Meeting Minutes, July 2016

 

 

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees Meeting

July 26, 2016

 

In attendance:  Vanessa Maxham, Tony Pikramenos, Peter Seman, Bill Bakker, Libbet Downs, Milde Waterfall

Minutes submitted by Milde Waterfall

Meeting called to Order at 6:05pm

Vanessa called for Agenda Changes.  None

June 28, 2016 Minutes approved

Secretary’s Report.  Website needs to be up-dated.  Peter may help while Tony is commanding Automation.  No one has asked for extra bricks from the Singleton patio.  Vanessa would like to research the potential Buy a Brick program.  We will contact Dave Appleton for an estimate on trimming the tree in front of the cheek walls.

Treasurer’s Report.   No new report.

Unfinished Business. 

*Automation.  Tony delivered an excellent report on the demands of the automating process, which requires basically cataloging each book in the collection.  We discussed the demands on his time as well as the volunteers.  He continues to be optimistic that the process will get easier as they go along.

*Maintenance.  Vanessa will check with Gary Macia for an estimated date for attaching the letters.  That will enable us to plan a celebration with the gentlemen who restored and preserved the letters on the portico.  Tony is planning to work with Mike Barr on completing the list of repairs he has signed on for which includes removing paint from various parts of the exterior of the building.  We will contact preservationists on the removal of paint from the large plaques on the front of the building.

New Business.

Tony has made arrangements with the Hall art Foundation to participate in an event on October 16th where visitors will view the Landscapes Exhibit that is currently showing and then watch the film “Turner” at the library.  The Hall Foundation will conduct advertising and tickets for a group of no more than 25.

* Vanessa will organize the plate workshop to be held on October 22nd.

Summary of Decisions.  Vanessa will research the Brick program.

Milde will provide Peter with the needs for up dating the website.

Tony will give Peter a tutorial on how to up-date the website.

Tony will ask the Catamount people if they have an extra scanner we can use.

Peter will work with Tony on the computers and the automation.

Vanessa will get a date for the Letters Celebration.

Milde will ask Mr. Appleton for an estimate for pruning the tree in front of the library.

Milde will seek out expert advise on cleaning the plaques in front of the library.  Vanessa will begin organizing the plate workshop for kids.

Items for Next Agenda.  Vanessa listed them.

Adjourned at 7:18:30 pm

Meeting Agenda, 7-26-16

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees

AGENDA

 

July 26th, 2016

 

  1. Call to Order
  2. Approve Minutes from Last Meeting
  3. Query for Changes to Agenda Items
  4. Secretary’s Report
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. Librarian’s Report
  7. Unfinished Business

∙ Automation

∙ Maintenance

  1. New Business
  2. Summary of Decisions
  3. Items for Next Month’s Agenda
  4. Adjourn

Meeting Minutes, June 2016

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees Meeting

June 28, 2016

 

In attendance:  Vanessa Maxham, Tony Pikramenos, Peter Seman, Bill Bakker, Libbet Downs, Milde Waterfall

Minutes submitted by Milde Waterfall, Secretary

 

Meeting called to order at 6:10pm

Vanessa called for Agenda changes:  None

May 31, 2016 Minutes approved.

 

Secretary’s Report.  Thank you notes sent to Donna Martin, Steve Vogl and Trish Lewis, and Libbet Downs.  Landscaping/Mulch situation discussed exhaustively.  Landscaping is finished.  Remaining bricks will be made available to patrons.

 

Treasurer’s Report.  Finished the year with $1.94 remaining.  Good work all around.

Librarian’s Report.  Covered in Unfinished Business.

 

Unfinished Business.

*Automation – Tony up-dated the Board and shared two booklets of extended instructions for automation.  The start is going slow but Tony thinks it will improve.

*Maintenance – No report.

* Herb Garden/Landscaping – covered in Secretary’s Report

New News – None.

Summary of Decisions. None

Items for Next Agenda.  Budget

Adjourned at 7pm.

Meeting Agenda, 6-28-16

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees

AGENDA

June 28th, 2016

 

  1. Call to Order
  2. Approve Minutes from Last Meeting
  3. Query for Changes to Agenda Items
  4. Secretary’s Report
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. Librarian’s Report
  7. Unfinished Business
  • Automation
  • Maintenance
  • Herb Garden / Landscaping
  1. New Business
  2. Summary of Decisions
  3. Items for Next Month’s Agenda
  4. Adjourn

 

Meeting Minutes, May 2016

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

May 31, 2016

 

In attendance: Vanessa Maxham, Tony Pikramenos, Peter Seman, Bill Bakker, Libbet Downs, Milde Waterfall

Minutes submitted by Milde Waterfall, Secretary

Meeting called to order at 6:05pm

Vanessa called for Agenda changes.  Adding May Day to Unfinished Business and Collaboration with Art Hall Foundation.

