Minutes from December 3, 2014
The Board Meeting for the Trustees of Brown Memorial Library was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
Attendance: Mary-Chris Duncan, Nola Jordan, Meg Fearnley, Patty Furness, Garry Kalajian, Bea Howe, Robert Toppi
1. Bob Toppi was seated as a voting member.
2. The Secretary’s report was accepted as presented.
3. A motion was made and passed to accept donations to Brown Memorial Library in November in the amount of $35.00, all of which came from our on-going book sale. We are a bit over on Utilities because we ran out of prepaid heating oil at the end of the last heating season. We have ordered more gallons for next year. The cost of oil has dropped since we made our pre-buy in August, but as the price often increases, it ends up evening out over several years. The treasurer’s report was accepted as presented.
4. Meg reported that circulation figures were up last month, including the number of children’s materials loaned. She has included those who download e-books and audio books in the patron figure, though there is no way to determine how many make multiple visits to the site in any particular month. Meg noted that the library will be closed on December 24 and will close at 3:00 p.m. on the 31st. Both are Wednesdays.
5. Under New Business, Meg announced that the annual tree-lighting ceremony will take place on Saturday, December 13, at 4:00 p.m. The Women’s Club is providing gifts (and Santa), and the Bradford Business Association is donating refreshments. The Baptist Church is holding a Mac N Cheese supper starting at 5:00 p.m. the same day, and we are hoping both events will attract many local families.
6. Bea and Mary-Chris will complete their current terms as Trustees in March. Mary-Chris is willing to stand for re-election. Having served three consecutive terms, Bea is not eligible to run again. At this time, Bob prefers to remain an alternate. In addition to needing another trustee, we will also have to find someone to serve as Treasurer. Bea has generously offered to provide training and to be available to answer questions during the new Treasurer’s first year.
7. Meg explained that two of our assistant librarians are currently out on medical leave. Tracey Quigley has been working as a substitute and Laurie has been putting in additional hours. So far we have had adequate coverage, but we may need to reassess the situation as time goes on.
8. Under Old Business, Meg shared the figures she had found for librarian’s salaries in the various towns of New Hampshire. Garry will go over the information and report back on his findings.
9. The back and side of the roof have been completed. The roofers are waiting for a warmer day to do the front. After reading about our roofing plans in the Bridge, the owners of The Lumber Barn wrote offering to give us a discount on supplies. Unfortunately, the offer came too late, but Bea spoke to them and thanked them.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nola Jordan, Secretary