Category: Meeting Minutes

Reading Public Library
Board of Trustees
Meeting Minutes
July 28. 2026 – 6:00 PM

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

1. Call to Order / Roll call
Meeting started at 6:02 PM
Libbet Downs, Heather Evans, Kristen Hurd, Rich Grogan, Bill Bakker, Tony Pikramenos, Brian Cali and Jane Cleveland in attendance.

2. Changes to Agenda Items – No changes
3. Approve Minutes from Last Meeting
Heather motioned to approve the minutes. Libbet provided the second. All were in favor.

4. Unfinished business – Maintenance
Brian Cali and Jane Cleveland joined the meeting to discuss the heat pump
compressor behind the library. Jane proposed to pay for the materials and
installation of a stockade fence to hide the compressor from view. Brian added that he had been in contact with the company that installed the compressor to get their recommendation on how far from the compressor the fence will need to be. Jane also contacted the Vermont Department of Historical Preservation and, while they do need to approve any final plans, they indicated that it should be acceptable since the fence is not visible from the street.
The board agreed to include this proposal on the agenda for next month. Prior to the next meeting, Brian and Jane agreed to stake out the location of the fence so that trustees can better visualize the extent of the project.
5. Public Comments – None, other than those above in maintenance.
6. Secretarys Report – No report this month.
7. Treasurers Report
The next fiscal year has started.
Rich and Tony are discussing online access to the credit card to ensure timely processing of the credit card payment.

8. Librarians Report
The bill for the library lights has been paid – $4246.00
Now that the heat pumps are installed and running, Tony evaluated the electric bills to see the impact of the increased electricity usage. The bill increased from $34 last July to $43 this July.
The library was used as a meeting space in July by the Recreation Commission, the Greenspaces Committee, The Future is Reading, and Aging in Place.
The annual ice cream social was last weekend with over 100 bowls of ice cream served. The cost of the event was split between the Rec Commission,
Greenspaces, and the library. Our portion is around $80.
Tony will be on vacation from 8/18 through 9/5, returning 9/8/

9. Unfinished business – CD renewal
The CD was recently renewed. We are awaiting the final terms of the renewal.
10. New Business
Check book signatories – Bill will work with Mascoma to set up new signatories for the library checkbook.

11. Summary of Decisions
12. Items; Date for Next Meeting – Next meeting August 25, 2026
13. Adjourn at 7:05 PM
ZOOM link – Please contact Bill Bakker (William.a.bakker@gmail.com)( for the link

Reading Public Library
Board of Trustees
Meeting Minutes
May 26, 2026 – 6:00 PM
Location: Reading Public Library and via Zoom (see link below)
1. Call to Order / Roll call  Meeting started at 6:05 PM
 Attendees – Libbet Downs, Rich Grogan, Kristen Hurd, Bill Bakker, Tony
Pikramenos, Bill Neukomm
2. Changes to Agenda Items – No changes
3. Approve Minutes from Last Meeting – Motion by Libbet, second by Rich, all in favor
4. Public Comments – No public comments
5. MERP grant update
 Discuss and approve bids for remaining work
i. Bill Neukomm discussed the RFP and bidding process the Energy
Committee had done. We only received one bid for $24171.56 from
Rabina for the attic work. The board approved the bid and all funds will
come from the MERP grant
6. MERP grant update – See above
7. Secretary’s Report – No report this month
8. Treasurer’s Report  Rich is currently working with Tony to discuss the remaining budget for this fiscal
year.
9. Librarian’s Report  Tony has been discussing summer programs with the Recreation Commission
and Greenspaces Committee. There will be 2 movie nights and an ice cream
social this summer  The ATV club will use the library for their meetings  A group of residents will be hosting a meet-and-greet with one of the Vermont
State senate candidates this summer. The library is also available as a gathering
space for all political candidates, per library policy.
10. Unfinished Business  Maintenance – New lights for the library
i. Tony and Brian Cali have done a lot of research on the best options for
replacing the fluorescent lights with energy efficient LEDs. We have
received a quote for replacing the lights for $2590.00, which does not
include new fixtures for the first floor. The board approved (Rich
motioned, Kristen second) spending up to $5000.00 for the lighting
project, which includes new fixtures and installation.
11. Executive session
 Rich motioned to increased Tony’s wage by 4% for the next fiscal year. Kristen
provided the second. All were in favor.
12. Summary of Decisions
13. Items & Date for Next Meeting – June 30, 2026 at 6 PM
14. Adjourn at 7:21PM
ZOOM link – Please contact Bill Bakker (William.a.bakker@gmail.com)( for the link

Reading Public Library
Board of Trustees
Special Meeting Agenda
April 21, 2026 – 6:30 PM
Location: Reading Public Library and via Zoom (see link below)
1. Call to Order / Roll call –
 Meeting started at 6:07 PM
 Present – Heather Evans, Libbet Downs, Bill Bakker, Tony Pikramenos
2. Discuss and decide on attic moving process and expense
 Chase the mover (Claremont) has penciled us in for April 27
 Estimate = $3244.00 to pack and move everything that we are keeping
 Library board will help Tony with the items that we are disposing
 Libbet makes motion to use Chase the Mover. Heather provided the second. All
were in favor.
3. Adjourn 6:52 PM
ZOOM link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86303023351
Meeting ID: 863 0302 3351

Reading Public Library
Board of Trustees
Meeting Agenda
March 31, 2026 – 6:00 PM
Location: Reading Public Library and via Zoom (see link below)
1. Call to Order / Roll call
 Meeting started at 6:15 PM. Rich Grogan, Heather Evans. Libbet Downs, Kristen Hurd, Tony Pikramenos, and Bill Bakker were present
2. Changes to Agenda Items
 No changes to the agenda
3. Approve Minutes from Last Meeting
 Rich made a motion to approve the minutes. Libbet provided a second. All were in favor
4. Public Comments – No public comments tonight
5. Secretary’s Report – No secretary’s report
6. Treasurer’s Report
 $11,344.80 remaining in the budget
7. Librarian’s Report
 We have received $1800 in donations
 The project to install the heat pump has started
 The attic must be completely cleared before proposals and estimates can be given by contractors. Due to time constraints with the grant, Tony will be getting bids from moving companies to pack up and move the items in the attic to temporary storage.
 Reading Rec’s annual Bunny Hop will be Saturday April 4 at Puddledock Park. The library will be used if the weather isn’t suitable for outdoor activities.
8. Unfinished Business
 Maintenance
i. Front walkway – Bill will contact Brian Cali to discuss the current status of getting the repairs done on the walkway.
New Business
 Elect officers
i. Bill Bakker elected as Chair
ii. Rich Grogan elected as treasurer
iii. Secretary was moved to next meeting
9. Summary of Decisions
10. Items & Date for Next Meeting – April 28th at 6 PM
11. Adjourn
 Meeting ended at 6:56 PM
ZOOM link – Please contact Bill Bakker (William.a.bakker@gmail.com)( for the link

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