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 & MLTA Membership Request
- 🔹EV Charger Usage Update
- 🔹Summer Reading Recap & Fall Programming Preview
- 🔹State of the Collection
- 🔹Collection Development & RFR Policy Revisions
- 🔹Meeting Room Policy Vote
- 🔹Library Terrace Update
- 🔹Financial Report & Director’s Update
- 🔹Approval of August Meeting Minutes
- 🔹Future Agenda Items
- 🔹Adjournment
🗓️ Reading Board of Library Trustees Meeting Summary
📅 Date: September 8, 2025
⏱️ Duration: ~1 hour 10min
💻🏛️ Format: Hybrid (in-person + Zoom)
👤 Chair: Christian “Cappy” Popp
👥 Board Members in Attendance: Christian “Cappy” Popp, Kelli Bacon, Andrew Grimes, Monette Verrier
🧾 Main Topics: MLTA membership request, EV charger usage update, summer reading recap, fall programming highlights, collection statistics, policy revisions, terrace project, outreach efforts, and future agenda planning.
🔹Public Comment & MLTA Membership Request
🕒 0:00–5:20
- A letter from Allison Sloan (President of Massachusetts Library Trustee Association) was shared, inviting the board to join MLTA for a \$100 annual fee.
- Trustees were encouraged to compare MLTA with United for Libraries (a national organization the library already belongs to).
- To be discussed further in October.
🔹EV Charger Usage Update
🕒 5:20–8:00
- RMLD provided usage charts showing increased use of Level 3 chargers.
- Level 2 usage declined, possibly due to faster Level 3 charging.
- EV signage on the asphalt was blacked out, but wording remains; a general parking sign is proposed.
🔹Summer Reading Recap & Fall Programming Preview
🕒 8:00–20:00
Presented by Michelle and team
Summer Reading Highlights:
- Theme: “Branching Out” (Rooted in Reading grant) + unofficial Beastie Boys theme.
- Events included reading parties, story slams, and silent reading sessions.
- Survey showed 60% preferred this year’s format over previous ones.
- Shelf talkers (mini book reviews) now displayed in teen/adult sections.
Fall Programming Highlights:
- Workshops: Braver Angels, pickle making, tea blending, coffee tasting.
- Events: Halloween costume swap, film screenings, historical lectures, storytime with goats.
- Series: Mortality 101, obituary writing, digital afterlife, death café.
- Youth: Toddler yoga, Shark Tank Jr., tech help, new book groups, family concerts.
- Outreach: CPR classes, flu clinics, blood pressure screenings with Public Health Nurse Liv Barttoo.
- Meetups: Crochet/knit, board games, tween time, Teen Talks with Liv, Pokémon Club.
- Friends Speaker Series: Malala Yousafzai, Joseph Lee, Amanda Peters, and more.
🔹State of the Collection
🕒 20:00–33:30
Presented by Jamie Penny, Head of Collection Services
- Physical circulation is trending downward; digital (eBooks/eAudiobooks) is rising.
- Reading ranks highest in Noble for individual library circulation.
- Aspen catalog previewed: improved search, format grouping, and direct borrowing.
- Hoopla borrows reduced from 12 to 9/month to manage costs.
- New “Craft & Hobby” resource added.
- Library of Things updated with clearer naming and catalog images.
- Locker usage stats now tracked via Noble; average ~60/month with some power users.
🔹Collection Development & RFR Policy Revisions
🕒 33:30–52:00
- Updated mission statement and clarified language around intellectual freedom.
- New step added: professional staff review challenges before trustees.
- Appeals process clarified; trustees will be notified of challenges.
- Appendix 2 and form to be revised for clarity and consistency.
- Trustees expressed support and emphasized their role as a resource and shield for staff.
🔹Meeting Room Policy Vote
🕒 52:00–58:00
- Revised policy approved unanimously.
🔹Library Terrace Update
🕒 58:00–1:01:20
- Final design and bid process completed.
- 8 bids received; selected bid was \$158,500—under budget.
- Project starts mid-October pending material delivery.
- Potential enhancements (e.g., landscaping, picnic tables) discussed with the foundation.
🔹Financial Report & Director’s Update
🕒 1:01:20–1:06:00
- State aid application submitted early; certification maintained.
- Outreach: Library card signup at police and fire stations; strong engagement.
- Anecdotes shared highlighting library’s community impact.
- Staff updates: Judy Terzano retired but continues as a sub; Sam Tinkler joined with strong customer service background.
- Don Koulford celebrated 32 years at RPL.
🔹Approval of August Meeting Minutes
🕒 1:06:00–1:06:30
- Minutes approved unanimously.
🔹Future Agenda Items
🕒 1:06:30–1:09:00
- October agenda to include:
- MLTA membership discussion
- Final review of collection/RFR policy revisions
- Financial forum overview
- Continued terrace updates
🔹Adjournment
🕒 1:09:00–1:09:22
Meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM.
✅ Key Outcomes
- MLTA membership request introduced; decision pending.
- EV charger usage trends reviewed; signage updates proposed.
- Summer reading praised; fall programming robust and diverse.
- Aspen catalog previewed; digital access improvements underway.
- Collection policy revised to include staff-led review and appeal process.
- Meeting room policy approved.
- Terrace project moving forward under budget.
- Outreach efforts strengthened interdepartmental connections.
- Trustees reaffirmed support for staff amid rising book challenges.
