February2020Minutes-TrusteesBoard: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Date: February 20, 2020, 6:00 P.M.
Place: Beverly Public Library, Fogg Room
Board members present: Mary Behrle, Marshall Handly, Colleen Michaels, Cathryn Keefe
O'Hare, Kevin O'Reilly, Joanne Panunzio, Myron Schirer -Suter
Board members absent: Margaret Altman, Ivy Mahan
Others present: Anna Langstaff, Allison Babin, Bruce Doig
Recorder: Allison Babin
Kevin O'Reilly presided.
Marshall Handly made the motion, seconded by Joanne Panunzio, to accept the minutes of the
regular meeting of January 28, 2020. Motion passed.
Public Presentation
None.
Committee Reports
Personnel: Joanne Panunzio reported that three candidates were interviewed for the Library
Director position on February 3, 18, and 19. The search committee would like to bring forward
two candidates: Allison Babin, Assistant Director of the Beverly Public Library, and Cindy
Grove, Director of the Rockport Public Library. The board discussed when to conduct the final
interviews and decided on the first week of March. The board discussed when to meet to
determine the interview questions and decided to meet at 5:30pm. Mary Berhle thanked Joanne
Panunzio for her work on the search committee. The work of Thalia Lewandowski and Meghan
Karasin was also acknowledged.
Administration: No report.
Finance: No report.
Long Range Planning: No report.
Report of the Library Director
1) Fiscal Year 2020 Budget: Everything is on track for being a little more than halfway through
the fiscal year.
2) Building Issues: An overnight alarm call was taken from the fire department due to the
sprinkler system squirting water in the sprinkler room. Junior Building Custodian Joe Bonauito
did a great job handling the issue. There is no update on the capstone. Despite initial projections
that the library van might not be able to be fixed, Frank from the City garage was in fact able to
repair it. The van has been returned to the library.
3) Community Engagement: Anna Langstaff shared an editorial titled "The Library is an Open
Book" from the January 31, 2020 edition of the Salem News. The editorial cites a finding that
Americans used their libraries more than they went to the movies, sporting events, or casinos last
year. The Rotary fundraiser scheduled for Friday, March 13 at Danversport will feature dueling
pianos, dancing, and fun. Proceeds of the fundraiser will benefit the library's Teen Room
Renovation project. The elimination of overdue fines went into effect on February 1, 2020. Anna
Langstaff was interviewed on WBZ radio regarding the elimination of fines. The reaction to the
announcement on Facebook was very positive. The Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester has also
announced that it is fine -free.
4) Personnel: No report.
5) Programs: Allison Babin shared upcoming program highlights: Reducing Anxiety Through
Meditation on Thursday, March 12. Author Talk with Hester Fox on Wednesday, March 25.
PLAY! Date on April 24 featuring a variety of puppet themed activities. Annual Friends' Spring
Book Sale from Saturday, April 4 through Saturday, April 11. Monday Mornings will kick off
with Kevin O'Reilly's talk about Climate Change on March 2.
Communications
Anna Langstaff shared information about an Open Meeting law training for boards and
commissions that is scheduled for Monday, March 16 from 7- 8:30PM in the Council Chambers.
Unfinished Business
None.
New Business
None.
The next meeting of the board will be March 24, 2020 at 6:OOPM at the Beverly Public Library.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:49PM.