Holderness Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
August 29, 2007
Meeting Minutes
In Attendance:
Trustees: Sandy Ray, Larry Webster, Jean Swindell, Wendell Broom, Kay Hanson
Library Director: Suzanne Peoples
Sid Lovett came to the meeting to ask the board if they would be a vehicle of support for Bob Rothschild's Libraries of Botswana project. The libraries there need books. He asked if the Holderness Library might be interested in a cooperative relationship, library to library. Perhaps the Holderness Library could offer to send $1 for every book children read. It was thought that the Holderness Central School and the Holderness Library could cooperate on such an effort. The actual funds to be donated will be raised through a letter of solicitation that has been drafted by Lisa and Sid Lovett.
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as presented.
Financial Report
The financial report was presented in a Quicken Program format. Though all the figures were correctly presented, it is hope that a format that would be more easily understandable be sought for our next meeting. Wendell will look into this. Wendell will also try to meet with Water Johnson, the Town Manager, to discuss the library's capital improvement funds.
Suzanne has been using the library debit card to purchase books from Amazon.com. It was suggested that she look into establishing a purchase order account with them.
Library Director's Report
Suzanne reports having had a successful summer season of both adult and children's programs. The usage of materials numbers are up too.
Shades are needed to block out sun glare at the new computer center. Suzanne will look into purchasing them. New book cases are also needed. It was suggested that the book cases be purchased from the capital fund.
Two teenagers have deliberately damaged and defaced library property by sticking chewing gum to video cases and have shuffled the DVD's into different cases. The police chief is aware of these two problem teens and has advised Suzanne not to admit them into the library building.
Issues and Concerns
The old library computer desk is still sitting outside. Sandy will see if the Pemi Baker Youth Center would like to have it in donation.
Fall Trustees Retreat
There will be an all day retreat for library trustees on Monday, October 15, 2007 at 8:30, at Jean Swindell's house. Sandy has authored the proposed itinerary. Each trustee will look into an assigned aspect of the library: the building, the collection, programming, the library atmosphere, the personnel, and the use of volunteers.
One of the issues to be addressed is the need for a system to follow through with what has been discussed at the meetings. An effort needs to be made to assign the tasks of carrying out what has been agreed upon. Meeting agenda items will now have assigned names to help remind those who are responsible for a report or an assignment.
Building Team
Barry Gaw is scheduled to meet in September with a representative from DES about possible set back exemptions for the building project.
Friends of the Library
The Friends have paid for the hired entertainers his summer and have given the library a book cart for behind the circulation desk. The trustees voted to accept these donations.
A motion was made seconded and passed for the Friends to file for 501 c 3 status (nonprofit status). Larry will talk to Susan Beeson about this.
Books for Botswana
A motion was made to lend the library name and support to the Books for Botswana effort. Wendell seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. Suzanne will work with Sid Lovett on this. Wendell has agreed to assist them.
Use of library bathroom
The bathroom is reserved for the discretionary use of our patrons. This policy will continue until we have a more adequate public facility.
Computer Classes
Tom Klein of Sandwich would be willing to setup the library's computer class program. Wendell will arrange a meeting with Tom and what ever trustees are available to attend this meeting.
Sandy Perkins has also submitted a computer class plan. It is hoped that Tom Klein would over see the computer classes and that Sandy Perkins be one of the instructors in the program.
Date of the Next Meeting
The next library trustee meeting will be on Monday at 9:00 AM, September 24, 2007, at the Holderness Library.
Respectfully submitted by,
Kay Hanson
Secretary for the Holderness Library Board of Trustees
| 
