Town of Springfield
Library Board of Trustees
Tuesday, April 10th, 2018
1. The meeting was called
to order at 6:30PM.
Present: Jen Dechen, Herb
Jamison, Margie Reurink, Richard
CoFrancesco, Sara Druen, Matthew Pincus, Amy Howlett (director), Barbara Ball (minutes).
2. Welcome
to New Members Margie Reurink and Jen Dechen.
3.
Additions/ subtractions to the Agenda
N/A
4.
Public comments
Frederick
Wootton came to voice his opposition to the sign on the library's front door
banning weapons in the library.
He
stated that he felt that banning weapons in the library – a public building –
wasn't legal and quoted the 4th amendment against unreasonable
search and seizure. He stated that being told not to carry his firearm is
asking him to lose his ability to protect himself and, “then only the criminals
will have guns.”
A board
member responded that the plan was not to search people for weapons, just to
make the library a safe place for anyone who comes in.
Discussion
that the Guidelines for Library Behavior were updated and approved last summer
to include the statement banning weapons in the library. The Guidelines for
Library Behavior were posted on the library door a month and a half ago, after
(and in response to) an incident in the library that left library staff feeling
unsafe.
Discussion
continued after Mr. Wootton departed. The library has received positive
feedback from many patrons relating to the sign.
Board
members were interested in knowing about other places that have a no weapons
policy. Springfield Medical and HCRS do in town. The wording on our weapons ban
came from the Brooks Memorial Library's policy.
The Board will review the Guidelines for Library Behavior policy
again at the May meeting.
5.
Review and approve minutes from the March meeting
Motion to pass the March minutes as written with the exception
that the year is 2018, not 2017. (Barbara motioned, Jen seconded.)
6.
FOSTL liaison report:
Amy
mentioned that all are welcome to attend FOSTL meetings.
7.
Director’s report
When asked, Amy explained that there isn't a set number of
professional development events that library staff must attend yearly.
Staff are encouraged to attend professional development conferences, etc., and also to visit other libraries.
Staff are encouraged to attend professional development conferences, etc., and also to visit other libraries.
Discussion on the policy on Nonresident teacher cards referred
to in the Appendices. These appendices need to be reviewed (and maybe
discarded.) Discussion that the library should respect the teachers' right to
privacy and teachers should be given full year library cards. This can be
discussed at the May meeting.
Amy mentioned that in her evaluation, one Board member expressed
interest in the board being updated more frequently relating to the library
budget. Amy said this could happen, although as the library is a town department,
the real fiscal power lies with the town and the voters.
Board members decided it would be helpful if the Board could
receive financial reports twice a year. Amy will start doing bi-annual
financial reports.
Amy asked for feedback regarding her monthly director's reports:
if they contain enough information, too much information, etc. The group agreed
that the Director's Reports are helpful and contain an ideal amount of
information.
8. Penalties and Fines Policy - 2nd Discussion
The motion passed to confirm passage of the Penalties and Fines policy that was initially passed at the March meeting. (Barbara motioned, Matthew second.)
The motion passed to confirm passage of the Penalties and Fines policy that was initially passed at the March meeting. (Barbara motioned, Matthew second.)
Discussion that the current Food for Fines drive may mean less
money coming in in the short-term, but long-term it will mean more card
holders.
9. Executive session if needed
N/A. Quick discussion of what circumstances could lead to an
executive session: negative feedback to director, imminent danger, etc.
10. Adjournment target time.
The group will target 8PM as an ideal time to be done with board
meetings. Some months – depending on what is under discussion -- the meeting
may last a bit longer.
11. Next meeting date: Tuesday, May 8th, 6:30PM
Motion to adjourn passed (Richard motioned, Matthew second.)
7:42pm.