Richmond Free Library
Trustees Meeting
March 5, 2020 6:30PM
Present: Jana Brown, Martha Nye, Ellen Crary, Jenna Bisset, Kathie Templin
Minutes Approved
Motion to approve January minutes was approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report:
- No updated Treasurer’s report at this time.
Librarian’s Report:
The Friends’ annual book sale was successful, bringing in $5,400 gross. (Will probably net about $5,000.) Wendy and Rebecca will be meeting with Friends at a post-sale potluck soon to talk about best practices. A small group of people put in many hours in the week or two leading up to the sale and then the sale itself (9 hrs) plus clean-up. It’s a lot of work for them. However, the Library takes donations year round. Staff review, accept, sort, box, and store the donations on a nearly weekly basis. Rebecca will be proposing that we don’t start taking donations until later in the year to minimize the costs to staff time, unless there are some Friends that can be available to do the reviewing/storing tasks on a regular basis.
Winter break video camp was a success with Angelique Contis of MMCTV and Wendy de Forest.
Middle school book club continues to be well received by attendees.
We are facilitating AARP Volunteers who assist seniors and low-income residents to file their tax returns. This is very much appreciated by those who get an appointment as filing a tax return can seem very complicated and scary. The volunteers greatly appreciate the Library’s mezzanine as it offers both comfort and privacy.
On March 25, 6:30 pm, Eliza West, a textile historian, will present a “live history” of a 1920s Vermont mill worker.
The regular programs continue to run smoothly.
Discussion of Librarian’s Report:
Book sale: Attendance may have been down due to weather this year.
Issue with the roof for the elevator column. Approval granted from trustees to move forward with getting this fixed.
Discussion of an appearance before the selectboard to ask that the town hire a property manager/maintenance person. Does it also make sense to approach the Town Building Committee about this issue?
COVID 19: Trustees agreed that it makes sense to close the library if schools in the MMUUSD district close.
Further discussion of the issue of room rental fees/nonresident membership fees reverting to the library budget. These funds could be directed to library services, library reserve, collection building, etc. We will have to revisit this issue with Josh and the selectboard when the budget for the next fiscal year is being worked on in the fall.
Each year, the Library collects revenue in two categories, non-resident membership fees and room rentals. Last year, the Library collected about $850 in membership feels and $17,000 in room rentals. These proceeds have been deposited with the Town where they end up in the general fund. The trustees feel that it’s time that these funds are returned to the Library as follows: the membership fees be deposited in lines representing direct patron services (e.g., materials collection) and that rentals be deposited either in the Library Reserve for building repairs/maintenance or at least in Town Building reserves. Laurie approached Josh Arneson for advice on how best to implement this. Josh suggested that the discussion wait for the budget discussion in the Fall and make any changes applicable for the FY 2022 year. The Selectboard does not have the authority to refuse the Library Trustees request as State Statutes are explicit that Trustees have full authority over Library monies. There should be discussion on how to most smoothly make this transition and perhaps Trustees should have a discussion with a library liaison well in advance of budget planning.
Yearly calendar: We should reference Laurie’s calendar to make sure that nothing is falling through the gaps. What other information should we also obtain from Laurie moving forward?
Election of officers
Ellen moves Jana as secretary, Martha seconded. Unanimously approved.
Ellen nominated Kathie as treasurer, Jana seconded. Unanimously approved.
Ellen nominated Jenna as President, Jana seconded. Unanimously approved.
Ellen has agreed to generate and post the agendas for meetings.
Town Meeting Planning 2021: There should be representatives there to speak on behalf of the library next year.
Motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:24PM
The next meeting will be in May 7th at 6:30PM. There will be no April meeting.
