1978-09-21 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
Date: 09/21/1978
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Neil B. Olson, Lester C. Ayers, Mary K. Connors, John R. Coogan,
Dr. Edna M. MeGlynn, Emily P. Morency, Oleg M. Pohotsky, and Beatflee R. Viiale
Board members absent: Katherine L. Fanning
Others present:
Recorder:
Regular Meeting
Board of Trustees
Beverly Public Library
Thursday, September 21, 1978 7:45 P.M.
Presiding: Neil Olson, Chairman; present: Mr. Ayers, Mrs. Vitale, Dr. MeGlynn, Mr. Coogan, Mrs.
Morency, Mr. Pohotsky and Miss Connors.
Motion made by Mr. Coogan and seconded by Mrs. Vitale to accept minutes of June 15 meeting and
special meeting ofhly 6, 1978 as presented.
Committee Reports
Collective bargaining - no report
Administration - no report
Finance - no report
Librarian's Report
Request for carry-over of funds of $4,900.70 from boiler account, approved by Mayor as well as
transfer of funds to Salaries - Pages for Sunday openings. Board of Aldermen did not approve
transfer of funds at Sept. 18 meeting.
Recommendation by Mr. Coogan that Trustees should not make cuts in library budget after it is
presented to Mayor and Aldermen.
Bookmobile Operator - Michael Williams, resigned in August due to ill health. His replacement will
be Tom Hindman, graduate of SUNY Buffalo, with a Master's Degree from Gordon-Conwell.
Hindman is in process of getting Class 2 License. Due to oversight at aldermen's meeting, position
has not yet been approved. Tom Hindman will be placed on payroll as soon as position is approved
by aldermen.
Farms Branch is now open four days a week, closed on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Parking Lot - Mrs. Minigan's letter to editor discussed. Her letter was a reaction to notices in
newspaper prohibiting parking of over two hours. Notices have been put under windshield wipers of
cars in lot indicating that overnight parkers should park on Knowlton Street side; must be out by 9
A.M. Trustees advised Mrs. Calish to continue present policy: Trustees' comments -- Public does not
have a legal right to ovemight parking; will take no further action as long as Mrs. Calish feels she can,
with the cooperation of the custodians, keep the situation contained.
Overdues - Publicity warning patrons of legal actions has had good results with many more books
being returned. Four names have been turned over to City Solicitor for prosecution.
Union Negotiations - Board will have special meeting, going into executive session to discuss matter,
Thursday, Oct. 5, 1978, 7:45 P.M.
Feasibility Study - Architects have been in library several times gathering information on structure
of building. Will be meeting with individual division heads on Friday, Sept. 29 to hear their needs and
ideas about their special subject areas.
Friends of the Library - Inventory of books show little of value; books have been culled over in the
past and depleted. Procedures for sale of books are still being reviewed. Friends are contributing
about $800.00 from summer sale of books for purchase of 8 mm equipment to be used in film-making
courses at the library. The first program will be carded out in conjunction with the McKay School
gifted children's class, since their teacher, Jim Watras has had some experience in this type of project.
Judith Stockwell, Youth Services Librarian, and Carl Zukroff, Media Services Librarian, will work
with this group, and then continue the program with children from other schools and community
groups. We expect to have an intergenerational film-making program eventually, with children and
adults possibly working together.
Other New Programs - Martha Hutchins, the recipient of a scholarship at an Institute for Librarians
working with the elde~y, came back from her two weeks at Edinberg College, with many ideas which
she is now implementing. She is also developing programs for active senior citizens, and the
Never-Too-Late group on Monday mornings will have stimulating programs.
Mrs. Penta will lead a book discussion group on the last Monday evening of each month. This came
about as a result or our invitation to local organizations to share their programs with the library and
the community. Other programs are listed in UNDER THE ROTUNDA.
Staff Development - The courses funded by the Trustees for Mrs. Calish on Municipal Management
and for Carl Zukroff on Slide-Film Techniques met expectations and should result in continuing and
expanding library services.
Annual Report - Copy of 76/77 Report distributed. 77/78 Report due on Jan. 1, 1979. Is in progress
and will be ready in a few weeks.
Each Trustee was given a packet containing:
Personnel Organization
Table of Organization
List of Salaries
Financial Statement for FY July 1977 - June 1978
Financial Statement for July and August 1978
List of Board's Committees
June, July and August circulation sheets
Circulation down about 2,000 per month during summer. We believe this correlates with the
reduction in the supply of new books. Purchases are running at least 1/3 behind last year due to
inflationary depletion of buying power. Reference collection was increased and showed corollary
increase in use of reference materials.
Letter from Jack Forman of Eastern Mass. Regional Services, complimenting library on its staff and
staff morale. Mr. Forman came to library last August to work with staff on dealing with Young Adult
discipline problems.
New Business
Need for library to have written book and materials selection policy. Mr. Olson will appoint
committee at next meeting.
Library should also have a user survey to provide information on patron needs and satisfaction.
Analysis of circulation does not inform library of patrons' unmet needs in both materials and staff
performance. Mrs. Calish plans to check with other libraries to determine best method of conducting
survey. Should any expenses be involved, the trust income could be used. The amount should be
minimal.
Discussion of Board Members of use of trust funds and procedures on hiring.
Motion to adjourn by Mrs. Morency; seconded by Mrs. Vitale.
Adjourned at 9:35 P.M.
Esther Calish
Clerk