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
The meeting was called to order on Monday, April 14, 2025. No public comments were received in person, online, or by phone.
Start Time: 7:00PM
Format: Hybrid (in-person at the Reading Public Library and Zoom)
New Trustee Introduction
New Trustee Introduction (1:52 – 2:29)
- Speaker: Kelli Bacon
- Kelli Bacon introduced herself as a new trustee, expressing excitement about joining the board and having met half of the members already.
ACE Committee Update
ACE Committee Update (2:29 – 5:55)
- Speaker: Taylor Gregory
- Taylor Gregory, liaison for the Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment (ACE) Committee, provided an update:
- Committee held meetings in January, February, and March 2025. Taylor was elected chair, Ryan Johnstone as vice chair.
- Focused on Bill Russell’s life, addressing themes of racism and his revolutionary basketball defense techniques.
- Established a timeline:
- January: Discussed engaging Russell’s family.
- February: Identified a Juneteenth event (third Saturday in June, likely June 21, 2025) for acknowledgment.
- March: Narrowed project scope, engaged town staff, and discussed accountability.
- April: Work on statement of intent and consult select board.
- May: Finalize event and language for Juneteenth.
- June: Host Juneteenth event.
- July-December: Debrief and plan future programming.
- Proposed a book club to discuss Black athletes and historical figures to engage the community.
- Outcome: Committee is on track with its timeline and seeking community input.
Office of Equity and Social Justice
Office of Equity and Social Justice Update (6:54 – 25:12)
- Speaker: Albert Pless, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
- Albert provided an update on his office’s work:
- Completed a community and workforce needs assessment since October 2023, informing a strategic plan.
- Engaged six to seven town departments (e.g., DPW, fire, library) on equity focus areas using a results-based accountability method.
- Conducting “listening sessions” with town staff to foster engagement and belonging.
- Appointed as the ADA coordinator for Reading, aiming to proactively engage the community on accessibility.
- Community engagement includes partnerships with Allies for Inclusive Reading, MLK events, and Juneteenth planning.
- Statewide, Albert co-chairs a coalition of ~60 municipal DEI officers, developing a guide for sustainable DEI work.
- Shared photos of leadership and youth listening sessions, emphasizing trust in the process.
- Working with HR to diversify the workforce thoughtfully, addressing challenges in the current climate.
- Maintains office hours at town hall and engages in one-on-one community conversations.
- Outcome: Strategic plan in progress, increased staff and community engagement, and new ADA coordinator role established.
Citizen Kids Collection
Reading Public Library Citizen Kids Collection (25:17 – 26:10)
- Speaker: Amy Lannon
- Citizen Kids, a student group, completed a project collecting donations for the Reading Food Pantry. The group wrote a formal note and took their responsibility seriously. Last year, they conducted a town forest cleanup.
- Outcome: Project successfully completed.
Patron Rights and Responsibilities
Patron Rights and Responsibilities Policy Update (26:16 – 29:18)
- Speaker: Amy and others
- Two policy updates discussed:
- Changed references from the “Unattended Child Policy” to the “Policy Regarding Minors” to reflect last year’s policy revision.
- Added language to the Policy Regarding Minors to address the tween space.
- Outcome: Motion to approve both policy updates passed unanimously via roll call vote.
Financial Report
Financial Report (29:24 – 38:54)
- Speaker: Amy, Joe (FINCOM liaison), and others
- FINCOM presentation on March 12, 2025, went smoothly. FY26 budget includes $4.26 million in free cash.
- Upcoming election on May 13, 2025, for debt exclusions for a new Killam School and community center.
- Potential need for a future override vote (possibly FY27 or FY28) to reduce free cash usage.
- Federal funding cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) may impact state-funded programs (e.g., databases, ebooks, grants), though local operations are unaffected. IMLS is 0.0046% of the federal budget ($0.87/person).
- Outcome: Board informed of budget status and potential future financial challenges.
Director’s Report
Director’s Report (39:27 – 1:03:38)
- Speaker: Amy
- Highlighted issues with Stoneham Public Library facing potential closure due to budget cuts. Other libraries in the Noble network also face cuts.
- Discussed Reading’s policy on decertified libraries:
- Decertified libraries’ patrons cannot borrow materials but can use in-library services (e.g., computers, programs).
- A waiver allows continued services if a library misses appropriation requirements slightly.
- Desertification means no state aid or LSTA grants; re-certification requires a full fiscal year of compliance.
- March 2025 statistics: Physical circulation down, Overdrive (e-books) up, meeting room rentals and volunteer hours increased.
- Volunteer program emphasized meaningful work (e.g., tech inventory, STEM programs).
- New tortoise mascot, Shelvis, in the children’s room.
- Exhibits included artifacts from female veterans and rug hooking displays.
- Indoor plant management contract with Envirro Greenery started, improving plant care.
- Staff anniversaries and professional development highlighted.
- Outcome: Board agreed to add decertification policy review to the May agenda, including borrowing and program access, and to explore data collection on patron origins.
Meeting Minutes
Approval of Meeting Minutes (59:51 – 1:00:33)
- Speaker: Chair
- Last month’s meeting minutes approved unanimously via roll call vote.
Future Agenda
Future Agenda Items (1:00:33 – 1:05:26)
- Speaker: Amy and others
- May: Review decertification policy (lending and services), explore patron origin data collection.
- June: Summer programming update, election of officers, FY26 meeting schedule (potential August meeting cancellation).
- Outcome: Agenda items set, with a focus on policy review and data privacy considerations.
Key Outcomes
- May agenda to include decertification policy review and patron data collection discussion.
- New trustee Kelly Bacon introduced.
- ACE Committee progressing with Bill Russell commemoration plans for Juneteenth 2025.
- Office of Equity and Social Justice advancing strategic plan, staff engagement, and ADA coordination.
- Citizen Kids project for food pantry completed.
- Patron rights and minors policies updated and approved.
- Financial report highlighted FY26 budget and potential future override needs.
- Director’s report addressed library decertification risks and robust March statistics.
