Category: Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes, November 2020

Reading Public Library
Board Meeting Minutes
November 24, 2020
Call to order: 6:06 pm
Virtual Attendance: Tony Pikramenos, Heather Evans, Vanessa Maxham, Janet Malcolm
Minutes approved from last meeting: Heather motioned, Vanessa seconded, all in favor, approved.
No changes to the current agenda
Secretary’s report: No new report
Treasurer’s report: No new report
Librarian’s report: Other libraries are going back to curbside service only, from Thanksgiving through January 15th. Tony would like to do this as well. Tony would like to be able to provide internet access to those who need it and proposed stage 2B. Stage 2B would be curbside service only, along with one hour appointments to use the computer in the building. Only one
person at a time and only for folks who have no internet service at home. This would be in effect from the Saturday after Thanksgiving through January during our next board meeting unless the state goes into total lockdown. Motion to approve stage 2B by Vanessa, Janet seconded, all in favor, approved. Notes of gratitude were placed in the mail.
Unfinished Business: Maintenance – Scott moved the butterfly bush in between the septic covers.
New Business: No new business
Summary of Decisions: Stage 2B will start Saturday after Thanksgiving
Items for next month: Next meeting: December 29 6pm via ZOOM
Adjourn: 6:40pm

Meeting Minutes, October 2020

Reading Public Library
Board Meeting Minutes
October 27th, 2020
Call to order: 6:03 pm
Virtual Attendance: Tony Pikramenos, Libbet Downs, Heather Evans, Bill Bakker, Vanessa Maxham, Janet Malcolm
Minutes approved from last meeting: Heather motioned, Bill seconded, all in favor, approved.
No changes to the current agenda
Secretary’s report: No new report
Treasurer’s report: Bill was in touch with Davis Trust and the statement will be included in the annual report. Budget is up to date.
Librarian’s report: The town has been loving the “little free library” and a thank you card will be sent to Karl Hanson. The computer station was brought in as the temperature has been dropping. Tony will once again do pumpkin carving with Lisa Kaija at the elementary school on Friday. Tony will transfer pumpkins once complete and on Halloween night he will safely distribute candy! Thirty minute visits in the library with masks on will continue.
Unfinished Business: Maintenance – Tony was able to take AC’s down, put the dehumidifier away, care for the herb and perennial garden, put the outdoor hose away and store the Puddledock umbrella in the library.
New Business: No new business
Summary of Decisions: Vanessa has a grand address list and Heather has cards ready for a letter of gratitude which will hopefully be sent out before Thanksgiving.
Items for next month: Next meeting: October 17th 6pm via ZOOM
Adjourn: 6:26pm
Respectfully submitted by: Janet Malcolm, secretary
​

Meeting Minutes, September 2020

Reading Public Library
Board Meeting Minutes
September 29th, 2020
Call to order: 6:11pm
Virtual Attendance: Tony Pikramenos, Libbet Downs, Heather Evans, Bill Bakker, Vanessa Maxham
Absent: library trustee Janet Malcolm
Minutes approved from last meeting: Heather motioned, Bill seconded, all in favor, approved.
No changes to the current agenda
No Secretary’s report
Treasurer’s report: Bill reports that there is a new executor of the Davis Trust, which the library benefits from, and he is open to communicating with the board.
Librarian’s report:
We are so proud to announce that we now have a Little Free Library outside the library!
Mr. Karl Hanson built and installed it. Please visit, it is wonderful.
We have collaborated with the Rec Commission on an outdoor movie series. We’ve had 3 so far.
Halloween is approaching fast and Tony will once again do pumpkin carving with Lisa Kaija, which will happen at the elementary school. Tony will transfer pumpkins once complete.
Halloween night he will hand out individual candy to the children, so that many hands do not contaminate the candy/buckets.
The Rec Commission and the Library are already thinking about the upcoming Holidays. We plan on decorating the building to bring cheer.
Our reopening plan is going well. We are going to re-evaluate it for the colder months as we’ll be spending more time inside and depending on COVID results.
Unfinished Business: Maintenance-we passed our elevator inspection
New Business: We are continuing to discuss our letter of gratitude.
Summary of Decisions: Heather to send email to board with art decisions for letter; Vanessa to contact Calista for info on grand list for mailings/printings.
Items for next month: We will have Halloween programs to the extent that we can.
Next meeting: October 27th 6pm via ZOOM
Adjourn: 6:54pm
​
Respectfully submitted by: Vanessa Maxham, chair

Meeting Minutes, August 2020

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.

