Minutes for March 13 2023 Trustees Meeting

March 15, 2023

Minutes for March 13 2023 Trustees Meeting


The meeting convened at the library at 7 p.m. Present were Cindy Binzen, Carol Wilson, Miriam Newman, Marty Frank, Kevin Lynch, Rachel Kurland and Melissa Strayton (librarian). 


Minutes of the February meeting were accepted.


Librarian’s Report: Alicia Houk of Wildflower Alliance, who has been designing pollinator gardens — including for Latham and Kilton libraries — is looking to connect with two libraries interested in having gardens planted this spring. She would put the garden in, but it would need to be maintained after it is established. Melissa noted that the theme for this summer’s children’s programming is “All Together,” and suggested that the pollinator project be incorporated into that. Melissa reported that she has submitted an application for the $300 grants the state provides for summer performances.


Tom Root did some electrical work recently and a little touch-up painting is needed in a couple of places. Jessica Brown has taken over the cleaning work and her work has been good, although her scheduling has been unpredictable. The trustees agree that we should try to have cleaning done every other week. Melissa has some catching up to do with book orders and publicizing the new Palace app, but her first priority will be in completing the annual report for the state.


Treasurer’s Report: Rachel sent out a profit and loss statement before the meeting. With the exception of Tom Root’s electrical work, there have been no budgetary surprises. The annual fiscal report has been submitted to the probate court.


Other Business: The trustees conducted their annual election of officers. Marty nominated, Carol seconded that Cindy continue serving as chair/president. Approved unanimously. Marty nominated, Miriam seconded that Rachel continue serving as treasurer. Approved unanimously. Miriam nominated, Carol seconded that Marty continue as secretary. Approved unanimously. Cindy moved and Marty seconded that the officers of the board be excluded under the state of Vermont’s Workers Compensation Act.  That was unanimously approved. Unless scheduling conflicts force us to do otherwise, the trustees will continue to meet on the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the library, in person when we can and by Zoom when we cannot.


Carol moved, Rachel seconded, to adopt the revised bylaws and append the relevant portions of the Louise Swann will. Passed unanimously. Marty said he would put a copy of the bylaws in the notebook where we maintain paper copies of our minutes.


Trustees reviewed and discussed our mission statement and policies for operations, confidentiality, building use, collection development, internet use and policy revision. Rachel moved, Marty seconded to adopt policies as written and/or revised. Passed unanimously with Kevin abstaining.


Cindy reported that she has received no responses from various contractors in her attempt to get an estimate on replacing our slate roof. Several trustees will meet Thursday to work on the Needs Assessment the Department of Libraries has requested as a first step in its grant application process. Melissa noted that the grants can also be used to address accessibility barriers, noting that our building has several, including a bathroom that can’t accommodate wheelchairs, a loft area that can be used only by people able to climb stairs and uneven floor surfaces. The trustees acknowledged the building’s problems but didn’t express interest in trying to address them in the short timeframe provided by the grant-application process. 


Cindy has talked to Kaitlin O’Leary, who has agreed to spearhead a storytime for preschoolers. The weekly sessions will start in April and run for five weeks. The first session of the book discussion of Becoming Nicole the library is cohosting with the church is scheduled for this week and will probably be conducted via Zoom. Rachel will take the portrait of Nathaniel Hawthorne to the restorer/cleaner to get an opinion about its suitability for a touch-up.


Our next meeting will take place on Monday, April 17, at  7 p.m. at the library.


Submitted by Marty Frank

 

April Trustees Meeting Date Change

March 14, 2023
The trustees meeting has been rescheduled. It will be held on Monday, April 17.
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March Trustees Meeting Agenda

March 10, 2023

Morrill Memorial and Harris Library Trustees Meeting

 

Monday, March 13, 2023, 7:00pm

Agenda

Any items to add or remove?

 

Secretary's Report

Approve minutes from February meeting

 

Librarian's Report

Ordering for collection - monthly, postings

Afterschool program 

Computer - updates

Patron questionnaire

Palace 

 

Friends' Report

 

Treasurer's Report 

Annual fiscal report to Probate Court

Review profit and loss statement

990 

 

Other Business

Election of officers 

Determine and note in minutes meeting date, time and ...


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February 2023 Trustees Meeting

February 26, 2023

The meeting convened at the library at 7 p.m. Present were Cindy Binzen, Carol Wilson, Curt Albee, Marty Frank, Kevin Lynch (observer) and Melissa Strayton (librarian). 


Minutes of the January meeting were accepted.


Librarian’s Report: Melissa reported she spent time exploring Palace, the app that serves as a portal to the collection of ebooks and audiobooks the state is offering for free. She discovered that it’s designed, at least for now, to be used with tablets and mobile devices, but n...


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February Trustees Meeting Agenda

February 20, 2023

Morrill Memorial and Harris Library Trustees Meeting

 

Wednesday, February 22, 2023, 6:30pm

Agenda

Any items to add or remove?

 

Secretary's Report

Approve minutes from January meeting

 

Librarian's Report

Ordering for collection - monthly, postings

Afterschool program 

Preschool story time - start-up date?

Computer - updates

Patron questionnaire

Palace 

 

Friends' Report

Discovery Books?

 

Treasurer's Report 

Review profit and loss statement

990 

 

Other Business

***Curt***

Bylaws revision and vote *Policies vote at ...


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Bylaws Revision

January 23, 2023
The Morrill Memorial and Harris Library Board of Trustees will be making revisions to the bylaws at the February 22, 2023 trustee meeting.
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January Investment Committee Minutes

January 19, 2023

Morrill Memorial and Harris Library Investment Committee

Minutes of January 10, 2023 Meeting

Present: Cindy Stableford, Betsy Ruml, Gretchen Rittenhouse, John Hawkins, Rachel

Kurland, Rebecca Seibel

Minutes of the 5/17/22 meeting were approved.

Rachel provided an update report for the Library Trustees:

1. Doing final budget prep for 2023. Highlights:


a. Plan to use about $5,000 from CD set-aside account to cover increased

cost of fuel and library staff salaries.


b. Do not propose to request money from...


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Minutes for Jan. 9 2023 Trustees Meeting

January 13, 2023

Minutes for Jan. 9 2023 Trustees Meeting


The meeting convened at the library at 7 p.m. Present were Cindy Binzen, Miriam Newman, Carol Wilson, Rachel Kurland, Curt Albee, Marty Frank, Kevin Lynch (observer) and Melissa Strayton (librarian). Diane White (Friends) joined for a short period.


Minutes of the December meeting were accepted.


Librarian’s Report: Melissa reported that she’ll be putting in an order for new materials soon. Attendance at the after-school program dropped by about half ...


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February Meeting Date and Time Change

January 13, 2023
The next Trustees meeting will be held on February 22, 2023 at 6:30 pm.
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January Meeting Agenda

January 4, 2023

Morrill Memorial and Harris Library Trustees Meeting

 

Monday, January 9, 2023, 7:00pm

Draft Agenda

Any items to add or remove?

 

Secretary's Report

Approve minutes from December meeting

 

Librarian's Report

Ordering for collection - monthly, postings

Afterschool program 

Preschool story time - start-up date?

Computer - updates

Patron questionnaire

Collection weeding

Palace 

 

Friends' Report

 

Treasurer's Report 

Review profit and loss statement

990 

2023 budget

 

Other Business

Website improvement 

Bequest ideas 

Gran...


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Trustees of the Morrill Memorial & Harris Library


The Board of Trustees meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the library.