BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013
MASHPEE LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: John Kowalski, Carlo D’Este, Chip Bishop, Sue McGarry, Sandra Lahart, and Patricia Gamache.
Absent: Jane Dolan
Also Present: Kathy Mahoney – Library Director
Jack Kowalski, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Sue McGarry motioned to approve the Regular Session minutes of January 8, 2013 as presented.
Motion was seconded by Patricia Gamache.
VOTE: Yes-6.
Roll Call Vote: John Kowalski, yes Patricia Gamache, yes
Carlo D’Este, yes Chip Bishop, yes
Sue McGarry, yes Sandra Lahart, yes
Friends of the Library
Kathy Mahoney attended the monthly Friends meeting and reported that it was a very good meeting.
- Kathy provided copies of the Friends Membership application to the Trustees.
- Friends moving ahead on re-designing their website. They got some bids from professional website developers.
- Chip Bishop said Friends would like to establish a presence on Facebook and he will help get them set up.
- Kathy reported that they will work on rental book collection and Friends are enthused about that.
Sandra Lahart commented that if she can make the next Friends meeting she would take the Marstons Mills/Harwich golf tournament fundraiser material to that Friends meeting since it is more a Friends project, and therefore she will not discuss this agenda item at tonight’s Trustee meeting.
Reports
Kathy had e-mailed to the Trustees her monthly report for February; Strategic Plan Annual Action Plan-October 2012; and a Quarterly Update on Progress of the Strategic Plan Implementation. The comments/discussion on these reports included the following highlights:
- CLAMS system was up and down due to inclement weather which created havoc in Library operation. CLAMS is back up and doing well.
- Sue McGarry commented that the 2 February articles in the Mashpee Enterprise submitted by Kathy were great.
- 442 new items added to Library collection during the month of January is a low number…Kathy said it should be in 500-600 range to meet the demand from the community.
- Sue McGarry asked whether acknowledgement letters went out yet to children’s book donors. Kathy said she will check with Janet Burke when she returns from vacation.
- Chip Bishop said the update on the Action Plan was helpful.
- Sue McGarry noted under the Action Plan one of the items was to have Library signage installed outside. Kathy said she has spoken with Catherine Laurent. Catherine has no objections, but they need to talk to Mashpee Commons about placing the signs on Mashpee Commons land. Kathy said she will follow-up with Catherine and schedule a meeting.
Reports (continued)
- Kathy reported the Library Staff appreciate staff development training. At last session they discussed policies and stressed the importance of making sure everyone is enforcing Library policies in the same way.
- Kathy said CLAMS is offering general cataloging training for staff of member libraries and a number of Mashpee staff will be participating. Kathy pointed out that we have good people and we should develop them. Jack Kowalski added that holding regular staff development days goes a long way in supporting Kathy as Library Director.
Library Hours of Operation
An in-depth discussion was held regarding whether or not it will be necessary for the Library to consolidate hours and shift from a 6 day schedule to a schedule that consists of 5 (longer) days of operation in view of the staffing shortage currently existing at the Library.
- Kathy said she has spoken with the entire Library Staff…as a group and individually…and their initial reaction to closing was concern about the impact it would have on their individual schedules. However, while they don’t want to see a shift to a 5 day schedule, at this point they feel we don’t have enough coverage to service the patrons. Staff has said they will support whatever Kathy decides.
- Several staff members informed Kathy they appreciate the opportunity to talk about the options and be able to have input.
- Kathy said on a recent Saturday 4 individuals were scheduled to work; one staff member became ill and finally had to leave for the remainder of the day; remaining 3 staff had to cover entire Library. Employee told Kathy she did not feel secure having only 1 employee in each area with no back-up.
- Kathy said she will discuss the situation with Joyce Mason to determine what steps would need to be taken if the work week is changed. Pat Gamache said that although we are optimistic that we will receive additional funding for staff at the May Town Meeting, we have to keep in mind that this will not happen before July 1, and then there are the issues of training new employees before they can make an impact.
- Jack Kowalski stated that when Trustees voted on whether or not to go to 5 days, we voted it would be at the Library Director’s discretion and however Kathy chooses to do it, the Trustees will support her decision.
Communications
Corresponding Secretary Report…Sue McGarry said nothing to report this month.
Next Meeting…5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 in Library Conference Room.
Adjournment
Carlo E’Este motioned the meeting be adjourned; Sandra Lahart seconded the motion; and it was unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Giliberti, Recording Secretary
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