DRAFT Minutes from May 1, 2013
The Board Meeting for the Trustees of Brown Memorial Library was called to order at 6:02 p.m.
Attendance: Mary-Chris Duncan, Nola Jordan, Erica Gross, Connie Scheffy, Bea Howe, Meg Fearnley
1. In Patty’s absence, Connie chaired the meeting. Erica was seated as a voting member. Bob Toppi was also present at the meeting though could not be seated as the Board of Selectmen has not yet acted on our request to have him named an alternate trustee.
2. The secretary’s report was accepted as presented.
3. A motion was made and passed to accept donations to Brown Memorial Library in April in the amount of $817.21. $500.00 of that amount was a donation from Rod Jones’ sister, Margaret Ames, and $167.50 from the on-going book sale. The Treasurer’s Report was accepted as presented.
4. April circulation figures were good, with a noticeable uptick in total circulation and downloaded audio books. Bea added that while the library receives a total of 30 periodicals, only 10 of those subscriptions are paid for out of library funds. The others are donations from generous patrons.
5. Under Old Business, the Trustees voted to accept the donation of Rod Jones’ grandfather clock. It has been reconditioned and is a lovely addition to the library’s furnishings. At some point we will have a plaque engraved to explain the clock’s provenance.
6. Bea reported that Mike Merritt has installed new lights in the two restrooms and run power to the front lawn so folks can use laptops outside without depleting their batteries. The cost came in lower than his quote: $375 versus $500. The Trustees then voted to authorize the purchase and installation of three ceiling fans for the main room of the library. The cost will be $199.00 per fixture plus wiring and labor. The fans should keep the library more comfortable in the summer and may also help reduce oil consumption in the winter.
7. The Trustees also approved Bea’s request that we ask Mike to run power to a box underneath the front desk. At some point in the future we may want to have a computer or laptop on that desk and there’s currently no way to run a cord to the desk without it being a potential hazard. She will ask him to do the work when he comes soon to replace the ballast in a fluorescent light.
8. Under New Business, Meg announced that the New Hampshire Astronomical Society will run a Sky Watch Program here on Friday night, May 10, beginning at 8:30. After a 30 minute program inside, attendees will go outside to explore the heavens with our new telescope. If it is cloudy that night, the alternate date is Thursday, May 16.
9. The Memorial Day Weekend book and plant sale will take place on Saturday, May 25. Bea is all set for volunteers, but Meg mentioned that extra plant donations would be most welcome.
10. The New Hampshire Library Trustees’ Association will hold its next meeting at the Holiday Inn in Concord on May 13 from 1:00 to 4:00.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 5, at 6:00 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nola Jordan, Secretary