Author: Reading

Reading Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
December 4, 2015
(Meeting rescheduled from December 1st2015)

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

Meeting called to order at 6:05pm
Libbet called for Agenda changes. None.
October 27th minutes approved as written.

Secretary’s Report – None.

Treasurer’s Report – Peter presented budget including November. All current. Noted drop in electricity bill possibly no need now to run humidifier.

Librarian’s Report – Halloween events (candy and pumpkin carving) were successful. The solar meeting was successful. A reminder of our caroling & cookies on December 18th is on track. We will join Friends & Neighbors offering a Garden Center gift certificate for the best decorated House. Discussed a possible new program for January. Stay tuned. We agreed to purchase four passes from VINS for the following year. No limit on visits. We pay $150.00 to make the passes available to our patrons.

Unfinished Business – Automation. Discussed in depth. The Board agreed to go forward with automation with the help of staff, trustees, and volunteers, which will save us several thousand dollars.
Maintenance. Mike Barr has finished his work. Payment approved. Wheelchair lift repair is complete. New Rug purchased for entryway. We will need a new person to clean three hours every month. Trustees will reach out to community for this paid position.

New Business – Proposed budget passed. Need to be to Calista by December 15. Organization reports by Tony and Peter need to be to Calista by December 31. We will request level funding fro the town for next fiscal year.

Summary of Decisions
• Move forward on automation training
• Make Maintenance payments
• Reach out for an interested person for cleaning position
• Contact Calista regarding level funding request
• Prepare for December 18th – cookies needed

Items for December 29th Agenda: Automation Training, Funding for Letter Restoration, Cleaning position requests

Meeting adjourned – 7:25pm

Reading Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
October 27th, 2015

In attendance: Libbet Downs, Peter Seman, Vanessa Maxham (filling in for Secretary), Tony Pikramenos
Called to order 6:05pm

Appeal letters were signed by trustees-will be mailed out within two days

Minutes approved from September 29th meeting
No changes to Agenda
No secretary’s report
Treasurer’s Report: nothing at this time

Librarian’s Report: Pumpkin Carving went well! The pumpkins will be judged on Halloween night and Tony is looking forward to handing out candy to the children. A book discussion/series will be happening soon; the book is called My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante & Ann Goldstein. A solar discussion with Rebecca Bosch and Becca White will take place on November 12th at 6:30pm. Caroling will be on December 18th at 6:30pm.

Unfinished Business: MAINTENANCE- Mike Barr has been working on many things for us, most recently he moved a pile of debris from the backside of the building that was left from the painters this summer. Andy Pazlowski checked the heat sensor in the childrens room-all is well. Someone from Rymes Propane will be coming on Thursday the 29th to check the fire place. The elevator flex hose is to be installed soon. AUTOMATION- The start up check has been mailed to Russ at Catamount. We are weighing our options to either prepare the online card catalogue in house with many volunteer hours and extra work for the librarian or ship the catalogue out and pay a great deal for that service. The conversation will continue.

No New Business

Summary of Decisions: Tony will get more info regarding automation
Items for next agenda: Automation, Programs
We adjourned at 7:35pm

Minutes respectfully submitted by Vanessa Maxham

Reading Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
September 29, 2015

In attendance: Peter Seman, Vanessa Maxham, Tony Pikramenos, Bill Bakker (remotely), Milde Waterfall, Secretary

Called to order 6:05pm
Minutes approved for August 25th meeting.
No Changes to Agenda

Secretary’s Report: Tony and Milde submitted 12 grant requests for the restoration work.

Treasurer’s Report: Peter presented the monthly budget and explained the bills for the Septic pumping, the Elevator Inspector’s repair report and the overpayment in Tech to be corrected.

Librarian’s Report: We have a new volunteer, Brook James, starting next week. The Sachet program with the school kids is on track, led by Vanessa. The Pumpkin Carving will be on October 27th Lisa Kaija will be helping. The pumpkins the students grew will be used saving a significant amount of money. At 6 pm the kids will come here and the pumpkins will be here. Tony met with the Friends and Neighbors regarding the Christmas program which will be held on December 18th, a Friday. We will collaborate on providing cocoa and treats. We will provide songbooks. We need to contact Santa so he can clear his calendar for that evening.

