Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text

July 15 2019

Library · Source meeting date: 2019-07-15 · Record 65108

Saved text from 3 of 4 source pages. Transcription and OCR may contain errors; verify figures and wording against the original.

Canton Public Library Board of Trustees 
July 15, 2019 Minutes 
Attendees: Susan Cogliano, Chris Untersee, Emily Prigot, George Comeau, Bernie 
Mendillo,Dorothy Shea, Nancy Connery, Joan Schottenfeld 
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm 
Library tour and continued discussion of MBLC Design Specialists recommendations- walk 
though of Junior Area ,Children's area, Art and Activity Room and Cafe Space. The 
recommendation highlights were around switching some of these spaces to create a better free 
play/sensory area, expanding story time space and doing some noise reduction strategies near 
existing cafe area as the noise travels to level above. 
Director's Report 
 Summer Reading is in full swing with our youth participating in the “Universe of Stories” space 
theme. Patrons and staff all love this out of this world theme, and we have had a great response 
so far. Teens are notoriously difficult to engage and our wonderful Young Adult Librarian Rosie 
has put on some great programs to help get them excited. To date we have hosted 8 teen 
programs with 80 in attendance compared with last year at this time when we had 64 teens visit 
with us for our first 8 programs. Things are also going exceedingly well in the Jr. Room! Thanks to 
the hard work of our dedicated staff we have already far exceeded last year’s participation, 230, 
in our program with 255 children signed up already and more coming each day! We've had 15 
programs attended by 463 patrons and Rhonda the Robot is a smashing success. 
 Ryan Taylor has been working since the end of June and we are so pleased with his wonderful 
work on the library landscaping. Fresh mulch is being installed this week. 
 Our HVAC system continues to clunk along and while we have had some areas of the library with 
minimal air conditioning the temperatures in the building have been tolerable for patrons and 
staff. We will continue to work with Commercial Boiler to find out the source of the Glycol leak 
and to replace valves that are worn out throughout the system. 
 Work is underway on the financial paperwork for the MBLC. This ARIS report will need to be 
th 
signed by the chair and submitted to the state by August 16. 
 Our Saturday Summer hours are exceedingly popular with the public. Statistics for the four hours 
we were open on Saturday show that we had more transactions each hour than almost any 
other day last week. Patrons I spoke to were very happy to be at the library on Saturday as many

of them said this was the only day they could make it in with their children. A survey will be 
issued in late August to collect feedback on our hours. Statistics attached for your review. 
 At the meeting Andrea shared with us that there are plans underway to return to opening full 
days in September in the Children's area. This will be accomplished through some creative 
staffing schedules which should not necessitate additional funding. 
 
Friends Report: 
 The Friends met on 7/8/19 in the Bolster Local History Room. The meeting was well attended 
and productive. Emily reported that there was discussion around the upcoming Fall Gala which 
we are all welcome to help with. The Friends would like us to help with selling/advertising 
Friends Memberships which was met by unanimous board support. The suggestion was made 
that a placard be displayed at Friends sponsored events along with membership information. 
 
Sub Committee Reports: 
 The Behavior and Conduct subcommittee has had six meetings to review our policies and is 
continuing to look at the issue. The latest policy was written in 2010 and needs to be updated to 
reflect what actual processes we are following. 
Director Capone advised that this would be a lengthy and cultural conversation and re quested 
th 
that we table it until the August 19 meeting . 
Operating Budget: 
 Attached for your review. We anticipate growth in E-Book spending this year as well as an 
increase in spending on programming. 
Review of budget showed we are on target in many areas. Of note was financial benefit of the 
Passport Program. George requested, and there was agreement it would be helpful for the 
board to have an explanation of our discretionary trust funds at one of our meetings. 
Other Updates 
 Director Capone met with the Director of the Council on Aging on a plan to have us “piggy back” 
 on their Friendly Visitor Program which would provide us with a waiver under a master 
 insurance umbrella plan making it easier for us to implement our proposed Home bound Book 
 Delivery initiative. Pilot details will be forthcoming. 
 Library Staff Safety Training continues to be scheduled with the first one occurring on 
th 
 September 16 when the library will be closed to accommodate staff attending.

Meeting Room Applications: 
 Nothing unusual to report at this time. Saturday hours over the summer have allowed us to book 
our spaces to the community. 
 
Upcoming Programs and Events: 
 
 The Creative Feast’s Liz Barbour will be returning to the library on Tuesday, July 16th for a 
delicious exploration of her favorite summer recipes discovered hidden in novels she has read. 
People will enjoy a cooking demonstration of two recipes and samples for all to taste. Add in 
Liz's easy cooking technique tips and our patrons will be on your way to creating great 
meals! Space is limited to 30. Register online via Event keeper. 
 
 This fall the Library will host a four part series on American art presented by Jane Blair, art 
educator. Art Matters strives to engage people with the importance of looking and connecting 
with visual images. Jane Blair will begin the series with a discussion of the use of illusion in 
famous art; will focus particularly on the work of Escher, a 20th century Dutch artist who was a 
master and innovator of illusion. The series will continue with a focus on American art. This 
series will be funded by a donation from a generous library patron. I will start to make 
arrangements and schedule programs per availability of the speaker and our community room. 
 
American Art Part I 1776-1900 Date: 10/16/19 
American Art Part II 1900-1950 Tentative date 11/6/19 
American Art Part III 1950-1990 Date: 12/3/19 
 
 
th 
 On August 24 we will host the Toe Jam Puppet Band. Thanks to the Friends for this wonderful 
event! 
 
Chairperson Susan Cogliano thanked the board for their input into the Director Evaluation which she 
will have ready for the August meeting. 
 
 Before the meeting adjourned Susan gave an update on a recent incident that had necessitated 
 issuance of a “no trespass”. There was discussion and unanimous agreement by the board of 
 the length of time the “no trespass” . 
 
The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 pm