BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2011
MASHPEE LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: John Kowalski, Patricia Gamache, David Burton, Sue McGarry, Carlo D’Este, and Sandra Lahart.
Absent: Jane Dolan.
Also Present: Kathy Mahoney, Library Director
Mike Richardson – Board of Selectmen
Rodney Collins – Chief of Police
Jack Kowalski, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 5 p.m. and stated that there was an incident at the Library and Chief Collins is here to briefly report at this meeting.
Motion: John Kowalski motioned that Chief Collins be added to the agenda of this meeting; Carlo D’Este seconded the motion.
VOTE: Yes-6-0.
Roll Call Vote: John Kowalski, yes Patricia Gamache, yes
David Burton, yes Sandra Lahart, yes
Sue McGarry, yes Carlo D’Este, yes
Chief Collins
Chief Collins began by first asking Kathy Mahoney to provide the background of what happened. Kathy Mahoney stated that last Thursday a young 20-year old man and his mother came to the Library and it was brought to Kathy’s attention that he was bothering some of the patrons. He was muttering; wandering around the building; and bothering some of the women. He came back to the Library the next day with his mother; and Monday came back and was here 3-4 hours. A female patron called to advise that he followed her and was muttering obscenities. She was frightened and was leaving the premises through the parking lot door. He followed her out to the parking lot and she called to report this. Kathy advised that they have learned that this individual had been banned from Falmouth’s
Library.
Chief Collins advised that we have obtained a non-trespass Order. Chief Collins stated that they have identified the individual involved. Chief said the Library staff handled the situation very well. He said the last time he addressed the Trustees he had said to focus on conduct; and the staff did that. This individual’s behavior was obscure; he was previously issued a no-trespass out of Falmouth; he has mental health issues, but we have to assure safety of the Library patrons and staff.
Chief Collins instructed Kathy to call Police Department if this individual returns to the Library and they will issue the non-trespass Order. He said if there is imminent threat, dial 911; otherwise dial the 1480 phone number and Police will come to remove him.
The Trustees unanimously agreed that the action taken by the Library Director and Mashpee Police Department was appropriate in this situation.
Approval of Minutes
Sue McGarry motioned to approve the Regular and Executive Session minutes of July 12, 2011 as presented.
Motion was seconded by Patricia Gamache.
VOTE: Yes-5; 1-abstain.
Roll Call Vote: John Kowalski, yes Patricia Gamache, yes
Carlo D’Este, yes Sandra Lahart, yes
Sue McGarry, yes David Burton, abstain
Chief Collins exited the meeting.
Reports
Library Director’s Reports
Kathy Mahoney distributed copies of her monthly report and the CLAMS circulation report for the month of July. Also provided was a copy of Janet Burke’s July monthly report. Copies of these reports are attached to the printed set of these minutes. The reports were reviewed and discussed. Other points discussed included:
• Kathy advised that if the Library opened another 4 hours September through Memorial Day then we would get full payment State funding, rather than a pro-rated amount. Kathy said she is thinking of ways to add the 4 hours and probably they’d do a survey to get patron feedback. David mentioned that in the past 2-3 surveys done there was an indication that Tuesday and Thursday nights and Saturday afternoon needed extra hours.
• Jack stated that the long-range plan will take about 2-3 meetings of a 10-12 member cross-section committee with a moderator and then open Public Town Meeting and then conclude with the plan.
Friends of the Mashpee Public Library…Pat Gamache provided an update report to the Trustees.
Events Room
Pat Gamache mentioned that the Friend’s are very concerned about the meeting room policy.
Jack Kowalski said he, Kathy, Tom Mayo and Town Counsel had a meeting and unfortunately the way the Friends expect to use the Events Room is not possible. Jack provided some of the highlights of the discussion:
• Town Counsel made it clear that it is not acceptable for Friends to have any more rights than anyone else. Jack said we know it is unfortunate because of all that the Friends do for the Library.
• Jack said he asked Tom Mayo to check as to basis on which Town Counsel opinion is based. Tom will follow-up with Town Counsel on this and then we will be able to address this with the Friends.
• Book Sale…Books are gifts to the Library. Friends do all the sorting and work but according to Town Counsel they can’t run the book sale and put the money in their account—it has to go into the Town’s Library Donation Account. Books off the shelves that go into the book sale are Town property and cannot go to Friends to keep the money.
• Jack again reiterated that when we get the memorandum of law on which Counsel opinions are based, then it will be made available to the Trustees and to the Friends.
• Kathy mentioned that a number of libraries have a situation where Friends buy best-seller books and patrons pay a rental fee. Kathy said Friends can buy the books through the Library and get a great discount; rent out and then eventually sell the books. She said this is a way to earn approximate the same amount of money in a less-labor intense manner.
• Jack mentioned that Town Counsel said there are varying accounts where Friends can distribute funds … for instance they can place an amount they budget for book purchases for the Library in one account; set-up a gift account for something they would like to buy as a gift, etc.
Salary and Compensation Report
Kathy Mahoney said a request was submitted to the committee for her position to be reclassified and in addition to Library Director’s position there were 3 other positions in Town that were submitted to be reclassified. Kathy said that Joyce Mason suggested that Town gets rid of the committee so that reclassifications aren’t done every 3 years and not done through the union. If the union votes to accept this contract, then reclassification requests would go directly to Town Hall.
Communications
• Mike Richardson stated there are very positive comments on Kathy Mahoney as Library Director.
• Mike advised that Town Hall may ask for meeting room availability in the future because of water damage that happened at Town Hall.
Unfinished Business
Teen Room
Kathy said she was informed that a contractor was awarded the contract for doing all signage in the Library when the Library was built and that we should use that contractor so all signage is consistent. David Burton said that sign company doesn’t have contract in perpetuity but it does make sense to do it for consistency. Sue McGarry said that Mike Day worked up the schematic and if the other contractor can give an estimate and if Mike Day’s estimate is less then perhaps Joyce would approve having Mike Day do the signage. Jack Kowalski stated we’ve been working on this; he wants to see that it gets done.
Conclusion: Kathy will contact Joyce Mason.
Central Desk Collection Bin
David Burton said the collection bin is an eyesore and he’s seeking to remedy through self-help. David said Catherine Laurent will do whatever she can and is always willing to help.
David said to Kathy Mahoney that if Kathy is available then Mr. Vin Kiernan and his master carpenter will meet with Kathy on Thursday at 10 a.m. Kathy said she would be there but first Kathy would like to inform Catherine Laurent. All agreed and Kathy will do so.
Next Meeting…5 p.m., Tuesday, September 13, 2011 in the Library Conference Room.
John Kowalski asked for a motion to move to Executive Session to discuss staffing.
Motion made by Sandra Lahart to adjourn at 6:44 p.m. The Library Trustees will enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing staffing. The Trustees will not reconvene in Open Session.
Motion seconded by Patricia Gamache.
VOTE: Unanimous 6-0
Roll Call Vote:
Carlo D’Este, yes. John Kowalski, yes.
David Burton, yes. Patricia Gamache, yes.
Sandra Lahart, yes. Sue McGarry, yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Giliberti, Recording Secretary
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