Holderness Library Trustee Meeting
May 20, 2008
Meeting Minutes
In Attendance
Library Trustees: Carol Snelling, Kathy Wieliczko, Kay Hanson, Amanda Loud, Larry Webster
Library Director: Victoria Lang
Minutes of the April 15 meeting were accepted as presented.
Treasurer’s Report
Having Wendy Huff helping with the book keeping is working well.
The utilities line of the budget is already half spent. Though the cost of utilities is highest for the library during the winter months, concern was expressed at the rising cost of oil. It was suggested that winter classes and programs be offered on the days when the library is open. Victoria will also look into getting heat timers on the thermostat. The library purchases its heating oil with the plan used by the Town of Holderness.
The library has had no hot water for years. The condition of the electric water heater will be looked into.
A discussion on donations ensued. The trustees can accept donations for specific things. The operating budget has to exist exclusive of fund raising. Victoria is carefully charting the donations that the library has been receiving.
Library Director’s Report
Victoria is weeding the library collections of obsolete books.
She will look into selling them through internet sales, or through book dealers. Some books may just need to be sent to the recycling center.
Victoria is also getting books donated from large libraries in our state that annually discard their reference books. Those books will be more current than what the Holderness Library collection currently holds.
CD’s are checked out regularly by our library’s patrons. Victoria will consider their popularity when spending the media budget.
The $130 check from the State Library grant for the summer reading program has arrived.
The bookcases donated for the children’s section by the Library Friends will be arriving in 4 weeks. The 3 brightly colored bookcases will replace the plastic milk crates currently being used to house the children’s books. The Friends have also donated $600 for outdoor furniture to establish an outdoor reading area for the summer months.
A digital camera has also been donated by the Friends.
Canvas book bags with a picture of the library on them will be sold for $12 a piece. They will be available at the Friends annual lawn sale.
New art is on display in the library. Stained glass is hanging in the windows, fish paintings are on the walls, and baby sweaters are in the display cabinet. Sandy Ray is planning an artists’ reception in July.
Four Science Center Passes are available for library patron use. In the past the passes were given out to Holderness residents only. It was decided that they should be made available for all library patrons. The library director will use her best judgment if the use of the passes is being abused.
Victoria and Lydia will be attending the NH Library Association’s annual conference next Thursday. They will be shopping at Michaels for summer story hour supplies on their way home.
The General Library Policy document needs revision and up dating. Copies of the present document were distributed to the trustees. Suggestions for revisions will be dealt with at our next meeting.
The summer reading program theme is reading down under. Jillian, a friend of Kathy’s from Australia will be one of the readers at the story time in July.
Veterans Memorial
There is no need to cut down trees for the new monument. The flag pole may have to be moved to enhance the monument. There may be 3 flags: POW, State of NH, and USA. Lighting for the flagpole will be paid for by the Town.
New Business
An anonymous gift of $3,380 for the new copy machine was approved and graciously received by the trustees.
The trustees acknowledge and gratefully receive the donation of a web editor program from Sandra Perkins for the library website.
Water is leaking into the front door book drop. Having the book drop attached to the building is a fire hazard. After some discussion it was decided that a better box for the book drop is needed. A book drop that is separate from the library building would be impractical and a logistical hassle for the library staff.
Randy Eastman will soon be installing the air conditioner for the summer. He will be asked to look after cutting down a dead red pine tree that is on the library grounds.
The library lawn is mowed by Skip Thompson. Cemetery funds from the Town budget pays for the lawn mowing for all town buildings.
Critical Goals
The critical goals contract with Sue Murphy runs through October of 2008. Part of the contract states that the trustees will have 8 prospective customer referrals for Sue’s business. So far the trustees have only been able to come forth with 2 referrals. It was decided that this dilemma be discussed with Sue when setting up our next meeting with her.
The library’s slate roof needs to be inspected.
The next meeting of the Holderness Library Trustees will be at 4:00 PM on Monday, June 16, 2008 at the Holderness Library.
Respectfully submitted by,
Kay Hanson, Secretary for the Holderness Library Trustees
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