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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019.01.16 FB MinCARY MEMORIAL LIBRARY BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES NOON January 16, 2019 Large Meeting Room Attendees: Joe Pato, Howard Jaffe, Jill Hai, Doug Lucente, Brent Maracle, Suzie Barry, Paul Garrity, Kate Colburn, Anne Mason, Claire Feingold Thoryn and Eileen Jay, Trustees; Laurel Cooley, Mary Ellen Ringo, Foundation; Emily Smith, Cathie Ghorbani, Library staff. Call to Order – Joe Pato called the meeting to order at 12:10 PM Public Comment – none Joe asked attendees to introduce themselves. Secretary’s Minutes Doug made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 17, 2018 meeting, which was seconded by Paul. The motion passed unanimously. New Business Letter from resident regarding Turkish language collection Joe spoke about a letter sent to the board by a resident after a library event unveiling the new Turkish language collection. The letter was in regards to concerns about how foreign language collections are vetted, especially if the selector does not speak the language in which the book is written. A discussion ensued about how the library vets foreign language materials and donations. Joe provided an overview of the executive board’s discussion about the fundamental role of the library to not censor content. He also mentioned the process in place for the public to request reconsideration of materials in the collection. He also spoke about the library’s practice of engaging culture groups within the community to collaboratively develop collections in foreign languages. Library staff gave an overview of the library’s Collection Development Policy and the Guidelines for our Co-Created World Language Collections. Discussion ensued. Some concerns were expressed about the event celebrating the opening of the Turkish collection. Joe confirmed that the staff is reviewing their procedures for future events Joe confirmed that the full board will be copied on the response letter to the citizen. Books honoring Michelle Ciccolo Emily shared titles of materials plated in honor of Michelle Ciccolo’s service as a Cary Library Trustee. Trustees inquired if this is the customary practice for all departing trustees. Emily confirmed she would follow up to find out more information about this practice, but she believed it was primarily for members of the Executive Board. Financial Updates Emily reported that the Municipal side is 50% expended, as expected. She noted that in the month of November the personal service costs were higher than usual due to the retroactive payment due to staff from ratification of the Collective Bargaining Agreement contract. On the Trustees’ side, October fines and fees are higher due to online quarterly income. The Foundation paid $6,000 toward the Transformative Spaces loan. The balance of pledges to collect is about $33,000 remaining. The state aid expense of $7,200 is due to the purchase of shelving and a curtain for the Idea Wall. The December endowment figures are down. We are preparing to have an audit of the financials on the Trustees’ side. Administrative update Planning is underway for celebrating the library’s 150th birthday. A selectman will read a proclamation, the Friends will hand out stuffed bears and bags with the library’s logo, the LHS Madrigals will sing Happy Birthday, and Corduroy the bear will make an appearance. Emily reminded the trustees that Joe will be putting out a call for the nominating committee. Our next full board meeting is May 15, 2019 at noon. Building Updates The replacement air conditioning handler for the HVAC system was installed in October. Tsering is our new daytime custodian. Foundation Mary Ellen updated Foundation events: The 150th Gala will be March 23rd. Tickets are available at $75 per ticket. There will be music, dancing, hors d’oeuvres and cake. Planning is underway for the event. The next Library After Dark event will be May 11, 2019 featuring musical groups from Lexington high school. Friends Laurel updated trustees on Friends events: Brickmania will take place in January this year. Friends will be volunteering at the event. Friends will be under the tent at the 150th birthday party to pass out teddy bears and library logo bags. Booklovers brunch will be on March 30 with Helen Chen, daughter of Joyce Chen, talking about remembrances of her mother. This program has been rescheleded from the fall. Jen Webb presented the World Language Collection at the recent Friends meeting. The board approved a $1,000 sponsorship for the Foundation Gala. Tom Johnson, author who is writing a book about libraries visited our December meeting. Cary is one of the libraries he plans to highlight. Anne Mason shared that next Friday, January 25th, First Parish will be hosting “Voices on the Green”, a story telling program, topic, secrets and lies. Adjournment Jill made a motion to adjourn which was seconded by Doug. The motion passed unanimously.