A regular meeting of the Board of Library Trustees was held on Monday, May 5, 1997 at 7:30 in the Administration Office, 449 Broadway, Cambridge.

The following members of the board of Library Trustees were present:

Mrs. Olive Johnson, Chairperson
Mr. John A.P. Good, Treasurer
Mr. James Roosevelt, Jr. Mr. Andre Mayer
also present:
Susan M. Flannery, Director of Libraries
Marian Hampton, Assistant Director
Marilyn Gagalis, Administrative Assistant
Rita Richmond, Friend of the Library.

A motion to accept the minutes, as amended, of the April 1997 meeting was passed unanimously.

Correspondence was acknowledged from the following: Mrs. Melville Chapin, Massachusetts Library Association. Mr. Good suggested that congratulatory letters be sent to all of the children's librarians and to Library Friend Kitty Gormley for their efforts which resulted in second place and first place public relations awards respectively, at the Annual MLA Conference.

Old Business: Library Friend Rita Richmond was in attendance as requested at the last Board meeting. Andre Mayer thanked Ms. Richmond on behalf of the entire Board for the outstanding Book & Author Luncheon she presented as the premier "Friends" event. It was noted that the event was well attended and well received by the public. All Board members voiced their enthusiasm for next year's event. Ms. Richmond announced that the first annual meeting of the "Friends of the Cambridge Public library" would be held on Wednesday, October 22, 1997. This date had previously been approved by Library Director Susan Flannery. Ms. Richmond hopes to have a prominent speaker at this first meeting.

Ms. Richmond also reported to the Board that a few of the "Friends," namely those who organized the Book & Author Luncheon, have compiled a list of possible activities for the upcoming months. A children's book sale is being planned for Saturday, December 6 and possible Sunday, December 7, 1997 and the group is currently working on a used book sale as well. Funds raised from these events would hopefully allow the Friends to purchase museum passes not currently offered by the library. Mrs. Johnson requested that the Friends include passes to local African American museums.

Mr. Good asked if the Friends could have representatives in the lobby of the Main Library on occasion to inform patrons about the activities of the Friends. Ms. Richmond said they were working on this idea.

Board members thanked Rita Richmond for taking the time to meet with them and offered their support in her endeavors. John Good requested that the Trustees send a letter of congratulations to the Friends for their efforts in planning the Book & Author Luncheon.

New Business: Susan Flannery reported to Board Members that building renovations will begin at both the Central Square Branch and the collins Branch in the next fiscal year. Central Square will have to be closed to accomplish the extensive painting and carpeting which will be done in coordination with the Rotary Technology Learning Center. The Collins Branch will also be closed during renovations due to safety concerns. Board members questioned Ms. Flannery about alternative sites and book drops while these locations are closed to the public. Ms. Flannery reported that she is looking into various sites and will report to the board when plans are complete.

Next on the agenda was the Summer Reading Program. Susan Flannery reported that the Library received a donation from the East Cambridge Savings Bank for the fourth consecutive year. This donations greatly enhances the offerings to children of Cambridge during this summer long program. She also announced that local celebrities have gladly agreed to participate in the Summer Reading Program including YoYo Ma. He will join Mayor Sheila Russell, Police Commissioner Ron Watson, and the Branch Gang as suspects in our "Mystery." This year the librarians have chosen the theme of mystery and the events will proceed much like the game of "Clue." These celebrities will become "suspects" in the game.

The next meeting of the Board of Library Trustees will be on Monday, June 2, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. in the Director's Office.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Andre Mayer, Secretary