friends so any money being taken in would have to go between the Town and Library for janitorial services, and things of that nature.
Helene said she has been receiving queries about using the “public” rooms. She said someone who does financial planning said he would like to use the conference room for seminars.
Helene said at this point reservations are being taken but not charging anything since we don’t have a fee schedule yet. Helene said a Veterans group is using the events room tonight.
Jack Kowalski asked whether someone would be willing to research and draft a policy and fee schedule. Carlo D’Este, Patricia Gamache, Nancy Soderberg, and David Burton volunteered to work on this project. Helene said once the policy/fee schedule is in place then the events coordinator could be a volunteer project.
Next Meeting…6 p.m., Tuesday, July 13, 2010 in the Library Conference Room.
Adjournment…
John Kowalski motioned to adjourn the meeting; Patricia Gamache seconded the motion; and it was unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Giliberti
Recording Secretary
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