Meeting of the Norfolk Public Library Board of Trustees
March 24, 2006
A special meeting of the Norfolk Public Library Board of Trustees was held on March 24, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. at the Norfolk Public Library. In attendance were Robin Glasser, Library Director, Heather Pisani-Kristl, Associate Library Director, Heather Macpherson, Freeman-Centennial Library Media Specialist, and the following Trustees: Frances Holman and Harvey Boulay. Also in attendance by speakerphone was Trustee Kenneth Nelson.
The meeting was called to order at 8:07 a.m.
School – Public Library Agreement
There was a discussion of the School Committee’s recent decision to terminate the school – public library shared services agreement at the end of the school year. This was a final and unanimous decision on the part of the School Committee. The School Committee had sought to continue Mrs. Glasser’s service 10 hours per week next year. Mrs. Glasser notified the Trustees that she will resign her 10-hour position as head of the school – public library program, given the loss of the necessary funding for full-time library media specialists and the impossibility of completing the remaining tasks with limited time and money. The Trustees accepted Mrs. Glasser’s resignation from the school – public library program.
Response to School Committee
Lack of collaboration and communication with the public library concerned all Trustees and library staff at the meeting. Several felt that the school administration and the community may not be aware of the ramifications of cutting the formal library program. Mrs. Glasser noted that the schools may lose access to reference databases, regional book delivery, and discounted books and materials through the Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Library System, unless they have a certified librarian to oversee the library program. The schools will still qualify for SAILS Library Network membership while they have a paid staff member working at the libraries. Library aides will not have the time or resources to teach library skills to students; students will need their classroom teacher’s assistance during
library visits.
Mr. Boulay stated that over the 14 years of the library partnership, significant savings have accrued to the school budget and the community, and those numbers will be publicized. In addition, the Trustees composed a letter to the School Committee, seeking further explanation of their decision.
Other Items
On-street parking on Liberty Lane appears to have been taken over by MBTA commuters. Mr. Boulay will write a letter to the Selectmen, seeking to have those spots posted as 30-minute parking.
Adjournment
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded and the Trustees VOTED to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 a.m.
A true copy
Attest:
Harvey Boulay, Clerk
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