Nesmith Library Board of Trustees Minutes

January 8, 2002

PRESENT: J Gross, Chairman; Murray Levin, Vice-Chairman; Mary Lee Underhill, Secretary; Holly Eddy, Treasurer; Shirley Beaulieu, Vice-Treasurer; Rich Koeck, Member.

EXCUSED: Pat Skinner, Member.

ATTENDEES: John Barrett, Director; Marija Sanderling, Assistant Director/IT.

J Gross called the meeting to order at 7:05PM.

MINUTES: The minutes of the December 11, 2001 meeting were approved as written.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: J Gross presented a rough draft of the Trustees annual report and requested input from the Board.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Holly Eddy reported that the end of the month manifest report was not available from the town hall prior to the Trustees meeting. The Board discussed the difficulties of beginning the new budget year without the benefit of the previous year’s last monthly report. The Board requested that the library director speak with the town administrator to facilitate the receipt of future monthly reports in a more timely manner.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT: John Barrett reported that 7,730 items were in circulation in December bringing the year-to-date circulation total to 111,480 items. There are 6,525 registered patrons. Volunteers logged 64 hours in December bringing the year-to-date total to 1242.5 hours. The entryway counter showed that 5,056 patrons visited the library during December bringing the year-to-date total to 74,498 patron visits. There were 92 internet users in December.

John reported that all December programs were well attended. The FLOW sponsored Children’s Room Enhancement Project Open House was a huge success with 175 in attendance. John commended Youth Services Librarian Beth Strauss, FLOW CREP co-chairs Rhenea Regan and Lisa Vivinetto, interior designer Sally D’Angelo, Croteau Carpentry, muralist Marjorie Harris Clark, and seamstress Kathy Lambert for their untiring dedication to the fulfillment of this incredible gift to the children of Windham. The town maintenance division was helpful with many final issues. Photographs from the Open House can be viewed at www.nesmithlibrary.org.

John reported that he is prepared for the public hearing on the 2002 budget.

John reported that the library newsletter edited by Joyce Wilt is now available at www.nesmithlibrary.org.

Library users may submit questions to Reference Librarian Lois Freeston at the site.

Marija Sanderling reported that many of the aging computers are breaking down repeatedly. The Board discussed computer issues at length.

1-08-01

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The Board Long Range Planning Committee set a date for their next meeting.

The Board earnestly revisited the 2002 proposed library budget as requested by the Selectmen. After lengthy discussion the Board was unable to uncover any excess in the already trimmed budget proposal. The Board genuinely believes that to continue providing excellent services and programs to our growing community the 2002 proposed budget for the Nesmith Library must remain at current levels.

MOTION: Upon motion by Murray Levin, second by Shirley Beaulieu, the Board voted to approve the 2002 holiday closings as follows:

· · New Year’s Day, Tuesday, January 1, 2002 - CLOSED

· · Martin Luther King/Civil Rights Day, Monday, January 21, 2002 - CLOSED

· · President’s Day, Monday, February 18, 2002 - CLOSED

· · Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2002 - CLOSED

· · Independence Day, Thursday, July 4, 2002 - CLOSED

· · Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2002 – CLOSED

· · Columbus Day, Monday, October 14, 2002 - CLOSED

· · Veteran’s Day, Monday, November 11, 2002 – CLOSED

· · Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2002 - CLOSED

· · Day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 29, 2002 – CLOSED

· · Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2002 – CLOSED

The library will be open from 9AM to 12PM:

· · Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 27, 2002 – CLOSED AT NOON

· · Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 2002 – CLOSED AT NOON

· · New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31, 2002 – CLOSED AT NOON

The next regular Trustees meeting will be held at the Nesmith Library on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 at 7PM.

The meeting adjourned at 9:40PM

Respectfully submitted,

Jena Day

Recording Secretary

Draft subject to approval