Library Trustees

BEDFORD FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Minutes

April 11, 2006

Meeting called to order at 8:00 p.m.

Present: Trustees present included D. Crowell, R. Dyer, A. Hafer, L. O’Connor, M. Pulizzi, and M. Ross. Director R. Callaghan and Assistant Director V. Abraham were also present. Trustee P. Russo was absent. Also in attendance was Selectman S. Moll.

Secretary’s Report:

L. O’Connor made the motion to accept the 03/14/06 minutes as amended. Seconded by M. Ross. Vote: 6-0

Director’s Report:

The Director reported on the following activities:

	Big crowds marked successful programs that included: World War I, Feng Shui, Tai Chi, a poetry reading by Sarah Getty and the Friday night independent movie.
	The Library will begin downloadable audiobooks on June 1^st.
	The Public Library Association Conference was very successful with 12 staff attending.
	The Friends Books Sale had record sales on Pole Capping Day.
	The Director submitted an article on Library services to the Bedford Byline.

M. Pulizzi made motion to accept the Director’s Report. Seconded by L O’Connor. Vote: 6-0 to accept.

Unfinished Business:

One Book, One Bedford Update

An excellent lecture on the Revolution with Professor Dan Breen kicked off activities for 1776. The George Washington videography had a small but interested crowd with a good discussion.

Town Meeting Update

The Library budget passed on the fourth night of the Town Meeting. The Capital Committee recommendations for carpeting and new HVAC controls for the Library passed also.

FY07 Periodicals Contract Award

EVA Subscriptions was the low bidder on the periodicals contract for next fiscal year. EVA will be a new contractor for this service replacing Ebsco. The Director explained the bid process for contracts under $25,000.

M. Pulizzi made the motion to award the FY07 Periodicals Contract to EVA Subscriptions. Seconded by M.Ross. Vote: 6-0 to accept.

New Business:

Library Trustees Annual Meeting and Reorganization

L. O’Connor nominated to be Trustee Chair beginning July 1, 2006

(D. Crowell, M. Pulizzi)

P. Russo re-nominated to be Secretary (M. Ross, M. Pulizzi)

Vote: 6-0 to accept.

Library Corporation

P. Russo, R. Ross, M. Pulizzi nominated to the Library Corporation Board (A.Hafer, L. O’Connor). The Library Corporation will set a meeting date at a later time.

Plan for the Performance Review of the Director (Due May 26)

R. Dyer, D. Crowell, P. Russo appointed to the subcommittee for evaluation (M. Pulizzi, A. Hafer).

Vote: 6-0 to accept.

The Board discussed the need for the timely awarding of the merit raises. The Director and the Board were concerned with morale if merit awards are not distributed in a timely manner.

Other Business:

PLA

Vanessa Abraham reported on the very successful Public Library Association Conference in Boston. The Conference served to reinvigorate the staff with many ideas and employees were eager to implement their new knowledge in the Library. Vanessa organized a meeting to review the seminars and the vendors the staff met. The staff very much appreciated the chance to attend the conference. The Board suggested tying in the Long Range Plan objectives to what had been learned at PLA.

State Aid

Bedford received an additional state aid award of $244.17 to bring the total for FY2007 to $22,051.28. Additional State Aid is awarded when some libraries do not meet state standards; the remaining funds are then distributed among the qualifying libraries.

Step Raises

L. O’Connor motioned to accept the step raises as requested. A. Hafer seconded. Vote: 6-0.

Motion to Adjourn: 9:05

D.Crowell motioned to adjourn and A. Hafer seconded. Vote: 6-0 to accept.