— Trustee Minutes – March 3, 2025

Fitzwilliam Town Library Board of Trustees

Minutes for March 3, 2025 Meeting

Members present: Chair Robin Marra, Richard Marshall, Carole Beckwith, Nan Fey-Yensan, Beth Lorenz, Alternates Amanda Blicharz and Pam Troccia, and Director Cindi Beede   

  1. Call to Order – 5:35 pm 
  1. Approval of minutes of the February 3, 2025 meeting – Motion to approve, Richard/Seconded Carole; unanimous approval by all present
  1. Approval of the manifest – Approved by all present
  1. Chair’s Report
  1. The Chair indicated that we should make a gesture to thank Beth for her 6 years of service to the Board of Trustees. Motion to formally thank Beth, Richard/Seconded Nan (Beth will not be seeking re-election to the Board in 2025):

The Board of Trustees of the Town of Fitzwilliam Library are pleased to acknowledge 6 years of dedicated service to the Board by Beth Lorenz.

  1. Library Director’s Report
    1. February circulation was 1643, up 3.5% from 2024; 10 adult programs and 11 children’s programs were held with a total attendance of 295; space was provided for 10 meetings with 55 attendees, and patron attendance in the building for the month was 839.
    2. Budget: The proposed budget and CIP was approved by the Selectboard and Budget Committee.
    3. The Director would like to upgrade the accounting platform to Quickbooks to alleviate a compatibility problem with the town (cost to be determined).
    4. We have received 16 applications for the assistant director position; Cindi will invite a qualified pool of candidates to interview; Nan will assist in the interviews.
    5. Kate continues to work 2 days per week.
    6. Caleb Massin will complete painting this month (upstairs).
    7. Friends update: The group will revamp their thank you approach in the coming year based on feedback provided at the last Board meeting. 
  1. Old Business
    1. Budget Hearing- covered in Director’s Report
    2. Open House and Congratulations Event February 8: Was a huge success with about 50 people in attendance. Congratulations Kate and Cindi!
    3. 2024 Audit Update – Any inconsistencies will be addressed using Quickbooks
    4. Status of Assistant Director search – see Director’s Report
    5. Long-range plan – the Trustees decided to postpone deeper discussion of the LRP until April 2025.
  1. New Business
    1. Year in review— The Chair asked the Board to reflect on all of the accomplishments that occurred this past year:
      1. Successful search of new Director
      2. Improvements to second floor and lighting
      3. Display space for Locke Collection
      4. Policy changes
      5. Completion of ALA Rural Library Grant
      6. Development of collaborative programming with Emerson School
      7. Continuing revision of 10-year Master Plan (to be worked on in April)
      8. viii.Initiation of discussions of formal fund-raising efforts
      9. Continuing success of Library newsletter (circulation 560, weekly)
    2. Richard will search for an electronic copy of the Library survey from 2021
    3. There was consensus that the Board must have more directed discussions about fund-raising and the long-range plan; Robin asked that the Board consider its goals for the coming year, especially as they relate to the LRP, and this will be a topic of discussion on April 7th.
  1. Ongoing Business (e.g., Friends of the Library; Buildings & Grounds) and/or announcements
    1. Robin thanked all Board Members for their support this past year.
    2. Robin proposed the reappointment of Amanda and Pam as alternates for the coming year; there was unanimous support by all Trustees
  1. Date/time for next meeting will be April 7, 2025 @ 5:30 pm 
  1. Adjournment at 6:25 pm; Beth moved to adjourn/Carole seconded; Unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted:

Nan Fey-Yensan, Secretary

April 4, 2025