1/12/2016 BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES Minutes

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Library Budget Carlo D'Este reported that he,Mark Wright and Kathy Mahoney met with Town Manager to discuss the Library budget submitted that included the full-time librarian position. Carlo said basically we were told to go back to the drawing board. Carlo said the Trustees Personnel Subcommittee then met last Tuesday to try to figure out how to move forward. Carlo said Kathy has drafted several budget options for the Trustees to review. Kathy provided 4 options that would reduce budget figures to 13.42%; 11.2%; 5.8%; or 2.95%over this year's budget. The original proposed budget submitted to the Town Manager was for$646,000,which was a 16% increase over this year's budget of$566,000 due in large part to plan for hiring a full-time librarian. The Trustees were extremely frustrated and pointed out that the budget dollar amounts are low and therefore the approach should be to look at dollars,not percentages. Furthermore,the Trustees strongly felt it should be explained that while the library for over 5 years has struggled by hiring part-timers this is not workable in this situation since you cannot get librarians to work part- time. Mashpee Library is in dire need of a full-time,specially trained employee who is reliable to handle and control any and all types of crises situations that arise in serving the public domain. Other points Trustees felt should be highlighted included the following: • Under State restrictions,a percentage of Library budget must be spent on books and there are other requirements to be met to stay certified and be eligible for State funding. • Many Library budgeted items are funded through State aid; grants; and Friends of the Library. This should be taken into account since all monies not being provided by Town. • Library needs a"substitute staff pool" in place. • Original proposed Library budget of$646,000 is a bare bones budget. Look at dollars and what is the actual cost to Town(that is,monies that come from other funding sources). Look at dollars,not percentages. • Time invested to train pant-timers, and then they leave. • Management Study done clearly shows Library understaffed. After reviewing and discussing the budget situation,the Trustees very reluctantly said to submit the $630,800 option,which would be 13.42%increase over last budget to Town Manager along with a narrative from the Trustees. Carlo will draft the narrative and Kathy was asked to request a meeting be scheduled with Town Manager,Kathy, and Trustees subcommittee to discuss the budget. The Trustees were frustrated at having to do this since this $630,800 budget falls way short of what is needed. All Trustees wholeheartedly agreed if the revised budget is not accepted then the Trustees will submit a petition Article by February 8t'deadline to appear on May Town Meeting Warrant seeking approval to authorize adding the full-time librarian position. John Cotton exited the meeting at 5:20 p.m. Motion: Mark Wright motioned to accept budget option of 13.42%,which is 3% less than prior budget submission. Motion was seconded by Mary LeClair. VOTE: Yes-7. Roll Call Vote: Joan Lyons,yes Mark Wright,yes John Kowalski,yes Allen Waters,yes Kate Milde,yes Carlo D'Este,yes Mary LeClair,yes 2