Library board meeting notes: 24.10.10
A Quincy Votes! member attended the Oct. 10 monthly meeting of the Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library (actually two meetings: one for the budget and the other the monthly Trustees meeting). While care has been taken in their creation, these notes are not official meeting minutes and may contain errors or omissions. Find official meeting minutes here.
Call to Order of Trustees Budget Meeting:
Budget Chair:
Categorized expenses of last fiscal year, 90+% of expenses were for professional development
Proposed budget is $31,150 total (proposed by Director Slymon in April)
Last year: budget was $20,000+, but spent less
Discussion: Mayor wants the Quincy Library to project itself in light of Quincy 400
Vote to approve budget, unanimously approved.
Call to Order of Monthly Trustees meeting:
Approval of May 2024 and September 2024 meeting minutes / approved
Jim Timmins, City Solicitor, attended the meeting and said:
Had requested a hold be put on the bylaws before the board adjourned for the summer
Will catch up with the Director, has been tracing out the history and the properties that were owned by the Library and we can define and narrow what the functions are of the board
Will help the board understand what their budget process is
An Open Meeting Law violation was filed, and he would bring it up under new business & will address it. The board has the ability to designate someone to respond (and Mr. Timmins requests that he be designated as the primary responder). It came into the City Clerk’s office on the 7th, and the timing was such that it could not be added to this month's agenda.
Director’s Report
Embedded social worker (20 hours a week) Sept. 21. Will help with hours other staff members spend on security and other activities
Keep Quincy Warm: asking for donations, bring to any branch
Treasurer’s Report
Expense items for Fiscal Year 2024 and the balances at the Citizen’s account are earning interest.
Friend’s Report
Friends Bookstore is doing well
Crazy donation of cookbooks and selling them online
Have plenty of volunteers
On track for doing $5k more than usual this year (/$25k)
Looking at software to process money and donations
Changing their membership model. Sending out messages: if you give us $50, that will buy crayons for NQ branch for a year (example)
Friends group sends some donated items to archivists. Two recent collections were donated (Crowley on Squantum, and Stamos on political items).
Foundation Report
The transfer of the Foundation documents is taking longer than thought, but should be completed by end of month
Director Slymon said the Foundation usually gives $50,000 a year for physical improvements. Nothing has been given this year, and legally the foundation has to give a certain amount per year to remain a Foundation. Are there plans for that to occur? Director thinks the Foundation is an organ of this board (current bylaws). Understand that more than one person is needed to disburse funds. Director Slymon doesn't have Mr. Cerasola's contact info.
Old Business
Meet & Greet Committee Report: Will have more to report next month
Childrens’ cards policy vote: No questions. Approved.
New Business
Open Meeting Law Violation
Technically, names the director, not the board
Next steps, will provide copies to the board individually
Request not to talk to colleagues about it between this and next meeting, because anytime three or more the trustees get together, it's considered a meeting
Timmins has met with two board members
Ask board to appoint him and he will write report and share with board members individually.
At next meeting will have everything and will be better prepared (Nov. 14th). Put on the agenda.
Motion made and approved. (Unanimous)
