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Grafton Public Library Trustees Meeting Minutes

January 17, 2018

Attending: Bob Donald, Andrea Dunmire, Deborah Toomey, and David Whittall

Bob Donald called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.

Public comment: No public in attendance.

The minutes of the December 21, 2017 meeting were read and approved.

Librarian’s Report

The Board discussed the library automation and are looking forward to its Beta testing and hope that Library World will work well for our Library. Some members of the Board may view Pope Memorial Library’s catalog recommended by the Librarian as an example of what Grafton might do. We were all pleased that we are nearing completion of this monumental task. Well done, Michelle!

Prior to making a decision regarding selling the white cabinet upstairs (which was examined by all Board members in attendance), the Board would like to discuss it with the Librarian. There is a second matching cabinet that is filled with children’s activity materials. Specifically, why does the Library want to sell, how much is on offer, and do we need it? Discussing the sale was tabled until these and possibly other questions are answered.

Treasurer’s Report

With the Library through 53% of the year, we are right on budget. Both the endowment and the Steven’s Fund are doing well in the current climate. Some members of the Board expressed concern regarding another market crash occurring like the one that so adversely affected us in 2008. Bob indicated that we were invested fairly conservatively so if that happens, it would not be catastrophic.

With funds still trickling in from the Annual Appeal, the Library has achieved 108%. The Grafton Public Library Board of Trustees are grateful to the community for their continuing support.

Building and Grounds

Due to extenuating circumstances, neither Deborah or David contacted Galen Pinkham regarding the shades for the non-fiction room. Deborah, while signing thank you letters when the Library was closed, did hear the representative of the shades company telephone. Not sure what the status of this is now with Galen’s wife Sandy’s sudden serious illness. Deborah can come down to the Library, if called by staff or volunteers, to monitor the installation. The only time she and David will not be available will be February 5-9.

The Board would also like to revisit painting the main reception and staff areas. Realizing that the librarian is sensitive to paint, we’d like to plan it for her next vacation. It was felt there was insufficient time to contact three bidders and get the job completed during her upcoming time off. Andrea, Bob, and Deborah will contact painters to obtain interest or bids on the cost of painting these areas of the Library.

New Business

The time and date of the Board meetings were discussed. Deborah suggested that we move the meeting to either the fourth Wednesday or Thursday of the month and change the time back to 7 p.m. The meeting was originally changed because of a local book group that met then. Bob said that it had been on Thursdays ever since he’d been on the Board and suggested keeping it on Thursday now that the book group met at a different time of the month. The Board voted to change the meeting back to the fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.

The next meeting of the Board will be Thursday, February 22 at 7 p.m.

The meeting adjoined at 6:35 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Deborah Toomey, Secretary