The Annual Meeting of the Metrowest Regional Library System was called to order by President Paula Polk. Paula announced that Tom Viti was being honored for 25 years of service. Paula began the meeting by thanking Paula Dee, of Olin College for hosting the meeting, the Metrowest Staff, Board Members, Personnel and Budget Committee members for their help this past year.
President Paula Polk introduced Rob Maier, Director of the MBLC, Laura Walters, Past President, Leslie Schoenherr, the new President, Tom Viti, Treasurer, Jeanne Smyth, Clerk and Board Members, Kim Charlson, Carol Ewing, Cathy Lee, Tom Jewell, Bobbie Myles, and Paul Kissman from the MBLC. Members in attendance introduced themselves.
Rob Maier distributed handouts and thanked everyone for promoting last year’s Legislative Agenda. Rob added the need to continue to tell the story of how libraries serve patrons. The new Legislative Agenda calls for increases in each of the 6 accounts. The Legislature is looking for a multi-year plan, with 3 years of projections.
Rob Maier discussed the following items:Rob noted that Governor Romney favors this agenda, and will propose House 1 Budget. The Legislature will propose their budget in April and the Senate their budget in May. Then the Conference Committee’s Budget goes to the Governor. Rob urged librarians to attend the MLA Ways and Means Day and to attend the Legislative Breakfasts. Rob added that it is important to speak with legislators about how libraries impact patrons.
The minutes of the November 2004 meeting were approved. (Gray/Dee).
Treasurer Viti presented the Plan of Service, noting that item #7 is the new Strategic Plan. Tom presented the Budget figures for FY 2007. The current balance in the Interest and Stabilization Account is $92,067. There are 2 certificates of deposit that mature on 12/05. The Executive Board can vote these funds to support projects or support operating budget items. This year the Executive Board voted to buy laptops for the staff. There is $62,00 left in the account, and the Board wanted to hold off spending any of that money.
Tom discussed the Regional Delivery Cost. Tom explained that 59 libraries receive delivery, with 2.8 million items delivered in 2005. CD & L was charging $16.76 a stop or $222,854, while the new vendor Eastern Connection is charging $38.05 or $498,324.
Tom added that this year Metrowest received a budget increase. Without this increase Metrowest would have cut services. Tom Viti stated that Paula Polk and Tom Jewell had worked hard on solving delivery issues. Tom explained that the approved budget for FY06 Budget is $1,266,697.00 and with the added state funds totals $1,452.942. Special 9506 funds will be used for databases, noting that databases are paid for in June of FY 06 for the next fiscal year. The current list of databases is: Newsbank, Gale/InfoTrac, World Book, New York Times Historical, First Search, U.S. History, Law & Political Research for a total cost of $260,407. The MBLC pays $71,833 for Gale/InfoTrac. The FY07 Budget total is $1,304,109, with salaries including a maximum 5% for COLA and step increases. Tom said this is the first time in several years that Metrowest has a full staff in place. There is also a 3% increase in contractual services to Newton for Reference and Wellesley for ILL. Tom noted that without added funding there will be no operating funds available for databases. Tom further noted that the NELINET Account has $50,000 on hand, with the annual cost being $17,000. The MassCat Account for FY 07 is $40,000 with $65,000 on hand and an annual cost of $73,000. Memberships fees in MassCat do not pay for the expenses. Tom concluded by thanking members of the Budget Committee, Cathy Lee, Dee Magnoni, Patrick Marshall, Paula Polk, and Joan Stern.
The Plan of Service and Budget for FY2007 was approved. (David Weare/Tom Jewell).
Laura Walters presented the Executive Board Slate, noting that a lay representative was still needed. A motion to approve the Executive Slate was passed. (Talentino/Gray).
Laura encouraged members to serve on the Executive Board.
Paul highlighted the events of 2005 in his report. Paul noted that the MBLC had moved its offices to the North End of Boston. The MBLC was awarded a $204,800 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Libraries Program. The MBLC had conducted 84 workshops with 953 participants as part of a Training Grant. Paul reported that two new commissioners were appointed to the Board of Library Commissioners: Richard Dunbar of West Springfield and Emily Salaun of Needham. Paul reported on the 2005 statewide “Going places @ your Library” Summer Reading Program and the statewide public library advertising program “Start at the library. See where you end up.” Paul reported that 14 applications for Planning and Design grants and 41 applications for library construction were received. The Commissioners have appointed a committee to review the regulations of the Regional Reference Program and should act on the information gathered in December. The MBLC is undergoing the Strategic Planning Process. Paul reported that the database contract will end in FY2007, and the MBLC will be looking at databases for FY2008. Paul concluded by speaking about the MBLC workshops entitled “Economic Value of Today’s Public Library” which were presented to Trustees and Friends.
Paula Polk reported on the ideas that came out of the Brainstorming at last year’s annual meeting. Some of the suggestions were more programs dealing with school and public library cooperation, PDF document delivery, job placement and temporary staff, and training library staff for the 21st century. Paula noted that the two new consultants, Beth Galloway and Rita Gavelis have accomplished some of these suggestions. Rita spoke about expanding the Metrowest website and Beth spoke about virtual training. Paula spoke about the delivery crisis and the formation of the Best Practice Committee to help solve some of the problems with delivery. Paula encouraged members to pressure their legislators to fund delivery. Sunny added that she is joining a newly formed statewide Delivery Committee. Rita and Beth spoke about some of their accomplishments. Beth and Rita are looking to make more training available through the internet. Rita explained that the staff is looking to deliver training at libraries or through DVDs . Before adjourning Sunny Vandermark stated that it was nice to have a full staff this year, and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 5:00 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jeanne Smyth
Clerk