Reading, Vermont
Reading Public Library
Board of Trustees
AGENDA
March 28, 2017
Automation
Maintenance
Reading Library Board of Trustees Meeting
March 2, 2017
In attendance: Libbet Downs, Milde Waterfall, Bill Bakker, Tony Pikramenos
Minutes submitted by Milde Waterfall, Secretary
In Vanessa’s absence Libbet called the meeting to order at 6:10pm.
Query for Changes to the Agenda – Libbet suggested we focus on the two objectives for Town Meeting , the only actions requiring immediate attention and table the rest of the Agenda. Milde, Bill, and Tony agreed.
New Business: Town Meeting. Milde will nominate Vanessa and Libbet will second the motion. Tony will prepare remarks amplifying the reasons listed by the Historical Society in the Town report if its appropriate.
Milde motioned that we adjourn at 6:30pm. Libbet seconded. Meeting adjourned.
Reading Public Library
Board of Trustees
February Agenda
Meeting rescheduled
to March 2, 2017
@ 6 P.M.
Automation
Maintenance
Town Meeting Items
Reading Public Library
Board of Trustees
Agenda
January 31, 2017
Automation
Maintenance
Collaboration w/local organizations
Reading Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
January 31, 2017
In attendance: Libbet Downs, Tony Pikramenos, Vanessa Maxham, Peter Seman
Minutes submitted by Libbet Downs.
Meeting called to order at 6:10.
Minutes approved for January 4.
Secretary’s Report: nothing to report
Treasurer’s Report: Peter will research Sovernet bills to find out the amount of refund owed the library. The hours approved for Tony to work on automation will be used up next month.
Librarian’s Report: Automation is moving along. Weeding the collection, repairing books and cleaning the shelves is done as they go.
Unfinished business: Vanessa will meet with Esther about collaboration between the library and the Historical Society. Interviews of long-time residents will be shared.
New business: The septic tank needs to be emptied.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10.
Reading Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
January 5, 2017
In attendance: Libbet Downs, Tony Pikramenos, Vanessa Maxham, Bill Bakker, Milde Waterfall with Esther Allen visiting as representative of Historical Society
Minutes submitted by Milde Waterfall
Meeting Called to Order at 6:05pm
Minutes Approved for November 30, 2016
New Business: As a result of Esther Allen as our visitor, Vanessa moved us directly to New Business: Esther was discussing the future of the Historical Society’s property which joins the Library’s boundary on the north. Her concern was to ask if the Board of Trustees would be supportive of the Town’s purchase of the adjacent lot. Discussion followed. Libbet moved to indicate that the Library Board would be supportive of the Town’s purchase of the adjacent lot. The Board will send a note to the Select Board indicating why this purchase would be a benefit to the town and to the library.
Secretary’s Report: Appeals Letter: Received 44 responses to date.
Treasurer’s Report: Peter sent no report in his absence. No concerns noted.
Librarian’s Report: Included in Unfinished Business- Automation and New Business.
Unfinished Business: Milde indicated she has been in discussion with the gentlemen who restored the letters, which need to be reattached to the front of the Library.
Automation: Back in business following the holidays and enjoying progress thanks to all of the volunteers faithfully fulfilling the duties of the task.
New Business: See discussion with Esther Allen in minutes at the beginning of the meeting. The Board brainstormed ideas on why we would be in favor of the town’s purchase of the lot abutting the Library on the north side of the lot.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:30pm
Summary of Decisions: Tony will write a note approved by the Board to send to the Selectmen regarding the property abutting the Library on the north side. Milde will continue discussions regarding the reattachment of the letter on the front of the Library.
Reading Public Library
Board of Trustees
AGENDA
January 3rd, 2017
Automation
Maintenance
Collaboration w/ local organizations
Reading Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
November 30, 2016
In attendance: Peter Seman, Libbet Downs, Tony Pikramenos, Milde Waterfall
Minutes submitted by Milde Waterfall
Meeting called to Order at 6:10 with Libbet Downs acting as Chair.
Minutes Approved for October 25, 2016
No Agenda Changes
Secretary’s Report: Fourteen thank you notes sent to those responding to the Appeal Letter.
