HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - PPMLT - 01/13/2016 Paul Pratt Memorial Library Board of Trustees
January 13, 2016
Library Historical Room, 7 pm.
Present: Carolyn Coffey (Chair), Roger Lowe, Stephen Brown, David Dwyer,Agnes McCann, Marylou
Lawrence, Lynne DeGiacomo, Elaine Breslow,Jackie Rafferty (Director)
Meeting called to order, 7:00 pm
1. The minutes of the December 9, 2015 Trustees meeting were moved,voted and passed.
2. Director's Report (Rafferty)
a. Jackie gave a building update and noted that the water heater in the basement had blown
and was slated to be replaced this week.
b. Jackie requested input from the Trustees regarding the upcoming vote on recommendations
for changes to the State Aid to Public Libraries program.
c. A painting on display by a local artist was stolen from the Meeting Room sometime before
December 30th. The police are investigating and the loss should be covered by the South
Shore Art Center's insurance. The incident highlighted the need for security cameras in the
building and Jackie asked Ron Menard to continue Rob Bonnell's work in that area. Since
then, Ron has contacted a security company to put together a proposal with a price quote.
d. Jackie had a discussion with Ron Menard detailing our technology needs and expressing
dissatisfaction over the lack of attention the library has received from his department,
including no response to the need for a new website. Roger suggested sending a letter to
the Selectmen or Town Manager describing our needs and our unhappiness with the new
arrangement. Alternatively, there was a proposal to increase our Technology account
budget request for next year to cover the cost of having an outside vendor build the
website. Carolyn would like to give Ron a chance to make changes now that Jackie has
explained the urgency of our needs. Steve offered to obtain quotes for building a new
website and asked for help in determining our requirements and objectives. He also asked
the Trustees to look at the current website and suggest improvements.
e. The FY17 budget requests are due this week. The Trustees and Jackie agreed on level
funding for most account lines with a $2000 increase in the Supplies line. In addition, $5000
for chair re-upholstery will be requested.
f. Jackie attended the American Library Association winter conference in Boston and shared
some highlights. She was invited to a meeting with a British official titled "Leadership for
Libraries Taskforce" and attended a program called "Creativity, Innovation and Change:
Libraries Transform in the Digital Age!" in addition to other programs and seminars over the
weekend.
g. Jackie shared a letter of commendation she had written to Kristin praising her initiative in
expanding the library outreach program for the seniors at 60 Elm Street and other locations
around town.
h. Jackie reviewed a handout titled "Libraries=Education:A Game-Changing Vision"which
offered strategies for libraries to reposition themselves as educational institutions to
increase perceived value.
i. She also shared a Pew Research Center survey entitled "Libraries at the Crossroads" which
looked at library use and the public's visualization of libraries in the future.
j. The e-book review of 2015 handout showed that a-book usage is down for the year, possibly
due to publisher price increases.
4. Financial Report/Bills Payable (Rafferty)
a. The outstanding bills were moved, seconded and approved.
5. Chair's Report (Coffey)
a. Carolyn welcomed Elaine Breslow officially as a new Trustee who takes Jim Sandell's seat.
b. Carolyn asked that the completed Long Range Plan interview sheets be turned in so that the
results can be compiled and synthesized. Elaine offered that she has a contact at the
Hingham Library who might share the results of their recent Long Range Plan update and
review.
c. There have been no new developments regarding the recreation department shared space
since the beginning of the year.
d. Susan Hoadley,who is a CPC board member and architect, approached Liz from the Rec.
Dept. board and offered her services on a pro bono basis. She would help focus the plans
for the shared spaces and assist with translating ideas to a concrete vision.
e. The Trustees made plans to visit the Wellesley Library to see how the Library and the Rec.
Dept. share their space.
6. CLT(Brown)
a. The CLT has not met since the last Trustees meeting.
7. Program Report (Lawrence)
a. The Peter Stone Author Talk on Sunday was well received. We used the Rec. Department's
PA system for the first time and, while it worked well,there were some issues with
presentation connectivity. Mark Toomey was able to cobble something together so that it
functioned and gave suggestions for a longer term fix, involving the purchase of some basic
cords. If we do not already have them,we will order them before the next Author Talk.
8. Friends Report (McCann)
a. Agnes reported that the Friends sold over half of the ornaments that they ordered. Nearly
all of them were purchased at the library despite Barbara Wrenn's efforts to sell them at
different venues around town. The remaining ornaments will be for sale next year.
b. The Friends have added a new member, Sandra Perry,who has offered to start a book club
at Sunrise Assisted Living.
9. Other
a. There was no other business to report.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.
Documents:
Minutes of the December 9, 2015 Trustees Meeting
Director's Report January 13, 2016
January FY16 Financial Report
January 13, 2016 Accounting Report—Bronwyn
FY16 January 13, 2016 Warrant
Library Trustees Authorization for Payment, 1/13/16
Disbursements by Account Number, 1/13/16
FY16 Deposits to Gift Account,January 13, 2016
FY16 Deposits to Treasurer—Fines & Fees, etc.,January 13, 2016
State Aid Review—2015 2016
Background to Leadership for Libraries Taskforce
Letter to Kristin Norton from Jackie Rafferty
Libra ries=Education: A Game Changing Vision
Libraries at the Crossroads I Pew Research Center
The Good eReader
Circulation Department Report: December 2015
January, 2016 Report from the Reference Desk
Young Adult Services Report, December 2015
January 8, 2016 Report from the Children's Room
The Paul Pratt Memorial Library Homebound Delivery Program brochure