Cambridge Public Library
Board of Library Trustees Minutes
A regular meeting of the Board of Library Trustees was held on Monday, April 10, 2000 in the Director’s Office of the Main Library. The following members of the Board of Library Trustees were present:
also present:
Minutes of the February meeting were approved. Minutes of the March meeting were approved with one addition: a letter was directed to be sent to City Council. It was agreed that future letters drafted for the board will be written by one member, edited by another, and then circulated to other members for their information before release.
Correspondence from Aminda Nicoloro and David Borrus was acknowledged.
Susan Flannery updated the board on the progress of the strategic plan process and the future involvement with facilitator Steve Miller. She will try to schedule him to work with the Trustees at their regular May meeting.
Board members discussed the recent City Council meeting concerning the sites for the new main library and agreed that Ms. Axelrod should draft a letter to the Council stating the unanimous board position that retail use, except in the instance of a cafe or library bookstore is incompatible with the board’s and Library 21’s vision for the new library. The board also discussed the importance of letting the community know that City Councillors need to hear their views on the library.
The memorial for John A.P. Good, which is planned for May 20th was discussed. Ms. Flannery confirmed that the Edna & John Good Square dedication will take place first at the corner of Buckingham and Concord Streets. Following that ceremony will be a dedication of the Children’s Room at the Main Library and a reception in the Sakey Lecture Hall. Ms. Flannery updated the board on her progress with potential speakers and plans for this occasion.
Ms. Flannery also reported that she attended MLA Legislative Day on April 5, 2000 and had the opportunity to speak with representatives from Rep. Toomey’s, Senator Havern’s, and Senator Tolman’s offices. She also joined Keith Fiels and Elia Marnik in a conversation with Senator Birmingham’s staff where they stressed the need for a new bond issue for library construction.
Ms. Woods initiated a discussion concerning an open position on the Board of Trustees that should be occupied by a School Committee member. She told the Board that she had spoken with most of the School Committee members in regards to this matter and received a favorable response from all. This conversation expanded into a discussion about school/library cooperation. Ms. Flannery informed the Board that both the Head of Children’s Services for the Cambridge Public Library (Daryl Mark) and the Head of the School Department libraries (Joan Stern) meet on a regular basis and plan cooperatively for programs all year long including the summer reading program.
Mr. Barry and Mr. Roosevelt suggested that Daryl be invited to attend a Trustee meeting to discuss her cooperative ventures with the schools and also suggested that she invite her partner in this planning, Joan Stern. The Board further decided to follow up by meeting with School Superintendent Bobbie D’Allesandro to discuss the relationship between the public library and the public schools.
Mr. Barry reported that he attended the recent Public Library Association Conference and he spoke about the new technologies and partnerships that were presented.
Ms.Flannery and Ms. Harris updated Board members on the status of library personnel. July 1, 2000 will bring many vacancies, both full time and part time. This may impact summer vacation coverage. All job postings will appear on the City’s web page and interested candidates should be encouraged to apply. Ms. Axelrod suggested that flyers be made up and posted at local schools. Mr. Roosevelt asked if temporary summer employees would be considered. Ms. Flannery responded affirmatively.
The public meeting to discuss relocation plans and construction plans for the O’Neill Branch will be held tomorrow night, April 11, 2000 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the O’Neill Branch Library. Trustee Nancy Woods informed the Board that she would attend this meeting.
Ms Woods asked Ms. Flannery if the sign at the Central Square Branch had been moved for better visibility. Ms. Flannery reported that it had not. She told the Board that she would rather add another sign on the street level.
The next meeting of the Board of Library Trustees will be on Tuesday, May 2, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. in the Director’s Office of the Main Library.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45p.m.
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Andre Mayer, Secretary