1982-05-12 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee: Administrative Committee
Date: 05/12/1982
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Katherine L. Fanning Richard L. Buekley, Roger E. Moreney, and
Nancy A. White
Board members absent:
Others present:
Recorder: Nancy Aberman
Administration Committee
Beverly Public Library
May 12, 1982 4:30 p.m.
Present: Kay Fanning, Chairperson; Roger Morency, Nancy White, Dick Bucldey. Also present were
Esther Calish and Nancy Aberman.
Mrs. Fanning called the meeting to order. The matter of the roof as the first order of business. Mr.
Buckley reported that two members of the Commission to study the roof have been appointed, with
the final appointment to be made next Monday evening. The final approval of the $30,000.
appropriation can be expected thereafter. Mrs. Fanning will contact the Chairperson of the
Commission to arrange a meeting with the Board of Trustees.
Mrs. Calish distributed copies of the Automated Circulation Timetable and suggested that the
committee members might be interested in visiting other automated libraries to see a system in
operation. Mrs. White suggested Tom Scully in Peabody as a good resource. Mr. Buckley asked Mrs.
Calish to research the question of whether or not a law is in effect which states that the library can
refuse books to patrons who owe money to the library. It was noted that one idea might be to have
available a sign or printed material which cites the law. A discussion followed regarding aspects of
the report with questions covering 1) paper costs, 2) future access to the collection by the Farms and
Bookmobile 3) labor hours saved, 4) catching delinquent patrons, particularly college students who
leave each spring. Another area which was discussed was loss of the collection through delinquent
patrons, as well as theft and age of materials.
The next matter discussed was how to proceed with the question of access for the handicapped to
the Farms Branch. Mr. Buekley stated that he had spoken with the Mayor who said that he would be
interested in such a project if it would be utilized by a number of handicapped. Mr. Buckley is making
an attempt to gather statistics which affirm that such a project is needed, and he will re-contact a
member of the Commission on the Handicapped in Beverly to see what figures they may have already
gathered in this area. Mr. Buekley also stated that a preliminary check has shown that the space is
available, but it must be determined whether or not there are any restrictions on the land, for a ramp,
or possibly, parking. Once the statistics are available regarding the possible number of users, the
Mayor will be re-contacted.
Mr. Morency request~ that the custodians cut the lawn. Mrs. White noted that an open house for
the new library in Danvers will be June 6.
The me~ing was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Nancy S. Aberman
Recorder
AUTOMATED CIRCULATION TIMETABLE
1. Start patron registration July 1. Will reach regular patrons. Keep cards in library until ready to go
on line.
2. Start automated circ. Dec. 11 1982
3. Have amnesty month of November. This will be only amnesty Library users urged to search
bookshelves and return all overdue books This is a one-time procedure, in order to start new
circulation system with a dean slate.
4. A file of serious delinquents will be kept at circ. desk, starting in July. All delinquents will be called
and encouraged to return or pay for overdue books, or they will not be issued new cards.
5. Terminal w. laser will be installed at circulation desk.
6.2nd terminal for registrations will be kept in work room where terminals are at present. Patron data
input and cards will be prepared here. This will take registrations away from circulation desk.
7. After being on-line for several months, we will be able to determine needed changes is location of
2nd computer, if any.
PROGRESS OF DATA INPUT:
All fiction has been entered. All new books have been entered since Jan. 1981. Non-fiction-- lower
level (l st floor of stacks) input through the 599's. Working on 600's now. Should be input within a
week or two.
Children's collection- all picture books input. Now working on E's (Easy Readers)
FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS: Inputting collection at Beverly Farms Branch. Use of terminal with
acoustic coupler to access mainframe or Main LibraW. Portable terminals also exist for Bookmobiles.
In either Branch will be able to call up titles in Main Library, and vice versa. All book slipping will
be eliminated there, too-the filing of book cards in numerical. order, and then the pulling of cards
when books are returned. Also, will be able to have overdue notices printed out regularly, as will
Farms LibraW; and reserve holds will be able to be placed on books.