LIBRARY TRUSTEE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 pm in the Community Room at the library.
In attendance were: Library Director Marie Mueller, Trustees Gloria Parkinson, chairwoman; Wendy Neil, vice-chairwoman; Tracy Colangione, Angela DeVivo, Karen Nugent, and Alex Zapantis.
Minutes of the August 10, 2017, minutes were unanimously accepted.
There were no public comments.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
- A discussion on upgrading the Community Room was tabled, as Phil Duffy has not yet gotten back with specifications on the windows and door replacement.
- At Ms. Mueller’s recommendation, the board voted unanimously (motion by Ms. Nugent, seconded by Ms. Zapantis, to close the library at 4 p.m., October 31, Halloween, for safety reasons during Trick-or-Treating.
- The board asked Ms. Mueller to get estimates on repairing the deteriorating tile floors behind the circulation desks.
- The board advised Ms. Mueller to call an exterminator for a mice problem.
- Mueller showed examples of library study pods, which cost approximately $10,000 each. No action was taken.
- Mueller informed the board that the state aid form has been submitted.
- Mueller informed the board that she has obtained a seat on the town’s Communications Committee.
- Mueller informed the board that she has set up an Instagram account for the library.
- Mueller informed the board that October is Health Literacy Month, coinciding with the library’s recent health literacy grant. A website link will be established. Ms. Colangione will investigate tying it in with PTA Family Fitness Night.
- On Ms. Colangione’s suggestion, the board and Ms. Mueller agreed to ask the Friends of the Bigelow Free Public Library to host a children’s literacy booth at the Oct. 21 Ghost & Goblins Race, at the “Market in the Park” at Central Park. The $25 booth fee would be waived.
OLD BUSINESS:
COMMUNITY ROOM REFURBISHMENT UPDATE: Ms. Parkinson informed the board that she finally heard back from the president of the Clinton Home Foundation about the trustee’s grant application. She was told it would be discussed at their October meeting.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: Ms. DeVivo said she has investigated subscribing to the Foundation Center, a compilation of foundations we might check out. The cost is $49.99 a month. Board members decided to see if nearby libraries, including Leominster, are members – which could be accessed free. The board decided to explore other options and seek additional information.
PUBLIC RELATIONS PLAN UPDATE: Discussion was tabled.
PERSONNEL BOARD MEETING: Ms. Parkinson informed the board that the trustees, under town bylaws, are required to meet with the Personnel Board regarding a disagreement on the job classification for the Head of Youth Services (children’s librarian.) Ms. Neil said she would like to see job descriptions of other town positions. The October meeting is scheduled for Oct. 19. Trustees and Ms. Mueller plan to attend.
NEW BUSINESS:
REVIEW OF TOWN LIBRARY BYLAWS: Ms. Parkinson said the 1914 bylaws pertaining to the library spell out the duties and responsibilities of the board, including section 3, which states the trustees have “full power to appoint a librarian and such subordinate officers as they may deem expedient…” The bylaw is relevant to an ongoing personnel issue.
NEXT MEETING: The trustees scheduled a meeting for 5 pm. Oct. 12, including an executive session, in the downstairs conference room at Town Hall.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:04 pm.
Minutes submitted by Karen Nugent