Lincoln Public Library
Trustees’ Meeting
February 24, 2009
Attendees: Jacquelin Apsler Chair, Diana Abrashkin, Al Kraft, Susan Taylor, Peter Sugar, Trustees; Barbara Myles, Director; Guest Speaker: Dennis Kois, Director of the DeCordova Museum
We discussed the following:
1. Minutes of January 27, 2009: They were approved as amended
2. Staff concerns: No staff was present. Barbara conveyed a message from the staff re: the upcoming changes in the kitchen: as the kitchen is the only place for the staff to eat, please do any work during warm weather, when they could eat outside while the work is taking place.
3. Library FY’10 budget: Though the FinCom initially approved our preferred budget, they have changed their minds (due to the severe economic conditions) and now are going with our level service budget.
4. Summer interns: We reviewed the job description, which was found to be generally acceptable. It was agreed that we will advertise the positions in the Lincoln Journal, perhaps in the form of a letter to the Editor. There was some discussion also about whether there should be a preference given to Lincoln residents. We will check with the Town on the legality of this approach (we have heard since that this should not be part of the description or advertisement). We also discussed the possibility of moving away from hiring relatives of the staff.
5. CORI Policy. We discussed this further, as well as looking at how some of the other towns have handled this. In addition, we also thought that we should incorporate checking on whether potential staff members are on the Sex Offenders Register. Most towns have not put these policies into effect retroactively. Barbara has been charged to come up with the best methodology for adopting the policies for Lincoln and how much of the model policy that she shared with us we should adopt. Barbara will make her recommendations at our next meeting.
6. Dog/Pet Policy: We reviewed the policy: one amendment to include a requirement that dogs entering the Library should at all times be under the direct control of their owners was approved. Including this new amendment, the policy was unanimously adopted by the board
7. DeCordova Museum Liaison:
a. Dennis Kois, the Director of the Museum came to speak with us. While there was some exchange of information about our respective institutions, the primary purpose for the visit was to discuss the upcoming vacancy for a new library liaison on the Museum board, as our current liaison’s (Jan Nyquist’s) term has expired. We will be looking for an individual who is both familiar with the Library’s mission and interests as well as being interested in art as promoted by DeCordova
b. A DeCordova board member is generally required to contribute $2,500 annually, with some other duties and responsibilities, which may bring the total contribution to $10,000 p.a. (It is agreed that there is some flexibility for someone representing the Library.)
c. The Library could help the DeCordova with some of its shows – as an example, we could assemble a series of art books with relevance to a current show at the Museum, and the Museum could advertise this fact in its hand-outs.
d. After Dennis has left, we discussed the position and how to select our representative. There are four candidates at this point – but it was thought best also to advertise the vacancy and see who else may put their name in the hat. Candidates will need to submit their resumes, together with a statement as to why they would like to represent the Library and how they see their being qualified for the position. Jaki will follow up with the advertisement. Once we have a slate, we will interview the candidates: if their number is large, the list may be culled as only about four-five candidates will be interviewed.
8. Librarian’s Report: see the actual report attached.
9. Building Committee: Carpet in the Children’s area: has now been replaced/reinstalled with new carpet tiles by Milliken. We need to close out the carpet contract – Karl Packard our architect is writing to Milliken requesting them to send us their guarantees. Capital Carpet has accepted our decision not to pay them the outstanding balance of appx. $12,000 because of the damage they have caused to the floor tiles
10. CPC and Fire Suppression: The CPC has turned down our request to fund the next phase of the fire suppression project. We are concerned about their decision and have set up a meeting at the Library on 2/27 to argue our case one more time.
11. Finance Report Format: the format is still being worked upon: Kathy Rushby just returned from her vacation.
12. FOLL Update: The FOLL has agreed to provide $1,500 towards the electric outlets in the Tarbell Room. Also, they are in the process of commenting on revisions to the kitchen, after which Jaki and Peter will get together to see how the project should be tackled.
13. Catalpa Tree Care: Susan Taylor is still pursuing the tree consultant – through Robin Thompson – to see whether he is willing , as he proposed, to take some remedial measures towards the long-term survival of our catalpa tree (she has failed to make contact so far)
14. Parking coordination: ongoing: no results as yet.
15. It was proposed that we establish a book acquisition policy
16. Honor Roll of Lincolnites serving in the armed forces: The list may need updating. Diana will contact Sarah Cannon Holden, who has been maintaining this list to date.
17. Our next meeting will be on 24 March 2009.
Respectfully submitted
Peter C. Sugar
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
March 24, 2009
TO: Trustees, Lincoln Public Library
FROM: Barbara Myles, Librarian
Friends of the Lincoln Public Library
The Friends met on March 3. Barbara Low reported that the Friends’ net worth is $43,909.96. Patty Levy and I reported on the successful Career Round Table held on March 2. Patty is performing a valuable service by helping people who are looking for employment. At this meeting people brought in their resumes for Patty’s comments and suggestions. Susan Taylor reported that the Trustees are reviewing the Library’s dog and pet policy and intern hiring process. She also updated the Friends about the last Trustees meeting where Dennis Kois, DeCordova’s Director, came to the meeting and told us about the role of DeCordova board members. Over $1,000 of books were sold at the February book sale. Elizabeth Cherniack told us that David Donald, a local author who
wrote a bestselling book about Abraham Lincoln, is donating some of his books to the book sale. Susan Taylor informed us about the publicity she has done and will do for the Geoff Bartley concert on March 27. All of the publicity is through local channels to encourage Lincoln residents to come to the concert. Haskel Straus ordered a new laptop for the Friends for the budgeted amount of $1,244. Susan Sugar gave us an update about the Newcomers’ party scheduled for October 18. She showed us the invitation she made and told us that she will make an announcement at Town Meeting about the event. She also asked the two real estate companies in Lincoln, Coldwell Banker and Barrett & Co., to donate money for this event and they both promised to donate at least $100. The Nominating Committee will meet before the next meeting to line up nominees for next year’s board.
