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Minutes
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Grafton Public Library Trustees Meeting
Minutes
February 19. 2015
Attending:
Bob Donald, Lucia Corwin, Christopher Schemm,
Michelle Dufort, and Andrea Dunmire
(candidate for Trustee at March 4 Town Meeting)
Bob Donald brought the meeting to order at
6:35 p.m.
There was no public comment.
The minutes from the January 15 meeting were
approved.
Financial
Report
The financial report through February 11th was
presented. With some late donations, we have now effectively hit the Budget for
Annual Appeal receipts. Expenses are
running close-to pro-rata Budget this fiscal year-to-date. A TIAA-CREF year-end performance summary was
also distributed, covering both the General Endowment and The Jerald Stevens
Fund. Combined year-end balance equals
$1.033 Million. A general discussion of
the endowment funds, the Library’s spending rule, and restrictions on use of
the Stevens Fund followed for Andrea’s benefit.
Building
and Grounds
No significant update. Bob has yet to contact a structural engineer
to examine the Hayes Room floor. Various
building needs in coming months were discussed briefly, and will be addressed
further in the spring, including exterior painting, the Hayes Room floor, and
the circulation desk area.
Policies
Bob reported that he had reviewed the
Library’s Personnel and Fiduciary policies for any required revisions in light
of the start of health benefits for the Librarian and the Town taking over
payroll processing. The Fiduciary Policy
seems fine as is. The Personnel Policy
should have a very minor revision added regarding benefits. Bob offered to draft suggested language for
the Board’s review at the March Trustee’s meeting.
Board
Composition
Andrea Dunmire will
be running for the Trustee seat being vacated by Dylan Bate. Town Meeting elections will be held on March
3, 2015.
Other
Business
Bob reported that he had received a letter
from Pat Jeziorski of the Grafton Historical Society
asking for permission to examine old files in the Library attic potentially
relating to Grafton’s involvement in the Underground Railroad in the 1840-50s
this spring. After discussion, the Board
approved this request, with a Trustee being present while any files are
reviewed. Bob will notify Pat of this.
Bob distributed a letter he had received from
the State Librarian notifying us that the Department of Libraries has decided
to suspend the Minimum Standards Program this year, and will be appointing a
new Library Standard Committee to review the program. This will probably take a year or more to
complete.
Automation
Update
A ‘setback’ has been discovered in the
juvenile fiction area, which had previously been thought completed. Several Board members offered to help in
completing this important project, and discussion ensued. It was agreed that automation must be
completed first before our Strategic Plan update can occur.
Librarian’s
Report
Materials for the Board had previously been
distributed.
The Board authorized Michelle to contact an
electrician for a lighting issue in the Children’s area.
Michelle reported that she is working with
Grafton Cares to present a program at the Library by Brattleboro Hospice. The Board was very supportive of this
effort.
Michelle also reported on recent internet
issues at the Library and recent conversations she has had with both Comcast
and VTel, documented in a write-up she
distributed. VTel
will be connecting the Library to the new fiber network on February 25.
There being no other business, the meeting was
adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Donald