Minutes from June 1, 2011
The Board Meeting for the Trustees of Brown Memorial Library was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
Attendance: Patty Furness, Garry Kalajian, Bea Howe, Lorraine MacLeod + Duncan, Rod Jones, Connie Scheffy, Nola Jordan, Meg Fearnley
1. The Secretary’s Report was accepted as presented.
2. A motion was made and passed to accept gifts and donations to Brown Memorial Library in May in the amount of $676.00. Disappointingly, only $431.00 of that amount was raised at our Memorial Day book and plant sale. $225.00 was a Kids, Books & the Arts grant for the Odds Bodkins program. Bea pointed out that we have received our first appropriation from the town and can expect to receive the remainder at the end of June as tax revenue comes in. The Treasurer’s Report was accepted as presented.
3. The Librarian’s Report was presented and discussed. Meg was pleased that the circulation of children’s materials has not declined since the relocation of one family whose children used the library very often. The total number of patrons is up though the number of adult books circulating has declined slightly. That may be because many folks come to the library to use the computers. Meg also mentioned that an effort is being made to fight the measure in the legislature to make drastic cuts to the New Hampshire State Library budget. Those cuts would seriously impact the interlibrary loan system.
4. Under Old Business, Bea reported that TDS has confirmed that we should not be paying the taxes on our phone and internet bill and that we will receive a credit of $237.96 for past bills and will no longer be charged in the future.
5. Bea reported that the cheapest padded folding chairs she could find were some available on the internet for $17.99/each. However, shipping charges could negate much of the savings. In thinking about the suggestion that we look for second-hand chairs, she came to the conclusion that by the time people were ready to get rid of them, they would probably be fairly ratty and she isn’t prepared to drive great distances to go look at them. There was some concern that buying chairs on the internet doesn’t allow us to see them (or sit in them!) first. Patty volunteered to check out Staples and/or places like Target.
6. It was agreed that as many Trustees and other friends of the library who are able and willing will dress up in traditional costumes from foreign lands to march in the parade on July 2. This year’s theme is One World, Many Stories. Two people will be needed to carry the library banner.
7. Ideas for the dinner after Andrew Pinard’s magic show were discussed. We’re considering continuing the international theme.
8. A malfunctioning fire alarm and a leaky toilet have both been repaired.
9. Under New Business, it was reported that Connie and Garry will attend the Library Trustees’ Conference in Concord on June 7 and will share what they learn with the full board.
10. Garry volunteered to try to build us one (or maybe two!) portable changeable sign boards. The ones we’ve had – and they were not cheap – have not held up well and we’d like to have something more durable.