Unapproved Minutes Joint Board Meeting 4/13/2017

Joint Board Meeting, April 13, 2017
Unapproved Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 by chair Pat Gallant. Present were: Pat, Liz Griffin, Debbie Landauer, Joy Mercer, Steve Cormier, Eric Foreman, Chris Fearon, John Tague,Kathy Muehl.
Pat welcomed new members to the group and clarified that there were only 5 voting members on the board: two Library trustees, two school board representatives, and the Selectboard representative.

There was neither public input nor correspondence.

Elections for Chair and Secretary of the Joint Committee were held. Pat Gallant was nominated and elected unanimously for Chair. Elizabeth Griffin was nominated and elected unanimously for Secretary.

The minutes of the last Joint Board meeting, held in October 2016, were reviewed and approved.

Both librarians presented a review of the highlights of their quarterly reports.

Joy Mercer stated that the library is very busy and she has an average of 23 classes each week. She noted that there has been a steady increase in the number of walk-in students, who come to meet friends, to work on the computers, to do homework.

The Red Clover program is an active reading program in grades K-4 and Mrs. Haddock’s 2nd grade class has been blogging about the books with the librarian and a class at the Charlotte Elementary School. This provides the opportunity to read the books, share the books, and learn how to create a post.
Grades 4-12 have the opportunity to read the Dorothy Canfield Fisher books, a list of 30.
There are 5 students who have read all 30. Students must read at least 5 to vote. In June there is a celebration for all students who have read at least five of the list. The youth who read all 30 will receive a gift card from Phoenix Bookstore. This program, begun by Marcheta Townsend, continues in her memory.

Debbie Landauer reported that the Community Library had a table at Town Meeting. Information, a slide show, and the opportunity to become a member were available. The library also had a table with information at the polling place on voting day.

The library now has two circulation computers which reduces waiting time considerably.
There is also a book drop under the counter, thanks to the custodial staff.

In the first quarter of 2017 the Community Library welcomed 24 new patrons. 1600 adult fiction books were taken out, and thanks to the weather, snowshoes were checked out 33 times.

Although the weather kept the numbers down, the baby dedication was a pleasant event.

The Community Library continues to be engaged in the life of the community through its many programs for children and adults. Several new programs of note are the monthly Lab Girls program designed to encourage girls to be involved in STEM, an on-going French class for adults, two monthly sewing classes taught by Karin, and a presentation by Mary Fillmore, prize-winning author of “ An Address in Amsterdam,” who spoke about her book and the history around it. .

Attendees for programs from January through March was 668 juvenile and 250 adult.

Devin Borthwick will again be the summer student employee.

Steve asked about how these events are publicized and suggested that Debbie add Facebook Boost (ads) to the already extensive list of venues she and Nicole use for promotion.
She indicated that for the Summer Reading Program she distributes flyers to all the teachers and students.

Unfinished business

There no policy updates at this time.

Facilities Committee.

There had been some concern because the two librarians had met with the architect working on reimagining the school, and had heard neither from him nor the committee. John Tague stated that because of the situation with Act 46 that committee had been put on hold, but reconvened in November 2016.

He indicated that aside from the construction of the elementary school wing, the school had not had any upgrades since 1948. He reviewed the extensive plans to redesign the building and said the School Board will present a bond issue for the work in September. None of the changes envisioned will have any effect on the library.

John said that there is a surplus in the school budget, and the board might have the financial resources to address some of the reorganizing of the library space that the librarians had discussed with the architect. Debbie and Joy will meet to prioritize their ideas in terms of need and cost, discuss them with John, meet with the trustees on May 4, and then meet with School Board at their May 8 meeting.

Debbie noted that there might be grants, or other revenue streams available to reconfigure the interior of the library. Steve said he would check into if the town has any means of contributing.

New Business

Both Debbie and Joy stated that particularly during certain times of year--when neither the air conditioning nor heat are on--exhaust from cars idling in front of the library enters the building through the air vents, creating unhealthy air. Perhaps more signs, and signs that face the parked cars might help. John will check with Todd Granger about signs. He also remarked that the School Resource Officer who will be available in the fall could help with this concern.

The next Joint Board meetings will be : October 12, 2017 and April 12, 2018.

Steve made the motion to adjourn and we adjourned at 8:00.

Respectfully submitted

Elizabeth Griffin