Cambridge Public Library

Board of Library Trustees Minutes

A regular meeting of the Board of Library Trustees was held on Monday, November 19, 2001 in the Director’s Office of the Main Library. The following members of the Board of Library Trustees were present:

• Janet Axelrod
• William Barry
• Mr. Andre Mayer
• James Roosevelt
• Nancy Woods

also present:

• Susan Flannery, Director of Libraries
•  Philecia Harris, Assistant Director
•  Marilyn Gagalis, Administrative Assistant

Minutes of the October Quarterly Planning Meeting with Steve Miller were approved.

Correspondence from Josina Rodrigues, Vice Consul of Brazil and Victoria Goodhard was acknowledged. In addition, a letter to the Editor of the Cambridge Chronicle by John Hildebidle was acknowledged. The Board decided that Ms. Axelrod should send a note of thanks to Mr. Hildebidle for his support of the library.

Board members continued discussion about the Galbraith Lecture Series. Janet Axelrod and Jim Roosevelt discussed their meeting with Professor Galbraith and his preferences for the first lecture.  His first preference was Hillary Clinton. Janet Axelrod has mailed this invitation and is waiting for a response. Nancy Woods requested that Susan Flannery prepare PR packets that can be provided to potential lecturers.

Susan Flannery reported on the status of the applications for the vacant trustee position. She is waiting for a response from the City Manager. It is her understanding that he has interviewed candidates and will make a final decision shortly. She will keep the Board updated.

Nancy Woods reported on the Mid Cambridge Candidates Night as it pertained to the library building project. She listed the concerns of the neighborhood as public transportation, accessibility during construction, and construction mitigation.

Susan Flannery reported on the building project by informing the Board that the architects' contract was almost complete and they were poised to begin. Susan and Philecia are continuing their tours of libraries in the area that have been renovated or replaced. They reported on the libraries in West Roxbury, Hyde Park and Quincy.

All board members wished Philecia Harris well as she begins an 8 month leaveof absence.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. The next meeting of the Board will be on Monday December 17, 2001 at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Library.

___________________________Andre Mayer, Secretary

ACTION ITEMS:

Janet Axelrod: Send letter of thanks to John Hildebidle. Contact H. Clinton’s scheduler to confirm receipt of letter and/or reply. Make a list of potential speakers for Galbraith Lectures.

Susan Flannery: Ask City Manager for a final decision on new trustee. Prepare PR packets for the Galbraith Lecture series potential speakers.