Meeting of the Norfolk Public Library Board of Trustees
October 18, 2007
A regular meeting of the Norfolk Public Library Board of Trustees was held on October 18, 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; Harvey Boulay, Ken Nelson, and Mary Jo Gothorpe.
The meeting was called to order at 6:10 P.M.
Approval of Minutes
The September 19th meeting minutes were approved.
Director’s Report
Mrs. Glasser reported that the Public Library Fund application has been completed and submitted. The final Construction Grant report has been submitted. All open items which lagged behind major construction i.e. the circulation and information desks have been completed, and the final financial statements were received and submitted.
The fist inventory since the re-opening of the library has been completed. 388 items are missing. The last last inventory was done in 2002, and since that time various collections were moved to storage, to the two school libraries, and to the senior center during construction, and a large weeding of the collection was done before moving back into the completed library. The number of missing items is not out of line with the aforementioned transitions. The inventory next year will prove to be a more accurate assessment of the libraries missing book status.
Bridgewater library will be re-opened for 15 hours per week at the end of October. Because of the limited hours the library won’t qualify for a waiver and will be decertified in February.
Associate Director’s Report
Ms Pisani-Kristl reported that self check usage in September was at 45%, and for seven days it was over 50%. One year ago the average self check usage was at 29%. As patrons became more comfortable with the procedure, the usage has significantly increased.
Circulation for the month was 8,846 items with 7921 patron visits.
There were 24 non-library related meetings in the meeting rooms.
Library Associate Vijay Radics has tendered her resignation and will be leaving at the end of the month. There have been several promising applications to fill the vacancy.
Permanent Building Committee/Interiors Report
Mr. Boulay reported that the bid for reconstruction of the School House is still awaiting approval by the Permanent Building Committee.
Strategic Plan Report
No report
Friends of the Library Report
Mrs. Gothorpe reported that the Friends of the Library held their meeting on October 1st at 7:00 pm. Their meeting is open to all residents of Norfolk, and the Friends are always looking for new members. We meet on the first Monday of each month, but we do take a holiday during July and August.
The planning is beginning for the Annual Membership Drive which will begin in mid January 2008.
New Business
Town Meeting begins on October 23rd.
Old Business
The Trustees have sent a letter to the Selectmen requesting a review of Mrs. Glasser’s compensation schedule. She has reached the top step within her grade and consequently has not received an increase for the past two years. A request was sent to the Personnel Committee to increase the number of steps from twelve to sixteen, but they declined this approach. The trustees are awaiting word from the Selectmen as to how this situation can be rectified. Mrs. Glasser is one of the longest serving department heads in Norfolk, and should not be asked to forgo raises, because the salary structure doesn’t allow for adding steps to her grade level.
Public Comment
None
Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 6:00 P.M.
Adjournment
There being no further business it was moved and seconded and the Trustees VOTED to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 P.M.
Submitted by
Mary Jo Gothorpe
A true copy (attest):
Mary Jo Gothorpe, Clerk
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