Author: Reading

Reading Public Library Board Meeting Minutes

Date: July 31, 2018

Meeting commenced: 6:05

Present: Vanessa Maxham, Libbet Downs, Heather Evans, Bill Baker, Janet Malcolm

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

Secretary’s report: No new report

Treasurer’s report: At the close of the fiscal year we are zeroed out for the year. The budget increased to $32,300. Vanessa and Bill are working on having Bill included on the checkbook.

Librarian’s report: Local groups including Wastewater, REC, and Green spaces, continue to meet at the library. Don Scullin is borrowing a projector and the historical society is borrowing a portable screen which the library is happy to lend out. Thank you note to Stephen D’agastino needs to be sent for baking cookies for the summer programs. Esther clarified with Tony the delayed donation check. The summer reading program was a sweet series despite the SOAK program most likely effecting attendance. Thanks to Bill, Janet and Heather for helping with snacks and crafts.

Unfinished Business:

-Maintenance- Mike Barr is not comfortable with repairing the bird nest area to the soffit due to the height. Tony is waiting to hear back from his nephews who possibly may be interested in repairing. Tony also reached out to David Appleton regarding the tree in the front yard and is waiting to hear back from him. Jason Dow to do sidewalk repair and Bill will follow up with him about doing this repair in August.

New Business:

-Random Art show to be held at library on August 3. Heather is collecting art and organizing and setting this up. Will most likely be indoors if it rains. Stephen is writing about the show in Thursday’s column.

Summary of decisions: Bill is following up with Jason Dow regarding sidewalk repair. Tony is waiting to hear back from David Appleton regarding tree and Mike Barr regarding his nephews repairing soffit. Random Art show is coming along for August 3!

Meeting Adjourned: 6:30

Date of next meeting: August 28, 2018

Reading Public Library Board Meeting Minutes

Date: June 26, 2018

Meeting commenced: 6:05

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

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

Secretary’s report: No new report.

Treasurer’s report: At the close of the fiscal year we are zeroed out for the year; the town approved increase in budget. Esther will do an audit for the last three fiscal years since we had a change of treasurers from Peter Seman to Bill Baker.

Librarian’s report: Seed library going well with lots of good feedback from patrons. Herb garden growing well and looks great. Heather and Tony are watering.  Mason is doing a great job of mowing. The tree is not doing well in front of the library and Tony will call Dave Appleton to look at it. Tony brought flowers and a handmade card from Sophie Evans to Mary Ann to thank her for her years of service. She was very grateful. Thank you cards need to be sent out for Deb Macia for toy box and rocker; Nanci, the photographer, who gave Tony files of restoration work, and an early donation for $100 from Bob and Esther Allen. Janet will meet with Tony on Thursday to go over the thank you note template. Woodpeckers made several holes in library. Mike Barr is planning on repairing. Summer program on Thursdays in July are all set.  Tony is asking the library officers to volunteer to help with the craft and provide the snack. The volunteers are: Bill on July 5, Janet on July 12, and Heather on July 26. Vanessa and Libbet are checking if they can cover the other date.

Unfinished Business: Maintenance- Bill motions to accept the estimate from Jason Dow to repair sidewalk in July. Libbet seconds and unanimous vote yes.

New Business: July 6 Stephen D’Agostino will open library from 5-7 for first Friday on 6/29. Plan is for August first Friday to have art exhibit at the library and have library open. Vanessa and Heather are working on this.

Summary of decisions: Mike Barr is planning on repairing the woodpecker damage to library. Bill will follow up with Jason Dow regarding sidewalk repair. Steven will open library from 5-7 on 6/29.

Meeting Adjourned: 7:02

Date of next meeting: July 31, 2018

Reading Public Library

Board Meeting Minutes

Date: May 29, 2018

Meeting commenced: 6:02 PM

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

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

Secretary’s report: No new report

Treasurer’s report: Bill and Tony will be meeting in early June to discuss the money remaining for the year. There should be enough money left for new books or supplies.

Librarian’s report:

• There are lots of community groups who are using the library for meeting space, so new dry erase calendars are being used to track and manage the schedule.
• No word from Cathy regarding summer reading and library visits for RES students.
• Patrons are continuing to utilize the seed catalogue.
• Reading Recreation Commission Game Nights are now outside, though the library will continue to be used if the weather is bad.
• The picnic tables are in Puddledock Park and Bill will contact the Reading Greenspaces Committee to have the $175 check made out to support them.
• Maryanne will no longer be volunteering at the library. The library will be giving her a bouquet of flowers as a thank you for all her years of service.
• Upcoming programs – Sing-a-long May 8, Stitching Circle May 9, “Libraries Rock” summer programs – Thursdays in July.
  

Unfinished business:

• Maintenance- Bill continues to look for someone to do the sidewalk repair. Mike Barr will need to be contacted to see if he can repair a hole that woodpeckers have created.
  

New business:

• Vanessa will contact Calista regarding Tony’s wage increase, effective July 1
• Herb garden – With the removal of the dead lavender plants, we discussed creating a community herb garden, including chives, oregano, rosemary, and other herbs better suited to our climate. The board will meet with Tony in June to do the plantings.

