Library Trustees
BEDFORD FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Minutes
September 12, 2006
Meeting called to order at 8:00 p.m.
Present: Trustees present: D. Crowell, A. Hafer, L. O’Connor, M. Pulizzi, and M. Ross. Director R. Callaghan and Assistant Director V. Abraham were also present. Trustees R. Dyer and P. Russo were absent.
Secretary’s Report:
M. Pulizzi made a motion to accept the 07/11/06 minutes. Seconded by M. Ross. Vote: 5-0
Director’s Report:
Director Callaghan reported on activities:
· He thanked High School Building Project Manager Peter Cox for clearing the area adjacent to the Library in time for the Summer Reading Program end of summer picnic.
· A large weeding project has been completed over the summer.
· Circulation figures were substantially increased over July and August, which may be in part to new display methods in the Children’s Room, the weeding of the collection and fewer restrictions on DVDs/videos.
M. Ross made a motion to accept the Director’s Report. Seconded by M. Pulizzi. Vote: 5-0 to accept.
Unfinished Business:
FY06 Budget: The Finance Committee approved the Library’s request of a $13,000 reserve fund transfer at their July 13th meeting. The transfer was all for utilities.
Merit Reviews/Meeting with the Town Administrator: The Director met with Rick Reed, Town Administrator on August 15 to discuss the merit review increases for managerial employees. The meeting was productive and the increases along with retroactive payments from July 1st were distributed in the August 31 paychecks. Staff members were happy to receive their increases at a much earlier time than in 2005.
Library Exterior Painting: After the first quote for painting the exterior trim on the 1968 building came back at $21,000, the Director asked Richard Jones, Facilities Director to rebid the project. The quotes from the second round were much more in line with the budget for this project, with Dandis Painting of Hyde Park being the low bidder at $8,400.
Environmental Monitoring Program: The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners named Bedford a participant in their environmental monitoring program. From August 2006 to January 2007, three dataloggers located in the library will monitor temperature, relative humidity, light, and ultraviolet radiation in the building. In January a preservation specialist from the MBLC will pick up the dataloggers, download the information and give the library a report on the environmental conditions in the building. The report will also give recommendations for the improvement of environment if needed.
Annual Report: Assistant Director Abraham gave an overview of the annual report she has sent to the town. The comprehensive report gives highlights the accomplishments of the library during FY06.
Library Insight Museum Software: The Friends provided the funding for the new museum software, which will allow patrons to sign up for passes online. Online sign-ups will be more convenient for patrons and lessen staff workload. Patrons will still be able to call or go into the library to sign up for passes, as staff members will be able to access the program from the circulation desk.
MLN: Excessive Renewals: The Director reported that there has been a problem with some Minuteman member libraries renewing items from other libraries excessively (more than eight times). Bedford had no instances of this violation of procedure.
Other Business:
Friends Book Sale: Director Callaghan reminded the Board about the Friends book sale on Bedford Day, Saturday, September 16th. The Library will have a display table in the reference area.
High School Building Project Update: The project was very busy all summer with many large trucks going back and forth in front of the library. The modular classrooms stored in the parking lot were moved on time. The parking lot was also swept several times to remove debris. The Director contacted Richard Jones and Rich Warrington from the DPW about the ongoing parking lot lighting situation. Since lighting for the parking lot was removed from the High School building plan due to a lack of funding, Richard Jones will contact the contractor for the High School project about installing the lights and paying for them through the Library’s parking site improvement account. The Trustees asked the Director to write a letter to Rick Reed to reinforce the Board’s interest in getting the project completed as soon as possible.
Hallway tile/carpet project: Since the Library has capital funds to replace the carpeting in the new books area, it makes sense to pick the carpeting and the tile at the same time, and so the colors and patterns will complement each other. The Director wants to get this project going by early spring so installation can be scheduled for a slower time of year, i.e. after One Book, One Bedford in April. Carpeting for the meeting room is not part of the capital funds but it is possible other sources of funding could be used to complete that project.
Planning: The Chair asked if the staff/Trustees could plan for issues that may come up throughout the year. The Director mentioned that work on the FY08 Action Plan, which needs to be submitted to the MBLC, would begin next month. Also the Chair asked about another survey for the long-range plan, which expires in 2008.
Motion to Adjourn: 9:15
M. Ross motioned to adjourn and M. Pulizzi seconded. Vote: 5-0 to accept.