EAST LONGMEADOW PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Meeting Minutes: October 28, 2008
The East Longmeadow Board of Library Trustees held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at the East Longmeadow Public Library, 60 Center Square, East Longmeadow, MA. Trustees present were: David Boucher, Gregory Thompson, Virginia Robbins, Amie Singh, Susan French, Trustees; Timothy Seeley, Trustee, joined the meeting at 7 pm. Susan Peterson, Library Director was also present.
Chairperson, Susan French called meeting to order at 6:03 PM.
Minutes: Greg T. motioned to accept the monthly minutes of September 30, 2008 with no corrections.
Guests Present: None
Director’s Reports:
(A) Narrative
- Building--Susan Peterson, Library Director reported, Bruce Fenney of the DPW reports that his department has installed additional flashing on the portion of the roof above the Reading Garden area. He said that this should be fix the leaks occurring in this area Greg T. was at the library during the rain and looked at the leaks first-hand. Bruce also said that he is still attempting to schedule a convenient time to have the rugs in the library cleaned before winter. Due to the amount of hours and days the library is open to the public, scheduling for this work is difficult. This also applies to the cleaning of the cork floor areas. Susan P. will notify the Board when these issues will be addressed. The staff reports that the lock on the north side entrance door is working much better since the locksmith came to clean out the mechanism and re-adjust the door rods. We will monitor the situation more closely now as the weather gets colder. The Trustees asked that the town’s electrician look into the wiring on air handler #1. Susan P. also noted the elevator annual inspection permit is close to the expiration date and will notify DPW to check on the state’s inspection date.
- Library Staffing / Personnel—Susan P. announced that Jennifer Couturier of Chicopee has been hired to fill the vacant 19 hr/week Library Assistant position in the Children’s Department. Once Ms. Couturier begins her duties in early November, the Library will again be fully staffed. A new contract for the Town Employees Union (TEU) has been signed, and is effective from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2011. Among its provisions are an annual 3% increase in salary amounts for the length of the contract, and increase in the amount of the longevity payment awarded, and changes in paid holidays. Susan P. noted that three staff members are still waiting for position upgrades, and she reminded the Trustees that the Board of Selectmen will have to approve these upgrades.
- Public Relations/Programming: -- Susan P. announced that the library recently received a Stavros Access Award. This recognition is awarded annually by the Stavros Center for Independent Living in Amherst to Pioneer Valley institute and organizations who have demonstrated an exceptional and notable level of building accessibility for their patrons and clients. Susan French, Chairperson of the Library Trustees, Susan Teale, Assistant Director and Susan Peterson, Director, attended an awards ceremony and luncheon at the Delaney House on Oct. 22nd where they were presented with the award. Also, the Mom’s Club of Longmeadow and East Longmeadow held a Halloween Festival on Oct. 18th at the library. Proceeds benefited the Friends of East Longmeadow Public Library, which in turn help the Children’s department with supplies and future programming needs. Other events during the month of October included a very well-attended multi-media demonstration “Reach for the Stars” presented by Gary Polazzo on October 6th, and a “Comic Celebration” with mime Robert Rivest on Monday, Oct. 20th. The latter program was sponsored by the Friends as part of their 25th anniversary celebration.
(B) Finances and Budget: Susan P. reported she has completed and submitted the State Aid to Public Libraries financial report and compliance form for the MBLC’s review. She reports we have met all criteria in order to qualify for a State Award for FY 2009. Susan also reported the E.L Public Library will not get all the monies at once, rather the state plans to issue these awards in two partial payments. She estimates that the total amount awarded will be about $30,000.
New Business:
- Susan P. handed out last year’s Director’s job evaluation for the Trustees to review in advance of this year’s evaluation;
- Susan P. explained that due to the current local and state financial status the Selectmen in a memo dated October 22, 2008 have requested that all departments consider reducing this year’s spending by 5 to 10%;
- Tim S. suggested looking at an overall budget of 5% - 10% and 25% less in the event that Question 1 on the ballot, which would eliminate the state income tax, be approved;
Old Business:
A. Entrance Concrete sidewalks cleaning – Tim S. to look into getting quotes for this job.
B Tim S. noted the wooden exterior sign is damaged, and should be repaired. Susan P. mentioned the Friends might elect to pay to have it repaired. She will follow up on this.
- Director’s Evaluation: Susan P. left the meeting at 7:10 so that the Trustees could complete the Director’s job evaluation;
Other Business:
Next meeting regular monthly meeting of the East Longmeadow Board of Library Trustees will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 6 pm in the Conference Room of the East Longmeadow Public Library.
There being no additional business to come before this Board, a motion was made to adjourn at 7:50 pm
Submitted by:
David J. Boucher
Secretary