May2019Minutes-TrusteesBoard: Library Trustees
City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Subcommittee:
Date: Thursday, May 30, 2019 6:00 P.M.
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Margaret Altman, Mary Behrle, Marshall Handly, Joanne Panunzio,
Myron Schirer -Suter
Board members absent: Ivy Mahan, Colleen Michaels, Kevin O'Reilly
Others present: Anna Langstaff, Allison Babin
Recorder: Allison Babin
Joanne Panunzio presided. Joanne stated that the meeting was being recorded.
Marshall Handly made the motion, seconded by Margaret Altman, to accept the minutes of the
regular meeting of April 23, 2019. Motion passed.
Public Presentation
None.
Committee Reports
Personnel: No report.
Administration: No report.
Finance: No report.
Long Range Planning: No report.
Report of the Library Director
1) Budget Fiscal Year 2019: On track. The repair line will be completely spent by the end of
June.
2) Budget Fiscal Year 2020: Anna Langstaff presented the proposed library budget to City
Council on Tuesday, May 28. The presentation included information on library programs and
statistics, as well as needed building repairs. The public hearing for the budget will be held on
Monday, June 10. The final vote will take place on Thursday, June 20.
3) Building Issues: The library has made a deposit on granite for a new capstone. The rest will be
ordered and should arrive within four to five weeks. Repair work should begin this summer. The
heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) at the main library needs major repair work
requiring two compressors to be replaced, potentially costing $150,000. Anna Langstaff has
spoken with City Finance Director Bryant Ayles about the cost of the repairs. The Farms branch
HVAC also needs repair work; one of the roof fans is broken. The replacement fan has to be
specially manufactured. Kevin Harutunian received an email from a member of the Beverly
Farms Improvement Society. The following Monday, landscapers appeared at the branch and
began pruning without having obtained permission from the Library Director or other City
official. Kevin met with Beverly Farms Improvement Society members and the City arborist to
resolve the situation and communicate information about the Louisa Conrad bequest which
provides funding for a gardener. The Department of Public Services will now mow the lawn at
the Farms branch, as they do at the main library. Anna Langstaff showed Kevin Harutunian the
bricks at the Farms branch that need repointing and reminded Mike Collins of this needed work.
4) Personnel: Library Director, Anna Langstaff, and Assistant Library Director, Allison Babin,
received raises from the City of 1.5 %.
5) Community Engagement: Anna Langstaff shared an email from Head of Children's Services
Margie McClory which described a typical busy Friday morning in the Children's Room. Anna
Langstaff, Margie McClory, and Meghan Karasin will attend the "First Thursday" program in
Holcroft Park to promote summer reading. Anna Langstaff attended the North of Boston Library
Exchange (NOBLE) strategic planning meeting in April. Anna Langstaff appeared on BevCam's
program "Frames of Reference" with John Tamilio to promote library programs and talk about
the history of the library. Allison Babin, Anna Langstaff, Lisa Ryan, and Jerusha Maurer
attended the Massachusetts Library Conference and gained many fresh ideas. 602 people visited
the Bookmobile at the Beverly "Touch a Truck" event. The Library of Things collection
launched on May 19 with a successful open house reception. Anna Langstaff shared the results
of the Annual Survey which focused on customer service. The results were mostly very positive,
but there are some areas where the library can still improve. Anna Langstaff shared that the
Everett City Council has voted to limit the powers of the Library Trustees to only be responsible
for one trust fund. Anna Langstaff has discussed the potential implications of this with a Library
Advisory Specialist of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Anna Langstaff
shared that she met with Dave Olson, incoming President of Beverly Rotary Club, who has
chosen literacy for his cornerstone, and may assist with fundraising for the Teen Renovation
project. Anna Langstaff will attend the Rotary Installation Dinner on Tuesday, June 25.
6) Programs: Allison Babin shared upcoming program highlights: At the main library, the all -
ages Summer Reading Kickoff will be held on Wednesday, June 19 from 6:30 -8pm. Summer
Sounds concerts will run on Wednesday nights, July 10 through August 21 from 6 -7pm_ The
Children's Room will offer Bubbleology with Keith Michael Jackson on Wednesday, July 10. A
Cupcake Wars program for teens will be held on Wednesday, June 26. This summer, the library
will offer Yoga on the Lawn at different times on three Saturdays. At the Farms branch, the
annual Library Lawn Party will be held on Saturday, June 8. The Farms branch is now doing
more teen programming; for example, Space Exploration for Teens will be held on Thursday,
June 27, which will feature Oreo phases of the moon and more.
Communications
None.
Unfinished Business
None.
New Business
None.
The next meeting of the board will be Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at 6:OOPM at the Beverly Farms
Branch library.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:48PM.