MINUTES OF BLAISDELL MEMORIAL LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING

June 10, 2013

Present: Rhoda Capron, Susan Medeiros, Sara Wotton, Melanie Metz, Kathleen Matthews

Meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m.

Policy Update/Current Task:  Rhoda is still reviewing policies to determine if there are any in need of revision. Susan shared a draft that could serve as the staff’s annual evaluation of the library director by staff. It was modeled after an existing workplace document. After discussing its contents and design, it was decided that the new evaluation should have clear, simple statements and should be able to be used for all employees. Susan and Rhoda will continue to work on this task.

Secretary’s Report: The minutes of the May meeting were read. Rhoda moved to accept the report. Sara seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

Treasurer’s Report: The book-keeper’s monthly report was not available. Janet requested earlier notification of board meetings so that she’ll have time to prepare the reports. Sara will contact her as soon as meeting dates are set. Sara also communicated with Janet about the new account and recent signatory changes. There continue to be erroneous dual lines for Movies & DVD’s, even tough the latter replaced the former. Rhoda has been in touch with Janet to correct this and to make certain the money is shifted to the correct line. She also noted that the Alarm line went over because of the increased expense of the new battery. Rhoda moved to file the report. Susan seconded. All voted in favor.

Library Director’s Report: The circulation numbers for May were well above the highs of 2011, though down slightly in comparison to last year. The Building Committee recently completed its inspection of the building and found no major discernible concerns. The Story Hour program’s final celebration was an exceptional puppet show done by librarian Carol Sanborn. The event was extremely well-attended and received rave reviews from both children and adults. The 2013 Farmers’ Market season was successfully launched and has a number of new vendors. The money raised by vendor fees will be used to purchase new signs for the highways and to expand publicity. Suzanne Tomasczewski, the Nottingham School Librarian, will be doing the Summer Reading Program, “Dig Into Reading;” this will also help to strengthen the link between the town and school.

Committee Report:

Kathleen reported that the public launch of the “Following Nature’s Lead” fundraising campaign went well. The raffle, native plant sale, seed sales, and vegetable plant orders all went smoothly and raised enough money to pay for the installation of native shrubs beside the ramp on the east side of the building. This will complete the restoration of that particular garden. The committee continues to meet with various landscapers and land care professionals to gather information and estimates for eradicating the poison ivy and invasive plants at the back and sides of the building. A report will be presented at the next board meeting.

Old Business: Susan reviewed the draft of ideas that Laurie Legard, as chair, had proposed last year to be considered as Annual Goals for Trustees. These included: consistent posting of minutes and meeting dates (Susan will do this); generating a Library Director evaluation; estate planning (Rhoda and Allison are working on this); developing hiring guidelines; creating a Children’s Librarian position; and, developing a long-range plan for the library. The decision was made to make the hiring guidelines and new position the priorities for this year. The meeting of regional library trustees will be held at Blaisdell Memorial Library this coming, Monday, June 17th, from 6:00 –– 8:00. Sara will ask for the date to be re-posted with an RSVP on the NHLTA list-serve.

New Business: The Monthly Tasks list was reviewed. All tasks will be completed once the carpet is cleaned this Friday. The task of visiting the school to promote the Summer Reading Program was waived as the school librarian will include its promotion in her normal end-of-the-school-year experiences with students. Susan moved to accept all donations. Sara seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

Next Meeting:

It was decided not to meet in July. The next meeting will be on Monday, August 12th at 5:30 p.m.

Meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen Matthews