Library Trustees

Taunton Public Library Minutes for the May 15, 2024 Meeting Present: Ted Gay, William Hanna, Jason Cross, Audrey Reese, Kevin Downing, Patricia Morris Staff: Linda Coelho, Director Friends of the Taunton Public Library President: Brian Belanger Ms. Reese called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. The April 2024 minutes were presented. Mr. Gay made a motion to accept. Dr. Hanna seconded the motion and the Board approved. The April 2024 financial report was reviewed. Mr. Gay made a motion to accept. Dr. Hanna seconded the motion and the Board approved. The April 2024 circulation report was reviewed. Mr. Gay made a motion to accept. Dr. Hanna seconded the motion and the Board approved. New Business:  On Friday, March 22, 2024, the Youth Services department collaborated with Chamberlain Elementary School for a kindergarten library field trip. With their parents’ permission they all received library cards and borrowed a book. Youth Services created an outside play station and a story time event to entertain our visitors. They also received a tour of the entire library. It was successful and super fun. Subsequently, the library received thank you cards from the kindergarten class complete with their own penmanship and artwork.  Fiscal year 2025 is a new contract year for both AFSME and COTMA unions. Meetings are taking place and some contracts may be finalized before the new fiscal year perhaps eliminating the need for retro pay.  With Safety Week wrapped up, we’ve been discussing fire drills and lockdown drills to keep everyone prepared in the case of an emergency. Last week library staff attended training by the QPR institute covering suicide prevention. QPR is an acronym for question, persuade, refer. Mental health training was followed by DJ Bingo for team building. It was fun and a great idea after covering such serious topics as mental health and suicide.   Capital Carpet and Flooring Specialists’ original quote was $41,664 with an increase of $1,564.45 to cover the stairs from 3rd floor to reference in the rubber matting with the ADA stripe rather than covering them in carpet. The total for this project is $43,228.45. Mr. Gay made a motion to accept this quote and pay using funds from the library’s state- aid account. Dr. Hanna seconded the motion, and the Board approved. Old Business:  The new Youth Services desk has arrived and we’ve been coordinating with the building department for installation which may begin as soon as next week. We’re trying to do this build with the least amount of interruption to services as possible. We also have to consider the ADA entrance and elevator access so closing down the basement floor is not an option if we can at all help it. Part of Youth Services department will be closed off. We will be utilizing tablets for checking out materials and other computer required services in the meantime. The main lobby circulation desk is also available and can do most YS business. Friends’ Report: The Friends’ are looking forward to hosting Dr. Hanna’s book talk part 2 sometime in October. An evening book sale will be taking place the 2nd Tuesday in July. Correspondence: none With no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 1:25 p.m. The next scheduled meeting will be held Wednesday, June 26, 2024 Respectfully submitted by Linda Coelho Documents list April 2024 minutes April 2024 Financial Report April 2024 Circulation Report Thank you cards from Chamberlain kindergarten class