Council of Members
– Annual Meeting Minutes
Metrowest Regional
Library System
Morse Institute Library
November 14, 2007
3:30 pm
Paula Polk, Director of
the Morse Institute Library welcomed the meeting attendees to her library.
The Annual Meeting of the
Metrowest Regional Library System was called to order at 3:55 by President Dee
Magnoni.
Introductions
President Dee Magnoni
asked attendees to introduce themselves.
Each person identified themselves and where they worked.
Rob Maier –
Director, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
Rob Maier told us that
there is, Òa new wind in state government,Ó that is more positive toward the
MBLC. For example, the MBLC
successfully participated in the stateÕs capital planning process with $100
million budgeted for public library construction in the governorÕs five-year
plan. A 1.5% cap was placed on
operating budgets, which is a $500,000 increase for the MBLC. Rob explained that you do not get to
ask for additional funds above the cap.
However, 100 people attended the MBLCÕs public hearing about its budget.
Others sent email. Altogether, 183
comments were received (1/2 from patrons). The comments stated that 1.5% is not
enough for public libraries. These comments were bound and given to Governor
Patrick, Lt. Governor Murray and the Secretary of Finance. At a meeting with Lt. Governor Murray,
he agreed that the MBLC is under funded.
He asked the Secretary of Finance to look into this situation. MBLC staff has provided additional
information to the Secretary of Finance.
Rob told us that communication with the new administration is good and
the MBLC should get relief from the 1.5% cap. The MBLCÕs legislative agenda will be voted at the next MBLC
Board meeting. This year MBLC will
ask for full funding of the state statute. To gain support for this, Rob asked us to ask our academic
deans, presidents or Town Administrator/Mayor to speak on behalf of libraries.
The Public Relations
Committee will launch a new advertising campaign in January. The focus is on parents and care givers
of children up to age 12. However,
anyone can appreciate the campaign.
There will be TV commercials and radio spots. There will be another round of Gates Foundation grants in
FY09. This time 250 locations
(main and branch) libraries will be eligible to submit applications. Grants will be awarded based on the
city or townÕs poverty level and the age of the libraryÕs computers.
Approval of 2006
Minutes – Bobbie Myles
The minutes of the
November 2006 meeting were approved. (Linda Stetson/Hope Tillman)
Plan of Service –
Dee Magnoni, President / President Elect
Dee presented the FY2009
Plan of Service. She explained
that there are seven service goals: delivery services, supplemental reference
services, interlibrary loan services, continuing education and training,
advisory and technical assistance, other supplemental services based on
expressed needs within the region, and regional coordination and
administration. The FY2009 Plan of Service was approved (Leslie
Schoenherr/Paula Polk).
Budget FY2009 –
Cathy Lee, Treasurer
Cathy gave a Power Point
presentation explaining that 42% of the FY09 budget is for delivery. There is a $10,694 gap between the
level service budget and budget funding. In other words, there is a
deficit. Rob Maier told us that
the new deficiency budget will continue into FY09. This fiscal year, MMRLS received $57,722 as its share of the
deficiency budget. With the news
that the funding continues into FY09, MMRLS will have a budget surplus. The FY09 budget was approved (Hope
Tillman/Leslie Schoenherr).
Nominating Committee
Report – Leslie Schoenherr, Chair
Leslie Schoenherr
presented the Executive Board Slate.
The slate was approved (Tom /Hope Tillman).
MBLC 2007Annual
Regional Liaison Report – Paul Kissman, Liaison, MBLC
Paul Kissman, MBLCÕs
liaison to Metrowest, reported on several highlights from the 2007 Annual
Regional Liaison Report. He told
us about changes to the Board.
Vicki L. Kaufman replaced Elia Marnik and Commissioner Joseph Hopkins
died in June. There have also been
staff changes at MBLC. Nancy Rae
is the new assistant director; Yiluo Song is the new web master; David Gray
(Public Relations) left the MBLC and was replaced by Celeste Bruno. The new LSTA plan for 2008-2012 and
policies and procedures for applying for grants are on the MBLCÕs web
site. Four task forces came out of
the strategic planning process.
The Authentication Task Force is researching ways to make it easier for
patrons to log on to statewide, regional, network, and library database
products. The Web Portal Task
Force is working with Buyer Advertising on a project to launch and host a
separate website portal for use by the general public for online access to
library content and access to local libraries. A major Database procurement process occurred in FY07. The contracts began on July 1, 2007,
are for a period of up to three years, and were awarded to Thomson Gale,
ProQuest CSA and EBSCO Industries.
Report from the President
– Dee Magnoni
Dee explained how she
joined the MMRLS Executive Board.
She talked about the MMRLS staff and what they do. She also talked about this yearÕs staff
change at MMRLS with Beth Gallaway leaving and Sara Sogigian joining the
staff. Dee explained that delivery
dominates discussions at MMRLS meetings and the six regions were co-sponsors of
a grant to study delivery routes.
The regions are working on a statewide delivery business plan. Dee reminded us of the importance of
the FY09 legislative agenda and communicating with legislators. The MMRLSÕ Public Relations/Marketing
Plan Task Force begins work at the end of the calendar year.
Brainstorming Session
Several ideas were put
forth during the brainstorming session.
Here are some examples. Buy
more databases. Gas prices are
increasing, which will increase the cost of delivery. Bring trainers in from out of state. Compare MMRLSÕ services to services
given at the other regions. Add
delivery to MassCat libraries.
Have more Òclasses to goÓ at locations other than MMRLS. Sunny told us that the $75,000 LSTA
grant is for developing a business plan to cover the entire state for
delivery. The business plan would
be finished by September 30, 2008.
The end result will be a recommendation for an automated sorting process
and a request for another grant.
The estimated cost of an automated sorting system is approximately $2.5
million.
Meeting adjourned at
5:15 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bobbie Myles
Clerk