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January2020Minutes-TrusteesBoard: Library Trustees City of Beverly, Massachusetts Public Meeting Minutes Subcommittee: Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2020 6:00 P.M. Place: Beverly Public Library Board members present: Margaret Altman, Mary Behrle, Marshall Handly, Ivy Mahan, Colleen Michaels, Cathryn Keefe O'Hare, Kevin O'Reilly, Joanne Panunzio, Myron Schirer- Suter Board members absent: Others present: Anna Langstaff, Allison Babin Recorder: Allison Babin Kevin O'Reilly presided. Cathryn Keefe O'Hare made the motion, seconded by Margaret Altman, to accept the minutes of the regular meeting of December 17, 2019. Motion passed. Public Presentation None. Committee Reports Personnel: Joanne Panunzio reported that the Personnel Subcommittee received 10 applicants for the Library Director position and extended interviews to four strong candidates. One candidate withdrew. Interviews are scheduled for February 3, 10, and 11. The interviews will be open meetings of the search committee. Administration: No report. Finance: No report. Long Range Planning: No report. Report of the Library Director 1) Fiscal Year 2020 Budget is on track. The computer software line is 77% spent because of computer upgrades. 2) Building Issues: Mike Collins finally received the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) report from Griffith & Vary. He was disappointed in the depth of the report, and is now talking to B2Q Associates. There is no update on the capstone. The library's van, which is used to transport library materials, snow blowers, and lawn maintenance tools, back and forth from the Farms branch is in need of repairs and may not be fixable. The library is receiving quotes on new carpet and paint to renovate the Storytime Room, using the $10,000 donation from the Flynn Family Foundation made to the Friends of the Library. 3) Community Engagement: The library applied for a $25,000 Community Preservation Grant to digitize newspapers, but was rejected. The Historic Preservation Committee determined that it would not qualify for funding because it would not involve the preservation of the actual, original documents. Anna Langstaff met with City Councilor, Julie Flowers. Anna Langstaff shared the details of an upcoming Rotary fundraiser on March 13 at Danversport, the proceeds of which will benefit the Teen Renovation Project of the library. The Children's and Farms librarians are meeting with school reading specialists and literacy coaches next week to develop the summer reading list. Allison Babin is spearheading an effort to make the library a Climate Resilience Hub, which will involve doing at least one climate change program per year and displaying literature. The Census has been reaching out to libraries. Allison Babin attended a Human Rights Committee meeting on the Census. Effective February 1, 2020, the Beverly Public Library will no longer charge fines. The library has coordinated with SeniorCare to hold a Dementia Friends training for staff on January 29. 4) Personnel: The current librarians' union contract goes through June 2021. Following the ratification of other city union contracts, the current librarians' contract has reopened. City department heads including Library Director Anna Langstaff and Assistant Library Director Allison Babin received 2.5% raises. 5) Programs: Allison Babin shared upcoming program highlights: At the Main Library, Read Your Favorite Poem on Thursday, March 26, a contest to read your favorite published poem aloud; Yoga at the Library in February, March, and May; an Introduction to 3D Printing; and a screening of the film, Parasite, on Friday, February 21. The Children's Room will celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day! on Saturday, February 1 with special story times and a chance to win a book and plush toys. The 24th Annual Teen Poetry Contest has opened for entries. At the Farms, children and their families can attend PJs and Masks: A Mardi Gras Celebration story time at which they are encouraged to attend in pajamas, and donate a new pair for a child in need. Communications Anna Langstaff shared thank you cards that were given to the Bookmobile Librarian by the North Shore Christian School, and a letter from appreciative parents to the Children's Room staff. Unfinished Business None. New Business Myron Schirer -Suter shared that Katie Nelson, Assistant Communications Librarian, did an excellent job at North of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE) leading the Social Media and Marketing Discussion Group. The next meeting of the board will be Thursday, February 20 at 6:OOPM at the Beverly Public Library. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55PM.