BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014
MASHPEE LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: Carlo D’Este, John Kowalski, Mark Wright, Mary LeClair, Chip Bishop, Hugh Ahearn, and Kate Milde.
Also Present: Kathy Mahoney – Library Director
Mike Richardson – Board of Selectmen
Audience: Lannan O’Brien – Mashpee Enterprise
Carlo D’Este, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 4: p.m. and welcomed Trustee Hugh Ahearn to the Board of Trustees.
Approval of Minutes
Mary LeClair motioned to approve the Regular Meeting minutes and the Executive Session minutes of October 7, 2014 as presented.
Motion was seconded by Mark Wright.
VOTE: Yes-5; 2-Abstain.
Roll Call Vote: John Kowalski, yes Mark Wright, yes
Hugh Ahearn, abstain Chip Bishop, abstain
Kate Milde, yes Carlo D’Este, yes
Mary LeClair, yes
Friends of the Mashpee Public Library
Kate Milde reported the Friends are working hard on fundraising. She said they are down to 6 official board members. The Friends released a Treasurer’s report. Kate said the Friends are working on a letter to members to raise money for the 10 iPads. Kate said the Friends are doing a good job with fundraising, and would benefit from more members to help with events and perhaps a social media presence.
Kathy Mahoney advised that the Friends gave the Library a check for $20,000 at their annual meeting. They did not state what the money was to be used for except a portion was to go towards iPads; assisted technology; literacy stations; museum passes; and other items they have supported routinely in the past. The Trustees very much appreciated the contribution from the Friends.
Kathy Mahoney gave the Friends a few checks that were received at the Library for the Friends’ fundraising efforts—she said one was $1500 from a local merchant who wants to remain anonymous.
Reports
Kathy Mahoney’s Library Director’s Report for November was reviewed and discussed.
- Kathy Mahoney and Town IT Department are working toward setting up a regular schedule to do maintenance on Library computers and systems.
- Kathy met with representatives of the Tribe to make plans to collaborate on programs for the community and to assist with development of the Native American collection. Carlo D’Este said it is good that the Library and Jennifer Weston, leader of Tribe’s language department, will look at the Library’s Native American Collection…he said this is a huge step forward. Kathy said Jennifer Weston can tell us which material is of best quality and she can guide us to better sources of what is out there.
Request to Close Library for Holiday Parade
Town Holiday parade to be held Saturday, December 13, 2014. Request to close Library two hours earlier at 3 p.m. as done each year in the past for this event.
Motion: John Kowalski motioned that on December 13 the Library stay open from normal starting time and close 2 hours earlier as we do every year for the holiday parade.
Motion was seconded by Mark Wright.
VOTE: Yes-7. Unanimous.
Roll Call Vote: John Kowalski, yes Mark Wright, yes
Hugh Ahearn, yes Chip Bishop, yes
Kate Milde, yes Carlo D’Este, yes
Mary LeClair, yes
Policy Updates
Kathy Mahoney presented the updated Meeting Room and Library Use Policy and the newly drafted Sponsorship Policy.
Motion: Mary LeClair motioned to accept the Meeting Room use policy and Sponsorship policy as presented.
Motion was seconded by Kate Milde.
VOTE: Yes-7. Unanimous.
Roll Call Vote: John Kowalski, yes Mark Wright, yes
Hugh Ahearn, yes Chip Bishop, yes
Kate Milde, yes Carlo D’Este, yes
Mary LeClair, yes
Motion: Mark Wright motioned to accept the updated Borrowing and Loan policy.
Motion was seconded by Kate Milde.
VOTE: Yes-7. Unanimous.
Roll Call Vote: John Kowalski, yes Mark Wright, yes
Hugh Ahearn, yes Chip Bishop, yes
Kate Milde, yes Carlo D’Este, yes
Mary LeClair, yes
Reports (continued)
Decertified Library Requests
Carlo D’Este stated Wareham’s public library has been decertified by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). The State had given them a number of extensions to comply with certification requirements. Since they are decertified, they are not participating in the state aid program or resource sharing with other libraries in the state. Some Wareham citizens are seeking library services elsewhere so the question arises: Should Mashpee grant Library cards to residents of Wareham?
Kathy Mahoney explained that the library community as a whole has voiced concerns. She said the position is that municipalities do not take on responsibilities for towns that will not fund themselves; the library community believes in reciprocal sharing. Kathy said a number of libraries (Bourne, Plymouth, Sandwich, and Falmouth) have already decided not to provide library services to Wareham residents. It is hoped that the citizens of Wareham will take the matter back to their community leaders to regain their certification status and provide Wareham Town library services to Wareham Town residents.
Consensus: Consensus of the Trustees was to exercise the option under the Borrowing and Loan policy not to provide card-holder privileges to residents of a decertified community library.
Monetary Gift Received by Library
Jack Kowalski advised an open gift of $33,000 has been made to the Library. He said the matter will go through Testate Court. Jack said upon receiving this gift it will be transferred to the Friends’ 501(c)(3) foundation. All agreed.
Leslie Marsh and Barbara Notarius’ husband asked if money donated to the Library in memory of Barbara, what would be done with it. Some of the suggestions were to do something in the Children’s Room; or perhaps a reading garden.
Jack Kowalski said as Corresponding Secretary, he would draft and send a general letter of thanks for donations received.
Communications
Mike Richardson …Reported the current hot topics in Town are:
- Waste Management Plan Committee has been formed.
- Mashpee TV.
- Waterways proposal for dredging in spit area.
- Cook lawsuit should be in final stages.
- Solar farm.
- Technology Award event at the High School 8:30 tomorrow morning.
- A good veteran’s event was held yesterday.
- Mashpee Cares – now official town committee.
- Water District/Sewer Commission still to be done.
Library Trustees Subcommittee Appointments
While a Trustee Pat Gamache had been appointed to the By-Law Subcommittee and to the Personnel Subcommittee. To fill the vacancy:
- Hugh Ahearn has been named to serve on the By-Law Subcommittee, along with Mark Wright.
- Carlo D’Este has been added to serve on the Personnel Subcommittee, along with Jack Kowalski and Kate Milde.
Next Meeting …4 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Library Conference Room.
Adjournment
Chip Bishop motioned the meeting be adjourned; Mary LeClair seconded the motion; and it was unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Giliberti
Recording Secretary
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