Library Trustees
BEDFORD FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Minutes
January 16, 2007
Meeting called to order at 8:03 p.m.
Present: Trustees present included, R. Dyer, A. Hafer, L. O’Connor, M. Pulizzi, and M. Ross. Director R. Callaghan was also present. D. Crowell and P. Russo were absent.
Secretary’s Report:
M. Pulizzi made a motion to accept the 12/12/06 minutes. Seconded by M. Ross. Vote: 5-0
Director’s Report:
Director Callaghan reported on highlights for last month’s activities:
· Ray Barry installed the acoustic panels in the meeting room.
· FY07 budget is on track with one-half of the year complete.
· Circulation is up over the same period last year.
R. Dyer made a motion to accept the Director’s Report. Seconded by A. Hafer. Vote: 5-0 to accept.
Unfinished Business:
FY08 Budget: Director Callaghan and Trustee Rosemary Dyer met with the Finance Committee on January 11 to discuss the FY08 Budget. The Director expressed concern with the meeting of the State aid requirement. He explained that the merit review article and the revolving fund must be approved at the Town Meeting for the Library to have enough funds to qualify for State Aid. Though the library budget is over the guideline issued by the Finance Committee, the library’s requested budget is needed to meet State Aid requirements. Director Callaghan noted that the Finance Committee would not issue acceptance of the Library request for several weeks.
A. Hafer made a motion to accept the FY08 budget. Seconded by R. Dyer. Vote: 5-0 to accept.
Meeting with the Capital Committee: Director Callaghan met with the Capital Committee on December 13 and discussed the carpeting of the Children’s Room in FY08 and the replacement of the roof on the 1968 building for FY09.
Facilities Agreement: The Director met with Richard Jones, Facilities Director and Rick Reed, Town Manager to discuss the agreement on December 26th. The current 2000 agreement needs to be updated. Richard Jones and Richard Callaghan are discussing the 2004 memorandum of agreement to complete an appropriate document. The Trustees and the Selectmen will then have to sign the document. The Trustees did not see the need for the School Committee to sign as the agreement as it is between the Library and the Board of Selectmen.
One Book, One Bedford: Digging to America by Anne Tyler has been chosen as the book for April’s programs. The book will be available in all formats.
Review of Town bylaw and Massachusetts’s law on library governance: The Director review local and state law concerning library operation. He will research the change of the number of trustees from nine to seven that occurred after 1973.
AARP tax aide program: David Savir from the AARP tax aide program will be in the Library on Saturdays from February 10 to April 14 to help with filling out tax forms. The service is free and aimed at the low to moderate income resident.
Medway – certification: Medway is a member of the Minuteman Network and due to budget difficulties will not make State Aid requirements. The Board of Library Commissioners will be voting to decertify Medway; therefore it is recommended that Bedford agree not to serve Medway residents. If Medway can get services at other libraries then they will not fund their own library to make state aid.
R. Dyer made a motion to deny services to Medway residents. M. Pulizzi second. Vote: 5-0 to accept.
Other Business
Trustee Candidates: Abby Hafer, Howard Cohen, Rachel Field, and Sarah Getty are the candidates for the three open positions on the Board of Trustees
Signing of the warrants: Recommended that the signing of the warrants remains status quo. Director Callaghan will send out e-mails to remind board members to sign warrant.
Prudence Drake Estate: Letter from Mr. Berkowitz explaining that the family of Prudence Drake had requested that the artwork go to the Concord Art Association
Meeting Room sound system: The Board agreed to use up to $6,000 from State Aid funds to help purchase a sound system and projector for the meeting room. The Friends of the Library will be also contributing to the cost.
A. Hafer made a motion to donate the extra copies to the Friends. Seconded by R. Dyer. Vote: 5-0 to accept.
Step Raises and Appointments: Custodian Joe Periello from step 2 to step 3.
Vanessa Abraham noted that a part-time librarian assistant and part-time custodian position were being advertised. The positions were simply filling gaps due to medical leaves and a staff member returning to school.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 8 pm
Motion to Adjourn: 9:30
M. Ross motioned to adjourn and M. Pulizzi seconded. Vote: 5-0 to accept.