Meeting of the Norfolk Public Library Board of Trustees
June 20, 2007
A regular meeting of the Norfolk Public Library Board of Trustees was held on June 20, 2007 at the Norfolk Public Library. In attendance were Robin Glasser, Library Director; Heather Pisani-Kristl, Associate Library Director; Mary Jo Gothorpe, President of the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library; and the following Trustees; Ken Nelson, Harvey Boulay, and Mary Jo Gothorpe.
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 A.M.
Eagle Scout Presentation:
Jon Ward of Medfield, MA was at the meeting to present his Eagle Scout project to the library. He did extensive research and mapped the Pondville Cemetery on Everett Street in Norfolk. The names of all those interred at the cemetery are plotted on a large poster. The oldest grave appears to be the Pond family monument which dates from the 1600’s. The Trustees commended Mr. Ward for his work and indicated that the information would be made available to people interested in genealogical research.
Approval of Minutes
The May 17th meeting minutes were approved.
Director’s Report
Mrs. Glasser reported that the Summer Reading programs are set to go and again are geared to children, teens and adults. This year patrons can track their reading electronically on the library web site.
Mrs. Glasser also reported that SAILS is upgrading to a new platform that is not compatible with our RIFD security tags. A patch is being worked on.
Mrs. Glasser has 2.5 unused vacation days and a request is being sent to the personnel board to allow carry over of those days into 2008 fiscal year.
Associate Director’s Report
Ms Pisani-Kristl reported that May self check was 41% overall with the highest usage day at 57%. 9,091 items were checked out and 27 non-library meeting were held in the meeting rooms last month.
Aslan Electric of Franklin continues to install the security system.
Permanent Building Committee/Interiors Report
Mr. Boulay reported that air and heat exchange issues continue to be a challenge and that engineering drawings will be required for the sprinkler system.
Strategic Plan Report
No report
Friends of the Library Report
Mrs. Gothorpe reported that the Friends of the Library held their last meeting on June 4th before taking the summer off. At the meeting, several fund-raising ideas were discussed. It was tentatively decided to hold a Town-Wide Yard Sale in the parking lot of the library. The Friends would rent spaces in the parking lots and do extensive advertising for the sale. The other project will be a Wine and Cheese tasting evening in the library. Foods will be coordinated with the wines presented with some focus on Holiday celebrations. A wine expert will host the event. This event will be held in the beginning of November on a weekend evening.
It was also agreed to hire a landscaper to clean, weed, and mulch the front areas of the library. The cost will be shared by the Friends and the library.
Requests from Mrs. Glasser for $2,000 for adult programming, and $5,000 for the annual payment for the materials sorter were approved. Mrs. Bluhm requested $1,000 for program supplies for the fiscal 2008 year. This request was also approved.
New Business
Mr. Boulay presented a proposal to look into creating a Library Café to be located in the small kitchen adjacent to the lobby. A vendor will be solicited to prepare sandwiches and pastries off premises and to sell them along with coffee and other beverages in the café. Seating would be in the lobby and also in the small meeting room where vending machine had been removed. Mrs. Glasser will investigate if there are other libraries that have had experience with eating spaces in their facilities.
A video surveillance policy is being written and signage stating that video cameras are in use in the library are being prepared.
An anonymous letter was received by the Trustees and Mrs. Glasser regarding the use of the meeting room on Sunday mornings by the Providence Baptist Church. The letter writer was concerned about the separation of church and state since the meeting room is in a municipal building. Mr. Boulay cited the U.S. Supreme Court decision in GOOD NEWS CLUB V. MILFORD CENTRAL SCHOOL (99-2036) 533 U.S. 98 (2001) 202 F.3d 502 that held where municipalities make facilities available to community groups, they may not discriminate against religious organizations. The Trustees agreed that the arrangement was operationally sound, and voted to allow the Providence Baptist Church to continue to use the meeting room for their services for a period of six months, through December 31, 2007. The agreement will
continue to be reviewed periodically.
Old Business
No old business
Public Comment
None
Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 20, 2007 at 8:00 A.M.
Adjournment
There being no further business it was moved and seconded and the Trustees VOTED to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 A.M.
Submitted by
Mary Jo Gothorpe
A true copy (attest):
Mary Jo Gothorpe, Clerk
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