DRAFT LIBRARY TRUSTEE MINUTES OF MAY 29, 2019
The meeting was called to order at the library at 6:45 pm.
In attendance were: Trustees Gloria Parkinson, chairwoman; Wendy Neil, vice chairwoman; Tracy Colangione, Angela DeVivo, Karen Nugent, secretary; and Alexandra Zapantis; and Marie Letarte Mueller, library director.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the April 9, 2019 and May 8, 2019 were unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
- Facilities: Carpet samples for the Community Room have not been delivered yet.
Ms. Letarte Mueller said she is considering tables for the room that roll and fold up to store, and would be a better height, and a more modern match with the new chairs. Options are: multiple small tables that can be put together for a conference table; a new, modern conference table; or keep the current, wooden conference table and buy smaller tables for individual use. It was decided that multiple smaller tables are better, and she will look at buying 6-8 wheeled versions.
- Budget: The fiscal 2020 budget of $406,000 will be presented at the June 3 annual town meeting.
- Planning: Bylaw updates were presented to the selectmen and passed unanimously. They will be presented to voters at the annual town meeting, and Ms. Parkinson will be there to answer questions.
- Personnel/committees/training: There will be staff training on May 31. The library will close at 12:30 pm that day.
The library has been selected as one of three town drop-in sites for a summer lunch program for children up to age 18. Free meals will be served at 11:45 am on Tuesdays, beginning June 25, and will be coordinated with a family movie.
We will do a summer reading scavenger hunt program with 11 other libraries.
Katelyn Rivela, children’s library assistant, has started a summer Anime Club for teens and tweens.
The job description for the new Head of Adult Services position was reviewed. It will be advertised in the Item, T&G, and trade publications.
DRAFT OF DIRECTOR’S EVALUATION:
Trustees were handed out copies of Ms. Letarte Mueller’s evaluation, which was done by Ms. Parkinson and Ms. Colangione. The evaluation covered a time frame of July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. At Ms. Colangione’s insistence, the next evaluation is scheduled for July 2019, and will cover the time frame of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. The two evaluations are close this time so there will no longer be a big time gap. Also, it was decided that decimal points will no longer be used on the evaluation score sheet.
Trustees voted unanimously (motion by Ms. DeVivo; seconded by Ms. Zapantis) to have Ms. Parkinson and Ms. Colangione do the next director’s evaluation on July 9, 2019. In addition, staff evaluations will also be moved up to coincide with the director’s.
POLICY DISCUSSION:
A discussion on the library’s policy on political campaigns took place, applying to local, state, and national offices. A new library bylaw was passed as follows: The Bigelow Free Public Library is a town-owned public building. As per Town of Clinton bylaws, no political campaign materials may be distributed on public property, including the library. Furthermore, the library does not permit any campaign related activity of any kind on library property. Anyone not acting in accordance with this policy will be asked to leave.
The motion (made by Ms. Colangione; seconded by Ms. Neil) passed 5-0 with Ms. Nugent, a candidate for re-election, abstaining.
OLD BUSINESS:
The proposed updated bylaws for the annual town meeting were confirmed. They will be on the warrant.
THANKS: The board thanked outgoing trustees Alexandra Zapantis and Karen Nugent for their service.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
NEXT MEETINGS: The next meeting is scheduled for 6:45 pm June 13. Meetings were tentatively scheduled for: July 23, August 22, September 24, October 24, November 26, and December 18 (10 am).
The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 pm.
Minutes submitted by Karen Nugent, secretary.