TOWN
OF PROVINCETOWN
Public Library
Board of Library Trustees
Minutes of Meeting April 18, 2006
Meeting held at Provincetown Public Library, 356 Commercial St.
Members Present: Marcia Fair, Chair; Mick Rudd, Vice Chair; Paul Benatti, Cathy Metzger; C.J. Noyes, Secretary was absent
Others Present: Library
Director Debra DeJonker-Berry
Members of the Public: James Cole
Call to Order: Marcia Fair called the meeting to order at 7:17pm
Public Statements:
Jim Cole commented about what a delightful evening it was at the Library
on April 17th. Approximately
25-30 people attended Karen Krahulilk’s reading of her book “Provincetown: From Pilgrim Landing to Gay Resort.”
2.
Minutes: Cathy moved and Mick seconded the motion to
accept the minutes of March 28, 2006.
The vote was 4-0 in favor with 1 absent.
Agenda:
Paul moved and Cathy seconded the motion to accept the Agenda as
presented by Marcia Fair. The vote was
4-0 in favor with 1 absent.
Chair’s
Report
Belfry Update: Marcia
shared an email response from Tom Payne of Payne/Bouchier, a reconstruction
firm located in Boston. Tom’s firm is
still interested in contributing their services pro-bono to reconstruct the
Belfry. Tom’s email included an
estimate for materials and addressed some of the key points (outlined in Deb’s
previous email to Tom) that would have to be met in order for the Town Manager
and Board of Selectman to allow them to proceed. John Bologna from Coastal Engineering and David Guertin of the
Ptown DPW will develop the bid specifications.
Deb will call Tom Payne. Coastal
my provide supervision for the overall reconstruction project.
Freeman Street
Building: Marcia announced that the Town Special
Article #28 passed and now the Freeman Street Building belongs to the Town.
Building Fund:
Marcia directed the Trustees’ attention to the Gift Report and Cash
Report for April located in their information packets. Marcia said that things were looking fairly
good. Marcia mentioned that the Library was invited to apply for a grant
sponsored by a local private foundation.
If awarded, the grant would fund a $100K match for the Belfry
exterior. Marcia anticipated finding
out whether or not the Library will be awarded the grant by the end of May.
Future Search Conference: Marcia
explained that the Library has been invited by the Provincetown School
Committee to attend a two day conference about the future of the Provincetown
Schools. The Trustees discussed the
invitation and agreed that while they support the future of the Provincetown
school children, that it would not be appropriate to attend this
conference. The Trustees felt it
important to stay neutral with respect to the conference, as it is the
Library’s mission to provide services to people of all ages, including school aged
children. The Trustees decided that
Marcia would write a letter of response that declined the invitation but that
expressed the Trustees support.
Director’s
Report
FY07 Budget/ Town Meeting
Update—Potential Service Reductions: Deb said that if the $350,000 Override does
not pass the upcoming Town vote, that she anticipates that the Town Manager
will ask all the Department Heads to cut their budgets. Deb and the Trustees discussed some possible
budget cut scenarios. Should the Library be asked to cut their budget, it
appears likely that services (hours of operation) would have to be
reduced. This is because the Library
runs so fiscally responsibly right now, with no excess, that there is nothing
but services left to cut. The Trustees
hope that they will not be put into position to have to consider cutting
services, as they feel it would be a disservice to the community.
Building Report:
Deb said that she will need to attend the next meeting of the Historic
Commission regarding the temporary walkway proposed for the front of the
Library building. She anticipates that
the Historic Commission will approve the walkway. On May 22nd, workers are scheduled to seal/paint the
N/E portion of the building and to build the front walkway.
Art Commission: Deb said
a painting by Pauline Palmer was recently hung in the Reading Room. A postcard of the Library is being produced
for the Library to sell and split the proceeds with the Art Commission.
Rose Dorothea:
Grassy Santos recently inspected the rigging in preparation for mounting
the sails. The Friends want to donate
$500 toward the cost.
Tours/Events:
Deb and Mick will meet with Bill Schneider,
Tourism Director to plan the Lipton Cup celebration for June. Deb thanked the Center for Coastal Studies
for the successful Marine Lecture Series they sponsored at the Library. Deb said she needs volunteers on May 10th
to help set up The Out at the Library Exhibit from the San Francisco
Library.
New
Business: Marcia reminded the group that Candidates
Night is tomorrow night at the Provincetown Theatre. Deb announced that a Tea honoring former Librarian Alice Joseph
will take place in the Children’s Library on Monday, April 24, 2 to 4 pm. The occasion will dedicate the “Alice Joseph
Memorial Reading Corner”. The Tea is
being given by both Alice’s family and friends, and the Library, to recognize
her contributions to the Library and to mark her birthday. Alice served as Librarian from
1965—1982. A display ad inviting the
public will be published in the Banner.
Other Business and Correspondence:
There was none.
Next Meeting:
The next meeting is 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 8:42 p.m. The vote was 4-0 in favor with 1
absent.
These
minutes were approved by a vote of the Provincetown Library Board of Library
Trustees members present at their meeting on _______May 8,
2006_________________________.
Respectfully
submitted:
________Carol
J. Noyes______________
____Secretary________
Library
Board of Library Trustees signature Title
Minutes
prepared by Liz Angelino