Unfinished Business: The landscaping concerns were reviewed and the issue is solved. Tony will put a reminder in the Informer that Board meetings are open and all are welcome. Milde will work with the Reading Garden Center to winterize the lavender and discuss future landscaping changes.

Automation is underway. Our application to Catamount was filled out and sent to Russell Moore. Mr. Moore called with a few changes the Catamount board had made to membership. Tony explained the changes and the Board found them acceptable. Milde motioned to proceed and Bill seconded the motion. The Board passed the motion. Details to this project are available at the Library. Tony will explore information on the conversion process and talk with Catamount regarding a timeline for going live.

Maintenance concerns were address. We will continue contracting the cleaning of the library. Mike Barr has securely fastened the library hours to our sign and the work on the lift. Tony will set dates for the fireplace insert to be inspected and have the smoke alarm in the Maintenance room replaced. Regarding the lift the inspector has requested the replacement of a hose. Tony shared a lengthy narrative regarding this replacement, which will be a sizeable expense but is mandatory. Vanessa motioned to go forward with replacing the hose and Peter second.

The Board approved. Milde shared the sample of restoration work done by Justin Mayo to accompany his bid for the work. The Board agreed this work was excellent.
New Business: Peter presented the yearly budget. Discussion followed. Bill motioned to approve the motion and Vanessa seconded the motion. The Board approved. Tony will write the Appeal Letter for this year and Milde will assist in the preparation and dissemination.

Summary of Decisions: Tony will be talking with other Librarians regarding the conversion process, continue work on maintenance and contact the people to replace the hose on the elevator. In addition Tony and Milde will start the Appeals Letter work and complete more grant requests. Vanessa will proceed with the school lavender sachet project. Milde will winterize the lavender.

Items for next agenda: Automation, Maintenance, Programs, Appeals Letter, Grant writing.

We adjourned at 7:25pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Milde Waterfall.

Reading Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
August 25th, 2015

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

Called to Order: 6:05pm
Minutes approved for June meeting, June 13th meeting, and August 4th Meeting.
No changes to Agenda

Secretary’s Report: Condolences sent to the Alterman’s on the loss of their son, Eric, who was a valued volunteer at the Library.

Treasurer’s Report: Tabled for next meeting.

Librarian’s Report: Tony will be working with Beth Drinker and the first and second grade to repeat the great success of the Red Clover Books project. He will also work with Pam Boyer-Sheldon and the kindergarteners. Libbet, Vanessa, and Milde will work with Tony and the kindergarteners to create the lavender sachets again this year. The following programs are in the works for the fall: Make a Plate, Mid-day Book club, School book discussion, Movie night. Details TBD.

Unfinished Business: Automation. Vote approved. Tony will follow up with Russ Moore and Catamount. Curtain Party – No new details. Milde will check with Esther Allen. Maintenance: Gold Letters. Board authorized Milde to contact Ron Wanamaker and Justin Mayo to move forward on the letter work. We will ask them to restore the letter R, take before and after pictures, advise us on grant opportunities. Tony and Milde will continue work on grant writing. Vanessa Motioned to approve the aforementioned actions on the letters. Bill seconded the motion. All in favor. Mike Barr will be continuing his work on the building. Dates will be determined for Elevator maintenance. The work on the sidewalk will be tabled until next spring. Bill will address landscaping issues.

New Business: Libbet and Tony will begin work on the annual Appeals Letter. Tony and Peter will work on the budget and reconcile bills to be paid.

Summary of decisions: Milde will contact Wannamaker and Mayo and request restoration of the letter R and an explanation of the process in addition to before and after pictures for use with grant writing. Libbet and Tony will craft the annual appeal letter. Tony will contact Russ Moore regarding Catamount. Tony and Peter will prepare the budget. Vanessa and Libbet will coordinate the lavender sachet project. Bill will address landscaping issues.

Items for next agenda: Automation, Maintenance, and Programs
Vanessa motioned to adjourn. Bill seconded the motion. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 7:11pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Milde Waterfall