DRAFT Minutes from May 4, 2009
Board Meeting for the Trustees of Brown Memorial Library
Attendance: Joan Perry, Bea Howe, Penny Ulrich, Rod Jones, Robert Manchester, Patty Furness, Brooks McCandlish & Meg Fearnley
1. As the clock tolled 7, the meeting was called to order. The minutes from the last meeting were read and accepted.
2. A motion was made to accept gifts and donations made to Brown Memorial Library in April in the amount of $106.05. The first installment of the town appropriation was received. The treasurer’s report was accepted.
3. The librarian’s report was read. The numbers for April were good. There are lots of people coming in and the computer usage is up. We have enough computers for the patrons considering we also have wireless available.
4. The May book sale is staffed with a few shift switches.
5. TDS has been asked to provide us with a faster internet connection to accommodate the growing complaints about the slow download time. They will no longer be able to give us the connection at no charge, but will subsidize it for this budget year. They have recommended a 1.5MB line for $39.95/month. We will try this to see if it is adequate.
6. The treasurer attended a meeting at the town hall to discuss the budgets. Each department was asked if there are any pending repairs not foreseen in the budget (the answer from the library was no), and if there is any budgeted money that won’t be needed (if the prepay price for oil is less than anticipated at last year’s budgeting time, the library may be able to return some money if it isn’t needed for emergency maintenance issues).
7. The new outside bench (built by Mike Merritt) looks impressive and we have had many positive comments on it. Mike will also build us a new picnic table with pressure treated lumber. Motion was made and passed to set aside $250 from the special projects fund for this purpose. The old one needs to be hauled away, as it is falling apart.
8. We still need a theme for the 4th of July parade. A few ideas were floated about.
9. The plaque for the tree planted in memory of Robert Stauffer was discussed. We need something that cannot be removed by passersby. Patty will check into getting a granite post and Joan will order the plaque.
10. We are giving up our PO box at the end of this month. A mailbox has been purchased and needs to be installed. Bea will ask at the highway department to see if they will help.
11. We need a better light at the back door to help patrons see their way to the parking lot at night. Patty will look into this for us and Penny will check with the Church to be sure they have no objections.
12. The Friends have ordered the book bags. This will be a fundraiser for the library. We will ask the Bridge to give us space to advertise them.
The next meeting will be June 1 at 7 pm.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rod Jones, acting secretary