Minutes
Webster Free Public Library
Trustees Meeting
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
The meeting began at 4:05 p.m. Present were Cathryn Clark-Dawe, Director, Nancy Picthall-French, Chairperson, Marty Bender, Treasurer and Leslie Collins, Secretary. The meeting took place in the Library.
The revised Secretary’s report for 6/23/2021 was reviewed and accepted. In the Heading, Thursday was changed to Wednesday. In the fourth paragraph addressing the Director’s Report, the word dispersed was changed to disbursed. Under Old Business, the fourth paragraph, the magazine title Martha Steward was corrected to Martha Stewart. Under New Business, the last paragraph, the word Zoom was deleted.
The Treasurer’s report was reviewed and accepted. An invoice from Amazon was not received this month. Marty issued a reimbursement check for $31.97 to Leslie for mulch, teak oil and a doormat. Marty issued a new check to the Park Street Foundation for movies.
The Director’s report was reviewed and accepted. Cathryn feels porch pick-ups have voluntarily ended. Both circulation and visits to the Library have increased. The Summer Reading program is going well.
Old Business
Marty went to the bank and got Cathryn a credit card for purchasing.
Nancy spoke to Stephanie Wheeler from WES about the placement of a library sign going north on Route 127. Stephanie recommended placing the sign after the teachers’ parking lot, before the small parking area used for overflow parking from the Town Hall. This would be across the street and to a slight diagonal from the Library’s entryway. Marty asked where the sign going south on Route127 should be placed. Marty will call DOT and find out the footage requirement from the entryway to the Library. All were in favor of placing the south sign at the corner of White Plains Road and Route 127, but that determination cannot be made until the footage requirement is obtained from DOT. Marty has received an email confirming the Library signs are being processed.
Nancy reviewed the status of the landscaping. Landscaping is on hold until Linda Clark meets with Sue Roberts for her expertise and recommendations. Cathryn suggested ferns for the area between the two ramps. Leslie will research the possibility of placing ferns in that spot. Nancy asked if there was an interest in a Gardening Club and if she should ask if there is interest in town on our Facebook page. Everyone agreed to think about it until the next meeting.
Nancy asked for input about live streaming our meetings. Leslie and Marty were neutral on the subject. Cathryn preferred the meetings be held in the library so the library would not be unattended. After a brief discussion of pros and cons, everyone agreed to participate. Nancy will ask if the live streaming can be moved into the Library and will learn how to run the equipment.
Movie Night will start on September 17, 2021 @ 7 p.m. in the Meeting Hall next to the Library. The first movie of the season will be Casablanca. Marty will show previews of upcoming movies. He will have recommendations for upcoming movies at the next meeting.
Nancy inquired when presentations should commence and asked for ideas for programing. Nancy proposed the idea of teaming up with the Historical Society and offering another Jeff Rapsis presentation. His live music talent accompanying a silent film was well attended at a previous performance. After a brief discussion about the current direction of COVID, it was decided to put this idea back on the agenda for December for a possible January show.
New Business
Cathryn asked for vacation time September 5-8, which consists of two vacation days and one holiday. A unanimous decision was made to grant the well-deserved vacation time.
Leslie gave Nancy the two sets of Nonpublic Meeting Notes (4-2-21, 4-22-21) and one Director’s Evaluation (4-22-21) in a manila envelope for confidentiality. Leslie will write John Collins a thank-you for his work on the front gardens and the teak bench. Leslie will make more Baby Bags. Leslie spoke of the possibility of a Library float in the Old Home Day parade and a Free Book Table/Book Swap table down in the pine grove. Cathryn offered the books from the For Sale Shelf, presently the only donated/uncirculated books we have. Nancy was more in favor of having a Free Book table than a Book Swap table. Due to restrictions Leslie is presently under and the lack of availability on such a short notice, the ideas will be postponed and discussed again next year. If Leslie’s restrictions are lifted, permission was granted for her to implement her ideas if she chooses.
The meeting ended at 5:05 p.m. The next meeting will be held in the Library on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 4:00.
Respectfully submitted,
Leslie Collins, Secretary
Summary of duties during July 2021:
*Marty will contact Dig Safe and secure a date from them to check the locations for two library signs. Other areas that need checking include the area between the two ramps, the area to the left of the cement steps and the lawn in front of the flagpole.
*Marty will contact DOT and find out how far the Library signs need to be posted from the Library entrance.
*Marty will pick out movies for November and December from Swank so previews can be shown at the September movie.
*Cathryn will work on writing the history of the Library, if time allows.
*Cathryn and Nancy will invite the public to the next Trustees Meeting on the town website and the Library’s Facebook page.
*Leslie will monitor the need for Celebration Bags at the Food pantry (Last contact was 7-28) and will make new Baby bags for the Library.
*Leslie will monitor the front gardens.
*Leslie will provide a copy of her Meeting Notes at each meeting.
*Nancy will readdress the idea of a possible Garden Club on the August agenda and a possible Jeff Rapsis presentation on the December agenda.
*Nancy will
*Nancy will be in contact with Dana Hadley and Linda Clark about the landscaping and building maintenance.
*Nancy will welcome new residents to Webster and the Library with the welcome letter.