Category: Meeting Minutes

Reading Public Library
Board of Trustees
Meeting Minutes
December 9, 2025 – 6:00 PM

Location: Reading Public Library and via Zoom (see link below)

1. Call to Order / Roll call
 Libbet Downs, Heather Evans, Rich Grogan, Tony Pikramenos, and Bill Bakker in
attendance

2. Changes to Agenda Items – No changes
3. Approve Minutes from Last Meeting
 Rich motioned to approve, Heather second, All in favor. Minutes approved
4. Public Comments – No comments
5. Secretary's Report – No secretary report
6. Treasurer's Report
 Budget spent year to date is 21116.82
 SB had no comments about our budget request of 34885.00 for next fiscal year
 18K grant for communication was discussed and the grant will be reviewed to
see what expenses beyond internet and phone may qualify

7. Librarian's Report
 Pumpkin carving and painting with Reading Elementary children was on 10/31
 Make A Plate program in early November had 40 plates made
 Tree Lighting in collaboration with Reading Rec was on 12/1, with Tony reading a
story, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa
 Movie night in Brownsville on 12/13, in collaboration with the library in
Brownsville
 Game night will be held on 1/16
 Tony continues to host the 1 st and 2bd graders for story time at the library
8. Unfinished Business
 Maintenance – We will begin the search for a contractor to repair the sidewalk
this spring
New Business
 Library files clean up – The Board discussed cleaning out the receipt files from
the 1980s to the early 2000s. A motion was made to dispose of these files and all
board members approved. Files from the early 1900s will continue to be
retained, as there is a high level of interest in the early days on the library.
 Discussion of CD and potential options – Moved to next meeting
 Secretary vacancy discussion – Moved to next meeting
9. Summary of Decisions
10. Items & Date for Next Meeting – January 27, 2026 is the proposed date of the next
meeting
11. Adjourn

ZOOM link –
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6022964075?pwd=allJV0ZjcHRyMHJsSEljNWwxNGpsQT09&omn=8
7100048280
Meeting ID: 602 296 4075
Passcode: 6SBYPV

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees

Meeting Minutes

December 9, 2025 – 6:00 PM

Location: Reading Public Library and via Zoom (see link below)

1. Call to Order / Roll call: Libbet Downs, Heather Evans, Rich Grogan, Tony Pikramenos, and Bill Bakker in attendance
2. Changes to Agenda Items – No changes
3. Approve Minutes from Last Meeting: Rich motioned to approve, Heather second, All in favor. Minutes approved
4. Public Comments – No comments
5. Secretary’s Report – No secretary report
6. Treasurer’s Report – Budget spent year to date is $21,116.82. SB had no comments about our budget request of $34,885.00 for next fiscal year. $18K grant for communication was discussed and the grant will be reviewed to see what expenses beyond internet and phone may qualify
7. Librarian’s Report – Pumpkin carving and painting with Reading Elementary children was on 10/31. Make A Plate program in early November had 40 plates made. Tree Lighting in collaboration with Reading Rec was on 12/1, with Tony reading a story, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa. Movie night in Brownsville on 12/13, in collaboration with the library in Brownsville. Game night will be held on 1/16. Tony continues to host the 1st and 2nd graders for story time at the library
8. Unfinished Business

Maintenance – We will begin the search for a contractor to repair the sidewalk this spring

New Business – Library files clean up – The Board discussed cleaning out the receipt files from the 1980s to the early 2000s. A motion was made to dispose of these files and all board members approved. Files from the early 1900s will continue to be retained, as there is a high level of interest in the early days of the library.