Adult Department
On March 21 the library hosted award winning artist Gregory John Maichack, who gave the pastel painting workshop, “Monet’s Magic Garden: How to Pastel Paint as Impressionists.” This workshop was designed for both sheer beginners to advanced participants. There was so much interest in this workshop that we had a waiting list! Ellen shortened her two week vacation by one day so she could lead the Friday morning book group on March 6 when they discussed Chasing the Monsoon by Alexander Frater. The group met again on March 20 and discussed To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. The Write Stuff met on February 25 and March 11. “International Month of Mirth” is the theme of this month’s book display in the lobby. The library has plenty of humor books
to fill this display! Classic Jazz met on March 11 with Norm Nichols presenting, “This is Great Music.” The Photoshare Group met on March 4. Jennifer Dowling displayed her art work in the Stay-Put-Gallery.
Children's Department
In addition to Wonderful Ones, Terrific Twos, and Preschool programs, Ed Morgan came to sing on March 6. The book discussion groups for 3rd graders and 4th & 5th graders met three times altogether since the last Trustees meeting. The 3rd graders discussed Oggie Cooder by Sara Weeks on March 5 and James and the Giant by Roald Dahl on March 19. The 4th graders discussed I, Freddy by Dietlof Reiche on February 26.
Reference Department
Reference staff answered 454 questions in February compared to last year’s 377. Jeanne proctored one exam last month for a local (Hanscom) student taking distance learning courses. Jeanne discovered that someone took whole piles of specific federal tax forms and had to reorder more. The supply of state tax forms is holding up well so far. Jeanne represented the library at the Minuteman Library Network’s (MLN) Reference Interest Group on March 10. Jeanne met with Ellen, Jane and Amy to discuss database subscriptions and promotions to increase usage. She also had a teletraining class with a trainer from p4Antiques, the Antiques and Collectibles database.
Technical Services
Lisa Rothenberg took an online class with Simmons College and learned how to make a wiki. She used her knowledge to make a wiki for the staff so we can keep each other up to date about what is going on in our work. (If all goes well, we can get rid of the notebook we use for this purpose.) Forms we use regularly such as vacation requests, purchase orders, and the annual job reviews are found on the wiki. One goal we have for the wiki is to be able to use it instead of jotting notes down in the staff notebook. Staff receive an email when the wiki is updated so we know when to go to the wiki to read the new messages. Lisa has given the staff training sessions so we all know how to add messages to the wiki. She has also made a page on Facebook for the library!
Town Archives
The Community Preservation Committee officially notified Jeanne that they would fund the proposal to preserve and digitize the Eleazer Brooks scrapbook. Congratulations to Jeanne and Susan Brooks for submitting this proposal and shepherding it through the financing process!
The “Library Journal” Index of Public Library Service 2009-02-26
The “Library Journal” launched a new Index of Public Library Services this year. This index is based on four statistics that we collect and provide to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners each year: (1) how many times a year the average person took out a book, audiobook, DVD, or other item from the library; (2) how many times the average person came to the library; (3) how many times the average person attended a program; and (4) how many times the average person used a public access computer. Our library ranked 146 out of 1248 libraries in the $400,000 to $999,999 budget range. This puts the library in the top 12% nationally for our budget category! In my opinion, our library is better than this ranking indicates. The average person for Lincoln, for example, includes
thousands of people living at Hanscom Air Force Base who do not come to the library very often. Plus, we make a conservative estimate of the use of the public access computers rather than requiring patrons to sign up for computers at the reference desk.
Grant Application to the Institute of Museum and Library Services
I was notified that we did not receive the American Heritage Preservation Grant that I applied for last fall. The $3,500 grant would have paid to have the James Lorin Chapin diary preserved and microfilmed.
Capital Plan
The Community Preservation Committee told us that they would not fund the library’s fire suppression proposal for FY 2010.
Building Repairs
1. Carpets – Children’s Room and Staff Work Room
Milliken replaced the defective carpet during the week of February 2. We received a warranty for the new carpet. Now we are waiting to receive an installation warranty for the work they did.
2. Vault Renovation Project
The vault was installed between February 23 and March 5. Sheet rock and plaster were installed and painted. The project reached 75% completion status in mid-March.
3. Gund Roof – Ice Dam
There is a long history of leaks in the story room and staff room as a result of ice dams at a complicated intersection of angled roof sections and the north facing parapet. The peeling paint in the Story Room Turret and stained ceiling tiles in the Staff Work Room are results of leaks caused by the ice dams.
The Building Committee is considering the option of installing wires at this intersection of angled roof sections to prevent further ice dams.
Kudos
Kudos this month go to the Lisa Rothenberg for jumping into web 2.0! Now we have a wiki and a presence on Facebook!
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