Cambridge Public Library

Board of Library Trustees Minutes

A regular meeting of the Board of Library Trustees was held on Monday, February 25, 2002 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 December and January meetings were approved.

Correspondence from Lee Ann Frigulietti, Shani Bakuba, Mary Rogers, Nancy Gardella, and Edward Bertorelli was acknowledged.

Ms. Flannery reported on the status of the CPLSA contract.

Ms. Flannery presented the board with copies of the FY03 budget narrative. After a brief question and answer period, board members decided to table this discussion until the next meeting.  They will take the next month to review and prepare questions.

Ms. Axelrod reported that Hillary Clinton declined the invitation to be the first speaker at the Galbraith Lecture Series.  Board members reviewed the list of potential speakers to make another choice.  It was decided that Kofi Anan will be invited to speak.

Ms. Flannery and Ms. Axelrod reported that they have received correspondence and calls regarding the 10 Commandments on the walls of the library. Ms. Flannery made note that no complaints have been received from Cambridge residents.  Out of town and out of state complaints are the only ones that have been received.  Ms. Woods read the excerpt from Frederick Rindge’s will concerning the 10 Commandments.  It was unanimously decided by the Board the their response to the public on this issue will be;  “ The Trustees are looking at this issue, particularly in light of the upcoming library renovations.  It is very likely that something will change.”  The board’s intent is to work with the architects to determine how best to both honor the legal requirements of the Rindge will and respect the separation of church and state.

Ms. Woods shared her volunteer experience at the O’Connell Branch Library with the Board members.  She was happy to see the support from both staff and the community for newly appointed Branch Manager Yan Qu.  Susan invited all Trustees to a Neighborhood Potluck dinner in honor of Yan Qu at the O’Connell Branch Library on April 16, 2002.  Ms. Woods will visit the Valente Branch next month.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.  The next meeting of the Board will be on Monday, March 18, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Library.

____________________________

Andre Mayer, Secretary

Action items:

Janet Axelrod                           Speak with Gail Willett to arrange contact with Kofi Anan as potential speaker for Galbraith Lecture Series.