Nesmith Library Board of Trustees

Minutes

May 14, 2002

PRESENT: Mary Lee Underhill, Chair; Shirley Beaulieu, Vice-Chair;

Holly Eddy, Treasurer; J Gross, Vice-Treasurer; Rich Koeck,

Secretary; Pat Skinner, Member; John Barrett, Director; Marija

Sanderling, Assistant Director/IT.

EXCUSED: Murray Levin, Member.

Mary Lee Underhill called the meeting to order at 7:07PM.

MINUTES: The minutes of the April 9, 2002 meeting were accepted as

corrected to use “excused” rather than “absent” in the attendance

listing.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Holly Eddy reported that with 33.3% of the year

passed that 39.3% of the budget had been expended. The Treasurer’s

report was placed on file.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT: John Barrett reported that 10,349 items were in

circulation in April. There are 6,834 registered patrons. Volunteers

logged 118.75 hours in March bringing the year-to-date total to 481.5

volunteer hours. The entryway counter showed that 6,419 patrons visited

the library during April. There were 160 internet uses in April.

John led a discussion regarding his concern with late fees being

assessed to library invoices due to delayed payments made through the

town manifest. The board requested that John share these concerns with

the town administrator and open discussions on rectifying the

situation. John reported that the library’s annual audit had been

successfully completed.

John reported that the driveway entrance rock sign had been engraved.

John is contacting area electricians to complete lighting requirements

for the rock.. John reported that he has contacted a contractor to make

alterations needed at the main library entrance. The annual Windham

Fire Department inspection of the library building resulted in one

violation in an area used for storage. The Board discussed the ongoing

issue of the lack of storage space at the library. The library carpets

will be cleaned on May 26, 2002.

John reported that several staff members and the newly appointed

volunteer coordinator, Amy Chen, will attend the NH Governor’s

Conference on Volunteerism in Concord on May 20, 2002.

Rich Koeck reported that 484 library surveys have been returned. The

Board discussed extending the survey return date in order to allow for a

larger number to be included in the study. Mary Lee encouraged patrons

to return their original surveys or to stop in at the library to pick up

and fill out a new form.

John reported that the library has received a $750 grant from the Best

Schools Initiative in support of the First Teachers Project for the

purchase of seventeen literacy kits. A further amount of $700 was

awarded for new books for the First Teachers Collection. Youth Services

Librarian, Beth Strauss, is the library’s liaison to the First teachers

Project.

John reported that Murray Levin has been named NH Trustee of the Year by

the NH Library Trustees Association. Congratulations Murray on an honor

well deserved!

John reminded the Board that F.L.O.W. will host their annual Strawberry

Festival at the library on June 1, 2002. Shirley Beaulieu reported that

hot air balloon rides will be a new attraction at the festival this

year.

Mary Lee requested that the Board Personnel Committee investigate

incorporating several sections of the NHLTA Guide for Library Trustees

in our Personnel Policy. Recommendations from the committee will be

discussed and voted on at a future meeting.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The Board discussed the status of several building

fund projects in various stages of development and implementation.

MOTION: Upon motion by J Gross, second by Shirley Beaulieu, the Board

voted to accept the Public Internet Access and Appropriate Use Policy as

amended during the meeting.

Mary Lee requested that all those planning to attend the NHLTA Spring

Conference have their registration forms delivered to Jena by Wednesday,

May 15, 2002.

NEW BUSINESS: MOTION: Upon motion by Holly Eddy, second by Shirley

Beaulieu, the Board voted to change the June trustees meeting date to

Tuesday, June 18, 2002.

MOTION: Upon motion by Pat Skinner, second by Holly Eddy, the Board

voted to approve a 6PM closing of the library on Tuesday, June 11, 2002

in order to allow the staff to attend the annual F.L.O.W. banquet.

MOTION: Upon motion by Holly Eddy, second by J Gross, the Board voted

not to have a Board meeting in July 2002.

MOTION: Upon motion by Pat Skinner, second by J Gross, the Board voted

to authorize the Director to institute summer hours beginning Saturday,

June 22 through Saturday August 31, 2002. The library will close at 8PM

on Mondays and at 3PM on Saturdays throughout the summer. Normal

library hours will resume on September 1, 2002.

The next Trustees meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2002 at the

Nesmith Library at 7PM.

The meeting adjourned at 8:47PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Jena Day

Recording secretary

Draft, subject to change