Library Trustees

Taunton Public Library Minutes for the June 21, 2022 Meeting Present: William Hanna, Kevin Downing, Patricia Morris, Audrey Reese Staff: Linda Coelho, Interim Director Mr. Downing called the meeting to order at 1:00 p. m. The May 2022 minutes were presented. Dr. Hanna made a motion to accept. Ms. Reese seconded the motion and the Board approved. The May 2022 financial report was reviewed. Dr. Hanna made a motion to accept. Ms. Reese seconded the motion and the Board approved. The May 2022 circulation report was reviewed. Dr. Hanna made a motion to accept. Ms. Reese seconded the motion and the Board approved. New Business:  This past month the Taunton City Council appointed two new library trustees. Patricia Morris and Audrey Reese will be filling the vacancies left by Ethel Fraga and Melissa Santos.  The Library Director position has been posted by the Human Recourses department. It is a two week posting that closes on June 30, 2022. After applications have been received by Human Resources and forwarded to the Board a date for an additional trustees meeting will be determined to select a candidate to fill the position.  The Friends’ of the Taunton Public Library’s outside donation book drop was vandalized last week. This incident occurred after the library was closed. A fire was started inside the book drop causing its contents to burn and the fabric lining to melt. Since the box is metal damage was minimal. The box was cleaned and is back in operating condition. Old Business:  The library security position is vacant. It was determined that the need for library security is not what it was when that position was first filled seven years ago. The pandemic and the subsequent changes that it brought has lessened the need for security. While circulation statistics are improving and the use of eContent is becoming increasingly popular, the traffic and use of the physical building is still very slow and very quiet. While we don’t have a need to fill this vacancy right now, it was determined that the Board will revisit this topic at a later date for an update on the library’s security needs. Friends’ Report: None Correspondence: None With no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m. The next scheduled meeting will be held To be determined when applications have been received. Respectfully submitted by Linda Coelho