Gale Library Trustee Meeting Minutes

GALE LIBRARY

Established        1892                                                                                                                                          

16 South Main Street

Newton New Hampshire 03858

(603) 382-4691

DATE: Wednesday, May 10, 2017

TIME: 10:00 a.m.

LOCATION: Gale Library, 16 S Main Street

MEETING MINUTES

Call to Order: 10:07 a.m.

In Attendance: Lynne Camp, Chairperson; Kathy Meserve, Treasurer; Anne Banks, Secretary; Terry Caswell, Director; Jeanne Maggio, Alternate.

Minutes from the Previous Meeting (April 12, 2017): Kathy motioned to accept the minutes as written. Lynne seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Correspondence and Communications: Terry mentioned receipt of the NHLTA request for nominations for the various categories of honorees for this year’s awards. She also wanted us to be aware of news concerning the increase to the 2017 Federal Budget funding for IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services). Terry found the information posted on the May Library Journal’s website.

Library Director’s Report: Anne moved to accept the Director’s report as written. Kathy seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report: Kathy reported that we received our 2017 budget check from the town for $27,900. Lynne moved to accept the Treasurer’s report as written. Anne seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Unfinished Business:

Carpeting Project: The Trustees reviewed the proposal from Rugs, Rolls, and More for installing new carpet on the first floor of the library. The store suggested doing the project on two different days, starting with the rear entry area first. The Trustees also looked at carpet samples and approved the color Aztec. Terry was advised to order the triple weight carpet due to the heavy traffic in the library. The Friends of Gale Library have offered to pay for the project; in fact, President Pat Estabrook brought us a check at this point during the meeting. Please see ‘Donations’ below for more information.

Building Maintenance Updates: Tony will be fixing the attic railing within a week or so. He will also paint the railing outside by the rear door. Tony has also been putting together a shelf for the J room. We discussed several other projects that were pending, including the fixing of the plow damage from last winter both inside and out, a new request for ceiling fans, and putting in the air conditioners before we are hit with more hot weather.

Secretary’s Job Description: This item was tabled until next month.

Circulating DVDs from the NHLTA: Also tabled until next month.

New Business:

NHLTA Conference Travel Plan: Lynne, Kathy, and Anne will attend the conference. Anne will drive. She will pick up Lynne and Kathy shortly after 7:00 a.m. since they are both on the way.

Staffing Review: Terry reported that volunteer Danielle Finn has passed her background check and will start this month as a volunteer. She will help out during Tuesday Story Hour, and other times as needed. Terry also has in mind to hire another Library Assistant Floater if the Trustees approve. We gave the go ahead for Terry to proceed, so she will begin processing the paper work.

Water Analysis: Terry learned from the NH Department of Environmental Sciences that we should do a certified bacterial analysis of the water this year. A request has been made to the town to have the Library’s water sample collected and submitted as part of the town schedule.

Historical Document Review: The Trustees are unsure what to do with or about the document naming the Gale Library as the recipient of any items given to us by the Newton Historical Society should they dissolve at a future time. Kathy will follow up with Terry Knowles, the libraries’ liaison at the state DOJ, as to whether this is appropriate and legal, and she will report back to us at the next meeting.

Paint for the New Door: The Trustees and Terry looked at the paint samples Lynne had brought to the meeting from Home Depot. After bringing the samples outside to see how they would look on the door and with the siding outside and the walls inside, selections were made. Terry will have Tony paint the outside of the back door with Cornflower Blue. For the inside of the back door and the door to the basement we chose French Blue Room.

Ceiling Fans: Terry mentioned to Nancy at Town Hall that we are hoping to install ceiling fans, two upstairs and one downstairs. We have 2 quotes for the work. Terry will explore whether the town will help us with this project financially, particularly with the electrical contractor expense, as they have done in the past.

Tru-Green Lawn Treatment: Terry reported that Tru-Green came out and treated the lawn areas of the Library, even after she had asked them to hold off until she could get more information and run it by the Board. We will table discussion of how to proceed with them until next month.

Minutes Review and Signage: We tabled until next month dealing with the unsigned minutes.

Acceptance of Donations: Patrons-$10.65; Chet Butcher-six art prints; Friends of the Gale Library-$2,440.00 for the downstairs carpeting project: Lynne moved that we accept $10.95 from patrons; six art prints from Chet Butcher; and $2,440.00 from the Friends for the downstairs carpeting project. Kathy seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Kathy moved that we approve the spending of up to $3,000.00 for the first floor carpeting project. Lynne seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Friends’ News: The Friends will have a Book Sale on Saturday, June 10, from 8-1 at Estabrook’s Garage.

Monthly Invoices Review and Signage: Invoices were reviewed and signed at this meeting.

Next Trustee Meeting: Wednesday, June 14, 2017, 10:00 a.m.

Adjournment: 12:05 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Anne D. Banks, Secretary