Minutes

Webster Free Public Library

Trustees Meeting by Teleconference

Thursday, July 16, 2020

           The teleconference began at 3:01 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 7-2-2020 was reviewed and accepted after a date was changed in this corresponding line from 6-3-2020 to 6-17-2020.

The Treasurer’s report was postponed until 7-30-2020.  

Old Business

            Cathryn reviewed how surrounding libraries are currently responding to the pandemic.  Out of 270 libraries in NH that participated in a survey, 55 are open to the public.  Concord (closing every 2 hours to clean) and Boscawen are open to the public, whereas Salisbury, Hopkinton and Warner are doing curbside service.  

            Cathryn gave an overview of the last two weeks.  The Plexiglas shield and sanitizer bottles have arrived.  More people are participating in the curbside service.  The Summer Reading Program is progressing nicely.  The Summer Reading activities are well received by the participants.  Heidi Ohlson is doing a fantastic job with virtual story times.

            Cathryn is tentatively considering opening to the public by August 1 as long as the number of cases continue to decline in NH.  She will keep curbside service available as an option.  She anticipates keeping normal hours for Sunday (12 p.m. until 4 p.m.) and Monday (1 p.m. until 8 p.m.).  Wednesday she will be open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Volunteers will not contribute until further notice.

            Michael has returned to work on his regular schedule of every other Saturday.  Cathryn is going to make a list of essential duties for Michael to complete to keep up with COVID precautions.  Nancy volunteered to come in to clean whenever necessary.               

New Business

            Nancy asked Cathryn if the passes were available for curbside service and Cathryn responded that they absolutely were.  Cathryn offered to check to see which ones have been renewed and if the corresponding attractions are open to the public.  Cathryn will let Nancy know her results.

            Leslie will provide more Celebration Bags to the Food Pantry on August 5.  Peg Foss reported having one remaining at the Food pantry.

            Leslie will monitor the front gardens.

            The teleconference ended at 3:26 p.m.  The next teleconference will be July 30 at 3:00 p.m.   

Respectfully submitted,

Leslie Collins, Secretary

Summary of duties during July 2020:

*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 July 30, 2020 at 3:00 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 continue ordering and implementing the changes necessary for reopening. 

*Cathryn will facilitate the Summer Reading program and curbside service. 

*Cathryn will make a list of essential duties for Michael to complete. 

*Cathryn will check to see what passes are current, if the corresponding attractions are open to the public and let Nancy know the results.

*Cathryn will let Nancy know her decision on when to reopen.

*Leslie will monitor the front garden.

*Leslie will provide the Food pantry with more Celebration Bags.

*Nancy is closely monitoring the Humanities presentation scheduled for October.

*Nancy will fill the smaller bottles with hand sanitizer on an upcoming Thursday (located on the coffee table).

*Nancy will be on call for cleaning services.

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.