DRAFT Minutes from Sept. 8, 2008
Board Meeting for the Trustees of Brown Memorial Library
Attendance: Joan Perry, Bob Manchester, Penny Ulrich, Rod Jones, Bea Howe & Meg Fearnley
1. The minutes from the last meeting were read. Motion was made to amend minutes to read that donations are from the beginning to the end of the month. Minutes were accepted as amended.
2. A motion was made to accept gifts and donations made to Brown Memorial Library in August in the amount of $786.00 ($430 from the fundraising dinner and the balance from general donations and fines). The latest book sale brought in $519, which will be included in September’s donations. The treasurer’s report was accepted.
3. The librarian’s report was read and accepted. Meg reported that circulation is up and that more people are coming into the library. Newspaper reports say the libraries are seeing more people coming in to use library services. The new book drop is up and everyone seems happy.
4. We have purchased a new tree for the library lawn (paid for with donations). As soon as the Christmas lights are removed from the old tree, it will be removed. A motion was made to replace or compliment the picnic bench with a park bench, with a plaque attached showing that the tree is in memory of Robert G. Stauffer. Bob will look into this.
5. Bea gave a report on the Friends of the Library. The flyer in the Bridge resulted in new members and donations, both to the Friends and the library. There are many active Friends and they will all be thanked for their work. Geoffrey Douglas will give a talk on his new book “The Classmates” on Thursday, October 23rd at 7PM.
6. It was decided to raise the price for copies from .15 to .25 per copy.
7. Bea reported on her meeting with the selectmen, where she asked about the increase in fuel costs. We pre-payed $3400, which is the budgeted amount, and will need an additional $2000.
It is possible that more money will be forthcoming. Selectmen asked if the library has considered curtailing hours. The answer was no. This would not help with many fixed costs, including heating. Since the library uses radiant heat, it is recommended that the temperature remain constant, even when the library is closed. The library is now open 28 hours/week and provides many services to the community. We will ask for 3 to 5% increases on most line items, with more for fuel in next year’s budget.
8. A motion was made and passed to obtain a credit card for the library.
9. It was decided to purchase a small sign to be placed beside the front door indicating library hours, and also a sign for the new doorbell downstairs asking people to ring for assistance. Meg & Bea will investigate, preferably looking for metal signs, possibly from the Prison Sign Shop
10. The next book sale will be October 11th. Volunteers will be lined up.
11. The carpets have been cleaned and look great.
12. Penny will be running a children’s program on Saturday Oct. 4 at 2PM. The children will be making applesauce.
13. The Bradford art group’s next exhibition will be Rug Hooking by Hazel Morse. She is willing to do a demo at the library on a Sunday at 11am.
14. The next meeting will be October 6th at 7pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rod Jones, acting secretary