April 26th Minutes approved as written.

Secretary’s Report – See Landscaping below.

Treasurer’s Report – One bill yet to come.  Otherwise all on tract . See Remaining Budget dollar details in Unfinished Business.)

Librarian’s Report – Covered in Unfinished Business and New Business.

Unfinished Business-

Automation – *Bill, Milde, Brook, and Maryanne have all been trained to input data.  Tony has worked out a plan for each section of the library for completion. *Account is set up to enable Tony to order books on line instead of calling them in. *Account set up to download book records as well. *Fill out pdf to determine how we want the books to be processed. *Schedule complete for volunteers to do work. *Catamount will turn on production server to start on Thursday.

Maintenance –  the Board agreed that Gary Macia will re attach the letters using the Guidance from Justin Mayo.  Vanessa will contact Gary in the hope we can attach them before Old Home Days.  In the fall we will plan and host a “Guilding Letters” workshop and celebration with Justin Mayo and Ron Wanamaker joining us.  Milde will contact them.

Remaining Budget dollars- Overtime pay for Tony on Automation.  New technology aiding patrons with automation.  Baskets for cheek walls and replace necessary Lavender.  Purchase books.

May Day- Vanessa reported that ten children attended.  Libbet provided the teapot and teacups. Vanessa provided cookies and crafts.  Tony read stories.  Success.  Put it on the calendar for next year.

Collaboration with Historical Society –  Continuing dialogue on possible work together.

Collaboration with Hall Art Foundation – Milde will contact Hall Art Foundation for a tour of their new exhibit to allow Board to offer a list of movies to supplement the current exhibit for Hall Approval for the fall.

New Business – Community and Automation Tabled.  Contract with Mason confirmed.  Continue exploring possibilities involving potential herb garden.

Summary of Decisions.  Vanessa will follow through with Gary Macia on the attachment of the letters.  Milde will order baskets from Garden Center.  Tony will continue work with automation and budget spending. Milde will contact HAF.

Adjourned at 7:58pm.

Meeting Agenda, 5-31-16

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees

AGENDA

May 31st, 2016

 

  1. Call to Order
  2. Approve Minutes from Last Meeting
  3. Query for Changes to Agenda Items
  4. Secretary’s Report
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. Librarian’s Report
  7. Unfinished Business
  • Automation
  • Maintenance
  • Collaboration with Historical Society
  • Remaining Budget Dollars
  1. New Business
  • Community & Automation
  • Herb Garden / Landscaping
  1. Summary of Decisions
  2. Items for Next Month’s Agenda
  3. Adjourn

Librarian’s Note, May 2016

We have free passes available for VINS in Quechee, the American Precision Museum in Windsor, the Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock, and the Vermont History Museum, with branches in Montpelier and Barre; and we have reduced-price passes for Echo Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington.

HeritageQuest is a database providing patrons with research materials for tracing family history and American culture. Search in City Directories, Slave Schedules, U.S. Indian Census Rolls, Mortality Schedules, Agricultural and Industrial Schedules, the Veterans Schedule, U.S. Federal Census images, family and local histories, the Revolutionary War Era Pension & Bounty-land Warrant Application Files, or the Freedman’s Bank. Library patrons can access this database for free from anywhere there’s an Internet connection. Call, e-mail, or come by the library to obtain the login information.

Because of a lack of storage space, Reading Public Library can no longer accept donations of books. You can try one of the neighboring libraries or Violet’s Book Exchange in Claremont. If the books are in poor condition, you can put them in the recycling bin with the newspapers at the dump.

Our library is a provider of free and continuous public access to a fiber internet connection via 24/7 Wi-Fi. Some of our patrons depend on our service because they have no broadband Internet at home, or have unreliable or inadequate broadband. As their needs change, our capacity will increase to meet those needs.

Libraries give curious minds the opportunity to sample outside their comfort zones. A good library will feature a collection of materials that will surprise and delight patrons—making available to them ideas they might otherwise have missed.

 

Meeting Minutes, April 2016

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees Meeting

April 26, 2016

 

In attendance:  Libbet Downs, Vanessa Maxham, Tony Pikramenos, Peter Seman, Bill Bakker, Milde Waterfall

Minutes submitted by Milde Waterfall, Secretary

 

Meeting called to order at 6:05pm

Vanessa called for Agenda changes.  None.

March 29, 2016 Minutes approved as written.

Secretary’s Report – None

Treasurer’s Report – All accounts in good order.  Trustees reviewed spreadsheets provided.

Librarian’s Report – Moving forward with Catamount workshop on Friday, April 29th, 2016.  Bill will attend with Tony.  May Day Program is ready to go.  Flyers given to Libbet for RES.

