May 21, 2025

In attendance: Chair Gloria Parkinson, Jill Ashton, Jacqueline McGuire, Francsico Ramos,
Director Marie Letarte
Absent: Marty Shaughnessy and Mercedes Kiss

Call to Order at 6:05 by Gloria

No Public Comment

Approval of minutes for April – action item
Motion to accept draft minutes by Jill, 2nd Francisco, all approve

Reports:

• MA public libraries construction program update/ progress
  • Town and OPM signed contact
  • Review panel reviewed potential design firms
  • Interviews Tues 5/27 at 6:30
• Director’s Report
  • Town administration budget cuts
    • Tech & CWMARS lines cut to 0
    • Director is prepared to propose preferred distribution of budget cuts at FinComm meeting tomorrow
    • Department heads and board should have been consulted on distribution of budget cuts, benefits of productive communication
    • Motion for trustees to accept Director’s materials for 2025 budget presented to selectboard by Francisco, 2nd by Jill, all approved
  • New challenger for Clinton vs Clinton Reading Challenge added, starting Memorial Day
  • Library is Closed Saturday for Memorial Day
  • New board member next month – reconsider regular meeting schedule
  • Director attended Nashoba Pride w/ 10 other libraries & Clinton Multicultural Night

Subcommittee Update

• July 4th Holiday
  • Library will be closed on Friday July 4th
    • Should library also be closed Sat, July 5th?
  • Vote and discussion delayed until next meeting

Thank you letter for capital campaign donations – action item
Motion to accept thank you letters as is by Francisco, 2nd by Jill, all approved

Letter about cuts to IMLS, MBLC a la HPL – action item

• Cutting IMLS is illegal – 26 attorney generals have sued
• Advocate for importance of libraries
• Contacting reps, legislators, senators for advocacy
• Thinking about steps that can be taken by members of the community
• Latest updates from feds about IMLS

New business: anything not anticipated 48 hours in advance
Can’t be used as a catch-all

Confirmation of date of next meeting : June 24th,
Adjournment at 7:37 pm Gloria, 2nd by Jacqueline
Minutes submitted by Gabrielle Turcotte