Mansfield Library Advisory Board Meeting
Draft Minutes
May 14, 2009

Present: L. Bailey, ex officio, E. BarShalom, E. Chibeau, S.Q. Clark, presiding, H. Hand, W. Hare, R. Pollack, recording, D. Truman

 Absent: B. Katz, J. Green
 Visitors:  None
The meeting was called to order 7:05 PM
 MINUTES:   Minutes of the March 10, 2009 meeting were accepted.                     
COMMUNICATIONS: H. Hand letter to the Deputy Mayor about Budget Cuts and R. Mocanu’s letter to the Council about Budget was read. S. Q. Clark’s letter to the Town Council focused on the Budget reductions and the impact it would have on Library hours.               
LIBRARIAN REPORT: - Town Council Mandate re: Library Hours
 L. Bailey states a minimum of two people is needed at the desk when the Library is open. Materials need to be checked out and in.  A third person is also needed to be in the Library in case of an emergency, and the Librarian is needed to help a patron.
 Additionally, since the Auditorium and Stage areas are often used, someone in the Library has to be aware of what is happening there in case of a problem.
 The Advisory Board concurs with L. Bailey that three people are needed to be present when the Library is open to both protect the well being of patrons and maintain the integrity of the collection.  With the staffing cuts, the only solution is to be open fewer hours to ensure everyone’s safety.  L. Bailey can document the time that would impact patrons the least.
The Advisory Board proposes that L. Bailey write to the Town Council for reconsideration of the number of hours that the Mansfield Library is open.  As a Director, The Board believes L. Bailey’s training and experience make her the best qualified to make this decision.
Meeting adjourned at 8 30PM
Respectfully submitted,
Rita Pollack