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.
🗓️ Reading Board of Library Trustees Meeting Summary
📅 Date: February 9, 2026
⏱️ Duration: ~47 minutes (7:00–7:47 PM)
💻🏛️ Format: Hybrid (in-person + Zoom)
👤 Chair: Patrick Egan
👥 Board Members in Attendance: Kelli Bacon, Andrew Grimes (remote), Andrew Gregory, Monette Verrier, Patrick Egan
🧾 Main Topics: Technology plan update, patron self‑service systems, library card design contest, building plaque & land acknowledgment, FY26/FY27 financial updates, director’s report, and spring programming preview.
🔹 Technology Update
🕒 1:05–7:54
Presented by Michelle
2025 Technology Highlights:
- New Website launched using Communico — provides improved layout, modern design, and seamless integration with room booking, calendar, and the RPL app. Public feedback has been positive so far.
- Aspen Overlay Catalog added — improves searching, groups multiple formats, and links directly to Libby and Hoopla titles; Evergreen remains the staff-facing system.
Ongoing & Future Technology Work:
- Technology Tutorial Program expanded — staff providing 1:1 tech help and classes including online basics, AI tools, and digital literacy; outreach planned for homebound patrons.
- Website 2.0 — Communico is rolling out an updated platform; RPL will migrate once timelines are confirmed.
- ADA Digital Accessibility Rule — all public-facing digital content must meet WCAG 2.1 AA by April 26, 2027; coordination with Town IT ongoing.
- Automated Materials Handler (AMH) — now 10 years old; increasing maintenance needs. Michelle will consult vendors at the PLA Conference to assess upgrade or component-replacement options.
- RFID Pad Replacement — gradual swap‑out of outdated checkout pads at desks and self-checks.
- Public Computers — will migrate to Windows 11; Windows 10 certificate extended temporarily by Town IT.
- Public Computer Count: 25 stations throughout the building.
🔹 Patron Self‑Service Report
🕒 7:54–17:23
Presented by Amy
Automated Materials Handler (AMH):
- Installed in 2016; still one of the few in the NOBLE network.
- Handles high-volume sorting, reducing repetitive strain injuries and improving efficiency.
- ~42% of returns go through the AMH; remainder via delivery bins and desk returns.
Self‑Check Stations:
- Approx. 70% of checkouts now self-service.
- Updated screen designs underway to meet ADA formatting standards.
Outdoor Pickup Lockers:
- Usage increasing steadily; many patrons discovering this option through staff prompts.
- Power users rely on lockers for after-hours pickup.
eCard Registration:
- Online registration available in Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Russian, and Arabic.
- Serves as a 2-week provisional card until ID/address are verified.
🔹 Library Card Design Contest
🕒 17:23–23:32
Presented by Michelle
Contest Details:
- Spring 2026 contest for Reading residents K–12 (grouped by age).
- Theme: “Reading Is Revolutionary.”
- No AI art permitted; one entry per person.
- Staff will select top 10 submissions; Trustees will judge the final winner.
- Winning artwork becomes the new library card design for all patrons.
- Large display mockup of the card will be part of the prize; replacement cards will cost $1 for those switching designs.
- Trustees requested blind judging to avoid bias.
🔹 Building Plaque & Land Acknowledgment Discussion
🕒 23:32–32:10
Items Presented:
- Historic Register Plaque (existing): bronze, ~10 lbs, honors the Highland School’s listing on the National Register.
- Proposed Land Acknowledgment Plaque: two draft versions shared, both shorter public‑facing versions derived from the Trustees’ 2021 statement.
Trustee Feedback:
- Preference for Version #1 (shorter), with a suggestion to break out the “learn more” clause into a standalone sentence for clarity.
- Plaques should be similar in size but visually distinct.
- Possible locations discussed (e.g., interior brick of original building).
- Revised drafts and layout options will return for a March vote.
🔹 Financial & Director’s Reports
🕒 32:10–43:41
Presented by Amy
Financial Updates:
- FY26 on track; nothing unusual to report.
- FY27 prep ongoing; budget enters FINCOM review in early March.
- January saw strong circulation and high Overdrive usage; locker use continues to grow.
- Noted increase in technology-related reference questions.
Community & Programming Updates:
- MLK Day celebration well-attended despite weather; strong cross-department collaboration.
- Black History Month trivia scheduled for February 26.
- Ongoing ADA-related work as Albert serves as Town ADA Coordinator.
- Local history programming thriving — archive research partnerships with Simmons students and RMHS.
Sustainability Initiatives:
- Clothing swap highly successful; accessory swap coming in April.
- New large custom enclosure built for Shelvis the tortoise—safer, more accessible for patrons.
Personnel:
- Many transitions following several retirements.
- Cheyenne Smith hired as new Meeting Room Coordinator (25 hrs/week).
- Lucy Lee promoted internally to full-time Children’s Librarian (recent MLIS graduate).
- Offer extended for remaining Reference Librarian vacancy; final stages of “domino” internal restructuring.
- PLA Conference: Michelle, Kate, and Sarah attending.
- Staff Development Day scheduled for May 19 (library closed).
🔹Approval of January 12 Meeting Minutes
🕒 43:48–44:29
- Approved unanimously.
🔹Future Agenda Items
🕒 44:36–45:39
March:
- Spring programming update
- Final review & vote on Land Acknowledgment plaque
April:
- Annual OESJ (Office of Equity & Social Justice) update from Albert
Additional Note:
- Sparkly Story Time scheduled for March 7; planning and safety review underway.
🔹Adjournment
🕒 46:04–47:07
Meeting adjourned at 7:47 PM.
✅ Key Outcomes
- Technology upgrades (website, catalog, ADA compliance, hardware) remain a major focus.
- Self-service usage strong, with locker adoption steadily rising.
- Trustees will serve as judges for a community-engagement library card design contest.
- Draft land acknowledgment plaque moving toward March approval.
- FY27 budget prep underway; staffing transitions progressing smoothly.
- Successful community outreach continued through events, accessibility work, and sustainability programming.