Lavender and side garden covered to winterize.
Treasurer’s Report: Questions emerged about Fiberconnect refund. Tony will contact the Department of Libraries.
Discussion of Request for Town Funds. Libbet made a motion to level Fund the Library this fiscal year ($29,280). Milde seconded. Motion carried.
Tony reminded Peter that the Year End Reports are due to Calista by December 15th.
Librarian’s Report: By switching from Staples in Lebanon to Red House Press in Springfield for the printing of our Appeal Letter we enjoyed a savings of $166.00.
Esther Allen suggested the Red House Press.
The volunteers enjoyed the goodies the Board prepared for them as a thank you for their continued work with the Library.
The Pumpkin Carving for Halloween was a success.
Cocoa and Caroling is on schedule shepherded by Stephen D’Agostino for December 17th. We are getting support from the Woman’s Auxiliary of the Fire Department, the Town Office, Chris Titus and Diane Moore.
We agreed that our next meeting will be January 3rd, 2017
The Catamount Annual Meeting, which Tony attended, was productive. A plan for fewer meetings was encouraging. Currently there are 13 member libraries with four or five pending.
Tony shared his experience helping the Historical Society move out of the old building into the new building. We agreed that we are all moving out of old methods and ideas into new possibilities with the Historical Society and the preservation and celebration of Reading. To that end we will formally invite the Historical Society Executive Board to join our Board of Trustees for our January 31st meeting. At that time we can explore new opportunities for collaboration. Tony will write a letter to the members of the Executive Board.
Unfinished Business. Automation is progressing on schedule. Maintenance. Gardens prepared for winter.
New Business.
Collaboration with Historical Society (see Librarians Report).
Summary of Decisions:
Vanessa and Libbet will go to the bank and complete a transfer of names for official signatures.
Board will provide cookies, cocoa, and candy canes for Santa on December 17th.
Tony will draft a letter to the Historical Society Executive Board for Board’s approval and signatures to invite them to a joint meeting on January 31st 2017
Libbet will remind the school of our celebration on December 17th, 2016
The meeting adjourned at 8:03pm
Reading Public Library
Board of Trustees
Agenda
November 29th, 2016
Automation
Maintenance
Collaboration w/local organizations
Librarian’s Note
Reading Public Library provides downloadable audio books and e-books for adults and children at no cost through “Listen Up Vermont.” The collection can be accessed at listenupvermont.org. Once you’ve installed the free software and decided on a book, just add the title to your basket and sign it out with your patron number. If the audio book you want is checked out, you can place it on reserve and you’ll receive an email when it becomes available.
After downloading the audio file to your computer, you can close the Internet connection and listen offline. You can also transfer the file to portable devices, and some books can be burned to CD. You can check out up to three titles at a time. At the end of the loan period, the computer files automatically expire and the books are returned to the digital collection. There are never any late fees or damage costs. For more information, take the guided tour on the “Listen Up Vermont” website. If you don’t know your patron number, call or email me at the library.
The library offers a pass for many of Vermont’s state parks, good for free entry into designated park day-areas for up to 8 people in a vehicle. The pass can be checked out for 2 days and is good at Ascutney, Plymouth, Wilgus, and Silver Lake state parks, among others. We’ve got a similar pass for half a dozen Vermont historical sites, including the Eureka Schoolhouse in Springfield, the Old Constitution House in Windsor, and the Calvin Coolidge Birthplace at Plymouth Notch. The passes are good until the parks and historic sites close for the season; those dates vary according to the rules of the individual park or site. The libary also has a free year-round pass for VINS (VT Institute of Natural Science) in Quechee.
It’s worth mentioning that the library does have air conditioning. If you’re ever in need of a respite from the summer heat, stop in.
Cordially,
Tony
Reading Public Library. Tues. 12-3:30 p.m. & 4-7; Thurs. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. & 2-5; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mail: P.O. Box 7, Reading, VT 05062. Tel. 802-484-5588. E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.readinglibrary.org. The board meets the last Tues. of each mth. at 6 p.m. Wi-Fi 24/7.