1978-12-07 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
Date: 12/07/1978
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Nell B. Olson, Mary K. Connors, John g. Coogan, Katherine L.
Fanning, Dr. Edna M. MeGlynn, Emily P. Morency, Oleg M. Pohotsky, and Beatrice R. Vitale
Board members absent: Lester C. Ayers
Others present:
Recorder:
Special Meeting
Board of Trustees
Beverly Public Library
December 7, 1978 7:45 P.M.
Presiding: Neil Olson, Chairman; present: Miss Connors, Mrs. Fanning, Dr. MeGlynn, Mrs. Morency,
Mr. Coogan, Mrs. Vitale and Mr. Pohotsky.
Due to the full agenda for discussion of proposed 1979/80 FY budget and other business, the
acceptance of the minutes of the regular meeting of November 16, 1978 and executive session
meeting of November 16, 1978 was dispensed with until next regular meeting.
Committee Reports: There were none.
Librarian's Report:
Gave progress report as of November 16, 1978 from Interact, Inc., the architects doing the feasibility
study.
League of Women Voters have decided to do an update on their original study of the library made
in 1971. Trustees invited to attend the League's meeting to be held in the Beverly Room of the library
on January 18, 1979 at 8 P.M. This meeting is to be held on the same date as Trustees' regular
meeting. Mrs. Calish is meeting with LWV library committee of Dec. 18, and will determine if
Trustees would be interested in attending January 18 meeting. Mrs. Calish requested the Trustees to
formulate some plans for presenting the library's needs to the community for more support from it
for our budget requests. Mrs. Caiish was asked by Mr. Olson just what she wanted the Board to do.
Discussion followed.
Mrs. Caiish made request that Finance Committee go with her to budget reviews both with the Mayor
and the Board of Aldermen. She further stated that in the future she would prefer not to go to these
reviews without members of Finance Committee accompanying her. Discussion followed.
Mr. Olson stated that at the request of the Head Librarian he was making a change of Trustees on
the Finance Committee in order that members of that committee be the people most available to
attend budget reviews with the Head Librarian. Committee changes are:
Mr. Olson tendered his resignation as member of this committee.
Mr. Coogan, Chairman
Miss Connors - to fill vacancy caused by Mr. Olson's resignation.
Mr. Ayers
Dr. MeGlynn
Mrs. Morency - alternate member
Meeting of new Finance Committee was set for Saturday, December 16, 1978 at 10 A.M. to review
and discuss 1979/80 FY budget and suggest any revisions thereto. Mr. Pohotsky requested that the
budgets for the past five years be available to the Committee at that meeting. Miss Connots requested
copy of 78/79 FY program budget.
Librarian suggested that the Board of Trustees consider ways to gain public support for the budget;
and to make a strong commitment to be involved in the budgetary process. Mrs. Calish felt some of
her suggestions for gaining support were obvious. However, the Board should examine the situation
and possibly develop approaches not yet attempted or contemplated.
Librarian's suggestions for getting more support for budget were:
1. Get people to write letters to editor as soon as budget is presented to the Mayor in January
1979.
2. Seek support from Friends of the Library.
3. Review recommendations which may be made by League of Women Voters.
4. Make telephone calls.
5. Appeal to Mayor.
Discussion of Sunday openings.
Librarian gave brief review of total Salary, Materials and Overhead costs as shown on proposed
1979/80 FY budget.
Librarian informed Trustees that the new Minimum Wage Law changes would necessitate our Page
salaries to change to:
High School students - $2.50 on 7/1/79 and $2.0- on 1/1/80
Adults and College - $2.90 on 7/1/79 and $3.10 on 1/1/80 students
Discussion of proposed 1979/80 FY budget followed.
Chairman requested that Librarian make Division reports at next regular meeting.
Librarian stated that $6,000 will probably have to come out of State Aid for Periodicals to make up
for amount cut by the Mayor from our 78/79 FY budget.
Mr. Pohotsky asked present status of collective bargaining with staff. Librarian reported that
according to Mr. Kaplan staff have raised question of vacation clause and they are now waiting to
renegotiate contract.
Mrs. Fanning requested that it go-on record that she requested more help, or additional hours for the
part-time assistants (Pages) at Farms Branch as she feels they are over-worked.
Chairman set next regular meeting for December 21, at 7:45 P.M.
Motion to adjourn made by Mrs. Fanning. Seconded by Mrs. Vitale.
Adjourned: 9:35 P.M.
Esther Calish
Clerk