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.
- 🔹Public Comment
- 🔹Community Preservation Act (CPA) Study Committee Update
- 🔹Winter Programming Update
- 🔹Rooted in Reading Grant Recap
- 🔹IMLS Advocacy Update
- 🔹Library Terrace Project & Ad Hoc Committee
- 🔹Gift Policy Vote
- 🔹FY27 Budget Presentation
- 🔹Director’s Report
- 🔹Approval of November 12 Meeting Minutes
- 🔹Future Agenda Items
- 🔹Adjournment
- ✅ Key Outcomes
🗓️ Reading Board of Library Trustees Meeting Summary
📅 Date: December 8, 2025
⏱️ Duration: ~1 hour2min
💻🏛️ Format: Hybrid (in-person at he RPL + Zoom)
👤 Chair: Christian “Cappy” Popp
👥 Board Members in Attendance: Christian “Cappy” Popp, Kelli Bacon, Andrew Grimes, Monette Verrier, Patrick Egan, Andrew Gregory
🧾 Main Topics: Community Preservation Act update, winter programming highlights, Rooted in Reading grant recap, IMLS advocacy, terrace project update, gift policy vote, FY27 budget presentation, director’s report, and future agenda planning.
🔹Public Comment
🕒 5:03–5:21
- No public comments or emails received.
🔹Community Preservation Act (CPA) Study Committee Update
🕒 32:14–49:10
Presented by Martha Moore (Conservation Commission) and Sarah Brukilacchio (Historical Commission)
- CPA funds support open space/recreation, historic preservation, and affordable housing.
- State match averages 20–25%; Reading could gain $200K annually in matching funds.
- Proposed surcharge: 1% (approx. $100/year for average homeowner).
- Exemptions: first $100K of property value, low/moderate-income seniors, and low-income residents.
- Timeline:
- Report to Select Board soon
- Town Meeting vote in April
- Potential ballot question in November 2026
- Library benefits: historic building repairs, ADA upgrades, outdoor spaces, and matching funds for grants.
- Trustees encouraged to support CPA adoption.
🔹Winter Programming Update
🕒 6:00–14:20
Presented by Olivia McKelane, new Head of Public Services
Fall Highlights:
- Goats visit (146 attendees)
- Mortality 101 series (53 attendees)
- Teen book club launched (14 attendees)
- Puzzle & game swap (121 attendees)
- Halloween events: story time (141), concerts (105 & 163), trivia (22), crafts (12), costume swap (163)
Winter Highlights:
- Youth & Teens: Zen & Mind Over Muscle, Selfie Project, Baby Snowball & Mini Rave, D\&D for grades 3–5, pizza tasting, art workshops, fantasy-themed February break.
- Adults: Renting vs. buying workshop, Songs of the Revolution, Betrayal & Healing, Forensic Science Road Show.
- Millennial/Gen Z Focus: Sushi-making, board game nights, trivia, clothing swap, “Beat the Librarians” trivia, Hyperfocus PowerPoint Party.
- Recurring Programs: Teen book group, Pokémon Club, Plant Lab, Mahjong meetups.
- Friends Speaker Series: Liz Moore, Dr. Lindsay Stewart, Vanessa Riley.
- Partnerships: North Suburban Family Resource Network, Pleasant Street Center, Metco, Reading Health Dept., RPS multilingual team (Portuguese story times start in March).
🔹Rooted in Reading Grant Recap
🕒 15:06–21:26
Presented by Sarah Kelso
- Grant: $20K from MBLC + $18K in-kind contributions.
- Goals: improve community health, access to nature, sustainability, and social connections.
- Achievements:
- Added green spaces (sensory garden, pollinator beds, raised beds)
- Expanded seed library and Library of Things (gardening tools)
- Purchased 60+ sustainability-focused books
- Hosted programs: garden party, plant swaps, tree planting, workshops
- Partnerships: DPW, town forest committee, scouts, local nonprofits
- Next steps: sustainability committee, recurring events, volunteer support, pursue sustainable library certification.
🔹IMLS Advocacy Update
🕒 21:36–27:05
- Federal court reinstated IMLS; funding restoration underway.
- Trustees urged to advocate and stay informed via MBLC updates.
- Cuts disproportionately impacted marginalized communities; restoring services is critical.
🔹Library Terrace Project & Ad Hoc Committee
🕒 27:35–31:15
- Terrace construction completed; includes ADA-compliant access, native plantings, and tiered seating.
- Committee will remain active until spring 2026 for ribbon-cutting event.
- Motion passed unanimously to continue committee.
🔹Gift Policy Vote
🕒 31:22–32:08
- Revised gift policy approved unanimously.
🔹FY27 Budget Presentation
🕒 49:10–58:10
- Recommended budget: $2,320,000 (2.7% increase).
- Salaries: 80% of budget; increase driven by step + 1.25% COLA.
- Expense adjustments:
- Cuts to tech supplies, general supplies, professional development, and library programs to offset rising software costs.
- Library materials requirement maintained; software licenses up 7.4%.
- Goal: preserve level services with minimal disruption.
🔹Director’s Report
🕒 58:58–1:05:13
- Volunteer hours increasing; focus on meaningful engagement (e.g., Reading Buddies).
- Partnerships expanded with schools, nonprofits, and health organizations.
- Personnel changes:
- Olivia appointed Public Services Division Head
- Louise Hetherington retiring (Dec), Susan Bogard retiring (Jan)
- Internal postings for children’s team lead; meeting room coordinator position posted (7 applicants)
- Staff anniversaries: Rebecca Bailey (8 years; Jeopardy alum).
- Departures include long-tenured staff (14–32 years of service).
🔹Approval of November 12 Meeting Minutes
🕒 1:05:26–1:06:07
- Approved unanimously.
🔹Future Agenda Items
🕒 1:06:07–1:06:32
- January: Community outreach & engagement update; supplemental spending update
- February: Technology plan update; patron self-service report.
🔹Adjournment
🕒 1:06:32–1:06:52
Meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM.
✅ Key Outcomes
- CPA update presented; trustees encouraged to support adoption.
- Winter programming robust and diverse; strategic focus on younger demographics.
- Rooted in Reading grant achieved major sustainability goals; ongoing initiatives planned.
- IMLS reinstatement critical for future funding; advocacy encouraged.
- Terrace project completed; ribbon-cutting planned for spring.
- Gift policy updated; FY27 budget approved for select board presentation.
- Personnel transitions underway; volunteer engagement growing.
