Minutes

Webster Free Public Library

Trustees Meeting by Teleconference

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

           The teleconference began at 4:04 p.m.  Present were Cathryn Clark-Dawe, Director, Nancy Picthall-French, Chairperson, Marty Bender, Treasurer, and Leslie Collins, Secretary.  The teleconference took place on FreeConferenceCall.com.

The Secretary’s report for 5-6-2020 was reviewed and accepted after two editing errors were corrected:  Under Old Business, first paragraph, first line, “reopening” was changed to “reopen” and in Old Business, second paragraph, first line, “how we were going to open” was changed to “reopening”.

The Treasurer’s report through May 20, 2020 was reviewed and accepted.     

Old Business

           Cathryn has heard from Rob Wolinski regarding reimbursement from FEMA for PPE.  Rob can supply gloves and masks.  Cathryn will look into purchasing a Plexiglas shield for the front desk.  Cathryn has ordered hand sanitizer from WB Mason, but because of delayed shipping dates, we will all make an effort to purchase hand sanitizer when shopping.

            Nancy submitted a proposal comprising of six different phases for reopening from the NHLTA and NHLA websites.  Nancy posed the question how comfortable we are working with the public once we begin to reopen.  Everyone felt comfortable with the restrictions of curbside delivery. Cathryn agreed to work the restricted hours of Sunday 12-2, Monday 1-3 and Wednesday 5-7.  Cathryn suggested collecting checked out books for a week prior to starting curbside delivery the week of May 31.  Cathryn will place the requested books under the roof to the handicap entrance.  They will be labelled and placed in brown paper bags.  Returned books will be retrieved with gloves/mask from the book drop box and quarantined for 72 hours before recirculation.  Updated information will be posted through social media and our library webpage.  

            Michael will be asked to come back to work once the library is reopened or if Cathryn realizes his help is warranted earlier.

            Cathryn has communicated with Stephanie Wheeler of WES and was told that students have access to internet/technology in Webster.  The computers borrowed from the school will have to be returned at the end of the school year for the summer.  Nancy suggested reminding people that they can access the internet from our parking lot.

            Cathryn is considering mailing the summer packets to summer reading participants.  Weekly activities may be mailed or placed in curbside pickup.  There will not be a live event to culminate the program.

            All decisions made take into consideration the health and safety of the staff/patrons and are subject to change.  The Trustees and Director are meeting every two weeks and are making informed, cautious decisions.

New Business

            Cathryn sent us an email containing Reopening NH Libraries Task Force Best Practices Document, Version dated 5/20/2020.  She has forwarded the bill for the NH Parks Pass Program to Marty along with the bill for the three Trustees’ membership to NHLTA.  The pass to the SEE Science Center has been renewed.  All were in favor of renewing all the passes for the upcoming year.  The question of how to proceed with Home Delivery Service will be revisited. 

            Leslie asked if everyone received the NHLTA Roundtable notes.  Marty requested another copy.

            Nancy wondered if budget cutbacks are a possibility next year and asked if there were some proactive steps we could take by revisiting our short and long-term goals.       

            The teleconference ended at 4:54 p.m.  The next teleconference will be on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,

Leslie Collins, Secretary

Summary of duties during May 2020:

*Cathryn will look into ordering a Plexiglas shield for the front desk.

*Cathryn will renew the passes and forward the bills to Marty.

*Marty will look into purchasing a portable microphone for presentations.

*Marty will set up the next teleconference.  (1-425-436-6362, 455735#)

*Cathryn and Nancy will invite the public to the Trustee Meeting Teleconference Calls on June 3, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. on the town website and our Facebook page.  They will keep the public informed of ongoing decisions/changes as the library transitions to reopening.

*Cathryn will check her email twice a day for questions from patrons.

*Leslie will resubmit the Virtual Roundtable notes from NHLTA on 4-24-2020 to Marty.

*All:  Will make an effort to purchase hand sanitizer when out shopping, consider how to proceed with Home Delivery Services and continue to ponder how to proceed to the next stage of reopening as new data is released/considered.  Cathryn has sent each of us Reopening NH Libraries Task Force Best Practices Document, Version dated 5/20/2020.

Update:

NHLTA Virtual Roundtables
May 28 and June 4 • 2–3:00 pm

NHLTA is offering members another opportunity (two sessions) to meet online to discuss hot topics and share experiences and advice.The agenda for both sessions will focus on the reopening process for NH libraries and plans for the Summer Reading Program. 

Details and online REGISTRATION

PDF of Reopening Best Practices from the NH Libraries Task Force. Thank you to the 18 librarians who worked so hard to research, cull, collate, and create this document.