Minutes Mansfield Library Advisory Board Meeting

March 10, 2009

Present: L. Bailey, ex officio, S.Q. Clark, presiding,

H. Hand, R. Pollack, recording, D. Truman 

Absent: E. BarShalom, B. Katz, E. Chibeau, W. Hare,

Visitors;  None

The meeting was called to order 7:00 PM

MINUTES:   Minutes of the Dec. 2 meeting were accepted.                               

COMMUNICATIONS: None 

LIBRARIAN REPORT:

A. Regarding the Budget

L Bailey was asked to cut her budget.

L. Bailey cut 10 hours for two P/T workers.

Instead of closing on Wednesday, there will be a new schedule with shortened hours.  On Monday the Library will be opened from 9AM until 6PM, Tuesday from 10AM to 8PM, Wednesday from 10AM to 6PM,  Thursday from 10AM to 6PM, Friday 10AM to 6PM and Saturday 10AM to 5PM, a difference of 6 hours.

The Friends agreed to fund other lines of budget such as the summer reading club, a new computer for children (AWE Literacy) and ancestry.com software.

In addition there will be a wage freeze and no merit increases.

B. Challenges to maintain key services

1. Compared to 8 other towns as Avon, Simsbury, Coventry, Farmington, etc. Mansfield is above average in only one category, C card circulation. 

2. Three staff members need to be present when the Library is open so the Children’s Librarian may have to limit some outreach. 

3. Reference questions and reader’s advisory questions increased 66%, 7% more people entered the Library last year, circulation increased 6%.  Want Library to continue to accommodate patrons.

4. The Friends contribute 15% of the total materials budget.  That is about par with other Libraries.

5.  Must keep up with book purchases or else may lose chance to acquire material.

6. Need some money for substitutes to cover staff illness or vacation time.

C. Motion from the Advisory Board:  Resolved: The Library Board recognizes    with appreciation the thorough research undertaken and presented by Ms. Bailey. We regretfully acknowledge the fiscal need of this year’s cycle which has prompted these carefully thought out and judicious cuts in the budget, including hours.  We recommend that Library funds and hours be restored in the earliest possible year’s budget once the economy returns to more reliably sound footing. Voted YES unanimously. 

New Business;

A. New Board Member – L Bailey will ask Jim Greene to consider becoming a new Board Member whose term of office will be until 11-1-2010.

B.  Next Meeting- June 2, 2009- 7PM.  Perhaps a field trip to try the new children’s computer!

Old Business; none

Submitted By:

Rita Pollack, Recording Secretary