BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2013
MASHPEE LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: John Kowalski, Chip Bishop, Sue McGarry, Sandra Lahart, Patricia Gamache, and Jane Dolan (arrived 5:20 p.m.).
Absent: Carlo D’Este.
Also Present: Kathy Mahoney – Library Director
Mike Richardson – Board of Selectmen
Jack Kowalski, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Patricia Gamache motioned to accept the Regular Session minutes of March 12, 2013 as presented.
Motion was seconded by Chip Bishop.
VOTE: Yes-5.
Roll Call Vote: John Kowalski, yes Patricia Gamache, yes
Chip Bishop, yes Sandra Lahart, yes
Sue McGarry, yes
Friends of the Library
Chip Bishop reported:
- Things continuing to go very well. At the Friends’ Executive meeting it was reported the Friends group is back to 97 members.
- Chip had an e-mail conversation with Ceil Sneider about the issue of designating members of the Friends Executive Board as exempt from Library fines, and she said that if the Trustees are going to relinquish their fine exempt status, then the Friends Executive Board would likely not officially seek fine-exempt status. A member of the Friends Board had inquired about it. It will be discussed at the Executive Board’s next meeting May 7.
- Chip had discussion with Friends regarding Mary LeClair’s write-in candidacy for Board of Library Trustees and Friends said they are going to support her candidacy.
- Friends talked about fundraising activities—one that is coming up soon is the author event at Coonamessett on May 30th. Friends plan to sell tickets at the Library and Mashpee Commons Bookshop. Tickets cost $25 per person.
- Friends received 2 donations of $250 each and Friends looking into getting plaques done.
- Chip showed a Friends Ad that was put together with the help of a graphic designer that is scheduled to go in the paper next Monday. Everyone was very pleased with the Ad.
Reports
Following are highlights of some of the discussion held during the review of Kathy’s monthly report:
- Allison’s last day is tomorrow.
- With limited staffing, Library in “hold mold” waiting until Town Meeting. Kathy said until staffing settled she will not have time for projects…just working to keep the Library afloat.
- CLAMS server still not operating dependably. CLAMS had Oracle come in this week. They are going in on Patriot’s Day to try and get the problem fixed while Libraries are closed.
Reports (continued)
A patron said she feels Teen Room should be changed to 4th, 5th, 6th grade room because the Children’s Room does not meet the needs of this age group. Since the mother was looking for a place where she could work on homework with her young daughters and talk out loud, Kathy suggested to the patron that she use a small Study Room. The patron felt that was a fair solution, but is still unhappy that the Children’s Room, which is supposed to be used by children up to 6th grade, is really designed and furniture is for toddlers and very young children. Kathy said she could perhaps purchase some larger tables and chairs that could be set up in the Program Room in the Children’s Room to be used as a quiet homework space for this age group when there are no
programs in session. The Trustees supported this idea. Kathy will research options.
Kathy said she received a request to close the Library on Saturday, October 12, for Oktoberfest. The Trustees acknowledged that this is something that has been done annually for years for several reasons, including safety issues.
Motion: Jane Dolan motioned to close the Library on Saturday, October 12, 2013 for Oktoberfest.
Motion was seconded by Sue McGarry.
VOTE: Yes-6.
Roll Call Vote: John Kowalski, yes Patricia Gamache, yes
Chip Bishop, yes Sandra Lahart, yes
Sue McGarry, yes Jane Dolan, yes
ALA $100 renewal fee is due. Kathy said $50 is Trustees renewal; $50 is Friends renewal. Consensus of the Trustees was Kathy should renew for another year.
Chip mentioned Kathy’s e-mail to the Trustees about Trustees becoming active politically and advocating with our state leaders for funding for libraries in the State. Chip suggested the Trustees send a letter to our State Senator and our State rep for Mashpee requesting they get behind restoring funds in support of libraries. Chip agreed to draft the letter to be signed by the Trustees. He will also send the letter to Senator Murray as well.
Chip referred to the CLAMS Legislative Breakfast and asked: Should we do something like this for elected/appointed local officials? Here we would invite Board of Selectmen; Finance Committee; et al. We could talk about successes; problems; and have it become an annual event if it works. Kathy said she invited Kathleen Moore, the Town’s new Human Resources Director, to come for a tour of the library.
The consensus of the Trustees was it is a very good idea to have a local legislative breakfast. September might be a good time to do this.
Policy Updates
Kathy said while she sent out 2 policy drafts to the Trustees, there are more in the pipeline. The 2 drafts she distributed cover Collection Development Policy and Bulletin Board Policy.
The Trustees did not have many questions or comments on the policies. Pat Gamache requested that the Collection Development Policy be amended to provide additional time for Library Trustees to view or read any library material that a patron might challenge. Five days was not enough time. Kathy will change the policy to say two weeks.
Kathy pointed out that requests to remove materials from Library collections are very rare, and mentioned that a graduate student at MIT is actually doing a study and had recently sent a request to all public libraries in Massachusetts for information on this topic. Jane Dolan asked if the library was required to retain written records of such requests and Kathy said they can be disposed of once the matter is settled.
Policy Updates (continued)
Sue McGarry asked whether the library is allowed to sell materials that are withdrawn from the collection in the library book sale. Kathy said that we are able to do this, but is looking into some questions about paying taxes on library book sale revenues or profits from rental book collections. She has an appointment with town counsel at the end of the month.
There were no questions about the bulletin board policy. Both policy drafts were approved. Kathy will send both policies to Joyce Mason for her review and review by town counsel if necessary.
Communications
Mike Richardson…Mike Richardson stated:
- Town all set for Town Meeting. Should be smooth Town Meeting.
- Police Department agreed to do gun control program.
Corresponding Secretary Report…Sue McGarry said Falmouth Public Library sent invitation to attend ALA President’s presentation on future of libraries, challenges and opportunities to be held on April 26 at 10 a.m. RSVP by phoning 508-457-2555, ext. 2963.
Discussion
Jane Dolan said although this is her last meeting as a Trustee, she suggests the next items that should be addressed by the Library Director and Trustees are:
- Library Management Study
- Programming
- Improved Website
The Board of Trustees extended their thanks and appreciation to Jane Dolan for her 6 years of service on the Board of Library Trustees.
Next Meeting…5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 in Library Conference Room.
Adjournment
Jane Dolan motioned the meeting be adjourned; Patricia Gamache seconded the motion; and it was unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Giliberti
Recording Secretary
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