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Minutes
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Grafton Public Library Trustees Meeting Minutes
July 30, 2015
Attending: Bob
Donald, Lucia Corwin, Christopher Schemm, Deborah Toomey
Bob Donald brought the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
The minutes from the May meeting were read and approved.
Public Comment
Pat Jeziorski and Galen Pinkham were in attendance. The
Grafton Historical Society is searching for documentation regarding Grafton’s
role in the Underground Railroad and would like to search through any
historical documents that may be in the Library regarding the Grafton
Anti-Slavery Society, established in 1837. The Board welcomes this search but
asks that a Board member be present and that the search not be conducted until
after the Labor Day book sale. Lucia Corwin volunteered to be represent the
Board.
Christopher Schemm said that his mother, Mildred Walker
Schemm did have extensive files on Grafton and on this particular aspect of
Grafton’s history that she compiled for her books. Blacks stayed in Grafton,
not continuing north to Canada. Her files reside in Wyoming where there may be
information that would be useful for the Historical Society.
Librarian’s Report
The French language study group will end in November. The
Spanish language study group will continue through the year and has three
active participants.
The program on loss was attended by 11 people in July,
usually a slow time for participation. This highlights the need for this
program in Grafton and monthly meetings are scheduled.
Technology
A sizeable portion of the librarian’s time has been spent
the last few weeks dealing with technology issues. The e-mail program needed to
be reinstalled. The free computer provided by the Vermont Dept. of Libraries
will not work at the Library, although it will work just fine when at
Michelle’s home. No one has yet to explain why or to help resolve this. There
were issues with the scanner the Library was sent by Library World for adding
books to the automated system. Library World upon learning of the problem
diagnosed it as a bad scanner and immediately sent a new scanner. The new
scanner works fine, so they were correct in their assessment. Michelle suggests
that the Board include an upgrade to a Premium account with Library World to
ensure that any issues with our new automated library system will be resolved
promptly.
Several possibilities for technology support were also
suggested to help Michelle with computer issues. Since the Library has very
specific software that most technical support folks are not familiar with,
their assistance is not always helpful and may be more costly as they have to
learn the software the library uses along with it functionality.
Special thanks go to Jimmy Nieset for providing access to
his IT Department in Louisiana to see if they could help resolve some of the
Library’s technology issues. Because of the specialized software, they were not
successful, but his offer was very much appreciated.
Building and Grounds
Ivor Stevens will fill the holes on the Library lawn after
the Labor Day Book Sale. Lucia will call and ask that this be scheduled.
The individual the Lucia contacted regarding removing the
damaged white pine and the maple tree did not come when he indicated he would.
Bob will send Lucia the information regarding an additional contact, and Rice
Tree Service was also suggested. Rob Hall recently had work done and will be
asked for a recommendation. Lucia will arrange for appointments to obtain
estimates to present to the Board.
Regarding the painting of the Library’s exterior, Lucia will
contact Francis Alford to see who she used for her house. Mike Eno and
Catamount Painting were also suggested as possibilities. Lucia was willing to
investigate and will get back to the Board on this as well.
Michelle reported that the fire door upstairs is sticking
and is almost impossible to close once opened. A group using the Library for
meetings opens the door because of how warm it is in summer. There is a sign on
the door asking that it not be opened except in an emergency. The Board may
want to consider including funding to next year’s budget for installing a new
door or repairing the current one.
Treasurer’s Report
The library closed out the year within budget. Funds have been
withdrawn from the Jerald L. Stevens Memorial Fund to pay for the librarian’s
health care and the salary of the assistant librarian. Bob will contact the
town manager for an estimate of the cost of the Vermont Health Plan next year,
starting in January 2016.
An Executive Board Session will be called for the week of
August 17th, prior to the regular Board meeting to discuss salaries,
health care, and any other budgetary issues that warrant an executive session.
Library Book Sale
Tasks for the upcoming book sale were discussed and assigned
to various members. Boxes are a critical need at present. The Grafton News will
have an article once again on volunteers for set up. Last year’s response was
wonderful and it’s hoped that the community will respond as generously again.
The next meeting of the Board will be held on Thursday,
August 20th.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah Toomey
Secretary