NEWTON FREE LIBRARY Board of Library Trustees March 21, 2012 ...

NEWTON FREE LIBRARY
Board of Library Trustees
March 21, 2012
Present: Barbara Lietzke, Chair; Audrey Cooper, Dana Hanson, Jeff Herrmann, Rob Klivans
Nancy Perlow, Director; Ryan Hanson, Assistant Director
Observers: Ellen Eckenrode, Ellen Meyers, Beverly Spencer
Location: Trustees’ Room, Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton MA
Documents: Agenda for March 21 st 2012
Trustees’ Meeting Minutes for February 15 th , 2011
Finance Report for January 2012
Finance Report for February 2012
J.P. Morgan Account Statement February 2011
The meeting was called to order at 8:37 AM.
Minutes. The minutes of the February 15 th meeting were approved with a unanimous vote.
Finance Report. Rob delivered the finance report. The portfolio is improving because the market is improving
but otherwise activity is in line with the same period as last year. The Trustees looked through various reports,
compared numbers and discussed report format.
Development Report. Ellen Eckenrode delivered the Development Report. She detailed various contributions
to Spring Fling and gave some preliminary ticket sales numbers. The Trustees also debated requests from
patrons who have asked to attend Spring Fling at reduced ticket prices and determined that a policy needed to
be affirmed as a result. The Trustees voted unanimously for a policy that requires all non-Library staff to pay
the same price for Spring Fling tickets.
Director’s Update. Nancy delivered the Director’s Update.
Franklin Decertification. Nancy asked the Trustees to consider whether or not to deny lending of materials to
the residents of Franklin, MA, where the Library has been decertified by the state. The Trustees debated the
matter, which centered on a desire to continue serving residents of other cities and towns versus the need to help
Libraries get proper financial support from their municipal government. The Trustees voted unanimously to
continue to allow Franklin’s residents to circulate the Library’s materials while their decertification is appealed,
but cease circulation when/if the appeal is denied.
Carpeting/Shelving in the Children’s Room. A bid for the replacement carpeting in the Children’s room has
been awarded. Nancy suggested to the Trustees that the re-carpeting work be coordinated with the installation
of new bookshelves so materials do not have to be moved twice.
Library Legislative Day. Library legislative day at the State House is April 11 th .
Library Budget. The Mayor will present his proposed budget to the Aldermen on Tuesday April 17 th . The
Library will make its presentation to the Programs and Services Committee on Wednesday April 18 th . Nancy
asked the Trustees to consider the five groups of core Library functions that she developed as part of the
materials about the Library that go into the budget document. These groups are 1) Programming 2) Children’s
Services 3) Library Resources and Services 4) Circulation Services 5) Teen Services. The Trustees discussed
these five categories but no changes resulted from the discussion. Nancy also mentioned that the budget
includes raises for Library Assistants and part-time Librarians and new allocations for a part-time
administration assistant and a full-time technology staffer.

Library Website. Civica has contacted the Library and is ready to begin work on implementing a new website
based on their content management system. The Trustees discussed the degree to which a new website should
connect in style and substance with the City’s current website, also based on Civica.
Friends Report. Beverly Spencer delivered the Friends Report. Last weekend’s book sale earned $7,183. The
Friends are getting ready to honor five long-time volunteers who are retiring. The Friends have begin updating
their area of the Library’s website. The Friends are also busy with creating a basket for Spring Fling and
sending out a membership appeal letter to new Library donors.
Other Business. The Trustees discussed the recent high-profile event and the overcrowding of Druker
Auditorium that resulted, with a focus on ideas on how to handle the situation better the next time a large crowd
is expected. Ellen Meyers noted that on concert and event announcements and in the newsletter there is usually
a notice about the auditorium’s capacity and a note that seating is first-come-first-served. The possibility of
roping off the entrance to Druker and counting in event-goers was discussed.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:53 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ryan Hanson, Assistant Director