Author: Reading

Reading Public Library meeting minutes

August 25, 2020, Call to order 6:13pm

Virtual Attendance: Tony Pikramenos, Libbet Downs, Heather Evans, Vanessa Maxham, Bill Bakker.

Absent: library trustee Janet Malcolm.

Minutes approved from last meeting (both July meeting and special meeting): Bill motions, Heather seconded, all in favor, approved.

No Secretary’s report.

Treasurer’s Report: Bill states that we are all good at the end of the fiscal year and he and Tony worked so hard to get us to balance on the penny.

Librarian’s Report: Cleaning has begun again by the cleaning person. 2 public movies have been co-sponsored with the REC; 1 more movie viewing to go. Tony brought up the idea of possibly skipping the fundraising letter for this year considering the pandemic and how stressful it has been for most families. Board discussed. Libbet motioned that we not send a letter this year. Heather seconded. All were in favor.

No Unfinished Business.

New Business: we talked about the proposed COVID-19 policy and looked at Stage 3. Tony has again worked hard to see all details and make the public safe as well as the library. Libbet motions to approve COVID partial re-opening policy, Heather seconds, all in favor, approved. Heather also motioned to approve September 1st for Stage 3 to be enacted, Bill seconded, all in favor, approved.

Summary of Decisions: There will be no fundraising letter this year. COVID partial re-opening policy approved.

Items for next month: letter of gratitude.

Adjourn 6:48pm.

Respectfully submitted by Vanessa Maxham, chair.

Reading Public Library

Board Meeting Minutes

Date: May 14, 2020

Meeting commenced: 6:37 via ZOOM

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

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

Secretary’s report: No new report

Treasurer’s report: Estimated $3500 left for spending for the year; discussed securing COVID 19 supplies

Librarian’s report: Most libraries are now beginning to do curbside service. Tony has done a lot of research surrounding this and feels the library can safely begin curbside pick-up services and home delivery services. Tony has been working on getting information out to the public, securing COVID 19 supplies, establishing policies for safe handling of items, and taken a couple trainings regarding nonprofits during COVID 19.  Tony signed up for Zoom paid subscription on month to month basis $14.99/month. Herb garden cared for by Tony. Cyrus will continue to cut grass. Wipes and hand sanitizer are most needed at this time.

Unfinished business: None

New business: Curbside pick-up discussed; policy will be on the website and you can call library for details.  Discussed having a computer for  outdoor use as sanitary supplies are available. William motioned to approve plan for curbside pick-up and home delivery service, Libbet second and unanimous yes.

Heather brought question from green space committee if picnic tables can be put out for use. Heather will pass on to green space committee that as long as state guidelines are followed the tables can be put out.

Motion to add discussion of public comments policy to the next meeting agenda. Discussed including public comment at beginning of agenda for future meetings.

Summary of decisions: Library board agreed to subscribe to ZOOM for one year. Library board unanimous vote to begin curbside pickup and home delivery service. Board agreed to include public comment at the beginning of the agenda. 

Meeting Adjourned: 7:47

Date of next meeting: TBD

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees meeting minutes

February 25, 2020

1. Call to order – 6.07 PM – Attendees: Vanessa Maxham, Heather Evans, Bill Bakker, Libbet Downs, Tony Pikramenos. Absent: Janet Malcolm
2. Approve minutes from last meeting – motion and seconded, minutes approved
3. Query for changes to the agenda – None suggested
4. Secretary’s report – all thank you notes for annual appeal donations have been sent
5. Treasurer’s report
   1. Budget on track for end of year
6. Annual appeal donations have been successful. Still a few coming in

6. Librarian’s report
   1. Courier service, in partnership with Hartland Library, will be paid in January and annually in January going forward. The cost is $260.00 per year
   2. Propane tank meters need some repairs, which will be done by Irving in the spring or early summer
   3. Hallowanukkah candle is still li and guesses continue to come in for the day it will stop “burning”
7. Unfinished business – maintenance – currently no outstanding maintenance projects
8. New business – programs
   1. Silent book club is planned for March 4, 18, and April 1
   2. Seed library is ready and we have received some seed donations, with more on the way
   3. Community Sing-along scheduled for March 27
   4. Tony is currently planning a screwball comedy film series for May with films fro the 40s or 50s
   5. A monthly series, titled “Twelve Ephemerals,” is being developed. This will be a series of short programs
9. Summary of decisions – board voted and agreed to annual payment for courier service
10. Items for next month – nothing new to add beyond what is typically discussed
11. Adjourn – 6:58 PM

Reading Library Board Meeting Minutes
January 28th, 2020
In attendance: Libbet Downs, Heather Evans, Vanessa Maxham, Tony Pikramenos
Absent: Janet Malcolm, Bill Bakker
Call to order: 6:04pm
Minutes approved from November meeting; Libbet motioned, Heather seconded, all in agreement.
No changes to agenda items
No secretary’s report-absent
No treasurer’s report-absent
Librarian’s report:
Appeal fundraiser finishing strong at $4,575.00
Christmas Tree program went very well, lots of people enjoyed the lighting and community gathering.
The Reading Elementary children involved in the after school program have been coming to the library on Thursday afternoons to craft, read, play games, etc.
Aging in Place has been meeting regularly at the library.
The new chairs (30) that were ordered for the library were delivered on Christmas Eve!
Magazine prices have sky-rocketed in the last few years and therefore Tony has chosen to decrease the amount of magazines we subscribe to. He has chosen to keep the ones that patrons read/check out most often: Yankee, Consumer Reports, Nat Geo, Kirkus Review, Sun, New Yorker, VT Standard, and a couple children’s magazines.
The library owns some typewriters and Tony has an idea forming to utilize them with patrons. . . stay tuned.
Unfinished Business: none
New Business: none
Summary of Decisions: nothing voted on
Items for next month: Programming to begin in March
Next meeting: February 25th, 2020
Adjourn: 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Vanessa Maxham, chair