MINUTES OF BLAISDELL MEMORIAL LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING

March 3, 2014

Present: Rhoda Capron, Susan Medeiros, Pat Vachon, Melanie Metz, Kathleen Matthews

Meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m

Policy Update/Current Task: All policy discussions continue to be tabled until after Town Meeting. The first policy to be reviewed at that time will be the Internet Policy.

Secretary’s Report: The minutes of the January meeting were reviewed and a date was corrected in the

Library Director’s paragraph. Melanie moved to accept the report with this correction. Pat seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

Treasurer’s Report: The January 1st – March 3rd report was reviewed. Rhoda had questions about the expenditures in the Books line which she will discuss with Janet. The Movies & Videos lines continue to be separated so Rhoda will mention this to Janet as well. Pat moved to file the report. Susan seconded.

All voted in favor.

 Library Director’s Report:

Circulation for January and February showed a slight decline from last year due, more than likely, to the cold weather and the number of snowstorms that occurred in both months.  Rhoda expressed appreciation of and gratitude for the fine job that Pat did during Rhoda’s absence during the month of February. The Friends of the Library’s “Chocolate Fundraiser” was very successful. The Humanities Council-sponsored presentation on archaeological treasures from the Isles of Shoals was well attended and well-received. The “Winter Olympics” program for ages 7-14 took place last weekend and was a resounding success. Events included: Ice Cube Bobsleds, Mini-Marshmallow Biathalon, Book Basketball, and Balloon Slalom. March 19th will be a busy day at the library: The annual Senior Luncheon will take place at noon; the Coe-Brown Academy Art Exhibit will be set up during the day and will be on display through April 9th; and “Family Chess Night” will take place in the evening. A “Zentangle” workshop will be presented at the library on March 23rd and a tick talk by Alan Eaton is being scheduled for a date in May. The new book-shelves, built at the NH State Prison, should arrive within the next two weeks. Allison and Pat will be attending a technology tools workshop on March 20th.

Discussion ensued about the possibility of hosting a series of technology support sessions for patrons on Saturdays.

Committee Report: Kathleen shared that she is in the process of setting-up a display featuring the new landscape design for the front of the building. Two of last year’s successful fundraisers are about to get underway: selling High Mowing Organic Seeds and taking orders for vegetable plants. Lee Gilman contacted Kathleen to inquire about the status of the second phase of the invasive plant eradication program. She will contact Lee and Charlie Brown once the outcome of the 2014 town budget is known.

Old Business: The Budget Committee’s Public Hearing went well in February, with no questions or concerns expressed about the library’s proposed budget. The parking lot continues to be plowed in a timely manner. Due to a foot injury sustained by Al Vachon, the town manager, Charlie Brown, offered to have the snow-shoveling done by someone else. It was deemed unnecessary to accept his offer at this time but a back-up plan for such circumstances needs to be discussed in the future.

New Business: Extensive discussion occurred regarding the potential hiring of a Children’s Librarian and the crafting of a set of Hiring Guidelines for current and future open staff positions. Regarding the proposed Children’s Librarian position, it was determined that, due to the limited hours of the position, the Children’s Librarian would not have any responsibility for independently expending library funds; therefore, the Library Director will be responsible for recruiting, hiring, and conducting a three-month review of the individual selected for this position, pending the Board’s approval of the candidate proposed for the position. However, if and when the Children’s Librarian position increases to full-time and/or the job description is changed to include fiscal expenditures, the Board of Trustees will assume responsibility for interviewing, hiring, and reviewing the individual who assumes this position.

Discussion about Hiring Guidelines centered on matters pertaining to posting open staff positions,interviewing candidates, and developing a three-month probationary period for all new staff positions. It was decided that positions will be posted on the state jobs board, in newspapers, on Craigslist, here at the library and at the Town Office. In regards to interviews and hiring, it was determined that the Board will be responsible for the interviewing and hiring of the new Library Director and Assistant Librarian and that specific questions (yet to be determined) will be asked of all candidates. For the next meeting, everyone will bring sample questions and potential topics to be considered for the interview process. All positions will remain open until suitable candidates are found

It was decided to implement a three-month probationary period for all newly-hired staff. The Board will develop a formal review document and a review process specific to the three-month, probationary period and separate from the annual reviews conducted on all staff members. The Board of Trustees will conduct the probationary reviews of the Assistant Librarian and Library Director. The Library Director will perform the reviews on any other newly-hired staff member and present these to the Board. Also, during her/his three-month probationary period the new Library Director will need to have all major decisions approved by the Board.The opening for the position of Library Director to replace Rhoda will be posted in May. In order to be prepared for this deadline, the following actions will be taken prior to the next board meeting: Rhoda will e-mail her job description and a draft of the new Hiring Guidelines to Board members. Trustees will each craft a sample advertisement for the director’s position.

Other New Business included discussion about the complications of having weekly checks signed for the building’s cleaning contractor. Potential solutions will be discussed at the next meeting. Pat also shared an e-mail regarding trust fund legislation that was sent to the library. This will also be addressed at the next meeting. All Monthly Tasks have been completed except those pertaining to the outcome of Town Meeting and the approval of the proposed 2014 budget. Susan moved to accept all donations. Melanie seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

Next Meeting:

Monday, April 7th at 6:00 p.m

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen Matthews