Fitzwilliam Town Library Board of Trustees

Minutes for November 4, 2024 Meeting

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

1. Call to Order – 5:30 pm

1. Approval of minutes of the October 7, 2024 meeting – Motion to approve, Nan/Seconded Carole; unanimous approval by all present

1. Approval of minutes of the October 7, 2024 minutes of the non-public session – Motion to approve, Richard/Seconded Amanda; unanimous approval by all present

1. Approval of the manifest – Approved by all present

1. Chair’s Report – nothing to share at this time

1. Assistant Library Director’s Report
   1. Circulation was 1661, up by almost 15% as compared to this time last year (again, this does not include the Newsbank numbers as they are not available); 12 adult programs and 20 children’s programs were held with a total attendance of 540 (this includes Trick or Treat); space was provided for 12 meetings with 91 attendees, and patron attendance in the building for the month was 1166.
   2. The Budget Committee (Director, Assistant Director, Chair and Treasurer) has met and continues to refine the budget.
   3. All staff have received evaluations for the previous year; Cindi continues to attend various workshops
   4. One display case ordered for the Locke Collection arrived today.  
   5. Tweens & Teens’ programming continues and is growing in popularity (more boys are signing up).

1. Old Business

1. Restroom door knob replacement – Beth moved that we purchase and install a new door knob system for the rest room to reduce accidental lock-outs which seem to be occurring regularly; Richard seconded; unanimously approved by all Trustees present 
2. Revision of the Collection Development policy; revisions were discussed. 
3. 2025 Budget
   1. Need data from 2024 programming, circulation etc. to share with the Select Board as part of the budget narrative
   2. New director’s salary and benefits still an unknown in the budget 
   3. Budget hearing for the Library is on December 5^th
4. Robin will prepare a 1 page budget narrative for the Select Board 

1. New Business – none

1. Ongoing Business (e.g., Friends of the Library; Buildings & Grounds) and/or announcements
   1. More progress in library improvements upstairs has occurred; Tattersall Electric has ordered the lights for the downstairs meeting room and will schedule a work date once they arrive
   2. The Friends Annual Appeal continues and is going well; the Friends assembled the Halloween treat bags for trick or treat; the giving tree will go up at the end of the month (working with the FDNA to give books as gifts to children during the holidays/delivered with holiday food drive).

1. Date/time for next meeting will be December 2, 2024 @ 5:30 pm

1. At 6:00 pm, Richard moved and Beth seconded entering a non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II(b) for the purpose of discussing personnel. Approved by a roll call of all Trustees present.

1. At 6:35 pm, Nan moved and Richard seconded to leave the non-public session and return to a public session; approved by all Trustees present. 

1. At 6:36 Richard moved and Carole seconded that the minutes of the non-public session be sealed. Approved by a roll call of all Trustees present.

1. Adjournment at 6:36 pm; Beth moved to adjourn/Richard seconded; Unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted:

Nan Fey-Yensan, Secretary