9/16/2003 BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES Minutes

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Library Staffin Sine Wayne Taylor was not in attendance at this meeting, The Trustees addressed their plea to Joyce Mason and asked for her help in bringing this critical situation to the Selectmen with the hope of getting staffing that has been needed for a year. The following concerns were raised: Due to staffing shortage, Library had to close on Fridays. Degradation of services at the Library. It is disgraceful. Number of complaints about long lines. Had to delay opening for 2 hours one day this past week when 2 staff members were ill on the same day. Library is a business and we have to run as a business. Library Director's time not best used when she has to be doing clerical tasks. Staff'stretched too thin; morale problem. . public faces of Town of Mashpee: olio ; Fire; ars Library. ,00 people walk through the doors of our Library every year. We are at crisis level- doubt that llashpee warts to have this situation. This is a Town problem; not just a Library problem. • Mashpee Library has 1/3 of the staff of comparable libraries on Cape. Users ofthe Library are taxpayers and should get service. Joyce Mason sympathized nth the situation, but said that unfortunately the Town has been working under very tight budget constraints. However, she did understand the plight of the Library. She offered that perhaps if the Library could use two 19-hour people instead of 1 full- time,that night be looked at if dollars were in the budget to cover, but Joyce would have to check i with accounting to see whether or not the dollars are in the budget. Library Trustees responded that two 19-hour positions better than.nothing. Joyce will check with Diane Rommelmeyer on Monday and then Joyce and Helene will get together to discuss. The Board of Trustees offered to help Joyce in any way they can. David thanked Joyce for being here and for all her help. He noted that Helene has repeatedly informed the Trustees that Joyce has always been nothing but supportive and helpful all along. Joyce exited the meeting. Following brief discussion, Carlo ' ste made a notion that favid should send a letter to the Library staff to thank them for all their long-term efforts and also to advise that we're attempting to get some staff`relief. Alice Rauppius seconded the motion; and it was unanimously approved. Cindy Parker offered the suggestion that the 4 entities that make up the Library support should communicate more about what each is doing. favid said Ann has offered to be a liaison among the Library groups and he will talk with Ann about doing this. Heather commented that sometimes doing a survey might prove helpful for people using the Library. David will look into this. Agyroval of Minutes Carlo D'Este motioned to accept the minutes of the August 19, 2003 meeting as presented; Fianna Smith seconded the emotion; and all voted in favor.