Cambridge Public Library

Board of Library Trustees Minutes

A regular meeting of the Board of Library Trustees was held on Monday, March 18, 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 February meeting were approved.

 

Correspondence from Alan Cote, Leslie Zales and Sandra Albano was acknowledged.

 

Ms. Flannery presented the board with copies of the FY03 budget narrative, supplemental budget requests and capital requests.  She then explained the need for the supplemental and capital requests and reported that the library had its budget hearing with the City Manager on March 4th.

 

Mr. Roosevelt reported that he had spoken with Hillary Clinton and that she seemed most interested in speaking for the Galbraith Lecture Series. Ms. Axelrod had been notified of this development and will follow up with Mrs. Clinton.

 

Ms. Flannery informed the board that she had been in contact with a serious donor and would be meeting with her this week along with City attorneys to determine the disposition of her donation and her ideas for this gift.

 

Ms. Flannery also reported that she had been in contact with the City Manager in regards to the architects’ contract for the library’s expansion project. He was unsure of the final date for the signing of the contract.

 

Ms. Flannery introduced Yan Qu, the new Branch Head of the O’Connell Branch Library.  Yan has been with the library for six years as a children’s librarian at this branch and is now replacing Judy Swarden. Yan briefed the Board on her background and her aspirations for the O’Connell Branch. The neighborhood is hosting a potluck dinner in Yan’s honor on April 16th. All board members were invited to attend.

 

MLA Legislative day is scheduled for April 10, 2002 and all board members were urged to attend by Ms. Flannery.  The library will provide transportation if necessary. Ms. Gagalis will contact all legislators and urge them to attend.

 

Ms. Woods asked about the status of the Friends’ Garden Tour. Ms. Flannery reported that it is running very smoothly thanks to the hard efforts of the Friends Board members. Also, the Friends have arranged for many local realtors to sell tickets to this event in addition to selling tickets at all libraries.

 

Ms. Flannery suggested to board Members that we minimize the flyers and printing given to the Trustees every month, especially since all events are listed in the monthly newsletter. It was agreed upon that one copy of all flyers would be available for perusal by Board members at each meeting. Mr. Roosevelt and Ms. Woods asked for author series fliers.

 

Ms. Woods reported that she volunteered in the Valente Branch as part of her effort to get to know the branch libraries and the staff. Her goal is to volunteer one afternoon and evening – one branch a month. She was at the O’Connell branch in February and will be at the Central Square Branch in April.

 

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, April 22, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Library. This meeting will be a quarterly planning meeting with Steve Miller.

____________________________

Andre Mayer, Secretary

 

Action items:

Janet Axelrod - Follow up with Hillary Clinton concerning the Galbraith Lecture

Susan Flannery - Meet with donor to determine use of funds.

Marilyn Gagalis - Call all legislators to invite them to MLA Legislative Day.