BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012
MASHPEE LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: John Kowalski, Patricia Gamache, Sue McGarry, Carlo D’Este, Sandra Lahart, and Jane Dolan.
Absent: David Burton.
Also Present: Kathy Mahoney, Library Director
Mike Richardson – Board of Selectmen
Jack Kowalski, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Carlo D’Este motioned to approve the Regular Session minutes of January 10, 2012 as amended.
Motion was seconded by Patricia Gamache.
VOTE: Yes-6. Motion passed unanimously.
Roll Call Vote: John Kowalski, yes Patricia Gamache, yes
Carlo D’Este, yes Sandra Lahart, yes
Sue McGarry, yes Jane Dolan, yes
Reports
Library Director’s Report
Kathy Mahoney read from her January monthly report, copy of which is attached to the printed set of these minutes. Discussion also included the following:
- Projecting very high circulation numbers for full-time hours on Saturday.
- Jane Dolan asked whether e-Book help sessions offered by Library were posted on Town website. Kathy said she will do that.
- Kathy updated Trustees on details of proposal from Castleberry Craft Fairs to hold Library fundraiser this summer. Trustees approved moving forward with the arrangement. Sue McGarry noted that in any fundraising activities we must be careful not to place the burden on the staff and if this becomes the case then we should examine our practices.
- Kathy met with Kate Watt, Marketing Director, Mashpee Commons to discuss working together on programs and activities.
- Mike Richardson suggested that perhaps the Trustees might want to invite Doug Storrs and John Renz of Mashpee Commons to a Trustee meeting.
- Kids program February schedule poster is displayed in the Library.
- Mary Navicky has been approved to return June 18 as summer staff.
Events Room
Kathy informed the Trustees that 2 businesses whose requests to use the Events Room were denied, have made a request to attend a Trustee meeting to present their case. Consensus of the Trustees was that Kathy, Library Director, would make decisions. It was also decided that a two person subcommittee of Trustees could be formed to review decisions when an appeal is requested.
Events Room (continued)
Kathy received an email from the National Labor Relations Board requesting to hold an election in the Events Room and that they (National Labor Relations Board) would oversee the election. Kathy will ask them to file an application per Library policy.
Staff Hires
Kathy advised that interviews were held on February 3rd for the Reference Library and Circulation Assistant positions. Kathy submitted 2 recommendations for approval to Town…Allison Gifford for Reference Librarian position; and Sheena Steiner for Circulation Assistant position. Pat Gamache stated she was at the interview sessions and Pat said she totally agrees with Kathy Mahoney’s recommendations. Pat said candidates for the same position were all asked the same questions.
Motion: Patricia Gamache motioned to approve the 2 selections named by Kathy Mahoney to fill the Reference Librarian and Circulation Assistant positions; Carlo D’Este seconded this motion.
VOTE: Yes-6. Motion passed unanimously.
Roll Call Vote: John Kowalski, yes Patricia Gamache, yes
Carlo D’Este, yes Sandra Lahart, yes
Sue McGarry, yes Jane Dolan, yes
Kathy said there were a number of very good candidates for the Circulation Assistant position and she hopes to select one of them to fill the position that Allison is vacating. One candidate who applied could work only Saturdays, and Kathy would like to look at her as a contract worker for Saturday; and Kathy would also like to look at remaining candidates to see if they would be willing to accept Allison’s position. The Trustees gave approval to move forward with this plan.
MA Library System
Kathy informed the Trustees that the Director of the MA Library System and several staff members came to the Library and had a Director’s Roundtable. She said it was most informative and covered a variety of issues—for example:
- Need for more staff training held on site at Cape libraries.
- Need for more Trustee training on site on the Cape. Jane suggested web access be utilized.
- Need to work with Friends groups and bring MA Friends group to Cape for training so Friends can hear from “outside” group.
- They’re re-establishing service called “bibliotemps” whereby State would take over the role of providing substitute or contract library help that will be employees of MA Library System. They could take onus off of Town. They would be the vendor and town would pay the bill. Cape Cod offered to be the pilot.
- Kathy said there is a CLAMS meeting tomorrow and this will all be discussed there.
Consensus of the Trustees was that a joint meeting of Mashpee Friends of the Library and Mashpee Library Trustees should be planned for the future. Kathy Mahoney will contact MA Library System for resources to attend the meeting.
Reports (continued)
Art Exhibit Guidelines
Kathy provided a draft of the Mashpee Library Art Exhibit Guidelines, which draft document was reviewed. A copy of the draft is attached to the printed set of these minutes.
Motion: Jane Dolan motioned to accept the Art Exhibit Guidelines as presented in the draft. Sandra Lahart seconded this motion.
VOTE: Yes-6. Motion passed unanimously.
Roll Call Vote: John Kowalski, yes Patricia Gamache, yes
Carlo D’Este, yes Sandra Lahart, yes
Sue McGarry, yes Jane Dolan, yes
Fundraising Questions
Kathy Mahoney had submitted fundraising questions to Town Hall and had requested Town Counsel to respond. Town Counsel provided a written opinion on December 30, 2011 and a copy of this written opinion has been provided to the Trustees. Kathy had shared highlights with Nancy Soderberg, President of the Friends. Pat Gamache is going to e-mail the December 30th document to members of the Board of the Friends.
Friends of the Mashpee Public Library…Pat had nothing to report since today’s meeting of the Friends was cancelled.
Communications
Corresponding Secretary, Pat Gamache
Pat advised that she wrote letters of thanks for contributions and one to an individual who gave $500 in memory of her mother.
Old Business
Library Foundation
Jack received a letter dated February 6th from Brian Garner of DKM&G and e-mailed it to the Trustees. Jack said basically DKM&G is suggesting that going through the Friends 501(c)(3) is not going to work so setting up a separate 501(c)(3) for the Foundation through the Trustees should be looked at. Jane Dolan noted her concern because she said when Falmouth Library Foundation dissolved the assets went to the Cape Cod Foundation and the assets went into a designated fund to benefit the Falmouth Library only. Jack said let’s first check and see what’s involved. Let’s look at other libraries that set up foundations.
February Dinner Dance Fundraiser
Trustees were provided with an update on tickets, posters, ads, table center pieces, ID buttons for Trustees, Friends, etc. Jack said he is taking a week off work to try and secure more funding support. The dinner committee is to meet Friday; final commitment deadline fast approaching.
Next Meeting…5 p.m., Tuesday, March 13, 2012 in the Library Conference Room.
Jack Kowalski asked for a motion to move to Executive Session to discuss staffing.
Motion: Sandra Lahart motioned to adjourn at 7:50 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 Jane Dolan.
VOTE: Yes-6. Motion passed unanimously.
Roll Call Vote: John Kowalski, yes Patricia Gamache, yes
Carlo D’Este, yes Sandra Lahart, yes
Sue McGarry, yes Jane Dolan, yes
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Giliberti
Recording Secretary
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