HomeMy Public PortalAboutNovember 6, 2019 minutes with linksWatertown Free Public Library
Meeting of the Trustees
Tuesday, November 6, 2019
Raya Stern Trustees Room, WFPL
Present: Trustees Shep Ferguson, Michael Hanlon, Penny Peoples, Daniel Evans Pritchard,
Timothy Tracy; Donald Bleech, Red Leaf Cafe; WFPL Assistant Director Caitlin Browne.
Enclosures: Meeting agenda; Minutes of the October Meeting; YTD Budget; FY21 Action Plan;
Memo Regarding the Long -Range Plan; Canvassing Plan for Long -Range Survey; Art Loan
Request and Agreement from the deCordova Museum; Memo Regarding a Gift to Project
Literacy; WFPL Quarterly Report.
Call to order: Mr. Tracy called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. Watertown Cable Access
Television was not on hand to record the meeting.
Secretary's Report: The minutes of the October WFPL meeting were accepted as amended.
Public Forum: No members of the public present.
Red Leaf Cafe: Mr. Bleech reports that the cafe has new fall menu and that the students are
adhering to the WFPL code of conduct more closely.
Financial Report:
FY20 Budget Update and HATCH Financials
Mr. Hanlon asked whether gas and electricity costs were typical. Ms. Browne reports that it is.
Mr. Ferguson asked about the full-time pay transfer, which Ms. Browne reported relates to the
ratification of the new collective bargaining agreement. Mr. Hanlon raised the motion to accept
the report. The trustees voted to accept.
Chair's Report: Mr. Tracy expressed gratitude for his ten years serving on the Board of
Trustees, which was warmly reciprocated by the other Trustees.
Director's Report:
FY21 Action Plan
Mr. Ferguson asked about the elimination of library fines. Ms. Browne said that the issue is
related to equity. Research is underway and a recommendation with data will be presented to
the Board for consideration. Ms. Browne reported that the plan is due to be submitted by
December 1st. Mr. Hanlon made a motion to accept the plan. The Board voted to submit the
plan as presented.
Community Survey
Ms. Browne reported that there are plans to ensure a representative sample, including door-to-
door canvassing. Her goal is to also collect survey results from people who don't regularly use
the library, in addition to those who do.
Long -Range Planning Committee
The plan is to create a committee made up of Watertown residents, and to advertise in the
community for members.
Request to Loan Art
Mr. Hanlon raised a motion to loan Harriet Hosmer's sculpture Vesper to an exhibition at the
de Cordova Museum. Board voted to loan the piece.
Donation to Project Literacy
The board voted to accept an unsolicited $2,000 donation to Project Literacy.
Old Business: None.
New Business: None.
Requests for Information: Ms. Peoples expressed her profound gratitude and best wishes as
she moves out of Watertown and exits the Board of Trustees.
Next meeting: Scheduled for Tuesday, December 3 at 7:00 pm.
Mr. Pritchard raised the motion to adjourn the meeting.
The board voted unanimously to adjourn.
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