MINUTES OF BLAISDELL MEMORIAL LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING

February 11, 2013

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

Meeting was called to order at 5:45 p.m.

Policy Update/Current Task: Rhoda shared samples of other libraries’ Social Media policies. After reviewing others’ work it was determined that our own policy should aim to be as clear and uncluttered as possible and that it should contain the elements recommended by the School Library Journal. The policy will need to be modified as changes evolve in social media and issues arise as a result of patron usage.  Rhoda will compose a draft to present at the next meeting.

Secretary’s Report: The minutes of the January meeting were read. Laurie moved to accept the report with the corrected spelling of a proper name. Pat seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

Treasurer’s Report: The final copy of the 2012 financial figures were reviewed. No questions or issues were raised. Laurie moved to file the report. Kathleen seconded. All voted in favor.

Library Director’s Report:  Rhoda reported that January was an exceptionally busy month. The circulation numbers were more than double those from ten years ago in January 2003. The Humanities Council program about Dinah Whipple was very well-attended, including by a number of people from distant towns. Rhoda noted that ours was one of only two libraries in the state to offer a program on African-Americans during Black History Month. The high attendance, however, raised questions about the building’s capacity and the need for an alternative venue for programs set during the normal evening hours. The next program being offered, “The Moose Man,” was to occur soon but has been postponed by the presenter until April. The Weekend Story Hour program for working parents has begun and shows potential for growth. Plans are being developed for February’s school vacation that may include programs by the UNH Chess Club and a literature-related miniature golf tournament put on by the Teen Advisors group. A current program for 5th & 6th-graders based on the book, The Westing Game, is going well.  Rhoda hopes to an in-memorial donation to purchase two comfortable chairs to be placed next to the back window on the Main Floor.

Committee Report: Kathleen reported on the recent meeting of the Landscape Committee. The first draft of the fundraising business plan was shared and a number of question about decision-making processes were asked and answered. In addition to developing a comprehensive business plan and preparing a formal public launch of the fundraising campaign this spring, the committee has also made it a priority to develop a well-researched eradication for coping with the native and non-native invasive plants, particularly poison ivy and bittersweet, that are creating considerable landscape and land use problems.

Old Business: The revised Holiday Policy was approved and is being sent to the Town Office. The issue of requiring Rhoda to explicitly track her hours has finally been resolved.  The Library Director should use the same log book as other staff but add the word “Exempt.” Candidates for Alternate Trustee are still being considered. Discussion was held on the topic of having the staff write anonymous appraisals of the Library Director as part of the latter’s annual review. Sara will review what other libraries are doing and present samples at the next meeting.

New Business: A regional meeting of library trustees is being hosted in Barrington on March 14th. Sara expects to attend; Kathleen will try to as well. The Monthly Tasks were reviewed with compliments expressed to Rhoda for a well-written article for the Annual Town Report. Laurie moved to accept all donations. Pat seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

Next Meeting:  March 11, 2013 at 5:30 p.m.

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen Matthews