Pollard Memorial Library Board of Trustees
Regular MeetingLowell, MA · September 16, 2020
Minutes
POLLARD MEMORIAL LIBRARY BOARD of TRUSTEES
September 16, 2020
The special meeting took place on September 16 2020 via conference call.
Present:
Donna Richards, Chair
Marianne Gries
Syed Hasan
Linda Kilbride
Helen Littlefield
Muriel Parseghian
Amy Wilson
Victoria Woodley, Director
Excused:
Suzanne Frechette, Vice Chair
Anne Mulhern
Sara Marks
Christine O’Connor
Guest: Belinda Juran, Library Foundation
Lynn Ahlgren, Friends of the Library
Call to Order
o Meeting was called to order by Donna Richards at 5:35PM
Discussion of the budget process
o A discussion about the library FY ’21 budget was held. The budget was cut by 19.5%. The
other departments were cut by 7.5%. This difference would cause the library to lose its
certification and its state funding. The library budget cannot be cut by more than 5% of the
other departments. There are many ramifications with loss of certification.
o Victoria Woodley and Donna Richards met with the City CFO, Conor Baldwin this morning. It
was agreed that the difference would be made up with $94,443 from the City Managers
contingency fund.
o The budget still does not meet the municipal appropriation requirement from the state. A
waiver can be applied for so that we will not lose state funding.
o Once the city council is given the budget, they cannot add money, so going before them is
not necessary to increase the budget.
o The decrease in budget may result in decrease in the hours the library is open. Vicky is
working on this to make sure we meet state requirements. If there is curbside pick-up and
someone to answer the phone it is considered open hours.
o The PML foundation has made the commitment to help wherever possible.
o The use of the contingency fund needs to be put into writing for the state before the waiver
is submitted, early October. Conor Baldwin will provide documentation of the transfer of
money to the library budget from the contingency fund.
Adjournment
o The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 PM by Donna Richards.
Minutes prepared by: Linda Kilbride September 16, 2020
Agenda
The City of Lowell • Pollard Memorial Library
401 Merrimack St. • Lowell, MA 01852
P: 978.674.4120 • F: 978.970.4117
https://LowellLibrary.org
Since 1844, Lowell’s public library.
Victoria B. Woodley
Director
Board of Trustees
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Eileen Donoghue
City Manager
Organization: Pollard Memorial Library Board of Trustees President Ex-Officio
Donna Richards
Date: September 16, 2020 Chair
Suzanne Frechette
Time: 5:30 p.m. Marianne Gries
Syed Hasan
Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Emergency Order Modifying the State’s Open Meeting Law Linda Kilbride
Helen Littlefield
issued March 12, 2020, Library Board of Trustee meetings will be held using remote
Sara Marks
participation as described below. Anne Mulhern
Muriel Parseghian
The Trustees have called a special meeting of the Board and will meet via Zoom. Amy Wilson
Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting and/or speak regarding the agenda
item should email the Library Director at vwoodley@lowellma.gov indicating your name.
You will be sent the access information needed to join the meeting. If you do not have
email access, you can also call 978-674-1525 for the meeting information.
AGENDA:
1. Meeting called to order
2. Attendance
3. Acceptance of / Amendment to Agenda
4. Update and discuss the Library budget
5. New Business
6. Adjournment
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