December2019Minutes-TrusteesBoard: Library Trustees
City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Subcommittee:
Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2019 6:00 P.M.
Place: Beverly Depot Restaurant
Board members present: Margaret Altman, Colleen Michaels, Cathryn Keefe O'Hare, Kevin
O'Reilly, Joanne Panunzio, Myron Schirer -Suter
Board members absent: Mary Behrle, Marshall Handly, Ivy Mahan
Others present: Anna Langstaff, Allison Babin
Recorder: Allison Babin
Kevin O'Reilly presided.
Colleen Michaels made the motion, seconded by Cathryn Keefe O'Hare, to accept the minutes of
the regular meeting of November 19, 2019. Motion passed.
Public Presentation
None.
Committee Reports
Personnel: Joanne Panunzio reports that the Personnel Subcommittee extended invitations to
Bruce Doig, Meghan Karasin, and Thalia Lewandowski to join the Director Search Committee.
All accepted. Eight applications for the Director position have been received so far. Joanne
Panunzio plans to contact the committee after December 20.
Administration: No report.
Finance: No report.
Long Range Planning: No report.
Report of the Library Director
1) Fiscal Year 2020 Budget is on track.
2) Building Issues: New carpet has been installed in the Teen area. The next step is selecting new
furniture. The Gruppe mural has been removed from the old McDonald's and has been moved to
Williamstown, where it is being examined. The restoration process is being filmed. The granite
for the capstone has been moved to Beverly, but has not yet been installed at the library. City
Councilor Estelle Rand inquired about the $2000 removed from the library's repair line at the
December 3 Council meeting, asking specifically if it would affect the capstone. Bryant Ayles
said that the repair line is used for things like broken windows and door knobs; it would not
affect the capstone.
3) Community Engagement: Wes Slate, City Clerk, is retiring. Kevin Harutunian, the Mayor's
Chief of Staff, has resigned from his position to become the new Town Manager in Topsfield.
New City Councilors and School Committee members will be sworn into office on January 6.
4) Programs: Allison Babin shared program highlights: YA Book Club for teens and adults is
launching on January 8. Kevin O'Reilly's program "Critical Thinking about Climate Change"
will take place on Wednesday, January 22 at 7PM. The annual Pie Potluck & Story Sharing
program is coming up on Thursday, January 16. Lisa Ryan is running a Digital Audiobooks
program to teach people about downloading on Tuesday, January 21. At the Farms branch, there
will be a Vegan Potluck on January 21 and a celebration of the Chinese New Year for children
on January 23.
Communications
Letter from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has been received regarding the
State Aid certification and first disbursement of funds. The second disbursement will arrive at
the end of Fiscal Year 2020. This money goes to the City to repay debts for the Farms renovation
until 2023.
Unfinished Business
None.
New Business
None.
The next meeting of the board will be Tuesday, January 28 at 6:OOPM at the Beverly Public
Library.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40PM.