Library Trustees

Taunton Public Library Minutes for the September 21, 2022 Meeting Present: Ted Gay, Kevin Downing, Patricia Morris, Audrey Reese, and William Hanna Staff: Linda Coelho, Director Mr. Downing called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. The August 2022 minutes were presented. Ms. Reese made a motion to accept. Mr. Gay seconded the motion and the Board approved. The August 2022 financial report was reviewed. Dr. Hanna made a motion to accept. Mr. Gay seconded the motion and the Board approved. The August 2022 circulation report was reviewed. Mr. Gay made a motion to accept. Dr. Hanna seconded the motion and the Board approved. New Business:  The dedication plaque in memory of Joanne Uva sponsored by the Friends’ of the Taunton Public Library has been put up in the Young Adult department of the library. Joanne Uva was always a big supporter of services to young people. A picture of the plaque and a note of thanks and appreciation was sent to her family for sharing Joanne with the library for so many years.  With Veterans’ Day approaching the 2022 Holiday Schedule was discussed. The library is closed in observance of Veterans’ Day. With Veterans’ Day falling on a Friday this year closing on Saturday was discussed. Mr. Gay made a motion to close on Saturday the 12th, Dr. Hanna seconded the motion and the Board approved. Thanksgiving weekend was discussed next. For the past many years the Board has voted to close the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Holiday scheduling is discussed and voted on yearly based on the day of the week the holiday falls on. Since Thanksgiving doesn’t change, Mr. Gay made a motion that we incorporate being closed Thanksgiving weekend into the library’s permanent schedule. Dr. Hanna seconded the motion and the Board approved. With Christmas falling on the weekend and the paid holidays being observed on a work day no special circumstances regarding the library’s schedule arises and we will follow city hall’s lead. New Year’s Eve falls on a Saturday. Dr. Hanna made a motion to close that day. Mr. Gay seconded the motion and the Board approved.  The cataloging position was posted for a period of two weeks and 15 applications were received. Interviews of applicants with library experience are being conducted. Old Business:  The stair tread repair project has been completed and looks great. This repair has both updated the esthetic of the library and was an ADA improvement with the new treads having a yellow strip for easier visibility.  The Youth Services summer programming for 2022 has reached an end. A list of programming and attendance was shared. It was a very successful and fun year with a total of 40 programs in July, 30 in August and 12 in September. A total of 2,223 patrons were in attendance with 292 of those patrons being under 5 years old. 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 Wednesday, October 19, 2022 Respectfully submitted by Linda Coelho