School Library Media Center Recertification

The Board approved offering a one-time waiver to the Birch Meadow Elementary School, Reading who will meet full certification requirements. The Board voted to remove four libraries from membership that did not meet certification requirements.

Merrimac Public Library -Supplementary Deposit Collection Report

Tina Follansbee, Director of the Merrimac Public Library, thanked the Board for their support and time at the meeting and gave a brief history of the Supplemental Deposit Collection (SDC). Follansbee then introduced Betty Emery, coordinator of the SDC.

Betty Emery noted that 28 libraries in NMRLS participate in the program and that there are approximately 6,000 items on open shelves for Merrimac patrons and libraries to use. Noting that she is always available to fill requests from libraries, Emery stated that the collection included large print, adult and children's audiobooks on tape and CD, children's picture books, board books and non-fiction, and mysteries. She noted that more items were added each year. G. Pronevitz shared the robust circulation increases in the collection: FY04 circulation was 5,475 items; FY05 circulation was 12,424 items! Emery noted that "books are here to stay!"

Salem Athenaeum--Massachusetts Bay Charter Report

Francis Mayo of the Salem Athenaeum shared information on the Athenaeum's history and background regarding the potential sale of a copy of the 1629 Massachusetts Bay Charter that the Athenaeum owns and has been on deposit at the Peabody Essex Museum. As a NMRLS member library, the Athenaeum Trustees and Mr. Mayo wanted to share the issues it was facing, and present its view of the current controversy surrounding it with the Executive Board.

Member Satisfaction Survey 2006 Follow Up

G. Pronevitz provided the Board with a chart listing NMRLS services and their ranking among those respondents who rated the service "Very Satisfied among Users of this Service" and "Very Important among Those with an Opinion". This list was coupled with a chart listing the annual costs of each service. This information provided the Board with some preliminary data to consider as they respond to the Delivery Committee's question regarding what services and/or programs NMRLS might cut or alter from future budgets to pay for the rising costs of delivery. G. Pronevitz noted that NMRLS staff were looking at restructuring the following services/programs: printed newsletter, regional reference, digital library, and MassCat.