Minutes
Webster Free Public Library
Trustees Meeting by Teleconference
Thursday, August 13, 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 7/30/2020 was reviewed and accepted.
The Treasurer’s report will be reviewed on 8/27/2020.
Old Business
Cathryn opened to the public on August 9. She continues to offer curbside service. She will continue to be open on 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. Patron attendance is less than what it was before the pandemic. The Webster Free Public Library is reopening in a manner similar to surrounding towns (Boscawen: curbside & appointment, Hopkinton: curbside 5 days per week, Salisbury: curbside 5 days per week, Warner: no lending, staff available by phone or online). Cathryn has ordered a sneeze guard for the table. The sneeze guard for the front desk remains a challenge but is adequate. She has ordered a hands-free soap dispenser for the bathroom. After conferring with Michelle Derby, Cathryn is sharing the closet in the Town Hall for storage. She has placed the telescope in the closet. Presently she is using the front pew in the library for storage. Nancy suggested that if a shelving unit placed on the stage for supplies would be helpful, one could be purchased. Cathryn will let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
Cathryn recommends that if a patron borrows a museum pass, they call the venue ahead of visiting and inquire about the precautions/restrictions that are being implemented to keep guests safe.
Leslie revisited her notes on the revision of the Policies/Procedures/Bylaws and communicated her findings by email on Saturday, August 8, 2020. She will send Cathryn the review date for the Mission Statement and Library Use Policy.
Leslie provided four more Celebration Bags to the Food Pantry on 8/5.
Leslie weeded the front garden for the library reopening on August 9.
New Business
Nancy has sent an email to Sue Butman, Operations Manager of NH Humanities, inquiring about the feasibility of holding a public presentation in October. Sue Butman recommended presenting in a Zoom Meeting format. Nancy has contacted Liz Tentarelli, presenter of the presentation, inquiring on her willingness to holding her presentation in a Zoom Meeting and is waiting for a response.
Nancy inquired if Trustee Meetings should continue on Thursdays at 3 p.m. once the meetings are held at the library again. Marty suggested waiting to decide. Leslie noted that Cathryn does not usually work on Thursdays.
The teleconference ended at 3:29 p.m. The next teleconference will be August 27 at 3:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Leslie Collins, Secretary
Summary of duties during August 2020:
*Marty will order the Kearsarge Indian Museum pass.
*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 August 27, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. on the town website and the Library’s Facebook page. They will keep the public informed of ongoing decisions/changes as the library transitions to reopening in the Grapevine, Concord Monitor, Merrimack Valley Voice, with signage and the message board.
*Cathryn will facilitate the curbside service and the opening of the library.
*Leslie will send Cathryn the review date for the Mission Statement and Library Use Policy. (Mission Statement: 2/23/2017, Library Use Policy: 4/26/2017)
*Leslie will monitor the front garden.
*Leslie will monitor the need for Celebration Bags at the Food pantry.
*Nancy is closely monitoring the Humanities presentation scheduled for October.
*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.