Summary of decisions: Bill to look into getting sidewalks and steps at library fixed. Bill to contact Greenspaces regarding check for tables. Bill will call Mike Barr about woodpecker hole. The Board will work with Tony on the herb garden 

Meeting Adjourned: 7:00

Date of next meeting: June 26, 2018

Reading Public Library

Board Meeting Minutes

Date: May 1, 2018

Meeting commenced: 6:05

Present: Tony Pikramenos, Vanessa Maxham, Libbet Downs, Heather Evans, Janet Malcolm, Steven D’Agostino

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

Secretary’s report: No new report

Treasurer’s report: A question was brought up regarding the maintenance and grounds line items for March both amounting to 234.62. Will ask Bill to investigate this to be sure this is correct.

Librarian’s report: No word from Cathy regarding summer reading and library visits for RES students. Patrons are continuing to utilize the seed catalogue. Twenty-one people attended game night at the library on April 27. While game nights are indoors at the library, the library and rec committee will co-sponsor these nights. The warmer months when game nights are outdoors will be sponsored by rec committee only. The next game night is May 18 6:30-8. Twenty people came to May Day which was a great morning. Thank you Libbet for the snacks and tea and Vanessa for the craft. Two people came to stitching circle on April 24 at 10:30 am. Tony and Libbet will pick a date to do the next stitching circle on a Saturday morning in hopes more people can attend. Twenty people attended the sing-a-long on March 30 and the next sing-a-long will be on May 19^th 6:30-8pm. Aging in place, Rec committee, and Green Space committee have all utilized the library to meet. The courier is up and running. To cut down on costs, patrons will be charged 25 cents for each black and white copy over three pages and 50 cents for each color copy over one page.

Unfinished business:

• Maintenance- Bill will look into getting the sidewalk and steps repaired this season. Heather will clean out lavender bushes and Tony will trim lavender.
• New officers voted in – Vanessa nominated Janet Malcolm for secretary, second by Libbet, unanimous yes vote. Libbet nominated Bill Bakker for treasurer, second by Vanessa, unanimous yes vote. Libbet nominated Vanessa Maxham for chair, second by Heather, unanimous yes vote.

New business: Steven D’Agostino is visiting tonight requesting the library board to consider opening from 5-7 pm on the first Friday of the month in June and August (June 1 and August 3). Steven suggested having cookies and lemonade at the library. Other events happening on these first Fridays include the Historical Society hosting an event at the museum, “Vermont history through song”, the Hall art foundation open for free self-guided tours and gourmet pizza truck. Steven is also asking Scott at the Greenhouse so stay open until 7 pm. Someone from the library board agreed to open the library from 5-7pm on June 1 and August 3.

Steven also asked for events happening at the library that can be included in the add marketing Reading in the VT Standard. May 8^th is the deadline to submit this info to the standard and the paper is to be published on May 24^th. Tony will get the dates and event info to Steven.

Summary of decisions: Bill to look into getting sidewalks and steps at library fixed. Lavender to be cleaned out and trimmed by Heather and Tony. Tony will get dates to Steven for publication in the VT Standard

Meeting Adjourned: 7:08

Date of next meeting: May 29, 2018

Reading Public Library

Board Meeting Minutes

Date: March 27, 2018

Meeting commenced: 6:05

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

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

Secretary’s report: No new report

Treasurer’s report: Currently on track with budget

Librarian’s report: Tony is happy with the building being used for several groups in town (WRAP, Rec, Village Center Committee, Green Space Committee). Libbet and Tony met with Principal Cathy Knight regarding summer reading plan for RES students as well as a visit to the library before school is out. They are waiting to hear back from Cathy. Game night was a success and the next one will be April 27^th 6:30-8pm. The library is hosting a sing-a-long March 30^th 6:30 pm-8pm. Tony is working on putting together mindfulness programs. “May Day” scheduled for April 28^th at 10:30am. The seed catalogue is up and running and several packets have been checked out. There will be a write up about the seed catalogue in the editorial section of the Vermont Standard. Tony will be on vacation 4/14, 4/17, 4/19, 4/21, 4/24, 4/26 and is looking for volunteers to open the library.

Unfinished business: Peter Seman gave his letter of resignation to Vanessa. Minnie Fay display is up! Regarding the courier, Tony spoke with Hartland librarian about joining their service and he is waiting on approval from Hartland’s board members at their next meeting. The amount the library will pay is within the budget.

New business: Purchasing good quality picnic tables was discussed at the latest Green Space meeting. Tony got quotes from a commercial supplier, from the Carriage Shed in WRJ, and from Home Depot. Ann Rubright got a quote from a local retired builder she knows. The hope is that some of the town organizations, including the library, can contribute towards this purchase. Libbet motioned for the library to donate $175 towards this purchase. Second by Vanessa. Motion passed.

Summary of decisions: May Day date April 28^th. Library to donate $175 towards picnic table for green space. Waiting for Hartland to approve Reading library to be on their courier service.

Meeting Adjourned: 7:05

Date of next meeting: May 1, 2018