1982-09-09 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
Date: 09/09/1982
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Richard L. Buckley, Lester C. Ayers, Mary K. Connots, Connie E.
Dooling, Katherine L. Fanning Dr. Edna M. MeGlynn, Roger E. Morency, Neil B. Olson, and
Nancy A. White
Board members absent:
Others present:
Recorder: Nancy Aberman
Regular Meeting
Board of Trustees-Beverly Public Library
September 9, 1982
Present: Richard Buckley, Roger Morency, Connie Dooling, Nancy White, Edna MeGlynn, Mary
ConnoB and Neil Olson.
Also present: Esther Calish, Director; Vada Komich, League of Women Voters; Tom Hindman, staff
member.
The following documents were distributed: Statistics for June 1982; copy of Standard 6 compliance
statement; updated "open meeting law", Chapter 30, See. 23; Chapter 322 "Due process law,"
recently enacted: Personnel guidelines, Mass. Bureau of Library Extension, 1972.
The minutes of the previous meeting, June 21, were accepted as read. The motion was made by
Roger Moreney and seconded by Connie Dooling.
Committee Reports - Administration: Roger Morehey reported that the "Roof and Balustrade
Committee" had met and selected Thomas Kntz Assoe. as consultants. The contract is for $3400 and
Philip Bourne of Beverly will supervise the project. The Committee requested Board approval of the
contract, which is a standard form recommended by the A.I.A. He also noted that estimates have been
received by L. Rossi for repairs to the Farms Branch roof in the amount of $2400.
Personnel: Connie Dooling's report is as follows: The meeting of the Personnel Committee was held
for the purpose of discussing and reviewing those issues which are pertinent to the selection and
hiring of the permanent Bookmobile Librarian. Members made certain revisions of the wording used
to outline the job specifications. Richard BuckIcy made the following motion: To accept (1) the
hourly breakdown of the position as presented by Esther Calish and (2) the bookmobile
responsibilities as they have been specifically worded by committee members. The motion was
seconded by Mary Cormors. All members voted in agreement and the motion passed.
Finance: Roger Morency reported that he had to postpone his meeting with City Auditor/Finance
Officer, Harry Gannon. He would like to review with the auditor the way to get State Aid monies
transferred to the library accounts so that we can spread out over the year our expenditures for books
and materials.
Report of the Librarian: Mrs. Calish reported that the August 3 jazz concert by "A Patch of Blue"
was very well artended by over 300 persons. She also noted that during the summer the Librarian and
Library staff began work on a project with Dennis Jackson, reading coordinator of the public schools.
The project, called "Reading is a Family Affair" is intended to stimulate adults, particularly parents,
to take an active role in encouraging their children to read. The project will be administered
throughout the year with a variety of programs and mailings.
Mrs. Calish also met with the Friends of the Beverly Farms Branch on August 24. The Committee
agreed to do a survey by telephone and directly to analyze patron needs and library users. They met
today, September 9, to decide on the survey questions which they will then submit to the Librarian
for review. The Librarian also met with Mr. Rossi today at the Farms to examine roof and ceiling
damage.
Data is still not available on the number of people who would benefit from a ramp, into the Farms
library. Mr. Buckley suggested that older people should also be included in this group and will make
inquiries of the Council on Aging.
Advertisements for the full-time Bookmobile position were placed in the Beverly Times and Salem
News for 3 days, and the Boston Globe for one Sunday. About 15 applications have been received.
The deadline for applications is September 15. These ads will have met affirmative action
requirements and will have provided an opportunity for Beverly residents to apply. So far no applicant
has the qualifications equal to Barbara Hyde, the part-time summer Bookmobile operator.
Invitations to the Businessman's Breakfast on Wednesday, September 22 at 7:30 a.m. were mailed
out yesterday and today. Seven affirmative responses have been received today.
Communications: The following communications were received: 1) A letter from Peter Hersee,
president of the Chamber of Commerce, thanldng the library for its contribution to the success of
Homecoming Week; 2) A letter from Suzanne McCalla, Activity Director of the Blueberry Hill
Nursing Home, thanking the library "for this wonderful service", the Bookmobile, commending Tom
Hindman's performance and wishing him well in his new assignment; 3 ) A proposal from Mr. L. Rossi
for repairs to the Farms Branch.
New Business: A motion was made by Nancy White and seconded by Dr. McGtyrm to approve the
contract entered into by the "Roof and Balustrade Committee" with Kruz Assoc., consultants, at a
cost of $3400. The services to be provided are as follows: 1) Consultant services; 2) Design work,
if any; 3) Preparation of specifications; 4) Bid award assistance; 5) Certification of contractors; 6)
Site management. The project, as stated, involves "Repairs to the skylights, replacement and/or repair
of roofing and ~ashings, repair to balustrades of the Main Library."
A motion was made by Mrs. Dooling that we send a communication to the Mayor and Board of
Alderman requesting permission to fill the position of Bookmobile operator on a permanent full-time
basis. The vote was unanimous in favor.
Mrs. Calish announced that she would attend a workshop on September 30 at the Arlington Library
on the implementation of Chapter 322, the new "due process law." Mr. Buckley said that he would
also attend.
Mrs. Calish asked the trustees to consider new fees guidelines. The administration committee will
meet to discuss this topic before the next Trustee meeting.
The personnel committee will meet to consider possible new provisions to be included in the
upcoming union contract.
Mrs. Calish requested permission to enroll all Trustees as members of the Massachusetts Library
Trustees' Association. Permission was granted.
The trustees voted to comply with Standard 6, an agreement "To extend free statewide non-resident
borrowing privileges, on a reciprocal basis, to residents who are card holders in good standing at
public libraries located in municipalities which participate in the Direct State Aid Grant program for
Free Public Libraries."
The North Shore Community College telephoned requesting permission to use the library parking lot
on the evenings that the library is dosed. The Librarian did not grant permission. The Board
concurred with the Librarian's response.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Recorder