Pollard Memorial Library Board of Trustees

POLLARD MEMORIAL LIBRARY BOARD of TRUSTEES Trustee Minutes Meeting took place on June 8, 2022, as a hybrid meeting, both in person and via Zoom.  Call to Order o Meeting was called to order by Donna Richards at 5:33 pm. o Attendance: Present: Excused: Dory Lewis, Asst. Director Bridget Cooley Christine O’Connor Donna Richards, Chair Syed Hasan Anne Mulhern, Vice Chair Linda Kilbride, Secretary Katy Aronoff Judith Davidson Suzanne Frechette Helen Littlefield (zoom) Muriel Parseghian Amy Watson Guest: Belinda Juran o Acceptance of / Amendment to Agenda o The agenda was unanimously approved on a motion by Linda Kilbride and seconded by Suzanne Frechette. o Meeting Minutes – May 4, 2022 o The meeting minutes were unanimously accepted on a motion by Judy Davidson and seconded by Donna Richardson. o Report explaining Overdrive vs Hoopla services and an expenditure report of how the library is charged for both services. o Dory Lewis presented ……Overdrive one person one book, Hoopla as many people as want can use, eBooks, magazine, etc. o E content $5400 per year from the consortium went up to $12,700 this year for MVLC. The explanation for this: MVLC pays least amount for e content in the state. Libraries are divided by small, medium, and large, circulation, and other factors and calculate cost. o Librarians can buy their own overdrive books so that is an extra cost. They are all shared within the consortium. 1  o Hoopla is a deposit account, $12000 at the current rate that will last awhile. Through May from March, we have 171 circulation average circulation per patron is four. Planning on it going up. o The books tend to be better in Overdrive. o Hoopla book choices are not driven by the library. o Patrons can access Hoopla through the Pollard Library website o E content contained O’Reilly which is not going to be available anymore. o Judy suggested videos explaining Hoopla and Overdrive. It was suggested that Overdrive and Hoopla have videos on-line o Overdrive collection development policy was questioned. Dory is going to look for it and send it out. Mulhern would like to know how recommendations are managed in Overdrive o Presentation – Bookmobile Project o Bridget Cooley presented a status report on the Bookmobile Project. o The van is easily drivable, not only shelves on wheels, but a community resource. Collaborate with schools, sports, community festivals, senior housing, Lowell Community health center, new immigrants, other non-profit agencies o There are many different services being planned throughout the city o Timeline is not set yet. o Need trustees to identify places to reach out in the different neighborhoods o Email Bridget with ideas o Status of Recruitment for Library Director o There has been some movement. Lisa Golden said HR has updated the way we get applications. There is one applicant to be interviewed. o Hoping for reposting positions that have been dropped off the city postings. o ARPA Public Input / Listening Session o Locations & Dates: Greater Lowell YMCA – Wednesday, May 11th 6:00 PM – Donna/Judy Boys & Girls Club – Thursday May 19th 6:00PM - Amy Lowell Senior Center – Wednesday, May 25th 6:00 PM – Belinda Juran o Goal is to finalize by the end of August plan for how money to be spent. o Update on Strategic Plan Implementation o See director’s report o It was agreed that each Strategic Plan trustee supporter would report on their team efforts. o Chairperson’s Report o Donna reached out to the new City Manager, Tom Golden, as he is President Ex-Officio of this board. The purpose is to make sure he is up to date on what we have done and where we are going, focusing on support we need to get there. He may wish to designate another individual to represent him at this meeting. As of the meeting date Donna has not heard back from the city manager. 2  o We have seen a lot in the news about book challenges. This webinar was recommended …. “Book Challenges and Intellectual Freedom: Proactive Planning for Public Libraries: This online seminar explores ways for libraries to be proactive in developing and sharing policies and procedures around book challenges. I was told it is very interesting and would be useful for trustees to watch. Although the slides are helpful, the spoken words of the presenters add a lot of important, but subtle, points about how libraries (staff and trustees) can handle book challenges. So, I would urge you to watch the webinar. All the materials are available at: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/book-challenges-and-intellectual-freedom.html o 2nd Tuesday of the month United for Libraries has presentations for trustees and friends Judy will share o The trustees received a thank you note from Sean Thibodeau. o Nominating/Personnel Committee Report Committee Members: * Katy Aronoff Linda Kilbride Donna Richards o Governance Committee Report Committee Members: * Suzanne Frechette Syed K. Hasan Anne Mulhern Muriel Parseghian o Judith Davidson has volunteered to review policies and work with the staff and trustees to bring them up to date. o Art Committee Report Committee Members: * Amy Watson Linda Kilbride Donna Richards o Outreach Committee Report Committee Members: * Donna Richards (PML Foundation) Helen Littlefield (Friends of the PML) Katy Aronoff Muriel Parseghian o Security/Building and Grounds Committee Report Committee Members: * Anne Mulhern Suzanne Frechette Helen Littlefield Amy Watson 3 o Directors Report (Dory Lewis) o June report sent to trustees via email. o Elevator is out, new control panel is needed. o Positions PT Lib aide starting on Monday, one page is starting on Monday, PT lib assistant second choice is in the pipeline o Full time custodian has been out for over a month. o Two good candidates for community planning o Budget surpasses last year, MAR was included in the budget, PT admin asst  Foundation Report (Donna Richards) o The PMLF meeting took place on May 18, 2022. o We reviewed requests from the library and in addition to our annual bequests we approved a Book Spinner for the Children’s area and the Sweet Pea Baby Yoga Program. We will continue to work with staff to complete the technology for the meeting room. o We had a successful Author Night. Jamie Ford was very entertaining. o Our next meeting, our annual meeting, is scheduled for June 15, 2022. Officers are elected at this meeting and new members (Jacquie) Malone and Michael Breda are welcomed.  Friends of the Library Report (Helen Littlefield) o Last meeting May 12th o Opening night of book sale, >$2000 o Summer reading kick off June 22nd, o June is membership month, blurb in Sun this week  Old Business  New Business o Water fountains- No permission to turn the water fountains back on. o Keeping Trustees ‘in the loop’ – sharing of information – As you think of issues that you feel need to be addressed send them to Victoria and me and we will make sure they get on the agenda.  Adjournment o The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 PM on a motion by Donna Richards and seconded by Suzanne Frechette. All in attendance were in favor. o Our next meeting is Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 7, 2022. 4