1983-06-27 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
Date: 06/27/1983
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Piehard L. Buckley, Lester C. Ayers, Conhie E. Dooling, Katherine
L. Fanning, Dr. Edna M. MeGlynn, Roger E. Morency, Kevin J. Murphy, Neil B. Olson, and
Nancy A. White
Board members absent:
Others present:
Recorder: Nancy Aberman
Special Meeting
Board of Trustees-Beverly Public Library
June 27, 1983 9:30 p.m.
Present: Richard Bucldey, Nancy White, Kay Fanning, Connie Dooling, Les Ayers, Dr. Edna
MeGlynn, Roger Morency.
Also present: Esther Calish; Vada Komich, Mary Grant, League of Women Voters; Jill Backstrom,
Howard Calish, Jack Coogan, Friends of the Library.
The Chairman made the following statement regarding the book collection situation:
"By root derivation a library has the primary function of making books available. Our present
collection numbers approximately 120,000 volumes. Rule of thumb in the field says that 5% should
be replaced each year to assure proper coverage.
At present costs, this would indicate a $90,000 expenditure annually. For the past three years,
including the current one, we have received through the city government and applied to books and
materials $171,000. This shows a shortfall of $99,000.
To dramatize despite some incomplete reports and comments in some of the local press, records show
that this Board of Trustees has been aware of the dangers of this situation and has attempted remedies
within the scope of its powers. Last year we submitted an original budget request of $145,579 for
books and materials. We received $43,500 and a similar sum for this year. In addition, this year we
took $17,000 from trust ~mds for this area and requested $10,000 in supplementary funds from the
Mayor.
This is not an attempt to place blame on the Mayor or Board of Aldermen. Within the constraints of
Proposition 2 1/2, which I personally favored, they must make difficult choices. We have retained all
of our regular personnel and have also been assured of $80,000 in funds for extraordinary repairs.
The chair will entertain a motion on this subject matter."
The Board then took up the matter of expended trust income which was tabled at the previous
meeting. Regarding the matter to review the motion, the following motion was made by Mr.
Morency: To expend $13,244 of trust income to build up the core collection. Mr. Ayers made the
following amendment to the motion: that action on this matter be delayed until the FY84 budget goes
into effect. At~er a discussion, Mr. Ayers withdrew his amendment. The original motion was restated
and seconded: that $13,244 from trust income be expended for the core collection and that a list be
kept of titles purchased. Motion passed. Three specific criteria, for the selection of books for the core
collection, were offered by Dr. MeGlynn. Those specific criteria are: 1) that the selections will not
be contemporary, 2) that the selections will not be ephemeral and 3) that the selections will be
time-honored
Mr. Buckley read a statement into the record:
"By any objective test the Beverly Public Library is not providing adequate service to the
citizens of the community.
What follows is not intended as any reflection on our professional and volunteer staff who are
performing admirably under distressing conditions.
Further, nothing in these remarks calls for immediate and precipitant action, but rather for
commitment to a course of thought that will follow any reasonable trail that could provide an
answer to our problems.
If everyone here agrees with everything I am about to say, I will be astonished and a bit
bored. If these suggestions become a catalyst to even better practical ideas, our mutual
purpose will be achieved.
On the issue of adequate service - our main building is dosed over 25% of the hours that it
might be expected to be open; we provide no means of access for the handicapped or infirm;
our parking facilities, limited at the outset, are heavily impacted by non-library traffic; we
already know of $80,000 that must be spent for roofand balustrade repairs; during our on-site
tour tomorrow we will be made aware of health and safety conditions that could total up to
an additional six figure sum; my previous remarks noted that approximately $100,000 is
needed to bring our book collection to reasonable effectiveness; for the general reading
public, the secondary school students and the retired we are falling far short of legitimate
expectations.
To maintain even this low level of performance, almost $400,000 is being spent through the
city each year.
Within the limits of Proposition 2 ½, a prudent person would hesitate to ask that additional
funds be diverted to the library by laying off a firefighter or police officer or closing a school
classroom.
As a trustee and longtime admirer and beneficiary of this institution, I do not propose to
preside over the deterioration of a once dynamic Beverly program that still has great potential
value.
Where a basic problem demands a bold solution, we have all been guilty of timid reactions to
individual crises.
