2/17/2004 BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES Minutes

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DEFINING THE ROLE of THE LIBRARY TRUSTEE Dare Burton reviewed with the Trustees their role in the support of the Mashpee Library. He reminded the Trustees of the four gears of hard work to date that had been expended in an Mort to acquire a new library for the Town that would ,match the needs of Mashpee's exploding population. He spoke of the overt neglect by the Town of the day-today operation of the library program, comparing it to other towns on the cape where the library has a Board of Trustees, a Treasurer, sub-committees, and a personnel officer. The Mashpee library is autonomous, much fine the Water Department, separate and distinct from the Town. Dave expressed the view that the Trustees for the Mashpee Library must become ,more involved. He feels that the way things are going is most unsatisfactory, citing the example of the refusal by the Town to fill a vacated permanent position of Circulation Assistant for a year, thea eliminating the position entirely the following year. Carlo D'Este distributed a copy of a letter written by the New seabury Homeowners Association sent to each member of the Board of Selectmen, expressing outrage at the refusal of the Selectmen to provide for adequate staffing for the library. Carlo reminded the Trustees that they are elected by the Town, and as such have mechanisms at their disposal that can be put into play. The Trustees, in his mind} have become irrelevant, but there are options that need to be explored. The control of the Town's budget is in the hands of the townspeople, the Trustees need to get proactive, and take the vote for funds directly to therm. Ann MacDonald-Dailey feels that there is strong support in the Town for the Library but there is a serious disconnect between those who support the library, and those who do not. Carlo wants to send the letter from New Seabury Homeowners Association to the Cape Cod Times, and if not printed, then send to the Mashpee Enterprise. The Trustees all agreed that they cannot accept the decision by the Town Administrator to eliminate the permanent position of Circulation Assistant. Alice l auppius,rude a ,notion, seconded by Ann MacDonald-Dailey that a response to the Town Administrator be papered, stating that the Board refuses to accept her recommendation to the Board of selectmen and the Finance committee that the Library budget be out by$243300. The Trustees unanimously approved the,motion. Carlo and Dave will work up draft,with input from Helene D Foe. Mimi Marsh's terra as Library Trustee will be expiring in May 2004. For personal reasons, Mimi has informed the Board that she does not plea to run for re-election. Mimi will be considered for an honorary, ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees, pending a review of applicable bylaws. Anyone who is interested in running for the post should be made aware that the role of the Library Trustees, going forward, is going to be much more proactive and accelerated. The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday} March 9, at 6:00 PM at the Mashpee Public Library. As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7kOO PM Respectfully submitted, Ina G. Schlobohm (for Jean iliberti Recording secretary attachments 2