6/13/2006 BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES Minutes

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Mashpee Public Library P.O. Box 657 Mashpee, Me 02649 Circulation for May 2006 totaled 9,992 items, compared to 9,964 items last May. Year-to-date circulation is 116,631 items, compared to 110,429 last year. We have seen a slowdown in the circulation of VHS video materials over the last year. Many patrons have switched to the DVD format. In light of that, I have stopped purchasing VHS titles for the collection. Many new titles are being released just on DVD. We have relaxed the limit on DVDs and VHS materials to lessen the number of VHS titles sifting on the shelf. Patrons may now choose three of each format. We are preparing to add downloadable audio books in July. Susan Cannavo attended a workshop at CLAMS which demonstrated how this new product will work. Susan took her MP3 player along and learned how to download a book onto her player. She will be the person staff directs patrons to for information about how to download a book. We have a list of compatible players that patrons can refer to when deciding what brand of MP3 player to purchase. CLAMS prepared and distributed list to all member libraries. After some fits and starts with Wireless Access, things are now working well. The IT Department made several visits to correct problems with the antenna. In recent weeks, many patrons have started using laptop computers to connect to the Internet. With the service now stable, we have posted signs to let patrons know they can use laptops to connect to the Internet at the library. Bridget Bontrager has been writing a Disaster Plan for the library. The MBLC has suggested libraries have a disaster plan in place. Hurricane Katrina certainly brings home the wisdom of having a plan in advance of disaster. Last month, a number of northern Massachusetts towns experienced flooding from the heavy rains. Many lost vital records and documents to water damage. A Disaster plan on hand will let the library react quickly to an emergency and will minimize items lost to water or other damage. Bridget has done a lot of research and put together a very comprehensive plan for the library. She will be making a presentation later in the evening to familiarize the trustees with the progress on this project. I have submitted a request to the Town Manager for a Transfer from Fincom for $700 for the remaining energy bills. The $3,000 from the Special Town Meeting Article was not sufficient to cover the June utility bills. I'm projecting we will need about $700 to cover them. I have also prepared an Article to request $5,516 for the library book budget. That amount was cut from the original budget request pending passage of the Article to change the Children's Librarian to full time. Without these funds, the library will not meet the MBLC 16% materials expenditure requirement.