Minutes of the Meeting
Fitzwilliam Town Library Board of Trustees
7 August 2017
Present: Dick Goettle, Barbara Green, Richard Mays, Ann McEntee, Nick Noyes, and Library Director Kate Thomas
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM in the Young Adult Room of the Library.
The Trustees reviewed and signed the library manifest and Kate Thomas’s spread sheet of library expenses to date.
Richard Mays put forth a motion, seconded by Nick Noyes, to accept the minutes of July 3rd as presented. Motion carried.
The library received $2,423.94 in earnings from the Trustee of Trusts Book Funds in July, 2017.
The second draft of the library’s gift policy was reviewed, date changes were made to the policy and Attachment B, and accepted. Kate Thomas will post on the library’s website.
The Trustees reviewed and signed the quarterly financial spreadsheet (second quarter). It was agreed that these quarterly reports would be reviewed at the monthly Trustee meeting following the close of the quarter.
The Trustees recommended Jill Wixom for a step increase based upon the library director’s evaluation. Nick will submit a letter to the Board of Selectmen requesting this increase.
The Trustees commended Richard for the excellent fence repair and Nick for painting it.
Richard received a quote from Metro Signs for a PVC sign (similar to the Fitzwilliam sign located on Route 12). He is awaiting additional quotes.
Richard also reported that the second-floor door and exit sign have been installed. Dennis Wright Painting will paint the door as his schedule allows.
It is anticipated that the Locke Collection will be appraised in November. An appraiser familiar with the individual items in the collection has yet to be found.
The library’s technology plan was reviewed. Kate expressed an urgency to lease MS Office 365 from Microsoft. Dick Goettle suggested that she determine which of the library’s computers will receive the software once the lease has been signed for five computers. The Trustees agreed that the library’s computers “lifespan” should not exceed 5-6 years with the most heavily used computers replaced and rotated into public use every 3 years. The library director’s printer needs to be replaced, and it was agreed that a multifunctional printer with scanning and faxing capability will be purchased. Dick asked Kate to prioritize a list of computer equipment purchases to be made in December. It was agreed that the Trustees would budget for such equipment for 2018.
Richard provided quotes for two excellent street trees available for purchase at Maple Hill Nursery, Swanzey. A 20-foot red maple, installed, costs $2,000; a 7-foot, uninstalled, $140. A 10-15-foot pin oak, uninstalled, costs $450. Nick suggested that he speak to the Board of Selectmen about the choices as well as the installation. Ann McEntee pointed out that the nursery will not honor its 1-year warranty if it does not plant the trees; Richard confirmed.
The Trustees reviewed the Librarian’s Report. Kate stated that circulation continues to increase and that 250 people attended 31 programs during the month of July. MaryAnn Mullett’s art show has received good attendance, although no purchases have been made to date. The Summer Reading Program was very successful, more so than in years past: 128 people participated, and approximately 1300 books were read. Kate also reviewed her vacation schedule with the Trustees.
Ann presented Friends of the Library news: a generous gift has been received for the Legos Machines program; the organization is currently asking for book donations for the upcoming August 26th sale; volunteers are needed to help sort books for the sale.
The next Trustee meeting was scheduled for September 11th, 2017 at 5:45 PM.
Richard put forth a motion to adjourn the meeting; Nick Noyes seconded it. The motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 7:06 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann M. McEntee, Secretary