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HomeMy Public PortalAboutMarch 5 2013 Minutes_201304051520533912Trustees of the Watertown Free Public Library March 5, 2013 Present: Christopher Beach, Katherine Button, Gracemarie LeBlanc, Raya Stem; Timothy Tracy, Trustees; Leone Cole, Director; Caitlin Browne, Assistant Director; Jill Clements, Adult Services; Donald Bleech, Red Leaf Cafe. Absent: Michael Hanlon Vice Chair Gracemarie LeBlanc brought the meeting to order at 7:10 PM. John Sullivan of Watertown Community Access filmed the meeting. The meeting went out of order to introduce the new employees in Technical Services: Alison Macrina, Supervisor, and Bruno Leung, Clerk. Thank you, both. Secretary's Report: Ms. Stern moved to accept the February 5, 2013 Minutes. Mr. Beach seconded. All voted in favor. Financial Report: The budget is in reasonable shape, although there is no money left for building maintenance. Let us hope that no big disasters occur with the physical plant. Gas usage has been up due to the cold weather the last two months. The movie license, which allows for the Movie Mondays, comes out of the Burke Fund. "Argo" was featured right after winning the Academy Award for Best Picture. This week's film, "Searching for Sugar Man," won the Oscar for Best Documentary. Mr. Tracy had a question about the cost for the rolling chairs. Ms. Browne was able to find a supplier charging $450 per chair, the original price the Library paid in 2006. The Library does not have to pay sales tax. Mr. Tracy recommended the MASSbuys Expo in Worcester, May 1. Ms. Button moved to accept the Financial Report. Mr. Tracy seconded. All voted in favor. Chairman's Report: Ms. Cole, reporting for Mr. Hanlon, said the Chair would like the Director to submit a self evaluation for the April Trustees' meeting. Ms. Cole has not heard anything more about the proposed re- organization chart. There is no set date for the Town Council hearing on the budget. The amount of State Aid the Town will receive is still a question. Red Leaf Cafe: Mr. Bleech handed out copies of his quarterly report. Catering jobs from outside organizations help with the bottom line. Book sales are up. The book bags are also moving. He is looking to add new products, but keeping with the basics. His assistant, Tracy, typically works 15-20 hours per week. He is still happy to be here, Mr. Bleech said. The cafe will be open for the Mini Golf event. Director's Report: The packet included a draft of Customer Service Standards developed by Caitlin Browne in conjunction with library staff. The document codifies the philosophy of customer service and provides guidelines for staff when dealing with the public. Ms. Browne received permission from another library to use their template. The Customer Service Standards will appear on the Web. Mr. Tracy asked whether the Customer Service Standards could become part of performance review. The Union contract requires input from the Union if the performance review form is to be changed. Ms. Stern made a motion to accept the Customer Service Standards. Mr. Beach seconded. All voted in favor. The second Library Mini Golf Fundraising event March 9 still needs sponsors. On Saturday the Library closes at 5 PM. From 5-6 PM the building will be transformed into an 18 -hole mini golf course. Tee time starts at 6 PM. Admission is $8 for Adults, $5 for Children. The snow days of February may be the cause for lower circulation statistics. On a per hour basis, Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest times. Compared with other libraries, Watertown is holding its own in numbers of circulating items. Mr. Tracy asked whether it was possible to obtain comparable attendance statistics. New Business: Jill Clements, head of Adult Services, gave a presentation highlighting some of our digital products, a number of tools that used to be available only in print. Most databases require a Minuteman Library card number for outside access. A few databases are available remotely only to Watertown residents. People interested in genealogy can search the Ancestry Library and American Ancestors for census data, ship passenger lists, naturalization records, and more without taking a trip to the National Archives. The Auto Repair Reference Center also works on mobile devices. The Gale Virtual Reference Library offers key reference works in many subjects. Zinio offers online digital magazines, some of which provide interactive videos. Library staff selected the featured titles. Examples include Consumer Reports, Car & Driver, Good Housekeeping and the Economist. Library patrons must create a personal account on the Zinio website. Since Zinio is a new product, back files are not available for purchase. Usage statistics are available. Ms. Clements commented that signs in the bathroom are the best advertising tool for Zinio. Ms. Cole contacted Watertown Community Access about producing monthly shows on the local cable TV station. Ms. Button asked about the policy for individuals wishing to offer programs at the Library. People need to speak with one of the department heads about whether a proposed program merits library sponsorship. However, as long as the suggested event will be free and open to the public, an individual may request a room independently. Once the date is granted, the program will appear on the web's Calendar of Events under Meeting Rooms and on the posted weekly schedule. The Director passed around copies of a memo dated March 5 from the Town Attorney re: Solicitation of Signatures or Other Petitions in Public Buildings. Jeri Bayer of Project Literacy would like to submit a grant proposal to Better World Books for the amount of $7700 to fund an English literacy class for immigrants non -literate in their first language. The expectation is that most members of the class will be Pakistani women who did not have the opportunity to go to school. Ms. Stern made a motion to accept the grant proposal to Better World Books. Mr. Beach seconded. All voted in favor. The Library gives discarded and donated books to Better World Books. Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at 7:00 PM. Motion to Adjourn: 8:10 PM. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Button ENCLOSURES: Agenda; February 5, 2013, Minutes; Library Director's Report; FY13 Year -to -Date Budget Report; Fund or Grant Book Funds; Burke FY13; Red Leaf Cafe 4`h Quarter Report; Customer Service Standards memo and draft; Circulation & Attendance statistics; New employees memo; Cover letters & resumes for new hires in Technical Services; 2012 Performance Evaluation of Library Director; Proposal Opportunity from Better World Books; Memo from Kopelman & Paige re: Solicitation of Signatures on Nomination Papers or Other Petitions in Public Buildings; March/April 2013 WFPL newsletter.