December 2024 Minutes

Bigelow Free Public Library BOT Meeting Minutes from 12/18/2024

BOT Attendance:  Marie Letarte, Gloria Parkinson, Marty Shaughnessy,                           Francisco Ramos, Jacqueline McGuire,

Public Attendance:  Jacob Evans

• Meeting called to order 5:02PM
• Public Comment – Jacob Evans, Introduction and review of Letter of Interest to serve on the board.
• Jacqueline made motion to accept approval of minutes from November, Francisco seconded
• Reports
  1. Trustees: Table review of Jacqueline’s notes for January Meeting.
  2. Director: Waiting to hear from MBLC/State for status of funding and Ethics of Fundraising.

Library phones can only dial locally – no long distance.  Pursuing a fix w/Town help.

Technology Report – Looking for contract to be finalized by end of Dec with expectation of delivery of new computers by end of January.

Sustainability Initiatives – making progress

FY2026 Budget Narrative draft Conversation – Gloria recommended several corrections/semantics over report to include using the word “Patron” vs. “Customer”; clarifying date award from January 9 to January 9, 2025; and recommended we as Trustees continue to promote the concept to Patrons and Tax Payers throughout Clinton of the severity of understaffing of the library to promote change and support.

• Subcommittee Updates
  1. Advocacy – Legislative Breakfast, Friday, Feb 7, 8am-9am at Bigelow Library in lower Community Room. All Trustees to be in attendance. Commitment from Rep. Kilcoyne and Sen. Cronin and Rep Higgins; local paper will attend for coverage.    Expecting approx. 45 ppl.   Friends of the Bigelow Public Library will pay for breakfast (Thank you!).    Discussion will include e-books, banned books, and state of the building.      Marie will  ask Jill about presenting as a patron with her son about what the library means to them.  If Jill is unable, she will pursue other youth asap. Next Meeting 1/10/2025
  2. Building – No Meeting –– Library. Following MA Open Meeting laws, agenda should be published for 1/9 10:00am MBLC Award Meeting and announcement by 1/7 at 10:00am.  We could know the award if we track publication.   The Official Award Announcement is scheduled for 10:00am on 1/9/25.
  3. Policy – No Meeting
• New Business
  1. Recommendation of New Candidate. Let the record state both candidates are of quality and value.   We appreciate their desire to volunteer for the open temporary position of BOT.   There is one position and two candidates, even though only one position will be appointed, we encourage them both to continue to contribute their time by attending and volunteering on committees which celebrate their strengths and passions. 

Each Trustee stated their recommendation for a candidate accordingly:   Jacqueline McGuire recommended Mercedes Kiss; Francisco recommended Mercedes Kiss; Marty Shaughnessy recommended Mercedes Kiss; Gloria Parkinson recommended Mercedes Kiss.  Francisco Ramos wanted to acknowledge for the record the quantity of both candidates and thanked each of them. 

• Old business
  1. Table “Thank You” Letter to January Meeting
  2. 10am Jan 9, 2025 announcement. See Agenda Item 5b
• Confirmed next BOT Meetings to include Tuesdays at 6pm on each January 28; February 25; and March 25
• Meeting Adjourned at 6:34pm

Minutes for joint meeting with the Selectboard. 7:15 in the Selectboard Chambers

Trustees made their recommendations for the appointment to the board; the selectboard approved the recommendation and Mercedes Kiss will be notified of the appointment officially from the selectboard.