Library Trustees Minutes June 27 2023.docx City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
Date: June 27, 2023, 5:00 P.M.
Place: Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex Street Beverly, MA
Board members present: Margaret Altman, Mary Behrle, Cathryn Keefe O'Hare, Kevin O'Reilly,
Joanne Panunzio
Board members absent: Marshall Handly, Ivy Mahan, Colleen Michaels, Myron Schirer-Suter
Others present: Allison Babin, Meghan Karasin, Bruce Doig
Recorder: Meghan Karasin
Kevin O'Reilly presided. Meghan Karasin stated that the meeting was being recorded.
Mary Behrle made the motion, seconded by Margaret Altman, to accept the minutes of the meeting
of May 23, 2023. Motion passed.
Public Presentation
None.
Committee Reports
Personnel: Joanne Panunzio stated that 8 of the 9 trustees filled out the review. The average overall
was 3.7/4. Kevin O'Reilly thanked Joanne Panunzio for her work on the review. Allison Babin
thanked the trustees for the review and their feedback.
Administration: No report.
Finance: No report.
Long Range Planning: Mary Behrle stated that there were 2 strategic planning meetings. At the first
meeting the group did a SOAR exercise -brainstorming the library's strengths, opportunities,
aspirations, and results. At the second meeting the group brainstormed and prioritized visions for
the community. Allison Babin stated that this work will guide the work of the next 5 years. The
library will be launching a comprehensive community survey in July to help with the development
of the strategic plan. Additionally, one to two staff meetings will be held to get feedback. Allison
Babin requested that each Trustee meet with a City Council member to interview them about what
they and their constituents want from the library. All agreed, were given assignments, and were
asked to talk with the councilors some time in July.
Report of the Library Director
1. Fiscal Year 2023 Budget: Allison Babin referenced the FY23 budget. Transfers will be made
from the part-time line to cover overages in some full time lines. These overages are likely due to
the 53rd pay week. Myra Pueschel, Administrative Assistant, and Allison Babin have worked with
the Finance Department to establish a system for requisitions. For FY24, the budget reports will
show many larger encumbrances at the beginning of the year, which will help with tracking
expenditures. Last night the City Council approved the free cash appropriation requests for $90,000
for the elevator repair and $60,000 for a new electric van. There's an opportunity to add charging
stations to the parking lot when it is redone for the HVAC project.
2. Fiscal Year 2024 Budget: The Mayor's FY24 budget passed as submitted by a vote of 6-1.
3. Building Issues: Regarding the upcoming HVAC project, the city opened a Request For
Qualifications (RFQ)for a Construction Manager at Risk. Regarding the current HVAC system, the
library has two large rooftop units but one has been out of order for years. The other has been
attempting to do the work for the entire building. A motor broke on this unit and was replaced. But
then the other motor in the unit broke. It was restarted. The union did file a grievance for extreme
temperatures in the library in February. The Mayor did promise an operational plan for the library in
May, but this has yet to be formalized.
Margaret Altman asked what the union request was, and was it a specific temperature range. Allison
Babin stated that the Mayor won't agree to a temperature in writing. The union does not want to
work in extreme temperatures - such as the 52' in February.
The AV system install for the Sohier Room was delayed and is now rescheduled for Friday June 30
and Monday July 3.
4. Community Engagement: The Children's Room has been very busy with recent outreach and
school visits. This year, they attended elementary spring open houses at Hannah, North Beverly,
Centerville and Ayers. They also did their annual book talks and summer reading promotion to all
elementary school classes. In addition, they hosted multiple school visits from Beverly Middle
School, Pioneer Charter School and visited Harborlight Nursery School.
Katie Nelson, Head of Teen Services, attended the Showcase of Learning for the Beverly Schools
on June 15. Allison Babin was invited by the Human Rights Committee to speak at the Progress
Pride Flag Raising at City Hall. In partnership with the Sustainability Department, the main library
once again served as a styrofoam collection site on Friday June 23. Allison Babin shared the
Summer Reading guide with the Trustees. Graham Goss, Assistant Communications Librarian, does
a great job each year with this.
5. Programs: Adults have the Summer Sounds Concert Series as well as a Pasta and Pages Italian
Dinner Book Chat. Teens have Field Day, Water Wars, and Murder Mystery Party. Childrens has
Mr. Vinny the Bubble Guy and a Stuffed Animal Sleepover at the Farms branch.
Communications
None.
Unfinished Business
None.
New Business
I. Acceptable Use Policy. No changes are recommended by library administration. Joanne
Panunzio made a motion, seconded by Cathryn Keefe O'Hare, to rename the policy to the
Standards of Conduct Policy. Motion passed 5-0. Cathryn Keefe O'Hare made the motion,
seconded by Joanne Panunzio, to accept the policy as amended. Motion passed 5-0.
2. Internet Use Policy. No changes are recommended by library administration. Joanne
Panunzio made the motion, seconded by Margaret Altman, to accept the Internet Use Policy.
Motion passed 5-0.
3. Security Policy. No changes are recommended by library administration. Joanne Panunzio
made the motion, seconded by Mary Behrle, to accept the Security Policy. Motion passed
5-0.
List of Documents/Exhibits
• Draft minutes from the May 23, 2023 meeting
• Library Director's Review 2023
• Strategic Planning Exercise Notes
• Fiscal Year 2023 budget to date (6/27/23)
• Acceptable Use Policy
• Internet Use Policy
• Security Policy
• Summer Reading 2023 Brochure
The next regular meeting of the board is September 19, 2023 at 5 PM in person at the main library
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM.