Minutes from the Library Trustees Meeting—January 11, 2011
Present: Glenn Walton, Boe Hamilton, Steve Arsenault, Richard barter, Joyce Burrows, Jody Fein, Margaret Hathaway, Boe Hamilton, Marie Morey
Meeting called to order at 6:31
Minutes from the December meeting submitted for approval. Accepted as submitted.
Director’s report. Usage comparable to last year at this time, except for gingerbread making, which nearly doubled in participation. New website is coming along, Cassie has changed some elements after talking with her “focus group.” Marie checked with Deb Cabana about adding to the CIP for the coming year, and there was still time, so Marie added security cameras to her list. Marie has been following up about the leaking roof. AED training for the staff is scheduled for this Friday. Story time has been moved to 10:30, which is working well for staff and parents. Currently advertising for volunteers and have had several responses already.
Capital Improvement Plan. Group agrees that Marie has made a tremendous plan, important items have been addressed.
Trustee’s fund. Library has a total of $7600 in the reserve fund. Glenn wonders if the fund has been tapped into; Marie has used funds once in her tenure. Marie suggests using it for technology—notably a digital projector—and possibly stackable chairs for the meeting room. Group thinks digital projector would be a worthwhile investment. Library has adequate seating (folding chairs, stored in basement). Dick wonders if the room has a designated function; he notes that there are reference books liking one wall, a reference desk on one wall, audio/visual equipment. Marie notes that it’s a multi purpose room: from story time to meetings to reference. Group is comfortable with it being a multi purpose room. Dick suggests keeping a minimum of $5000 in the fund, with Marie and staff deciding on priorities for spending the
remainder. At the next meeting, Marie will present the immediate needs, Glenn will research digital projectors and small audio system.
Open house ideas for young adult readers. Jody has contacted the school about incorporating library visits. Joyce suggests monthly visits, an introduction (maybe with pizza?) to the new young adult room. Jody to discuss ideas with Kathy.
Library’s “Visions for the Future.” Boe has been researching. Most important step is revisiting and revising the mission statement—with community involvement. Boe has examples of missions statements from libraries across the country; suggests putting a few examples on paper, printing up a request (and posting on website) to patrons and asking for feedback from the community. Boe volunteers to pull together a few mission statements, create the document, and get it ready for posting. Our current mission statement, while good, is long, especially as written on the website. Boe to formulate new examples and report back. Group homework: everyone needs to send Boe our suggested missions statement.
Marie notes that a consultant for the central Maine library district is coming in at 1pm on January 19 to evaluate the space and make recommendations. Several members of the GPLA are coming; Marie invites trustees to attend.
Library policy postings. Library has a lot of policies, Marie wonders if all belong on the website? It’s not a lot of work to turn them into pdfs, so group feels that it’s a good idea to have them on the website. Cassie will put the policies on the new website, and trustees will determine whether some need to be removed. Group will discuss next month. Boe suggests an annual policy review, perhaps in January. Group thinks this a very good idea.
Codified policy for meeting room. Marie has assembled other library’s policies. She’ll send a smattering to the group before next meeting and we’ll discuss.
Library roof issue. Roof continues to leak. Marie has been in touch with Doug Webster and notified Town Manager. Mark mentioned the leak at last Town Council meeting. Marie has not seen progress in the past month. Issue continues to be a source of considerable concern to the trustees.
Reminder that town council budget review is coming up—library will be discussed February 7.
New business. Letter of complaint about plastic in children’s area and new configuration. Ray is looking into specifics of plastic used, whether there are legitimate concerns about toxins that could be leached. Dick suggests sitting down face to face with the patron and discussing concerns, Ray’s findings.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00.
Respectfully submitted by Margaret Hathaway.
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