HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019.05.15 FB MinCARY MEMORIAL LIBRARY
BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
NOON
May 15, 2019
Large Meeting Room
Attendees: Joe Pato, Howard Jaffe, Jill Hai, Doug Lucente, Brent Maracle, Suzie Barry, Kate Colburn, Claire Feingold Thoryn and Eileen Jay, Mark Sandeen, Trustees;
Jeri Zeder, Laurel Cooley, Mary Ellen Ringo, Foundation; Emily Smith, Koren Stembridge, Library staff.
Call to Order – Joe Pato called the meeting to order at 12:08 PM
Public Comment – none
Joe asked attendees to introduce themselves.
Secretary’s Minutes – Doug made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 16, 2019 meeting, which was seconded by Jill. Jill noted two edits from previous minutes. The motion passed
unanimously.
Foundation Updates
Jeri Zeder reported the following:
$7,400 remaining to meet the annual fund goal of $160,000. The goal is expected to be met.
150th Gala resulted in a net revenue over expense of just under $94,000, with $25,000 coming from one sponsor.
Regarding Transformative Spaces - Foundation owes $33,220 toward the loan from endowment. Outstanding pledges total $51,434. Final pledges are due by June 30,2020
Upcoming board membership changes were detailed with ten new members that represent a diverse cross-section of the Lexington Community.
Library After Dark series has proven to be popular. We are planning four programs in FY 2020 with the first happening on September 21 with the Lexington Symphony.
Annual Meeting is June 11th from 6:30pm-8:30pm and includes dinner celebration for staff, Friends, Trustees, board members. Will be voting on FY 2020 budget, slate of officers and board
nominees.
Friends
Laurel Cooley updated trustees on Friends events:
Spring book sale preview hours for members on Saturday May 18 from 9-10 am.
Lexington’s Masonic lodge offered to underwrite $1,000 of book sale purchases this year. The Masons are distributing $5 coupons to local children in preschool and elementary school.
The annual meeting will be June 5th with a brief business meeting. Theater maker Bridget O’Leary will be a speaker.
Two more museum passes have been added to the circulating collection.
Board approved final payment of $50,000 for Transformative Spaces project.
Financial Updates
FY19 Spending to Date
The library has expended 81% of FY19 Municipal appropriation at the end of April. On track to spend the full appropriation by end of year.
Proposed FY20 Trustee’s Budget
Koren reported revenue from fines, fees and copies is $50,000; State Aid is $50,000; 2% distribution from designated endowment funds is $13,500. The FY20 budget has a significant increase
for the staff development line. The funding would be used to allow as many staff as possible to attend conferences this year, as we prepare for upcoming changes in the Children’s Room.
Howard made a motion to approve the 2020 budget, seconded by Brent and approved unanimously.
Administrative Updates
Children’s Room Feasibility Study – Getting Started
A $100,000 capital appropriation passed Town Meeting for the Children’s Room feasibility study.
Next steps for this project include: proof of concept, program design and public engagement, feasibility study, and design development. Goal is to complete the work in two years.
Projected costs to arrive at completed construction documents is estimated at $250-$300K. Funding will come from State Aid, funds raised at the Foundation Gala, and the capital appropriation.
Teen Activities, Disciplinary Issues, etc. – Discussion
Koren shared information about a fight that occurred in the Teen room in April. Security cameras, repercussions for those involved including trespassing, and next steps were discussed.
New Business
Nominating Committee - Slate of Officers
Doug made the motion to vote on the following slate officers: Joe Pato, Selectman; Howard Jaffe, Clergy; Suzie Barry, Selectman; Claire Feingold Thoryn, Clergy; Eileen Jay, School
Committee. The vote was seconded by Brent and passed unanimously. Joe Pato was elected chair and Howard Jaffe vice-chair by unanimous vote.
Going Fine-Free – Preliminary Discussion
Emily presented an overview of a recent national trend where libraries are no longer collecting fines for overdue materials. A discussion ensued. The consensus was to continue researching
and present additional information at a future meeting.
Building Updates
The library’s new chiller is now up and running.
The library was informed that additional work is being done on the electrical lines under Massachusetts Avenue. Public Works is reaching out to Eversource for more information.
Adjournment
Joe made a motion to adjourn which was seconded by Doug. The vote was passed unanimously at 1:01pm.