Board of Library Trustees minutes 7/22/2025
Call to Order: 5:20pm
No public comment
Motion to accept June minutes, JA, seconded: JE
No discussion. Minutes approved, Jill abstained
Francisco joined the meeting at 5:23pm
Director Report:
Bonfire pride event. Prior to the event staff were harassed by a patron about program. Patron was given opportunity to escalate challenge, but refused.
Phones have not been working out of area. Marie has been speaking with Mike Ward & Windstream in an effort to resolve the issue.
Programing has been active and on track according to plan.
Friends held their annual meeting on July 18 and regular monthly meeting on July 12. They are collecting items for the OHD book sale.
Marie continues to attend Select Board meetings to inform them of the MPLCP grant progress
Closing at noon on Friday, July 25, 2025 for staff development day.
Letter to the editor – Marie shared a draft. Board agreed to submit as is. Signed by the trustees. If letter needs to be trimmed, per The Item, board agreed that Marie and Gloria have the authority to reduce the word count.
Marie reported that this is the first year that we have more items borrowed from other libraries than sent to partner libraries. Usage of the library is going up. This speaks to the importance of continued advocacy and investment.
Library outreach. Reviewed Concerts in the Park schedule. Gloria urged active outreach – walking around prior to the start of the concert and sharing information regarding the library services and construction program. Jacob reported that he had spoken with people at the Town Wide Yard sale day about the library. Both engaged folks had questions about the status of the existing library building.
FY2026 Budget. Library was the only department to be cut. Board will discuss budget proposal for FY2027 during the November budget to determine appropriate funding levels and justification.
Friends will organize book sale for Old Home Day (Sept 4-6pm). Trustee volunteers are needed to support and advocate for the library project.
Marie will attend NELA conference, October 26-28.
MA Public Libraries Construction Program:
PR Outreach:
Gloria expressed appreciation for Marie’s leadership and coordination of library construction meetings. Three open houses have been scheduled, Thursday, September 4 at 10:30am; and Thursday, September 11 at 6pm; Saturday, September 13 at noon; September 30 at 7pm TBC. Trustees will confirm attendance during the August board meeting.
United for Libraries will offer a conference on improving advocacy skills. Free to MA residents.
Advocacy calendar: proposed plan – big bursts of activity in September, January, and March. As information is confirmed, Jill can capture in the advocacy calendar.
Material: we currently have a postcard sized handout and a mailer will be created. Trustees will need to volunteer to develop mailing list – Gloria has acquired voting lists from Town Hall. Having electronic files will make the task much easier. Gloria will ask at Town Hall. If a partner organization is able to send the postcards via bulk mail that could save some money. Trustees will need to ask Friends to help pay for the mailing. Jill recommended that we inquire at Town Hall if a mailer could be included in quarterly bill mailings.
Trustee Vacancy:
A trustee resigned effective July 23. Gloria will inform the Select Board and deliver letter to Mike Ward. The open seat will be filled by the Trustees and the Selectboard members in a joint meeting. Potentially, a new trustee will need to be appointed. Board members may need to reach out to community members. The position will serve until June 2026.
Early closing on Halloween: Board voted in favor of closing at 4pm on October 31.
Confirmation of date of next meeting – August 26 at 5pm, September 23 at 6pm
Adjourn at 6:28pm
