03/21/1974 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
Date: 03/21/1974
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Louisa V. Conrad, Michael Larivee, Mieth Maeser, Carolyn F. StandIcy,
Samuel E Tappan, and Beatrice R. Vitale
Board members absent: Lester C. Ayers, Richard J. Bronstein, and Diane M. Isenberg,
Others present:
Recorder: Mark A. Nesse
Beverly Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
March 21, 1974
Present: Mrs. Conrad, presiding; Mr. Maeser, Mr. Larivee, Miss StandIcy, Mr. Tappan and Mrs.
Vitale.
Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
Board of Trustees was organized for the coming year. Mrs. Conrad was elected Chairman; Miss
StandIcy, Secretary.
Committee Reports were called for
Finance
Circulation
Farms
Bookmobile
Personnel
Administration
Librarian's Report
Highlights of Departmental Reports were noted
Reference
Chlldren's Room
Farms
Circulation
Youth Room
Old Business
New "free" Microfilm reader has been installed. Progress of Sunday opening very good to
date. Budget status to date.
New Business
*VOTED:to reque~ a supplementalappropriationfor
Fuel .......... $1,500
Office supplies .....300 (copy machine)
$1,800
*VOTED: to request transfer of $605 from "Other Outlays" to telephone account in
maintenance.
*VOTED: to close as follows:
Easter Sunday .... April 14
Patriot's Day ..... April 15
Librarian reported that new awnings have been ordered for the main library, at a cost of $345.
A suggestion by the librarian to consider building a small "tool shed" on the side of the Farm branch
was referred to committee for further study.
*VOTED: To request project funds from the Dept. of H.E.W. for the creation of a videotape archive
of the decision making process as it effects environmental issues.
Librarian reported on plans to date for National Library Week:
21 st - Lucy Larcom Slide Show/Talk ---Arthur Preston," (moved to Farms Branch)
241h Jesse Owens Returns to Be~in -- films in library
251h Series of Children's films (White Mane, Pigs, etc.)
281h Historic Beverly through post cards -- slide show by Derick Willson
All week '-
Mayor Vitale to check out a book to anyone who has an appointment with him
No fine week... amnesty for the forgetful
A series of "How To Use the Library" talks/tours through the library
Major display on the history of librades in Beverly
Displays, posters, whatnot in store windows.
Librarian's suggestion relating to the establishment of a loan policy with regard to home use of
projectors, screens and other audiovisual equipment was tabled for further study.
Libradan's suggestions for policy decisions were tabled for further study.
Mrs. Stevens' case was discussed. It was the feeling for Mrs. Conrad, Miss Standley, and the
Libradan to take such action as might be necessary before the next regular meeting of the Board.
Voted: Librarian to perm. status.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Mark A. Nesse
Clerk
Beverly Public Library
Policy Decisions
Statement of Goals/Objectives:
Should the board attempt to formulate a statement of goals/objectives for the Beverly Public
Library? Such a statement would normally consider on the one hand the community's needs for library
service, and on the other hand the various existing library and information. sources in the community
such as the schools, NSCC, Endicott, Historical Association, etc., and their logical clientele. With this
in mind the statement would make broad assumptions as to future demographic patterns,
technological change, probable increase in personal leisure time, future energy problems, city, state,
and national governmental planning, and then set forth service priorities and goals for the next 5 or
10 years.
I. Expansion Plans:
*at the main library
*through or in conjunction with NSCC
*in the North Beverly and/or Centerville area
*bookmobile service.
II. Book Catalog:
The Boston Public Library is beginning the process of converting its catalog from card form
to book form. Should Beverly consider moving in this direction?
ADVANTAGES:
· *Flexibility. instead of one card catalog, it is possible, to have numerous book
catalogs in places such as the reference room, youth room, cataloging area... and
in addition place catalogs in locations outside the library such as schools, city hail,
retirement homes, Chamber of Commerce, etc.
*Adaptable to the future... as personnel costs increase and computer costs decrease,
libraries will likely move in this direction in the future.
DISADVANTAGES:
*Initial cost initial cost of a book catalog for a library the size of Beverly's would
likely run dose to $75,000.
*Possible snafus... as with any off-site computer operation, we will be at the mercy
of that computer.
III. Sub-Regional Center:
If at some time in the future, libraries in the North Shore area actively push for the 'creation
of a North Shore subregion center of the Eastern Region Library System, should Beverly put in a bid
for such status? There are no plans currently, but since the North Shore is the only area without a
sub-regional center, such is certainly conceivable.
IV. Building, modification to allow handicapped/elderly access?
V. Cable TV/Videotape?
Although commercial cable has not yet reached Beverly, should the library plan to ask for a
designated free public access channel?
Also the possibilities for creating a video archive of local history should be examined.
VI. Service to pre-schoolers:
Should the library consider the possibilities of creating a toy-lending program for
pre-schoolers? This could take the form of simply checking out educational toys or establishing
something on the order of a child-development program, in which library staff would work with
parents, provide reading material on child development, suggest toys which would be suited for a
given child. The latter could possibly be staffed by NSCC personnel as part of their continuing
education division.