Saugus Public Library
Board of Trustees
Minutes
June 4, 2015
Saugus Public Library – Community Room
Persons Present:
Matthew Canterbury, Chair
Debra Dion Faust, Trustee
Cynthia Fordham, Trustee
Kimberly Lovett, Secretary
Absent:
Michael Coller, Trustee
Gail Murray, Trustee
Quorum:
Yes
Personnel Present:
Mary O’Connell, Interim Library Director
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Matthew Canterbury at 6:32 p.m.
Approval of Minutes: Debra Dion Faust made a motion to accept the minutes from the May 7,
2015 seconded by the Chair.
Approved 4-0
Public Comments:
Pam Gill was present from the New Friends of the Saugus Public Library. She
told the Board about the clutter control program that had over 40 people in
attendance. It was so well received that they are inviting him back for part 2.
The New Friends renewed the Zoo New England passes. Some upcoming
programs include cooking with chocolate in the fall and flowers and cooking
in the spring.
The New Friends board is staying on for another year. The Secretary position
is still open.
They purchased furniture for the young adult room which has been
delivered. The computer software upgrade is in full swing. They donated
$200 for a variety of magazines for the Library, such as ESPN, Rolling Stone,
etc. They voted to sponsor the Heffer Project, which is a children’s program.
They are working on the Founder’s Day annual book sale and will have crafts
to sell. They sponsor tickets for the Peabody Essex Museum, so admission
would be only $5.
The New Friends received a $5000 donation with GE Matching funds.
Matthew Canterbury expressed the Board’s appreciation for all of their hard
work. He thanked the New Friends for all they have done.
Monthly Financial
Statement:
Communications &
Correspondences:
Mary O’Connell reported that the Library is on track to spend what they
have. The will be close to 100% of expenditures. She provided a summary
report to the Board and had a full report for Gail Murray as she had
requested it. Mary offered the entire report to everyone as well.
Matthew Canterbury received a call stating that SCTV is short-staffed and
would not be able to videotape the meeting. He was pleasantly surprised
that a volunteer offered to do it. He expressed his thanks.
Matthew Canterbury also had a resident call with budget questions. A salary
line item appeared to be incorrect, but the bottom line seemed to be correct.
It would need to be reviewed further.
Matthew Canterbury asked about the Saturday of Memorial Day. In the past,
the Library has been closed on the day of the parade. No negative issues
arose from being open.
Library Director
Report:
Mary O’Connell informed the Board that the buffalo server was returned to
the Library. She also arranged with NOBLE tech support to install it and
provide ongoing support. The server will be added to the contract as a
supported device for $220 per year.
Mary advertised and filled the vacant 24 hour position with an internal
candidate. Now, she is advertising for that open 18 hour position and will
begin interviewing this week.
In light of the recent problems at the Boston Public Library, Mary asked one
of the volunteers to review the inventory of pictures, donations and other
items. All were accounted for.
She discussed the Library programs that were held, which included
 SAVE presented the film Vanishing of the Bees
 Jim the Storyteller
 Clutter Control
Mary attended the NOBLE annual director’s meeting at Salem State
University, where they discussed the possibility of implementing a state-wide
library card, the “Commonwealth card.” She also attended the Library
Foundation meeting on June 3rd. They voted to sponsor an annual series of
children’s author book talks, as well as purchase software which allows
patrons to print from their cell phones to the Library printer. She attended
the New Friends meeting as well.
On June 4th, she met with a group from O’Neil and Associates, a public affairs
firm. Their purpose is to identify sources of grant money. They will be
following up with her about examples of previous funding.
Martha, the Children’s Librarian, participated in the “Ready, Set, Go”
program for kindergarten age children at the Town Hall. She spoke about
summer reading.
The FY2015 Circulation report was provided. Circulation was down 11%
during the month on May.
Mary asked for clarification about the Meeting Room Use Policy. This will be
an agenda item at the next meeting. She also asked if the Library would be
closed on Founder’s Day. It will be closed.
Finally, the summer jobs closing date is either June 6 or June 8. Interviewing
will begin for those positions.
New Friends of
Saugus Public Library: None
Chair Report:
Matthew Canterbury spoke about the Mass Board of Library Commissioners
Trustee Orientation meeting that both Cynthia Fordham and Debra Dion
Faust attended. Cynthia provided materials for the Board and discussed the
meeting, which they both thought was excellent and very well done.
Matthew Canterbury brought up the Executive session from the last meeting.
It was a discussion of the Interim Library Director’s salary stipend, which was
approved by the Board and the Town. It was not a disciplinary discussion, but
rather involved salary and benefits.
Old Business:
The news on the buffalo server was already covered.
New Business:
Elections:
There were two excused absences for tonight’s meeting. There was
discussion to proceed or not to proceed with elections due to that fact. It
was decided to move ahead with elections.
There are three positions, Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary.
Cynthia Fordham made a motion for Matthew Canterbury to continue as
Chair, second by Debra Dion Faust.
Approved 4-0
Cynthia Fordham nominated Debra Dion Faust as Vice Chair, second by
Matthew Canterbury.
Approved 4-0
Debra Dion Faust nominated Kimberly Lovett as Secretary, seconded by
Matthew Canterbury.
Approved 4-0
Committees:
There was a discussion about the Library Director Search Committee. The
first would be a vetting committee made up of a Library staff member, the
Interim Library Director, two trustees, and a member of the community.
The second group for interviewing would also include a member of the New
Friends and a member of the Foundation.
Cynthia Fordham nominated Debra Dion Faust to be on the Library Director
Search Committee, seconded by the Chair.
Approved 4-0
Debra Dion Faust nominated Cynthia Fordham to be on the Library Director
Search Committee, seconded by the Chair.
Approved 4-0
There are only two applications for the position so far.
Public Comments:
A resident expressed that the Library figures for May were not
representative of how busy the Library truly is day to day.
Debra Dion Faust discussed the meeting schedule which is typically the 1st
Thursday of the month. She also spoke about the bench outside causing
some issues with noise and items (such as coke) being poured into the book
drop on occasion.
Adjournment:
Kimberly Lovett moved to adjourn, seconded by Debra Dion Faust.
Approved 4-0
The meeting ended at 7:58 p.m.
Next Meeting:
The next regular meeting is to be held on September 3, 2015, at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kimberly Lovett
Secretary