Discussion of CD and potential options – Moved to next meeting

Secretary vacancy discussion – Moved to next meeting

11. Summary of Decisions
12. Items & Date for Next Meeting – January 27, 2026 is the proposed date of the next meeting
13. Adjourn

ZOOM link –

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6022964075?pwd=allJV0ZjcHRyMHJsSEljNWwxNGpsQT09&omn=8 7100048280 Meeting ID: 602 296 4075 Passcode: 6SBYPV

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees

Meeting Minutes

November 18, 2025 – 6:30 PM

Zoom only

1. Call to Order / Roll call
   • Call to order at 6:34 PM
   • Attended by Tony Pikramenos, Rich Grogan, Heather Evans, Bill Bakker, Libbet Downs, Kristen Hurd
2. Finalize budget request for next fiscal year
   • Tony and Rich found some information about the sharp increase in the price of books
     7. According to Bookriot, a large editorial book site, and ReadersFirst, an organization that advocates for libraries, there was a 22% increase in the cost of children’s books from 2019 through 2023 (difficult to find data on the specific change for children’s books in the short period since 2023). During that same period there was a 7.7% increase in the cost of adult hardcover books (since 2023, there has been an additional 3% rise in that category). According to Gobook Printing, a custom bookprinting service, there has been a nearly 50% increase in the cost of adult trade paperbacks from 2021 through 2025. The outlook for book costs is cloudy. According to Medium, an online publishing platform, the publishing industry faces challenges as new tariffs on Chinese-printed books (which account for approximately 25% to 30% of books sold in the U.S.) and Canadian paper are resulting in even higher production costs and retail prices.
   • In considering the cost of books and the overall inflation rate of about 3%, a motion was made by Rich to propose a total budget of $34885.00 for the next fiscal year. Heather seconded. All were in favor.
3. Adjourn at 6:54 PM

ZOOM link – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84210352411

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees

Meeting Minutes

November 18, 2025 – 6:30 PM

Zoom only

1. Call to Order / Roll call
   • Call to order at 6:34 PM
   • Attended by Tony Pikramenos, Rich Grogan, Heather Evans, Bill Bakker, Libbet Downs, Kristen Hurd
2. Finalize budget request for next fiscal year
   • Tony and Rich found some information about the sharp increase in the price of books
     7. According to Bookriot, a large editorial book site, and ReadersFirst, an organization that advocates for libraries, there was a 22% increase in the cost of children’s books from 2019 through 2023 (difficult to find data on the specific change for children’s books in the short period since 2023). During that same period there was a 7.7% increase in the cost of adult hardcover books (since 2023, there has been an additional 3% rise in that category). According to Gobook Printing, a custom bookprinting service, there has been a nearly 50% increase in the cost of adult trade paperbacks from 2021 through 2025. The outlook for book costs is cloudy. According to Medium, an online publishing platform, the publishing industry faces challenges as new tariffs on Chinese-printed books (which account for approximately 25% to 30% of books sold in the U.S.) and Canadian paper are resulting in even higher production costs and retail prices.
   • In considering the cost of books and the overall inflation rate of about 3%, a motion was made by Rich to propose a total budget of $34885.00 for the next fiscal year. Heather seconded. All were in favor.
3. Adjourn at 6:54 PM

ZOOM link – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84210352411

Reading Public Library

Board of Trustees

Meeting Minutes

October 28, 2025

Location: Reading Public Library and via Zoom

1. Call to Order / Roll call – 6:02 PM. Present: Tony Pikramenos, Heather Evans, Bill Bakker, Rich Grogan (zoom) and Kristen Hurd
2. Changes to Agenda Items – New secretary discussion will be moved to the next meeting
3. Approve Minutes from Last Meeting – Heather motions to approve. Bill seconds, all are in favor
4. Public Comments – No public comments
5. Secretary’s Report – No secretary report
6. Treasurer’s Report – Budget is still on track. Files are being reviewed to determine which files can be removed and destroyed, focusing on old receipts and bank statements.
7. Librarian’s Report
   • Winter prep – Last yard mowing has happened; air conditioners are out of the windows and dehumidifier has been turned off for the season
   • Chili Cook-Off was a success with 9 participants and a large crow of tasters
   • Book sale during the Fall Fair raised $60
   • Pumpkin carving with grades K-4 will be Friday, Oct 31 at the library. Tony will also go to the school to paint pumpkins with the preschoolers.
   • Make-A-Plate will be on Nov 8
   • Tree lighting with the Reading Recreation Commission will be Dec 7
8. Unfinished Business
   • Maintenance – Nothing new happening around building at this time
9. New Business
   • Budget request for next fiscal year
     1. Board members will be evaluating the current economic situation to determine an appropriate budget request for the town. Final decision will be made at special meeting in November.
   • Discussion of CD and potential options
     1. Rich introduced the discussion of what options are available for the CD once the term expires. Discussion will continue at future board meetings.
   • Secretary vacancy discussion – Moved to a future meeting
10. Summary of Decisions
11. Items & Date for Next Meeting – December 9, 2025
12. Adjourn at 7:05

