Library Meeting Minutes 02/13/2020

By Otis Town ClerkLibrary and Museum minutes
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Otis Library Museum Meeting – Minutes

Thursday, February 13, 2020 -6:00 PM

Members present -Celeste Watman, Diane Dyer, Donna Rich, Jane Feldman, Kathy Bort, Lois Hall, Sue Brofman, and Susan Ebitz

Absent: James Adams

Chair Diane Dyer called the meeting to order at 6:07.

The January Minutes were unavailable. Approving them will take place at the March meeting.

 

Director’s Report: submitted by Kathleen Bort

Attendance:

  • circulation is increasing with an average of 80 – 90 a week.
  • Computer assistance has included 1-5 people.
  • Lego Club: 2-5 children
  • 2-5 new patrons weekly

Circulation:

  • Three bins are being delivered and three bins are going out weekly
  • DVD’s remain the most popular, followed by Adult Fiction, Adult Audio, Children’s materials, and nonfiction

Acquisition:

  • met with Amy Lafavre from the Lenox Library to discuss how to categorize Bob Rosen’s 265 CD collection donation. (Classical, Jazz & Blues, New Age, Soundtracks, Vocal, Seasonal, Miscellaneous and chants.) Lois is working hard and has catalogued 103 CD’s so far.
  • 30 new books, 3 Audio Books, and 35 DVD’s

 

Boston Bruins PJ Drive:

  • The Pajama Drive is for children aged two through 16. It’s held from February 1 through March 15th. The Drive began in 2007 by Bruins forward PJ Axelsson and his wife to give back to the community. Collecting pajamas for Cradles to Crayons which connects social services to children in need.  In 2014, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners joined the Boston Bruins and recruited libraries.  Since 2014 libraries have collected 41,244 pairs of pajamas and more than 12,000 in donations to service over 50,000 babies, children and teens.  In 2017, DCF KIDS joined and now distributes the PJs locally. The goal of this year’s drive is to collect 13,000pairs of pajamas.  It is our delight to participate in this worthwhile event.  Last year we collected over 80 pairs which was the largest amount in Southern Berkshire. We are most proud of our giving community.

Furniture:

  • ROOSEVELT CHAIRS. One done five to go!! Two more going out Monday. Thanks to Mr. Brecher from the New Marlboro Office.  The wood is being repaired so the castors stay in place. The price is very reasonable – $65. Jim Crandall is bringing in estimates for new plastic mats to cover the carpet and a new computer shelf.

Special Programs:

  • Legislative Breakfast Well attended. (Kathy and Susan attended) Only legislator there was Smitty Pignatelli.  His messages were to
  1. Use personal Contact, not canned messages
  2. Cull out your list; do not ask for everything, because every department has a list. Ask for           what is most important.
  3. Advocate for support from Patrons, Trustees, Library Agencies
  4. Diversify & Advertise

Census:

Census training: Kathy attended a meeting on February 10th for the census and will attend another 0n February 19th. $16 Billion benefit in Massachusetts. It determines Medicare & Medicaid eligibility and benefits based on population. Three steps include: 1. Postcard, 2. On-line, 3. paper

  • Suggestions and ideas

Reach out to local agencies to align efforts and resources

Host a job fair at the same time

Distribute Census fact sheets

Free webinar 2/27

State grants are issued based on the census

  • A food for fines drive will be held in March

Celeste made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Sue seconded.

Unfinished Business:

  • Technology- Diane, Sue and Susan met with the Technology Committee on January 27th. At this meeting they agreed to release the $4000for FY 20 (submit invoices), that old computers would not be replaced until 3/15/20. Old computers would be swapped out with new computers so as not to disrupt service. Will not replace our new computers only the ones we want replaced. QuickBooks won’t be affected as it cannot be accessed without an ID and password. There will be no software install to cut off computers after 30 minutes. Both Windows and Google Docs will be available. If we don’t hear back from Larry Gould by the end of the day, the library can contact john Shannon directly. Susan made a motion that was seconded by Sue to rescind the previous Board vote rejecting the town’s technology offer. It passed with a majority. Jane then made a motion that was seconded by Susan to accept the Technology offer from the Town including all the aforementioned conditions. The motion passed with five voting for it and one opposed.
  • FY 2021 Budget – Sue Brofman presented the revised FY2021 budget that was submitted to the town on February 3rd.

New Business

  • Susan made a motion that was seconded by Donna to raise the hourly rate of Kathy Crowe from $12. 23 an hour to $12.75 an hour per Massachusetts Minimum wage law.
  • Donna and Susan agreed to co-chair the event and will go to town hall to confirm the date and location.
  • Kathy asked Celeste to update the annual appeal letter.

The motion to adjourn was made by Diane and seconded by Sue at 7:45 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Susan Ebitz, Recording Secretary

 

Next Meeting: March 12, 2020 – agenda items due: 3/9/20

Future Meetings: Please don’t schedule speakers on our regularly meeting night

April 9, 2020 – agenda items due: 4/6/20

May 14, 2020 – agenda items due: 5/11/20

June 11, 2020 – agenda items due: 6/8/20