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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010.03.03 EC-MINCARY MEMORIAL LIBRARY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Large Meeting Room Attendees: Norman Cohen, Howard Jaffe, Helen Cohen, Trustees, Jeanne Krieger, Tom Diaz, Town Meeting Members and former Trustees, Carl Valente, Linda Vine, Town Managers Office, Donna Hopper, Town Clerk, Connie Rawson, Library Director, Kathleen Quinlan, Assistant Library Director, Susan Bennett, Sue Rockwell, David Wells, Lester Savage, III, Paul Ross, Paul O' Shaughnessy, Lexington Historical Society Secretary's Minutes: A motion was made by Helen Cohen to accept the minutes of the meeting of January 2, 2010. Howard Jaffee moved to second the motion. The motion passed. Tom Diaz abstained from the vote. Introductions: Norman asked attendees to introduce themselves. Stone Building Discussion: Norman invited discussion of the Stone Building. Sue Rockwell, former president of the Lexington Historical Society summarized the Lexington Historical Society's informal proposal of 2007, which was to create a repository and an exhibit area on the first level and archival storage on the second level. No formal proposal was submitted since the Society was focused on the renovation of the Hancock Clarke House that was ongoing when the Letters of Interest were due. The Society endorses the general concept of a heritage center. Their vision of the space includes the following: • The first floor of the Stone Building could serve as a reading room of local history and historic preservation reference materials that do not circulate. • Create an area that will include meeting space for small groups. • Volunteers recruited by The Friends of the Library, the Town, the Historical Society and the East Lexington neighborhood association could staff this area at no expense to the Town a minimum of 15 hours per week. • The second floor would be used to store archival materials and would be closed to the public. Using the second floor for storage would make the addition of an ell unnecessary. • The Society would share in the operating expenses of the Stone Building. • The Society would take a leadership role on exhibit development and installation. The Historical Society's concerns about the current proposal are the following: • The substantial cost of adding and maintenance of an elevator does not justify the cost. • The addition of an ell would decrease the green space surrounding the building as well as add bulk to the exterior of the building. • The use of the second floor as a program venue places the historical materials housed on the first floor at risk. The Trustees observed and commented as follows: • The vision for the space should continue to be developed. • If a collaborative effort were to occur, who would be responsible for running, staffing and funding? • Consideration must be given while restoring the space so that is accessible to all patrons. • How do we satisfy the needs of the East Lexington community without overlapping services? • Limiting access to the Stone Building would diminish the value of the space. After a discussion among the Trustees, members of the Historical Society and representatives of the Town Manager's office, it was decided that there are still many questions to address. Discussions should be held with the community of stakeholders, and comments received should be reported back to the Trustees.