Reading Public Library
Board Meeting Minutes
September 30, 2025

1. Call to order 6:15/ Attendance: Tony Pikramenos, Heather Evans, Janet Malcolm, Bill Baker, Libbet Downs
2. Minutes approved from last meeting: Janet motions, Heather seconds, all in favor, approved
3. No changes to current agenda
4. Secretary’s Report: No new report
5. Treasurer’s Report: Budget up to date
6. Librarian’s report: – Reading Fall Fair is 10am-3pm this Saturday October 4th. Tony is having a book sale at the library and there will be various activities going on in different areas around town, with the headquarters at RES. There will also be a free chili cook off October 3, co-sponsored with the Green Space and the Library. – Second movie night at the library in September went well and had 40 plus attendees. – Tony is coordinating with Pam Boyer-Sheldon and the new art teacher and principal at RES to plan the pumpkin carving/painting with the students. Podcast continues with the 50th episode just recorded. – Karen and Doug Smith donated a painting to the library that is hanging above the bookshelves. Thank you Smith’s!
7. Unfinished Business: – No unfinished business
8. New Business: No new Business
9. Summary of Decisions: No new summary
10.Date for Next Meeting: October 28th
11. Adjourn at 7:15
Respectfully submitted by Janet Malcolm

Reading Public Library
Board Meeting Minutes
August 26, 2025

1. Call to order 6:15/ Attendance: Tony Pikramenos, Heather Evans, Janet Malcolm, Rich Grogan (via zoom), Brian Cali
2. Minutes approved from last meeting: Janet motions, Heather seconds, all in favor, approved
3. No changes to current agenda
4. Energy efficiency project update by Brian Cali: -Electric bills hovering around high $30’s and there has been monthly savings with the library bill. It is the year birthday of the solar array! -The fire house, food shelf, town hall and library are the four buildings that the MERP finances will be used for. First step for our building is to air seal and insulate the floor of the attic which will reduce heat use.
An architect and structural engineer have been consulted for this project. They are hoping to have the initial plan and speak to fire department of safety by September 22 nd . Thank you Brian for all of your dedication and hard work to make our library energy efficient while maintaining the library’s historical structure!
5. Secretary’s Report: No new report
6. Treasurer’s Report:  No new report
7. Librarian’s report: – Town wise fall festival is coming up on Saturday October 4 th .
-Second movie night will be on Friday September 5 th . The first movie night this summer was a success! These movie nights continue to be co-sponsored with the Reading Rec. and the Mary blood library. -Tony will begin having the 1 st and 2 nd grades from RES over every other week for story time and book check out. –
The podcast continues with the latest episode including an interview with Ashley Koetsier. – The ATV club utilized the library along with the Future is Reading group and the Reading Community Trust Group. -Great news about the soffit repair – everything has been repaired by Guido and looks great! – Tony received e-mail from Calista regarding the library CD.
-Rich motions to approve moving forward with five month CD at 3.9%; Janet seconds, all in favor, approved.
– Rich motions to include interest earned of about $78 in the new five month CD, Heather seconds, all in favor, approved.
8. Unfinished Business: – No unfinished business
9. Summary of Decisions: Moving forward with five month CD at 3.9% and including the interest earned in the five month CD.
10. Date for Next Meeting: September 30th.
11. Adjourn at 7:07
Respectfully submitted by Janet Malcolm

