HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-21-BLT-minCARY MEMORIAL LIBRARY
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
September 21, 2011
5:00 PM
Learning Center
Attendees: Norman Cohen, Howard Jaffe, Helen Cohen Trustees; Koren
Stembridge, Library Director and Kathy Quinlan, Assistant Library Director.
Call to order: Norman called the meeting to order at 5:08 PM.
Secretary's Minutes: Helen Cohen made motion to accept the minutes of the
June 1, 2011 Executive Committee Trutees Meeting. Norman Cohen seconded
the motion. The motion passed.
Administration Report
Financial Update
Koren reviewed the year end financial reports. Overall we came in under budget
on the Municipal side. Koren highlighted changes in the format from the previous
financials to the current one. One of the major changes is that we are showing
the carryover from FY 11 and we've added State Aid and the Preservation Grant
to the Trustees Income and Expense Report
Year End Annual Report to Trustees:
Koren highlighted the Administrative Report that Trustees received by mail.
• Circulation continues to increase
• Mobile visits through phones and tablets are up significantly
• Program attendance is up in this fiscal year
• Meeting room bookings have decreased slightly, possibly due to other
town spaces becoming available. Kathy added that for some groups an
80 room capacity is just not enough. Koren stated that Pat Goddard's
goal is to provide more meeting space in Cary Hall.
• Phone calls are down
• Library foot traffic has increased
• The Commons space has become a meeting place for small groups
• Library continues to be high performing
• We are seeing some change in trends. There are more a -book users. The
staff is working hard to be innovative to meet the needs.
• We just became Kindle compatible. We will be getting the word out to
customers.
New Staff: We have welcomed two new people to our staff, Dennis Reddington,
a custodian and Jennifer Forgit, the Teen Services Librarian. Jen is reaching
out to the teens at the library and the Teen Advisory Board ( TAB).
Worthen Preservation Project: Koren summarized Linda Carroll's final recap
of the $20,000 Worthen Preservation Grant which just wrapped up over the
summer. The Minuteman and The Patch have had some nice coverage on the
Worthen Collection. We are proud of Linda and her team. Koren asked Trustees
to approve spending funds form the Worthen Gift to continue the preservation
work. She is proposing spending the fund down to $3,000. The consensus from
the Trustees is to approve. Howard commented that the collection is a wonderful
resource for the community.
Facebook and Twitter: Koren stated that a variety of staff from all departments
are tweeting regularly even using photos form the Worthen Collection in their
tweets. We are gaining a following. Kathy commented that before the hurricane,
staff cleverly tweeted "come in and get a low tech book... don't need electricity ".
Building Update
Proximity Cards:
o We are getting closer to scheduling the proximity access locks on
several doors throughout the building.
o We'll be moving from a swipe card system to a proximity card
system.
o The funds w i l l come from State Aid.
o We are expecting the cost to be $18,000.
If anyone has any questions about the upcoming work, we can provide details.
Archives Room:
o The Archives Room will house the Worthen Collection and items from
the Lexington and Genealogy Room.
o Kathy and Linda Carroll worked extensively with the architect to
specify the size and environmental standards appropriate for this
room.
o The bids were about 50% higher than expected.
o The bid process was overseen by the Facilities Department.
o If the Facilities Department were to act as contractor we can save
money.
o We are trying to determine if we need to go back to Town Meeting to
request additional funds. $100,000 was approved for the project.
Koren stated that the Facilities department is reviewing the contract to determine
the next steps.
Platform Work: The platform on the mezzanine level will be walled in. The work
will take place over a weekend.
Police blotter: A re- appearance of a man exhibiting lewd behavior was reported
on the mezzanine level. We were unable to have the police issue an order of
trespass since he left before the police arrived.
Old Business
Logo Design:
o Koren presented samples of the proposed logo designs.
o The Logo Design Committee eliminated two of the designs. They have
asked the designer to take the remaining two designs and develop a
range of options for the "door ".
o We are still trying to determine if the Foundation will stay with the same
logo or develop in two directions; a more formal one for the Foundation
and a more modern one for the library that will be easier to use in posters
and on the website.
After a discussion, the Trustees decided that committee should meet and come
up with a recommendation for the full board meeting on October 19.
New Business
Koren referred to the Meeting Room Policy regarding the League of Women
Voters and the Lexington Veterans. She proposes to grant the League of
Women Voters and the Lexington Veterans a waiver to schedule their meetings
nine months in advance. These groups differ from most approved groups in that
they provide public programming for the entire community. Consensus from the
Trustees is to approve. Koren will inform the groups.
Lexington Garden Club: Mary Bicknell of Lexington Garden Club has asked us
to hang a nicely framed drawing of the plot plan for the Hancock - Clarke House.
Howard recommended that since this is the only item for consideration for the Art
Committee, that Koren poll the members via e-mail. Koren will find out if the
items are a gift or a loan. If it is a loan then she will create a Memorandum of
Understanding on the terms of the loan.
"Before I Die Project ": A Lexington High School student Olivia Wendell
contacted Koren about collaborating on a project called "Before I Die" based on a
project hat was undertaken in New Orleans in which the exteriors of abandon
buildings provided a public space for people to note what they hoped to do
"Before I Die ". Large pieces of plywood painted black were installed in front of
boarded up houses with the words "Before I Die" with lines for people to write.
Koren recommends changing the wording to "In my life"
We will need to build a reusable wall of plywood on the main area to the right of
the Circulation Desk. There might be interesting programming possibilities to
accompany the installation.
Howard asked how the project would be funded. Koren will get an estimate of
the cost. She will ask Olivia to make a presentation at the October 19 full board
meeting.
Draft of FY 13 Action Plan
Koren handed out a draft of the FY 13 Action Plan. She will send it out to
Executive Committee members for comments. Koren will send out an updated
version to the full board prior to the October 19, 2011 meeting.
Helen Cohen made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Howard
Jaffe. The motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM