Author: Reading

Reading Library Board

Meeting Minutes

July 30th, 2019

In attendance​: Libbet Downs, Heather Evans, Vanessa Maxham, Tony Pikramenos.

Absent​: Janet Malcolm, Bill Bakker.

Call to order: 6:08 p.m.

Minutes approved from May meeting; Heather motioned Libbet seconded, all in agreement. No changes to agenda items.

No secretary’s report-absent.

No treasurer’s report-absent.

Librarian’s report​: The library’s budget will remain flat/even for the 2019/20 fiscal year ($32,300).

Unfinished Business​: Discussed a beautiful antique wobbly/wobbly computer table that is used in the library and needs repair. Heather motioned for Tony to contact Gerry Gambone to possibly fix, Libbet seconded, all in agreement, motion passed.

New Business​: Discussed grounds care/mowing of library; need to follow-up with Bill (trustee) who is handling contracts/agreements.

Discussed possibility of participating in Reading’s Ducky Derby event in September ‘19 -declined to participate in this years Derby; Libbet motioned to ‘pass’ on Derby day Heather seconded, all in agreement, motion passed. The board would be open to consider for 2020 Derby if it continues.

Discussion regarding ongoing courier service with Hartland Library and whether to pay for courier service annually vs. quarterly. Tony to follow-up with Nancy, librarian in Hartland.

Summary of Decisions​: Declining Ducky Derby Day ‘19. Tony to discuss courier payments with Hartland Librarian. Vanessa to contact Bill re: mowing. Tony to contact Mr. Gambone re: computer table.

Items for next month​: Courier to New Business, Maintenance to Unfinished.

Adjourn​: 6:53 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Vanessa Maxham, chair.

Reading Public Library

Board Meeting Minutes

Date: May 28, 2019

Meeting commenced: 6:05

Present: Tony Pikramenos, Vanessa Maxham, Libbet Downs, Heather Evans, Janet Malcolm, Bill Bakker

Minutes from last meeting: Motion to approve by Janet, second by Libbet.

Secretary’s report: Thank you note sent to Darci for providing snacks during story times. Thank you card to be sent out to Jane Philpin for donation of a gorgeous wooden bocce ball set; also a half dozen card games. Thank you card to be sent to Maryann Allcroft for donation of 10 books, 30 movie DVD’s, and 15 watercolor paintings by Evelyn Mildner. Thank you card to be sent to

Westminster crackers for donation of oyster crackers.

Treasurer’s report: End of the fiscal year numbers being finalized. Tony will be ordering new children’s books. Bill will contact family member of Glibert A. Davis regarding the Gilbert A. Davis trust fund to inquire about an annual report. Bill motions to approve Harkins boys for library lawn service for $28 per mowing. Libbet seconds and unanimous yes.

Librarian’s report: Herb garden planted by Libbet, Heather and Tony.

Comic book club met on May 25^th and will meet again one Saturday in June and August

Unfinished business: None

New business: None

Summary of decisions: Bill will look into Gilbert A. Davis. Tony and Bill working on end of the fiscal year numbers. Harkins boys will be doing lawn care for library.

Items for next month: Talk about expanding Tony’s hours for courier service so he won’t need to submit each month.

Computer table needs maintenance

Meeting Adjourned: 6:52

Date of next meeting: June 25, 2019

Reading Public Library Board Meeting Minutes

Date: October 23, 2018

Meeting commenced: 6:30 after signing fundraising letters.

Present: Vanessa Maxham, Heather Evans, Bill Bakker, Janet Malcolm, Tony Pikramenos

Minutes from last meeting: Motion to approve by Vanessa, second by Heather

Secretary’s report: The appeal letters are signed and will be dropped off tomorrow at Quality Mailing House in Claremont. Janet spoke with Dale and they are all set to receive letters.

Treasurer’s report: Provided the board with updated monthly numbers for the budget.

Librarian’s report:

• Make a Plate was a great success with lots of attendance!
• Becca White will come to library November 8^th at 6 pm for a solar and home energy savings program with Q and A.
• 31 RES student’s pumpkin carving with Lisa Kaija.
• Waiting on Irving to come to check fireplace.
• Maintenance- Mike Barr is retiring after years of snow removal service for the library. David Carbee has given a quote the same price as  Mike Barr. Vanessa motioned to hire David Carbee for snow removal, Heather second. Unanimous vote yes by board.
• Thank you notes to be sent to Jean Goldsborough for donating printer and scanner and Mike Barr for years of snow removal.
• Thursday Oct. 25, Tony will be away all day for annual Catamount conference. Library will be closed and Tony will be reimbursed for mileage and time.

New Business: no new business

Summary of decisions:

• Tony will contact David Carbee for snow removal
• Janet will drop appeal letters to be mailed to Quality Mailing House tomorrow.

Meeting Adjourned: 7:10

Date of next meeting: November 27, 2018.

Library Board Meeting Minutes
September 25, 2018

Attendees: Heather Evans, Vanessa Maxham, Bill Bakker, Tony Pikramenos, Esther Allen

1. Call to order at 6:15 PM
2. New business – Audit of library checkbook
   • Esther Allen reviewed the findings and recommendations for improved management and clarity of the library’s checkbook. The treasurer will work and making additional changes and improved recordkeeping in line with her recommendations
3. Approve minutes from last meeting – Minutes approved by board
4. Query for changes to the agenda – Except for moving New Business to the first item, there were no additional changes
5. Secretary’s report – No report this evening
6. Treasurer’s report
   • Treasurer reviewed the current expenses and budget for FY19
   • Sidewalk repair has been completed. The board approved the use of library checkbook funds to pay for the maintenance
7. Librarian’s report
   • Soffit repairs have been completed
   • Snow plowing – Our current person has retired, so we are searching for a new person
   • Game night on Sept 21 was a success. Next game night will be in October
   • Upcoming programs
     1. Sept 26 – Herb program with RES K-1
     2. Oct 20 – Make a Plate

• Oct 31 – Pumpkin carving

1. Becca White solar information program sometime in the fall

• Several new books have been recently purchased
• Vanessa has created a list of the names and dates of service for all the town‘s librarians. We are considering how best to display and recognize all our librarians

• Annual appeal letter is being created and will go out after the next board meeting

8. New business Next board meeting date
   • The board approved a change in the next meeting date to Oct 23 (one week earlier) to allow annual appeal letters to go out earlier
9. Summary of decisions – Bill reviewed all decisions and action items
10. Adjourn at 7:45 PM

Reading Public Library Board Meeting Minutes 

Date: August 28, 2018

Meeting commenced:  6:11

Present:  Vanessa Maxham, Heather Evans, Libbet Downs, Tony Pikramenos.

Minutes from the last two meetings (July 18 and August 16 – Special Meeting): Motion to approve by Heather, seconded by Libbet.

Secretary’s Report: no new report.

Treasurer’s Report: treasurer was not present.  Question of clarification on what line the courier fees are located in the budget.

Librarian’s Report:  Because the fiber connection did not reach as far as Puddledock Park, a new network was created using Comcast modem and router.  The new network is called Puddledock Park.  Thank yous go to Jane Philpin for lending her finger labyrinths for the past year, and to JD Cross for watering the herb and flower garden.

Discussion about a fall project with the K-1 class from RES with the assistance of Lisa Kaija.

The Rec Commission and the Library are hosting an indoor game night on September 21.

The Library will hold a Make-a-Plate workshop from 10-2 on October 20.

Pumpkin carving and decorating will happen the week of Halloween.

Unfinished Business:  Dave Appleton pruned and fertilized the apple tree in the front yard.  The sidewalk and step cement repairs have been started.  Discussion on the questions of repairing the sofit that has been damaged by woodpecker holes.  James Brower gave an estimate of $390 to do the repairs.  Vanessa made a motion to proceed with hiring him.  Libbet seconded. Motion to hire Brower passed.

Summary of Decisions: Tony will contact Lisa Kaija about K-1 project ideas.  Tony will go forward with hiring James Brower to make the repairs on the soffit.

Meeting adjourned: 7:11

Date of next meeting: September 25, 2018

Minutes respectfully submitted by Libbet Downs, Library Board Member.