MINUTES OF BLAISDELL MEMORIAL LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING

October 15, 2012

Present : Rhoda Capron, Laurie Legard, Susan Medeiros, Pat Vachon, Kathleen Matthews

Meeting was called to order at 6:38 p.m.

Policy Update/Current Task: Teresa Troy and Kathleen presented proposals for the creation of a landscape committee that would fulfill the following specific functions: compose a mission statement; establish short and long-term goals for the restoration and revitalization of the landscape; develop policy and decision-making guidelines for current and future landscape work; and, create and carry-out a campaign to raise funds to undertake necessary landscape work. Laurie moved to create the recommended committee; Rhoda seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Kathleen, as chair, will report on the committee’s activities and developments at each month’s meeting. Work began on the 2013 budget.

Rhoda shared a letter from the Selectmen which requested that all town budgets be presented in the same format. Concerns were raised about whether or not the library’s line items would be presented in this same format in the annual town report. Laurie will check with the town office about this specific issue. Discussions were held about which lines could be reduced, which needed to be increased, and which could remain the same as 2012. Additional information and clarifications need to be obtained from the book-keeper so budget work will continue next month. Laurie and Rhoda will try to find out the specific dates for presenting the proposed budget to the Selectmen and the Budget Committee. Rhoda will bedoing staff evaluations soon.

Secretary’s Report: The minutes of the September meeting were read and copy-editing changes made.  Pat moved to accept the report as amended. Laurie seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

Treasurer’s Report: September’s budget was discussed within the context of the new budget proposal. Laurie moved to file the report. Pat seconded. All voted in favor.

Library Director’s Report:  September’s circulation figures continued to show strong interest in and use of the library by both adults and children, particularly in comparison to previous years. Rhoda reported that the recent musical performance by Gary and Jackie was well-received. As part of this year’s

NH READS

focus on Edgar Allen Poe, our library is doing a joint film with Northwood Library and will be hosting a mystery dinner featuring “mystery dishes and ingredients.”

Old Business: Rhoda reported that the state has changed the policy regarding the Homesteading License it required of food-sellers at the farmers’ markets. The change is a bit confusing because sellers still need to follow state guidelines from the Division of Public Health. The Winter Farmers’ Market will begin next month. Currently, there are 15 -16 vendors including five crafters. Kathleen presented a draft for the Sexual Harassment policy and raised several questions about specific language issues. Decisions were made about which terms to use and Laurie moved to accept the policy as amended. Pat seconded. All voted in favor. Kathleen has not yet completed the draft for the letter to the town about spraying poison ivy. Laurie talked to Charlie Brown about the snowplowing problem. Henry Irons has volunteered to fix the downstairs door. Gunnar is pleased to speak to the individuals involved with long-overdue library materials. Laurie raised the question of making quarterly reports to the Selectmen about the library in order to keep them informed. We’ll revisit this proposal at a future meeting. The November 18th Pie Social for volunteers will be discussed in greater detail at next month’s meeting. Laurie discussed the Calendar Fundraiser and gave out forms for board members to distribute.

New Business: The Monthly Tasks were reviewed and all have either been completed or, as with the “Typical Week Survey”, are being done now. The cleaning of the gutters has been postponed until all the leaves are off the trees. Laurie suggested that, in January, we address the completion of a “Trustees Time-Table.” Laurie moved to accept all donations. Pat seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

Next Meeting:

November 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting adjourned at 9:27 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen Matthews