Minutes
Webster Free Public Library
Trustees Meeting
October 18th, 2017
The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. Present were Nancy Picthall-French, Chairperson, Marty Bender, Treasurer, Leslie Collins, Secretary and Chris Schadler, Chairperson of the Webster Conservation Commission.
The Secretary’s report for September was reviewed and accepted.
The Treasurer’s report through October 16th was reviewed and accepted.
Chris Schadler, chairperson of the Webster Conservation Commission, opened the meeting with a desire to formulate/frame some ideas on a presentation series in conjunction with the library. A tentative series of four talks was brainstormed, one for each season. Chris will be donating her Coyote talk for the fall. John Harrigan’s presentation on cougars was chosen for a possibility for the winter selection, the first or second week in January. Two dates would be chosen, the latter as a snow date. Andy Timmons, from NH Fish and Game, is presently scheduled to speak about bobcats for Friday, April 6th at 2 p.m. Bob Quinn of Webster was suggested for the summer of 2018 and Ben Kilham of Lyme for the fall of 2018 ($350). Chris knows an interested group of Webster residents who are willing to donate toward the cost of speakers. There was agreement that Fridays were the preferable day for the presentations. Chris questioned if the presentations would be better attended if they were later in the day rather than at 2 p.m. in the afternoon. Chris will contact potential presenters. Marty suggested that Chris develop a line in the Conservation Commission’s budget to help defray the cost of the presentations.
Old Business
Because of Cathryn’s absence, the discussion regarding the development of a library Facebook page will be postponed until next month. Cathryn has requested to develop the page as her second goal for her yearly evaluation.
Marty is looking into preserving Currie Sawyer’s diaries. He heard from the state archivist about a woman in the Cheshire Historical Society that might be able to help. Marty will contact her. Marty was wondering if other people in town might want to share their historical recordings using the new converter (EZCap). Marty is going to do a test run using one of his cassettes.
The development of another goal for Master Plan was postponed until next month.
The discussion about a brochure was postponed until next month.
New Business
The November movie, which takes place in New Hampshire, is going to be Coming Through the Rye on Friday, the 17th at 7 p.m. Marty will ask Cathryn to order (Amazon $13). The December movie has not yet been chosen.
Leslie inquired about the procedure for signing up to be put on the ballet since this is her third year as a trustee. Nancy explained that The Grapevine will have a reminder in January. Leslie also inquired about purchasing a gift card as a thank you. Marty stated he would need a receipt for reimbursement.
Nancy opened a discussion about the budget for 2018. It was agreed that a line would be added for programming and the money necessary for renewing the movie license ($225). The passes were discussed and whether or not some should be eliminated so the money could be put to better use and serving more people. All agreed that the passes for the local businesses should be continued, such as, The Telephone Museum and The Indian Museum. A cost of living raise for Cathryn of 2% was agreed upon. Nancy is contacting Bruce Johnson to inquire about how much the town employees are receiving in addition to the cost of living raise.
The new Town Crier in Webster is Sarah Chalsma at towncrier@gmail.com.
The meeting ended at 4:53 p.m. The next meeting of the Webster Free Public Library will be on Wednesday, November 29th, 2017 at 4 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Leslie Collins, Secretary