Reading Public Library

Board Meeting Minutes

June 24, 2025

1. Call to order 6:10/ Attendance: Tony Pikramenos, Heather Evans, Janet Malcolm (via Zoom), Libbet Downs, Rich Grogan
2. Minutes approved from last meeting: Janet motions, Heather seconds, all in favor, approved
3. No changes to current agenda
4. Secretary’s Report: Thank you notes up to date
5. Treasurer’s Report:  Budget is fully expended for the current fiscal year. New fiscal year begins July 1.
6. Librarian’s report: -Tony had the last meeting with the 1^st and 2^nd graders at RES for the school year. They had a wonderful popcorn party to celebrate and Tony and Pam Boyer-Sheldon plan to continue these library visits next year! -Heather and Tony picked out herbs at the Greenhouse and planted along the walkway. Thank you Tony and Heather! – The Rec and the library plan to host two outdoor movie nights this summer on Augst 1^st and September 5. – Families continue to use the free Montshire passes Tony obtained for local Reading residents grades K-6. – The Night Mail Podcast continues and a recent magazine article written by Stephen D’Agostino is linked here. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=7fb6181a81&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1835868100933712640&th=197a504f9a9ffb00&view=att&disp=safe&realattid=f_mc1zd3us0&zw
7. Unfinished Business:

–      Tony will be on vacation July 8^th-26^th and the library board will check

calendars for  availability to open the library.

• Maintenance- soffit repair
• New Business: Jane Cleveland gave Tony the name of Guido Boldini who is able and willing to repair the soffit. Guido checked out the repairs needed and wrote up an estimate for Tony. He projects he will be able to do this in the next few weeks. Janet motions to move forward with hiring Guido for the library soffit repair, Heather seconds, all in favor, approved. Thank you to Jane for this recommendation!

1. Summary of Decisions: Moving forward with Guido for soffit repair;  library board will let Tony know any availability to cover the library during Tony’s vacation.
2. Date for Next Meeting: July 29th.
3.  Adjourn at 6:45

Respectfully submitted by Janet Malcolm

Reading Public Library

Board Meeting Minutes

May 27, 2025

1. Call to order 6:02/ Attendance: Tony Pikramenos, Heather Evans, Bill Baker, Janet Malcolm, Libbet Downs
2. Minutes approved from last meeting: Janet motions, Heather seconds, all in favor, approved
3. No changes to current agenda
4. Secretary’s Report: Thank you notes up to date
5. Treasurer’s Report:  Budget is on track.
6. Librarian’s report: Received update from Brian Cali- Brian has received proposal from structural engineer and architect to create plans to allow us to get bids for attic sealing and insulation. Another $100 generous donation received in response to appeal letter. Bill Springer is keeping our property beautifully maintained. Thank you Heather for trimming our butterfly bush. On June 5^th there is a daylong gathering hosted by the Preservation Trust of VT and they will be using the library space for part of the time.  $89 savings on electric bill which is the highest savings yet. Tony was able to obtain a Montshire day pass for each child from Pre-K – 6^th grade who are  Reading residents.  Thank you Tony! This week is the last day of this school year where the 1^st and 2^nd graders will visit the library for story time with Tony and popcorn. The Future of Reading group will meet at library in June. The podcast continues. Planning on 2-3 summer outdoor movie nights with the Reading Rec this summer. Tony will be on vacation July 8^th-26^th.
7. Unfinished Business:

• Bill motions to accept a tree donation from Jane Cleveland to the library in honor of Dick Salter and his wife. Libbet seconds, all in favor, approved. Thank you Jane!
• Bill motions Vanessa Maxham will no longer be listed on the library account checkbook as she stepped down from the board and Heather Evans and Janet Malcolm will be added to the checkbook account. Janet seconds, all in favor, approved.
• Maintenance- Garret is willing to cover the soffit hole at some point.

1. New Business: No new business
2. Summary of Decisions: Tree donation accepted; New names on library checkbook account.
3. Items and Date for Next Meeting: Ask Brian Cali about sidewalk. June 24^th 2025
4. Libbet motions to adjourn at 7:23, Janet seconds, all in favor, approved.

Respectfully submitted by Janet Malcolm