HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-20-BLT-MINCARY MEMORIAL LIBRARY
LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2006
MINUTES
Call to order: Chairman Norman Cohen called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m.
Trustees present: Helen Cohen, Norman Cohen, Tom Diaz, Jeanne Krieger,
Hank Manz, and Richard Pagett. Present from the Advisory Committee: Edwin
Cox, Ione Garing, and Stephen Krensky. Present from the Friends: Betty Clark.
Present from the Foundation: Kerry Brandin. Present from the library: Connie
Rawson, Library Director, Kathy Quinlan Assistant Director, Margaret Donovan
and Jane Eastman. Norman Cohen noted that a quorum was lacking.
Secretary's minutes: Due to the lack of a quorum, the minutes of the May 16,
2006 meeting could not be approved. One needed correction was noted: the
date of the Friends' booksale was May 9, 2006 (not June 9, 2006).
Financial reports: Connie Rawson reported that funds had been transferred
from a personnel line to a utilities line i n order to cover utility costs that were
higher than expected. The library will end the fiscal year with a balanced budget
for municipal funds.
Administrative report: Connie Rawson reported that the compressor in the
library's air conditioning unit has died. The compressor will need to be rebuilt or
replaced; the town is investigating warranty and insurance issues. In order to
cool the building, the town is renting two large compressors that rest on a
flatbed truck outside the library.
Downloadable audiobooks: Margaret Donovan demonstrated a new library
service: downloadable audiobooks. This service, which enables users to
download an entire book onto their personal computers or portable devices such
as MP3 players, includes fiction, non fiction, and Pimsleur language learning
materials. It has already proven to be very popular.
Department reports: The Children's department has added a new element to
the summer reading program: support for the Heifer International's " "Read to
Feed" program. For every 10 hours a child reads, the Friends of Cary Library will
donate 25 cents to the program for the purchase of 2 goats, 1 sheep and 1 llama
for families in third world countries. There was some discussion of the
appropriateness of this program, both in terms of concerns that the group was
too sectarian and whether or not the program was sufficiently " "book oriented ".
The consensus, however, was that this was a worthwhile endeavor and has been
well received by children and parents alike.
Friends report: Betty Clark reported that the Friends' book sale netted $4500.
She also suggested that some sort of signal, such as a flag, be used to indicate
when the East Branch library is open to the public. It was suggested that Betty
first approach the Historic District Commission with this idea.
Foundation report: Kerry Brandin reported that the Foundation's "backstage
tour" of the library was very successful. This year the Foundation has collected
$ from original building campaign donors; only $ remains to be
collected. New donations this fiscal year total $ Kerry reported that the
Foundation has elected new board members. The Foundation has also worked
with library staff to create two new surveys: adult programming and children's
services. There will be a mass mailing of the surveys during the summer, and
the surveys will also be available on the library's web site.
Unfinished business: None
New business: A new library fund, the Martin K. White Fund, has been
established for the purpose of buying materials on American history and
children's literature. The fund could not be formally accepted due to the lack of
quorum, but the Trustees informally accepted the fund.
Some discussion followed regarding the possible need to rethink the number
needed to establish a quorum for the Trustees meetings. This topic should be
considered during the next revision of the by -laws.
Connie Rawson announced that she will be undergoing surgery on July 6 and
expects to be out for the following 2 -3 weeks. Kathy Quinlan will be Acting
Director during this time.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Quinlan
Assistant Director