 

Special Meeting Minutes, July 2020

Reading Public Library
Special Board Meeting Minutes
July 28, 2020
Call to order 6:07 p.m.
Virtual Attendance: Tony Pikramenos, Libbet Downs, Heather Evans, Vanessa Maxham, Stephen D’Agostino, Gerry Marletta (both from Recreation Commission).
Absent: library trustees Bill Bakker, Janet Malcolm.
We discussed the proposed COVID-19 bathroom policy to be used for outdoor programs. One change was made to the proposed policy, the age of the children allowed into the library without an adult. Instead of 16 and under it will be 12 and under. Libbet motioned to accept the policy with the change, Heather seconded, all in favor.
Adjourned 6:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Vanessa Maxham, chair.

Meeting Minutes, July 2020

Reading Public Library
Board Meeting Minutes
Date: July 7, 2020
Meeting commenced: 6:05 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 Libbet.
Secretary’s report: No new report
Treasurer’s report: Finished the fiscal year with $0 in budget
Librarian’s report: Initiated curbside service which is going well. Pop-up
computer policy created and initiated so folks can use equipment
outside. Folks can use the library catalogue and courier has begun again. Plants planted outside. Recorded books will be now available for this fiscal year. 6500 new books for adults and 2300 for children available through this. State park and historical site passes available. Tony will sign up for a movie license again for the new fiscal year and outdoor movies are a
possibility. 100 new books arriving at the library!
Unfinished business: None
Maintenance: Holding tank was emptied and discussed moving the
butterfly bush since it is growing over the septic tank. Cleaning services will
start up once a month again.
New business: None
Summary of decisions: Tony will call Scott Harkins about moving butterfly bush. Add discussion of Covid 19 reopening plan to next meeting
agenda.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:47
Date of next meeting: August 25.

Meeting Minutes, May 2020

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

 

 

 

Meeting Minutes, February 2020

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
  1. 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”
  2. Unfinished business – maintenance – currently no outstanding maintenance projects
  3. 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
  4. Summary of decisions – board voted and agreed to annual payment for courier service
  5. Items for next month – nothing new to add beyond what is typically discussed
  6. Adjourn – 6:58 PM

Meeting Minutes, January 2020

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

Meeting Minutes, November 2019

Reading Public Library

Board Meeting Minutes

 

Date: November 19, 2019

Meeting commenced: 6:15 after signing appeal letters

Present: Tony Pikramenos, Vanessa Maxham, Janet Malcolm, Libbet Downs

Minutes from last meeting: Motion to approve by Janet, second by Libbet, all in agreement

Query for changes to agenda items: Libbet motions to add budget discussion for 2021 under new business, Vanessa seconds, all in favor.

Secretary’s report: Working on thank you notes for 2019 appeal letter

Treasurer’s report: Budget on track up to October 2019

Librarian’s report: Fundraising letter has been sent out and we are waiting on invoice from Quality mailing house. Make-a-plate orders have been sent in and should arrive mid December. Halloween pumpkin carving at the library was a great success with the RES students. Thank you to Lisa Kaija, Vanessa Maxham, and Libbet Downs for helping! On Halloween, Tony handed out candy and lit the pumpkins which was fun for the town. The town tree lighting ceremony will be on December 7th at 6:30 pm. Reading Rec is co-sponsoring this event again with the library. The library trustees are donating cookies. 30 chairs have been ordered and are due to ship on November 22. Tony will be out of town and the library will be closed on December 26th. The next board meeting will be January 28th.

Unfinished business:

-maintenance: discussion regarding sidewalk repair was decided to be tabled until Bill is in attendance

New business: Janet makes a motion to request level funding for 2021, Libbet seconds, all in favor. Motion passed to request level funding for 2021.

Summary of decisions: Library will be closed December 26, the trustees will bake cookies for tree lighting ceremony, no board meeting in December, motion passed to request level funding for 2021.

Items for next month: No new items

Meeting Adjourned: 6:31

Date of next meeting: January 28th