Minutes
Webster Free Public Library
Trustees Meeting by Teleconference
Thursday, August 27, 2020
The teleconference began at 3:03 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 8/13/2020 was reviewed and accepted after the following changes were made: curbside pickup was changed to porch pickups, both under Old Business and under Summary of Duties. Under Old Business, in the sixth line, all the words contained within the parentheses were deleted and changed to (Boscawen and Concord are open to the public, Salisbury, Warner, Hopkinton are not open but are offering curbside.) Under Old Business, the eighth line down, “The sneeze guard for the front desk remains a challenge but is adequate” was deleted. Under New Business in the fifth line, the word “holding” was changed to “hold”.
The Treasurer’s report for 8/1/2020 through 8/26/2020 was reviewed and accepted. The Amazon account for $343.73 was divided into two budget lines; $173.16 went under Supplies and the remaining $169.57 went under Other Materials. Cathryn has forwarded the School Life invoice of $26.58 to Marty. Marty had to call School Life and register the credit card for the account. Nancy suggested Marty monitor the town deposit since there has been a turnover with new staff. A reminder might be helpful.
Old Business
Cathryn reviewed how the opening of the library is progressing. People are visiting the library and a few patrons are still requesting porch pickups. In-person visits are more popular than porch pickups. Attendance is down from before the pandemic. Patrons are wearing masks.
Leslie contacted Peg Foss and the Food pantry has enough Celebration Bags.
Leslie watered the front garden and left two plastic jugs near the water spigot in the front of the library for anyone to use.
Nancy cancelled the October presentation from NH Humanities.
Marty has ordered the Kearsarge Museum pass.
New Business
Cathryn stated there was a new login procedure for Biblionix. She has posted it on the desk clipboard and in the Procedures Manuel. Cathryn asked what she should do if she ever required a sick day. It was a unanimous decision to close the library.
Cathryn asked if Leslie wanted the plastic bag and tote bag donation returned and Leslie agreed to pick it up from the library.
Nancy asked if we needed to continue to meet every two weeks. It was a unanimous decision to go back to once a month meetings with the stipulation that anyone could request an additional meeting if necessary.
Nancy asked if Cathryn would like the boxes returned from the Good Will donation and Cathryn said yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Leslie Collins, Secretary
Summary of duties during September 2020:
*Marty will set up the next teleconference on September 24 @ 3 p.m. (1-425-436-6362, 455735#)
*Cathryn and Nancy will invite the public to the Trustee Meeting Teleconference Calls on September 24, 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 porch pickup service and the operation of the library.
*Leslie will retrieve the donated plastic bags and tote bags from the library.
*Leslie will monitor the front garden.
*Leslie will monitor the need for Celebration Bags at the Food pantry.
*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 monthly and are making informed, cautious decisions.