Present:   Robert Dilts, Alice Winn, Lisa Perrault, Nora von Stange, Kip Roberson

 

The meeting was called to order at 4:35 p.m.

 

 

            The minutes of the February 11, 2009 Trustee’s meeting were reviewed.  Alice Winn moved to approve the minutes as presented, Lisa Perrault seconded the motion and the minutes were approved by vote of the Trustees.

 

 

            Lisa Perrault presented financial reports for the period ending January 31, 2009.  The Trustees discussed the Trustees’ investment in the Vermont Community Foundation Fund, and the decreases in the account resulting from unrealized losses.   

 

 

            Kip Roberson reported that the weekend staff has undertaken training in new policies, procedures and services that have been implemented over the last several months.  He noted that budget constraints present obstacles to training the weekend staff because funds are not sufficient to cover the expense of their attendance during regular weekday training sessions.  During the month of March, Katie Woodward will be providing training to volunteers.  Drawing on her experience in the United Way volunteer training classes, Katie has revised, updated and is distributing the Volunteer Handbook.  The volunteers are now wearing nametags when working in furtherance of the objective of connecting the volunteers to the patrons, thereby raising awareness of the role of volunteers and encouraging others to volunteer.

 

            Circulation records continue to increase at record breaking levels.  Circulation for February 2009 was up 16% over the same month in 2008.  Circulation for the current year has increased 15% over the same period last year, and the increase is commensurate with increases throughout Vermont and the other states. 

 

            February programming featured two Valentine events for children.  Beginning in March, an additional storytime will be added on Wednesday afternoons for people who have been unable to attend the morning sessions.  Adult programs have increased with the introduction of an ongoing Scrabble night, which will benefit from ongoing advertising.  The line up in the next months includes the following

 

March 3 & 17             6:30 p.m.         Scrabble Night

March 5 & 19              6:00 p.m.         Fiber Frenzy

March 19                     6:30 p.m.         Know Your Water

March 24                     7:00 p.m.         Bio-identical Hormones

April 2                         7:00 p.m.         Audubon Vermont (Birds of Champlain Valley)

April 7 & 21                6:30 p.m.         Scrabble Night

April 2 & 16                6:00 p.m.         Fiber Frenzy

April 14                       6:00 p.m.         Elderhostel

April 24                       7:00 p.m.         Robert Resnik  - Songs of Lake Champlain

April 30                       6:30 p.m.         Spring on Lake Champlain

 

Patrons are welcoming and using the Friends’ Coffee Corner, and Kip has rearranged furnishings to create a lounge area that is compatible with the enjoyment of coffee, tea and cocoa while using Library materials. 

 

The Friends have agreed to match the Trustee’s $3,000 for library materials through the end of June.  Kip reported that current funds in the budget will cover expenses for the remainder of the fiscal year.

 

The Library will offer an Adult Summer Reading program as well as the Children’s Summer Reading club this year.  The theme is “Be Creative,” and the Friends are working to assemble donations of products or services to use as prizes.  Kip asked the Trustees to do the same.

 

Kip will be attending the VLA and NELA Executive Board meetings in March, as well as the Town Officers’ Education Conference at St. Mike’s on April 13^th.

 

The Library is still awaiting a response from the Gates Foundation regarding the acquisition of computers.  Kip is working on preparations for the koha project, which will require a full inventory of our collections.  It may be necessary to close the Library for at least a day to facilitate the staff’s focused work on the database.

 

            The Trustees reviewed the proposed revisions to the Library’s policy concerning patron conduct.  Prior to the next meeting, Nora von Stange will research the considerations attending the issue of suspension of library privileges in the event of misconduct of a serious, repetitive nature.  The Trustees will continue reviewing and discussing this policy at the March meeting.  The Trustees will also discuss the conference room policy at the next meeting.

 

 

            Bob Dilts and Kip prepared a summary of measures taken to adhere to the Library’s five year plan, which reveals very good compliance and progress.

           

            During National Library Week in April, the Trustees wish to recognize the contributions of staff and volunteers.  Kip will draft an article regarding the volunteers for the Shelburne News.  The Trustees will gather with Kip to commemorate his first anniversary as Library Director and his exemplary contributions to the Library.

 

 

            The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                    Nora von Stange