TOWN OF PROVINCETOWN

Public Library

Board of Library Trustees

Minutes of Public Meeting September 12, 2007

Meeting was held at the Provincetown Public Library, 356 Commercial St.

 

Members Present:  Mick Rudd, Chair; Lyn Kratz, Vice Chair; Jim Cole, Secretary; Paul Benatti;

         and Cj Noyes

Others Present:  Debbie DeJonker-Berry, Library Director and 5 neighboring residents of Provincetown

Call to Order:  Mick Rudd called the meeting to order at 7:16pm

 

1.  Public Hearing:  Bell Ringing:  Mick gave a brief history of the library bell and read the proposed bell policy, then opened the meeting to the public.  Public comments were favorable with everyone who spoke agreeing that it was nice to hear the bell ring again.  Comments of concern were as follows:

       a.  There was a concern that the fundraising bell ringing not happen any later than 8pm.

    b.  That the money raised from the fundraising bell ringing go to the library, not the general town

     funds.

       c.  Ringing the bell when the library opens is a great idea, but ringing it also at noon will be

     confusing.

d.  Would it ring at other times besides those stated in the bell policy?

Deb thought perhaps on New Year’s Eve and Mick suggested the 4th of July after the fireworks.  The BOLT and public discussed how many minutes the bell should ring.  Mick suggested accepting the Bell Ringing Policy as is and leaving the duration of the ringing open to experimentation.  Paul felt that the “suggested” donation should be changed to read “minimum” donation and “within two weeks of the event” be added.

 

MOTION:  Jim made a motion to accept the Bell Ringing Policy as amended.  Lyn seconded the motion.  The vote passed 5-0-0.  There was no further discussion.  The policy will read as follows:

 

1835 Holbrook Bell Ringing Policy - The Holbrook bell will be rung on a daily schedule to announce the opening of the Library at 1pm on Sundays, 10am Mondays, Noon Tuesdays, 10am Wednesdays, Noon Thursdays, 10am Fridays, and 10am Saturdays.  Except for extraordinary circumstances, the bell will not be rung after 8pm or before 10am.  In addition, the Holbrook bell will be rung upon the written approval of the Library Trustees or Library Director to commemorate significant Town events and will be used as a fundraising tool.  In the case of fundraising, applicants requesting that the bell be rung for a special personal commemoration (i.e., anniversary, wedding, birthday) must make the request by filling out a written application within 2 weeks of the event.  The minimum donation will be $250.00 for this service for a one-minute period.

 

Regular Meeting of the Library Board of Trustees began at 7:50pm

 

2.  Public Statement:  Maghi Geary presented a wooden sculpture that was donated to the Library Supporters as a fundraising idea by Robert Birbeck of Wells, VT and Provincetown, MA.

 

3.  Agenda:  Minutes will be approved at the end of the meeting.

 

4.  Building Restoration Planning - The Board of Library Trustees has made an appeal to the Province-town Historic Commission to restore the library to its original historic specifications.  Eric Dray joined the meeting as a member of the Historic Commission.  Mick gave an update as to what the library has done so far, i.e. applying to the Secretary of the State Office for $20,000 in emergency funding to stop water infiltration on the front side of the library.  The library has funding to do this project if the grant doesn’t come through.  The library has $25,000 from the Community Preservation Fund for the downstairs development.  Coastal Engineering has been asked to draw up bid document for the façade. 

      Eric stated that the Commission wishes to be a support to the library.  As a member of the UU Meeting House Restoration Committee, Inc., he brought up the restoration of the UU Church as a comparison.  The UUMH separated out what was maintenance of the building vs. restoration.  Eric stated that there needs to be a clear plan about how the money raised will be dedicated, and that the BOLT needs to decide what its role will be in the restoration.

      Paul asked Eric if there might be people associated with the Historic Commission who might be new donors for the library.  Eric said that the library has a strong contingency of support and that proceeding with a restoration in phases will help the public understand where the money is going and help prevent donor fatigue.

      Mick was pleased to not have to pay for a historic engineering firm, and he thanked the Provincetown Historic Commission for being involved.  He wanted to make sure that the Library Mission Statement also states building restoration, and that at a future BOLT meeting the Trustees review the mission statement.

 

5.  Furnace Report – Paul was guardedly optimistic about the progress of the furnace.  He then discussed the progress that has been made.  He discussed in detail the technical problems and the solutions that will be possible by the replacement of certain components of the furnace.

             

6.   Fundraising:  Packard Gallery Recap – Lyn gave an update of the Packard Event and presented an Expense and Receipt Report comparing 2006 and 2007 totals.  Mick suggested expanding the guest list next year.  Paul suggested expanding the fundraising to include the other arts.  Deb suggested holding an event in the west end of town.  Mick stated that the BOLT need to incorporate the Supporters in a fund-raising event.

 

MOTION:  Lyn moved that the Board request the Art Commission to accept, into their collection, Anne Packard’s painting “Sailing” which was won in the Silent Auction at the Packard Gallery by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, and to permit the painting to be hung in the library in accordance to their wishes.  Paul seconded the motion.  There was no further discussion.  The vote passed 5-0-0.

 

7.   Minutes – Paul made a motion to accept the minutes of August 13, 2007 as amended.  Jim seconded the motion.  There was no discussion.  The vote passed 5-0-0.

 

8.   New Business –

a.    The Town of Provincetown is declaring October 11, 2007 to be Mary Heaton Vorse Day.  The library will be reading “Time in the Town” out loud in its entirety.  

b.    The Board of Helping Our Women asked if the Library would consider displaying the art for their auction in the Library.  The BOLT discussed location of the art and security issues.

c.     Mick had a meeting with Don Murphy about the Schooner Committee meeting in the library. 

 

Next Meeting:  The next meeting of the BOLT will take place Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 7:15pm at the library.

Adjournment:  Jim moved and Cj seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:45pm.  The vote passed 5-0-0.

 

These minutes were approved by a vote of the Provincetown Library Board of Trustees present at their

meeting on ___________________________________.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:______________________________                        _________________________

Library Board of Trustees signature                                                          Title

 

 

 

(Minutes prepared by Jean Jarrett)