TOWN OF PROVINCETOWN

Public Library

Board of Library Trustees

Minutes of Meeting March 28, 2006

Meeting held at Provincetown Public Library, 356 Commercial St.

 

 

Members Present:             Marcia Fair, Chair; Mick Rudd, Vice Chair; C.J. Noyes, Secretary; Paul Benatti, Cathy Metzger

Others Present:             Library Director Debra DeJonker-Berry

Members of the Public:  James Cole

Call to Order:            Marcia Fair called the meeting to order at 7:11pm

 

Public Statements:  Jim Cole commented about how nice it was to see the Library being used.  He was referring to the large audience that attended the readings on March 20th by Mary Oliver as part of the Library’s Author Series. He also pointed out that the Library Supporters raised $140 as a result of this event. 

2.   Minutes:   Paul moved and CJ seconded the motion to accept the minutes of February 6, 2006 as amended.  The vote was 5-0 in favor.

                       

Agenda:  CJ moved and Paul seconded the motion to accept the Agenda as presented by Marcia Fair.  The vote was 5-0 in favor.

 

Chair’s Report

Lipton Cup:  The Lipton Cup arrived back in Town on February 24th, thanks to the efforts of Mick Rudd and Bill Schneider, Tourism Director. Marcia distributed copies of an article about the winning of the Lipton Cup by the crew of the Rose Dorothea.  This article appeared in the Cape Cod Times and was written by Jeannette Cezanne.  Marcia announced that there will be an official recognition ceremony for the Cup at 11:30 A.M. on June 14th during a celebration marking the date of the Town’s incorporation.   Marcia distributed a memo to the Trustees that describes an appraisal of the Lipton Cup performed by a Boston jewelry firm called Firestone and Parson.

 

Belfry Update:  Marcia shared an email written by Deb to Tom Payne of Payne/Bouchier, a reconstruction firm located in Boston.  Last month Tom said that he and his firm would like to consider contributing their services pro-bono to reconstruct the Belfry.  Deb’s email to Tom outlined key points that would have to be met in order for the Town Manager and Board of Selectman to allow them to proceed.  So far Tom has not replied to Deb’s email.  Although the Trustees still hope that Tom will be back in touch shortly, they decided to move forward with putting together a formal bid.  John Bologna from Coastal Engineering and David Guertin of the Ptown DPW will develop the bid specifications.

MOTION:  Mick moved and CJ seconded the motion to have the Library Director make a request to the DPW to develop a bid specification for the restoration and reconstruction of the Library building’s belfry in preparation for going out to public bid.  The vote was 5-0 in favor. 

Building Fund:  Marcia directed the Trustees’ attention to the Gift Report and Cash Report for March located in their information packets.  Marcia said that things were coming along and that they were still getting some donations from the last mailing.  Marcia also mentioned that the Town Treasurer, John Fitzgerald, said that the Library has approximately $177K in its building fund, not including any restricted funds. Marcia pointed out that this is a good cushion but that we would still have to continue raising funds. 

Director’s Report

 

FY07 Budget:  Deb said that the Board of Selectman endorsed the use of the $5000 given to the Library by the VSB for the cleaning of the bathrooms. 

Building Report:  Deb developed a two page punch list documenting all the items that need to be fixed.  Scanlan is being very responsive and everything has a plan to be addressed.

Rose Dorothea:  The Trustees continue to do research on how to get more authentic looking spars and display rigging.  Deb cautioned that they shouldn’t delay too long in putting the sails up on the Rose Dorothea since the sails shouldn’t stay folded up due to their recent fire-proofing treatment.

MOTION:  Mick moved and Cathy seconded the motion to have the Library Director submit a procurement form to the Town Manager to have John Francis Flyer install the sails on the Rose Dorothea at a price not to exceed $2,500.  The vote was 5-0 in favor.

 Art Commission:   Deb said paintings by Chaffee and Webster, a portrait of Margaret Mayo and a painting of the Library by Elisabeth Pearl were recently hung in the Library.  Deb also mentioned that the Art Commission would like the Library to do a program/reception in July to honor them.

Tours/Events:  Events such as the “Genius Loci” Author Series and the Marine Lecture Series sponsored by the Center for Coastal Studies continue to be successful and have been drawing sizeable audiences to the Library.  The Out at the Library Exhibit from the San Francisco Library is scheduled to appear at the Provincetown Library from the end of May through the middle of June.

 

PLA Conference Report:  Deb reported that she recently attended the PLA Conference in Boston, MA.  Deb said it was very worthwhile and was very appreciative that she and Karen MacDonald were afforded the opportunity to attend.  Deb shared her notes with the Trustees relative to the two day Pre-Conference. The focus was on moving libraries forward as community links.  Deb was very enthusiastic about the community-building techniques and many ideas she garnered.

New Business:  Marcia informed the group that the Town Manager wants the Trustees to formerly announce their position regarding Special Article #28.  To that end, the following motion was made:

 

MOTION:  Mick moved and CJ seconded the motion to support Special Article #28 and formerly declare the Nathan Freeman Building as surplus to the Libraries needs.  The vote was 5-0 in favor.

Other Business and Correspondence:  Marcia announced that the new Library Update will be ready to be mailed and passed out at the end of April.  She acknowledged both Sally Brophy for the fabulous job she did laying out the Library Update and Doug Johnstone and Vincent Guadazno for taking the pictures that were used. 

Next Meeting:  The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at 7:15 p.m. in the Library.  After this meeting, another meeting has been scheduled for Monday, May 8, 2006 at 7:15 p.m. in the Library.

Adjournment:  Cathy moved and Paul seconded the motion to close the meeting at 8:30 p.m.  The vote was 5-0 in favor. 

These minutes were approved by a vote of the Provincetown Library Board of Library Trustees members present at their meeting on _____April 18, 2006___________.

Respectfully submitted:

_____Carol J Noyes________________                  _______Secretary________

Library Board of Library Trustees signature                           Title

Minutes prepared by Liz Angelino