MINUTES FOR JULY 8, 2008

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ MEETING - MINOT SLEEPER LIBRARY

 

 

PRESENT: Nancy Gavalis, Roger Nichols, Chair; George Corrette, Treasurer; Barbara Greenwood, William Barrett, Deborah Gilbert, Librarian; Wendy Costigan, Secretary.

 

ABSENT:  Deborah Doe, Shirley Yorks, and Glenn Dorr.

 

SECRETARY’S REPORT:  The minutes from the June meeting were reviewed by all those present. Barbara Greenwood made a motion to accept the minutes and Nancy Gavalis seconded.  The motion carried as all were in favor.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:  George Corrette received a letter and check from the ongoing class action lawsuit regarding the Massachusetts Investment Trust in which the library holds shares.  The check for $1600 was deposited.  The library account balances are as follows:  $10,400 in checking, $85,641.45 in the investment pool at the end of May, and $125,000 in the USB investment as of May 30th.  William Barrett made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report and Barbara Greenwood seconded. The motion carried as all were in favor.

 

LIBRARIAN’S REPORT:  The summer reading program started with a performance at the TTCC on Friday. In attendance were 85 children and 55 adults.  The preschool program will start this Friday.  Deborah Gilbert reported on the statistics that she has been keeping since 2002.  This June was the busiest month ever with over 3000 books in circulation! That is almost a quarter of the inventory at the library.  She says there has been positive feedback on the Trustees being in the library on Wednesday mornings. 

 

CORRESPONDENCE:  George Corrette wrote a letter to Senator John Sununu requesting assistance with finding funds through grant programs.  George will follow up with a phone call to the Senator’s office.

 

OLD BUSINESS:  Deborah Gilbert reported that the repair work in the corner of the building is ready.  The new carpeting for the downstairs will be coming in on July 15th.  On July 17th, the new shelving is coming.  The existing shelves downstairs will be moved into the corner and adjustable shelves will be installed in the storage shed for easy access to materials.  A $300 estimate has been given for the work and the insurance settlement will cover this fee.  Deborah has an appointment this Thursday at 2pm with Greg at Bristol Shop n Save to discuss details about the bookmark fund-raiser. She is looking to fill the 15-20 hour open position in the library.  She wants this position to be a children’s program assistant.  This position is in the current year budget. 

 

NEW BUSINESS:  Bristol Shop n Save is having community nights on Tuesdays from 4-6pm through August.  Non-profits can do fund-raising on these nights on a first-come first-served basis.  The library will try for a date in August.  The heating oil budget was looked at.  Deborah called Dead River and they estimate that the library will use about 600 gallons more till the end of the year.  This is estimated at $1500.  The capital expense account through the town is $30,000.  The projects this is expected to cover include roofing, exterior painting, and electrical work.  Deborah Gilbert is getting estimates for replacing the slate roof.  She is looking for a painting company that is insured and has liability insurance for the exterior painting.  A Laconia company gave an estimate of $1500 and is available in July.  She will get other estimates also.  The electrician needs to look at the replacement of some internal wiring.  The new fire alarm system is estimated to cost $10,000 - $12,000.  The funds in the expense account need to be encumbered by December 31, 2008.  Deborah went to the department head meeting with the new town manager.  He has requested the library’s goals and objectives, the policy on other town’s using the library and the breakdown on the percentage of use, and any warrant articles for town meeting.  The trustees will ask for a warrant article for $50,000 to be put into capital reserves and will look into a warrant article that will shelter any future grant money that the library receives.  This was recommended by the attorney general at the Trustees seminar in May.  Deb will also send the town manager a copy of the library’s personnel policy.

 

BUILDING COMMITTEE: None

 

PUBLICITY:  None

 

The next meeting is scheduled for August 12, 2008 at 4pm in the downstairs library. 

 

The meeting adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Wendy Costigan