1984-03-19 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
Date: 03/19/1984
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Nell B. Olson, Lester C. Ayers, Richard L. Buckley, Connie E.
Dooling, Kathleen M. Henrichon, Kevin J. Murphy, Susan M. Salt, and Nancy A. White
Board members absent: Katherine L. Fanning
Others present: Vada Komich, Frances J. McCarthy, League of Women Voters; Howard Calish,
Friends of the Beverly Public Library
Recorder: Nancy Abeman
Regular Meeting
Board of Trustees-Beverly Public Library
March 19, 1984 7:30 p.m.
Present: Neil Olson, Susan Salt, Kathleen Henriehon, Connie Dooling, Nancy White, Kevin Murphy,
Richard BuckIcy, Les Ayers
Also present: Esther Calish, Nancy Aberman; Vada Komieh, Fran McCarthy, League of Women
Voters; Howard Calish, Friends of the Library; Steve McGilvary, Beverly Times.
Disposition of the minutes of the previous meeting: One change was noted to the minutes of the
February 22 meeting concerning election of officers (paragraph #1). The fourth sentence should read
"Mr. Ayers nominated Mrs. Fanning who was not seconded." Motion was made by Ms. White and
seconded by Mrs. Salt to accept the minutes as mended. Motion passed. Regarding the minutes of
the Special meeting of February 6, motion was made by Ms. White and seconded by Mr. Murphy to
accept the minutes. Motion passed.
Committee Reports: Mr. Olson noted the Committee assignments for the coming year:
Finance: Susan Salt, Chairperson; Kathleen Henriehon, Lester Ayers, Connie Dooling
Personnel: Nancy White, Chairperson; Kay Fanning Neil Olson
Administration: Kevin Murphy, Chairperson; Nancy White, Richard Buekley; Kathleen
Henrichon
Administration: Mr. Murphy reported that bids have been advertised for the roof. Sub bids
are due
March 28.15 applications have been retumed by contractors. A question was raised regarding the
problem with the chimney and discussing it with the roofer. Mr. Murphy will discuss with the Mayor
all repairs that need to be taken care of and the best method to proceed with them. Mrs. Calish noted
that Bob Scanzani is checking to determine the feasibility of paving the area in back of the library for
additional parking for staff.
Report of the Librarian: 1) Mrs. Calish noted that no financial statement is available at this date. She
will present a request for supplemental funds to the part-time budget to the Trustees next month. The
supplemental funding is needed due to the illness of the circulation department head. 2) The statistics
were presented. 3) Mrs, Calish read excerpts from Departmental Reports, including problems with
the microfilm reader/primer in the Reference Department. Mr. Olson directed Mrs. Calish to look into
various options and bring in a price. The report of the Children's Room was also noted. 4) The first
five points of the self-study were discussed to see where the library now stands with respect to the
following: a) defining goals and objectives and the long-range planning process; b) networking; c)
financial resources; d) personnel reorganization; e) facilities. The need for more space or
reorganization of space was noted, as was the parking situation. 5) Mrs. Calish discussed the problem
of small children left without supervision at the library. Mr. Buckley moved, and Mrs. Salt seconded,
to refer the matter to the Administration Committee. Motion passed. 6) Two libraries (Melrose and
Gloucester) have applied to fill the NOBLE vacancy which will be left by North Shore Community
College's leaving the consortium next year. Members of NOBLE will be visiting each library to study
their collections. 7) The Trustees of Reservations will be donating to the library for patron use free
passes for their properties.
Communications: Mr. Olson read a flyer about a workshop on Boardsmanship which 78
will take place April 13 and 14. It was placed on file.
Unfinished Business: Mrs. Calish requested a complete copy of the Directors contract, which was
transmitted to her. The Chairman asked Ms. White, as Chairperson of the Personnel Committee, to
communicate with the Director regarding this matter. He also noted that the Assistant Director should
contact Ms. White regarding the procedure for drawing up a contract for that position.
New Business: Mr. Olson requested that the new committee chairpeople contact committee
chairpeople for any details or unfinished business which needs attention.
The next Board meeting will take place April 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Ms. White moved to adjoum; Mr. Ayers seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Nancy S. Aberman
Recorder
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
BEVERLY PUBLIC LIBRARY March 19, 1984
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Susan Salt, Chairperson
Kathleen Henrichon
Lester Ayers
Connie Dooling
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Nancy White, Chairperson
Neil Olson
Kay Fanning
ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Kevin Murphy, Chairperson
Nancy White
Richard Buckley
Kathleen Henrichon
POLICY REGARDING CHILDREN LEFT AT THE LIBRARY
It is a matter of great concern that small children are left unattended in the library. 3 and 4 year olds
are dropped off in the children's room for at least 45 minutes while parents go to look for books; 6
year olds are instructed to go to the library after school and hang around for at least two hours. These
children may wander around the building and come to harm.
The staff is concerned about the safety of these children. They cannot serve "in locoparentis" for
children they do not know, nor can they protect them from abduction or harm by strangers. The staff
is occupied with many duties and can supervise children only when they are in attendance at a planned
program.
Children under the age of 6 may not be left alone or unattended in the library. If the parents cannot
be located, the police will be called to deal with the problem.