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Norfolk Public Library
Board of Library Trustees
March 18, 2010
A regular meeting of the Norfolk Library Board of Trustees was held on March 18th, 2010 at the Library. In attendance were Robin Glasser, Director, Sarina Bluhm, Associate Director, Mary Jo Gothorpe, Friends representative, and the following trustees: Kenneth Nelson, Chair, and Kumkum Malik.
Mr. Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the meetings in November, January and February were approved.
Director’s Report: Mrs. Glasser reported on the following;
- Annual Town Report was submitted.
- The Providence Baptist Church issue was discussed, after being introduced by the Director. Three works of art were removed, and the artist was very upset, and contacted the Library. The artwork was found in a closet. The Pastor of the Baptist Church who had been using the room said he forgot to inform the Library that he had removed them and forgot to put them back as the gathering he presided over found the works offensive. Church now understands that they cannot remove works of art displayed for the public.
- Meeting with J. Tomaszewski; he is liason with Library for the Selectman. The meeting is in anticipation of the meeting with the selectman coming up. Director Glasser reported that the meeting with the Liason will be a good opportunity to review budget before actually presenting it to the Selectman.
- Women’s History month: 50 people attended Event. It was about the history of 10 elders women in Norfolk, done by Betty Lehan, Chris Cleverdan, and Bonnie Dietrich. A DVD was made and a reception held for the 10 women.
- There will be a screening of the movie “Who Does She Think She is” about Mothers and Creativity on March 24th. Dr. Malik, Trustee, will be one of the Panel discussants.
There will be an author visit: Margot Livesey, winner of 2009 New England PEN award will be at Norfolk Library.
- There will be a merger within the Mass. Regional Library Systems. One of the biggest expenses is grants given to 6 different regions, which duplicate many services. A Task Force has been formed to have one single delivery provider, in addition to streamlining other services provided by the regional system This change is expected to save significant money hitherto spent on salaries and overhead. Norfolk does not expect to be impacted adversely by this merger.
Associate Director’s Report
Ms. Bluhm reported on Library activity for February 2010, with no unusual patterns.
- Self-Check was 46%. Highest day was 2/5. One year ago, the average was 47%. Total circulation was 9170. One year ago it was 9856. Number of patron visits was 1308; one year ago it was 1301. There were 37 meetings in the Library during February.
- There were no personnel changes.
- The heating system was having a problem, with pockets of heat and pockets of cold. The
Town has ordered a new circuit board for the computer that controls the temperatures. The cost will be $6,000.
Friends Report
- Mary Jo Gothorpe reported that the co-chairs of the Friends of Norfolk; Cathy Elder and Beth Vallee were making great progress towards the Book Sale. Letter has been sent out for corporation donations. There is a bidding war for the remnants of the sale; a very pleasant place to be in, and a far cry from the days just two years ago when the volunteers had to haul all the remnants away. The Membership Drive donations are also higher than the last year.
- Plaque has been put up for Jeanne D. Hill donors for 2009 for patrons who donated 50 dollars or more.
- Director Robin Glasser attended the last Friends meeting, and was asked by them to give them the Library Long Range Plan, with suggestions about how the Friends could support it. There was enthusiasm for turning the Lobby area into a Café seating area. Some ideas under consideration: putting up an awning, painting a street scene, and putting flowers. Having a place to sit with their toddlers could address the needs of our young mother patrons; children’s needs of food, time out, etc. would be addressed, thus making the Library more responsive to such patrons.
- The Friends also addressed the need for a new copy machine upstairs. John will price this out.
New Business
- In response to the concern raised last month by concerned patron about the Library accommodating patrons who forget their Library cards by changing the existing system: More discussion was needed when all Trustees are present. There was no consensus reached in today’s meeting. A letter to this effect will be sent out to the patron.
Old Business
- FY’11 Budget; as per Trustee instructions, level funded budget was presented to Town, not 4% reduction. Bulleted items were highlighted showing what the Library has done. To be presented to Selectman.
Next regular trustee meeting – April 22, 2010
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
True copy respectfully submitted
Kumkum Pareek Malik, Assistant Clerk
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