Town of Springfield
Library Board of Trustees
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
1. The meeting was called
to order at 6:30PM.
Present: Jen Dechen, Herb
Jamison, Sara Druen, Amy Howlett (director), Barbara Ball
(minutes),
Absent:Richard
CoFrancesco, Margie Reurink, Matthew Pincus
2.
Additions/ subtractions to the Agenda
Amy
asked to revisit the meeting room policy.
2a.
Meeting room policy
Amy
reviewed the policy (up for second reading). Adult-sized chairs and table have been
ordered. Motion to approve policy as written passed. (Jen) second (Sara).
3.
Public comments
N/A
4. Review and
approve minutes from the September meeting
Correction related to discussion on staff work time. Preferred
wording: Trustees asked whether staff work beyond regular schedules. Staff who
work less than 40 hours/week can either get paid for working Saturdays or earn
compensatory time for those hours. Evening hours are part of staff regular work
schedules. There are rare occasions when staff are asked to work additional
hours which are typically comp time.
Motion to approve minutes as written but with the above correction
passed. (Barbara motioned, Sara second.)
5. Strategic Plan Version 2
Long-Range Plan
from FY13-14 is no longer an attachment on the current strategic plan. Amy will
post both the previous long-range plan and the new strategic plan 2018-2023 on
the website.
6. Director's Report
Discussion on rethinking children's fines.
That fines are an economic barrier for many
families and waiving fines can give enormous sense of satisfaction to patrons
once they return materials.
Currently, a patron's account is frozen when
fines reach $10 and is only unfrozen once resources are returned and fines are
paid (or waived by library personnel.) The change that is being considered is
that fines would still accrue. An account would still be frozen when fines
reach $10, but when books are returned, the account would be unfrozen and the
fines waived.
If resources are actually lost, something would
need to be worked out.
Museum and parks passes could be an exception.
Amy highlighted other libraries' policies
relating to waiving or not waiving fines.
Board members were positive about the idea of
no longer actually fining patrons. Amy will keep board members posted.
Discussion on library staff members coming up
with their individual goals for each year. As part of this discussion, Sara
will send Amy the teacher goals for the year.
7.
FOSTL Report
Apple-Fest book sale made $800!
Discussion on what to do with what didn't
sell after a book sale.
FOSTL is working to revitalize a brochure to
be a membership form and information on what they do.
8.
Time Capsule
This
was one of the ideas for the 200th celebration.
9.
Feed Your Passion
Discussion
re 200 year anniversary and how if the library's date (on the front of the
building) is 1878, why are we celebrating now? 2019 is the 200th
anniversary of the institution. Discussion that it might be neat to have a
timeline of different events in the life of the library.
Amy
is keeping a list of ideas for the celebration as they come up.
One
idea was to hold a general conversation with different age groups for ideas.
For instance, ask them, “Here is a list of ideas for celebrating. What do you
think would be appropriate?” This could also be an agenda sent to different groups.
Board
members were asked to think of different area groups that should be included.
Amy will run this by the Board in November.
Discussion
on how the Board wants to be part of the 200th celebration.
Amy
talked about Oculus Quest: a virtual reality headset. If the library got some,
they could be part of the celebration. Brian Benoit at the town office has one.
This new technology could mean you have a shared experience.
Amy
visited the library in Stamford CT that use this.
This
sort of thing relates to our strategic plan of being modern and keeping up with
technology. So if the STL buys one, it will be a “big reveal” during the
celebration.
Discussion
of a Library of Things – tools, musical instruments, cool stuff that would be
useful to share.
Other
brainstorms? Share with Amy!
Board
feels we should push aside Feed Your Passion for 2019 in favor of contributing
to the 200th anniversary celebration.
Board
members suggested having four celebratory events: one for every season.
Trustees can do one of the events. What season do we want? Things that maybe
reference the library but don't take place here. Suggestions included living
library events, story walks, celebrate 200 years ago in Springfield. What was
it like?
Board
members should brainstorm ideas for our event and bring them to our next
meeting.
These
community conversations should start with something like, “The STL is planning
a gala year of events to celebrate 200 years since 3 people in Springfield
planned a library. How would you like to shine a light on everything that's
happened in Springfield in the last 200 years? What events seem the most
expressive of this community? How can you imagine involving your friends,
family and neighbors to make an event happen? Give info, set the stage, remember
there are no wrong answers. Everyone at table needs to be heard and
respectful.” Have a note-taker or tape record the session.
Sara
would be happy to help create a 200-year timeline of the library. One thought
was to make a mobile and hang it!
Also
the thought of 200 great memories of Springfield and/or the library.
10.
Fewer but longer meetings?
Group
would have a hard time making longer meetings and would miss the regular
connection with other board members. The suggestion to make an annual calendar was
well-received.
11. Next meeting date: Tuesday, November 13, 6:30PM
12. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn passed (Barbara
motioned, Sara second.) 7:44pm.