Unfinished Business –

Automation – Friday, 1pm (April 29)

Maintenance – No new information

Preservation Week sponsored by the Vermont Historical Society (April 24 – 30) RPL will post links to information for citizens to care for collections, family heirlooms, and other precious items. http://vermonthistory.org/community/other-helpful-info/librarians-free-pass-for-your-community-members   http://vermonthistory.org

The Library will continue to collaborate on ideas with the Reading Historical Society as they move to their new location.  The Board will discuss next year’s Preservation week – April 23 – 29 for ideas for participation.

New Business – The Board discussed landscaping concerns and Tony will contact Mason Harkins to renew his contract.  Milde requested support to expand the lavender on the walkway with the help of the Garden Center and request two baskets for the front of the library.   Remaining budget dollars discussion tabled.

Summary of Decisions – Tony and Vanessa will proceed with the May Day celebration. Tony and Bill will attend the automation workshop. Milde will proceed with landscaping plans and necessary correspondence.  Tony and Milde will assemble and post information on Preservation Week for the Library website.

Items for next Agenda – Automation, Landscaping, Maintenance, Discussion of budget dollars.

Adjourned at 7:26pm

Meeting Minutes, March 2016

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees Meeting

March 29, 2016

 

In attendance:  Libbet Downs, Vanessa Maxham, Tony Pikramenos, Peter Seman, Bill Bakker, Milde Waterfall

Minutes submitted by Milde Waterfall, Secretary

 

Meeting called to order at 6:05pm

Libbet called for Agenda changes.  None.

February 23, 2016 Minutes approved as written.

Secretary’s Report – Noted current status of Letters from Justin Mayo.  All on track in final stage.

Treasurer’s Report – Expenses on track.  Budget outlook bright.

Librarian’s Report – Tony announced his collaboration with Vanessa for the May Day Program for kids, April 30 at the library. Details available closer to the date.

Unfinished business

Automation – Bar codes activated and ready to go.  Training can start when Catamount gives the green light having recruited trainers.

Maintenance – As noted in Secretary’s report the Letter project proceeds punctually.

Cleaning – Still sparkling.

Davis Trust – Letter sent to Mr. Carleton sharing financial reports and looking forward to Trust yearly report.

Librarian’s Vacation – With the help of volunteers and Trustees the library will be open while Tony is away during the following hours:

April 9 – 9am – 11am

April 12 – 12pm – 4 pm

April 14 – 10am to 3pm

April 16 – 9am to 11am

April 19 – 12pm – 4pm

April 21 – 1pm to 3:30pm

New Business

Discussion followed looking forward to collaborating with the Historical Society on storage and display of objects and documents of mutual interest.

Election of Officers – Vanessa Maxham elected Chairwoman,  Milde Waterfall elected Secretary, Peter Seman elected Treasurer.

Summary of Decisions– Peter will send an end of year report to the Davis Trust. Trustees are responsible for coverage in Tony’s absence.  Tony will follow through with training for automation.  Vanessa will pursue May Day plans.

Items for Next Agenda – Automation, Maintenance, Mowing, Community Service, May Day Program, Collaboration with Historical Society.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:26pm

 

Meeting Minutes, February 2016

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees Meeting

February 23, 2016

 

In attendance:  Libbet Downs, Vanessa Maxham, Tony Pikramenos, Peter Seman, Milde Waterfall

Minutes submitted by Milde Waterfall, Secretary
Meeting called to order at 6:05pm

Libbet called for Agenda changes.  None.

January 26th Minutes approved as written.

Secretary’s Report – None

Treasurer’s Report – As expected, heating bills are rising.

Librarian’s Report – Received a few more donations.  The Reading Energy Commission will meet at the Library on Thursday.  Tony delivered the Dorothy Canfield Fisher and Red Clover books to the school.  The events passes are being checked out regularly.

Unfinished business

Automation – Milde attended the Catamount meeting.  Work is proceeding.  Tony is securing the needed hardware.

Maintenance – Letter Restoration moving forward.

Cleaning – Library sparkles now.

Davis Trust – Agreement to thank Mr. Carleton and respond with a thank you and an understanding that we will receive regular reports from the bank.

New Business

Trustee Position – We will nominate Libbet at Town Meeting.

Town meeting – All documents ready.  February 27th

Vacation – Tony will be out the following days and will need coverage:

April 9, April 12, April 14, April 16, April 19, April 21.  We will need to keep the library open on those days for a minimum of 2 hours.  Decision to be made at next meeting.

Summary of Decisions–  Milde will draft letter to Davis Trust. Tony will continue to move forward with Automation.  We will nominate Libbet at Town Meeting.

Items for Next Agenda – Up-date on Letter Restoration, Automation, Election of Officers, Vacation plans covered.

Meeting adjourned at 7:17pm