I am asking tonight that you consider an approach that recognizes the unique character of the
library in the light of possible remedies combining the public and private sectors. I specifically
warn against any binding action at this time but would appreciate your comments as to the
feasibility and means of pursuing research into this matter.
Always under proper safeguards I suggest that we consider steps, through appropriate
channels, to sell our buildings to some qualified private group with the proviso that the
premises be immediately leased back for library use. Through various provisions in the tax
codes, this procedure could be attractive to an investor, cut the city' s annual costs and allow
the possible new owner to provide needed structural maintenance and facilities for the
handicapped.
No member of the Board of Trustees should be eligible to receive any financial gain if any of
these suggestions became effective.
A complementary field of consideration would include placing operational services under
private direction. Registrations imply that approximately 25% of our citizens use the library
for varying purposes. Through the payment of a yearly appropriation, the city might insure
that none of the services currently provided would be charged to any individual citizen.
Enhanced services such as more sophisticated business systems, computer applications, wider
selections ofbestsellers and specific periodicals could be provided on a fee basis that would
be attractive to many card holders.
Over the years in Beverly, demographics, educational levels and living styles have changed.
The public is well-served by such private groups as the Beverly Hospital, the Regional YMCA
and several schools and colleges. Private trash collection has been successful.
To reiterate, I do not recommend any action tonight. With absolutely no authority to make
any moral or financial commitment, I would like your opinion on my contacting graduate
schools of business or other agencies to ascertain whether they might be interested in studying
these ideas and at what cost.
Certain postulates should be established; no existing essential service oftbe library should be
diminished or be subject to charge for any individual citizen; the rights of all of our staff
should be protected.
Possible adverse effect of losing state funds and reciprocal privileges with other libraries
should be weighed.
Since implementation of any of these ideas to any degree would require many months of time,
we should vigorously pursue other attempts now in motion to alleviate our problems.
The least that could come from this study, if eventually approved, would be some new and
fruitful ideas. The best would be a more functional, productive and interesting service that
respected the traditions of the past and met the needs of the present. All of this might be
accomplished at huge savings to the taxpayers.
I urge that we all be humble enough to admit that we do not have the answer to every
question, concerned enough to consider any idea that might benefit this library and dedicated
enough to pledge that during our stewardship the Beverly Public Library will improve."
Discussion took place on the possibility of having a private concern purchase the library building, as
well as various options regarding funding additional services. A motion was made by Mr. Morency
and seconded by Mr. Ayers that Mr. Buckley be given the authority to make inquiries on these
matters. Motion passed.
Mrs. Calish noted that as ofhly 1, no books will be able to be purchased, other than those purchased
through trust income expenditures.
Motion was made to adjourn by Mr. Ayers and seconded by Dr. McGlyrm. Motion passed. The
meeting was adjourned.
Nancy S. Aberman
Recorder
9 Crestline Circle
Beverly, Ma. 01915
July 29,1983
Beverly Public Library
Essex Street
Beverly, Ma, 01915
Dear Nancy,
I just received your note stating that Mrs Calish requests that draft changes in the minutes be put into
writing. I shall be specific to avoid any future confusion.
On page 1 of the June Ruth minutes:
Finance: Mr. Morency reported Finance Committee business: 1) Due to unused eustodial
overtime and a* position change to a lower grade level, the committee recommends a request
etc. etc.
Task Force: Mrs. Dooling gave the following progress report of June 6,1983:
Please delete the following sentence. Delete: "The Meeting was informally opened by
Chairman Dick BuckIcy".
On page 3 of the June 20th minutes:
9) Mrs. Calish noted that weekends during June have been extremely slow and that perhaps
next year there should be a consideration to close the library on week-ends.
On page 1 of the June 27 minutes:
The original motion was restated and seconded: that $13,244 from trust income be expended
for the core collection and that a list be kept of titles purchased. Motion passed. Three
specific criteria, for the selection of books for the core collection, were offered by Dr.
McGlynn. Those specific criteria are: 1) that the selections will not be contemporary, 2) that
the selections will 3) not be ephemeral and that the selections will be time-honored.
Yours truly,
Connie Dooling
*Please note that this is a change from, our telephone conversation. Please enter this change into
the June 20th minutes. Please contact me if there are any other questions or requests.