Below is a summarized version of the Board of Library Trustees meeting, organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.
Contents
Meeting Overview
Meeting Summary: Board of Library Trustees – March 10, 2025
Start Time: 7:00PM
Format: Hybrid (in-person at the Reading Public Library and Zoom)
Call to Order and Public Comment
- (1:38 – 2:54)
- Speaker: Christian Cappy Popp (Chair)
- Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM.
- Monette Verrier confirmed online presence.
- No public attendees for comment in person or online.
- Key Point: An email complaint was received about the tween space (ages 9-13), noting it’s underutilized and expressing frustration that younger children (e.g., the sender’s son) were asked to leave despite no tweens present (2:11 – 2:54).
- Outcome: No immediate action; complaint noted for later discussion.
Recognition of Trustee Retirement
2. Sherry Duat (3:36 – 6:49)
- Speakers: Christian Cappy Popp Chair, Monette (implied), and others
- Sherry Duat recognized for 33 years of service as a trustee.
- Highlights included her role in converting Highland School into a library and participating in a book-moving train across town (5:05 – 5:30).
- Described as versatile, knowledgeable, and impactful (4:20 – 6:05).
- Key Outcome: Board expressed gratitude with a formal thank-you and sadness at her departure. No replacement named yet.
Spring Programming Update
3. (7:08 – 18:01)
- Speaker: Andrea (Public Services representative)
- Highlights (7:20 – 11:31):
- Local author Tara Sullivan meeting with teens (7:28).
- Friends Speaker Series with Jennifer Weiner and Jodi Picoult (7:48).
- “Science of Reading” lecture by MGH Literacy Lab researcher (8:04).
- Military history events: “Women in the Military” exhibit and Autumn Hendrickson’s WWII vet presentation (9:00 – 9:45).
- True Crime, postpartum recovery, concerts, and teen/kids programs (9:58 – 10:31).
- “Rooted and Reading” grant programs: craft/plant swap, farm day with alpacas (11:03 – 11:22).
- Partnerships (11:34 – 13:26):
- Art night with Northeast Arc, tax help for seniors, story slam with Writers Collaborative, and more.
- Folk dancing series success with Reading Neighbors Network (12:42 – 13:20).
- Shelf Joy Initiative (13:56 – 17:18):
- Whimsical installations (e.g., Edward Gorey house, communal sketchbook) to engage patrons playfully (14:02 – 15:26).
- Plans to expand with staff ideas in May (16:23 – 16:57).
- Highlights (7:20 – 11:31):
- Outcome: No vote required; update well-received, with questions about “Women in the Military” exhibit clarified (15:32 – 16:03).
RMHS Girl Rising Club
4. Concession Sale Discussion (18:07 – 18:47)
- Speaker: Chair (P)
- Initially planned as a fundraiser, but the club opted for a movie screening instead.
- Outcome: Discussion closed as no fundraiser was occurring; no vote needed.
Parking Recommendations
5. Discussion and Vote on (EV Chargers) (18:47 – 27:12)
- Speakers: Chair, Amy, others (unidentified trustees)
- Background: RMLD recommended removing the EV charger marking from a spot near a red transformer to make it a regular parking space, effective June (19:06 – 20:04).
- Discussion:
- Concern about confusion over EV parking rules and whether the spot would be used (20:23 – 20:44).
- Questions about legality of parking in EV spots and handicap access clarity (20:49 – 24:17).
- Suggestion to keep it EV-preferred but unmarked to address parking scarcity feedback (24:44 – 25:16).
- Motion: Remove EV marking from the designated spot, making it a regular space (26:25 – 26:46).
- Outcome: Roll call vote passed unanimously (Monette, Sherry, Andrew, Christian – Yes) (26:59 – 27:12). RMLD to implement in June.
Review of Patron Rights
6. and Responsibilities Policy Update (27:21 – 33:03)
- Speaker: Amy Lannon (Library Director)
- Change: Replaced “Safe Child Policy” reference with “Responsibilities Regarding Minors” (27:35 – 27:46).
- Issue: Language inconsistency noted—changed “unaccompanied” to “unattended” for children under 10 to align with other policies (31:35 – 32:54).
- Outcome: Trustees notified; vote deferred to April meeting for review (28:15 – 33:03).
Review of Policy Regarding Minors
7. Tween Space Addition (33:15 – 38:01)
- Speakers: Amy, Andrea, Cherry
- Proposed Change: Add tween space (ages 9-13) to “Appropriate Use of Spaces” policy, reflecting its reserved status (29:07 – 29:23).
- Discussion:
- Addresses public complaint about exclusivity (28:45 – 29:06).
- Clarified overlap in age ranges (e.g., children’s room 0-12, tween 9-13) due to maturity levels (34:51 – 37:14).
- Tween space issues with non-tweens decreasing over time (38:08 – 39:00).
- Outcome: Policy review ongoing; vote scheduled for April (39:35).
Financial Report
8. (39:43 – 41:21)
- Speaker: Amy
- FY 26 budget presentation to FinCom on March 12 at 7:00 PM (40:03 – 40:26).
- Noted in-memoriam gifts received in February (41:06).
- Outcome: No major updates; informational only.
Director’s Report
9. (41:27 – 56:08)
- Speaker: Amy, mentions Andrea and Michelle
- Stats: February circulation slightly down, but typical for a short month (41:33 – 42:14).
- Highlights:
- Black Trivia Night success with PAIR (42:31 – 43:08).
- Accessibility survey underway for FY 26-30 strategic plan (43:16 – 44:22).
- Expanded Seed Library on main floor (45:09 – 45:55).
- Arbor Day project: Plant 500 saplings in Town Forest (46:08 – 48:28).
- Library of Things shelving purchase planned (49:25 – 51:05).
- Staff updates: Dana Snook (2 years), Suzanne Sullivan retired, new substitutes Nancy Snow and Ashley Cristiano hired (51:31 – 53:00).
- “Busy Bees” volunteer gardening club launching (53:13 – 54:35).
- Outcome: Informational; no actions required.
Meeting Minutes
10. Approval of February 10 (56:33 – 57:06)
- Speaker: Chair
- No changes proposed.
- Outcome: Roll call vote passed unanimously (Monette, Sherry, Andrews, Christian – Yes).
Future Agenda Items
11. and Adjournment (57:06 – 57:59)
- Speaker: Chair (P)
- April agenda: Social Justice update, new trustee intro, policy votes, landscape committee discussion (57:13 – 57:34).
- Outcome: Meeting adjourned at 7:56 PM via roll call vote (Monette, Sherry, Andrews, Christian – Yes) (57:42 – 57:59).
Key Outcomes
- EV Parking Change: Approved removal of EV marking from one spot, effective June 2025.
- Policy Updates: Patron Rights and Minors policies reviewed; votes deferred to April.
- Trustee Retirement: Sherry Duat honored for 33 years of service.
- Programming: Spring plans and Shelf Joy initiative well-received.
- Community Projects: Arbor Day tree planting and Busy Bees club highlighted as ongoing efforts.
