PIERSON LIBRARY

 

Present:           Alice Winn, Robert Dilts, Michele O’Brien, Lisa Perrault, Nora von                                    Stange, Kip Roberson

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 4:10 p.m.

 

 

 

     Alice Winn moved to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2008 Trustees’ meeting and Michele O’Brien seconded the motion.  Amendments were noted and the minutes were approved as amended by vote of the Trustees.

 

 

            Lisa Perrault reported that she has not yet received the financial data from the bank for preparation of the Treasurer’s reports for the periods ending September 31, 2008.  Those reports will be forthcoming.  Lisa also advised that the Town has requested the Fiscal 2008 records for the annual audit.

 

 

            The Library, as previously announced, had a two hour delayed opening on October 3 to facilitate a staff training session primarily to cover the new legislation concerning confidential treatment of patron records.

 

            Katie Woodard is enrolled in the United Way’s Volunteer Management Training Series workshop.

 

            September circulation has increased over the same period last year, with the increase being largely attributable to DVD feature film circulation.  Circulation decreased from the month of August to the month of September, as it does historically when summer ends.

 

            The Friends set aside approximately $2,000 for the adult collections this year, a large percentage of which will be designated for the acquisition of audio books.

 

            Upcoming programming include Gary Kowalski on the Faith of Our Founding Fathers (October 9); Paul Papparella poetry and haiku reading (October 16); and Joe Citro ghost story telling (October 23).

 

            Time management software for the public use computers is still planned.  The Town will be upgrading network hubs to faster network switches.  Another upcoming project is the migration from the Follett online catalog to the open-source koha catalog. 

 

            The Friends annual book sale will be held October 11 and 12.  The new library cards, generously purchased by the Friends are showing premature wear and tear, which the supplier has promised to remedy.

 

            Kip reported on his attendance at the Association for Rural & Small Libraries’ annual conference in Sacramento in September.  He is a New England Library Association board member, and will attend its annual conference in New Hampshire October 20-21.  Kip is also the new chair of the Green Mountain Library Consortium’s ListenUp! Vermont downloadable audiobook selection committee.  He reported that the service is now iPod compatible for titles purchased going forward.  Pierson Library ranks 8^th for most downloads from the service. 

 

            The cleaning project has commenced, with fine results.  The tasks remaining for Northland Janitorial are carpet and upholstery cleaning.

 

            Kip circulated printed material concerning Trustee recruitment.

 

 

            The Trustees reviewed proposed policy and procedure drafts regarding Vermont’s new confidentiality law governing the disclosure of library patron records.  Following discussion, a decision was made to further consider the matter at the November board meeting.  LeeAnn Podruch, Nora von Stange and Kip Roberson will discuss revisions to the draft and circulate a proposal no less than one week prior to the November board meeting.  The importance of informing community members of the effects of the new law was stressed, and it was suggested that the following media be employed to do so:  Selectboard televised meetings, newspaper article and inserts; water/tax bill inserts, Library hand-outs.

 

            Kip received and will complete the state standards report for November 10 submission. 

 

            The 2009-2010 budget was discussed.  Capital requests are due next week, and several items for were noted, including roof shingle replacement, elevator repair and design and engineering for the library expansion.  Kip will get an estimate regarding the library expansion design and engineering work.  The Trustees agreed that there is a need to start investigating the expansion with focus groups, needs assessments and solicitation of public input.  Kip has included a request in the budget to cover the cost of expanding the Library hours of operation.  He will prepare a budget for review and approval at the November meeting. 

 

 

            Alice Winn moved to adjourn the meeting, and Michele O’Brien seconded the motion.  The motion was approved and the meeting adjourned at 5:26 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                    Nora von Stange