Minutes

Webster Free Public Library

Trustees Meeting

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

The meeting began at 4:09 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 Meeting Hall next to the Library.  The meeting was livestreamed and is available to watch from the Town’s website.

The Secretary’s report for 7/28/2021 was reviewed and accepted. 

The Treasurer’s report was reviewed and accepted.  Marty resubmitted the Treasury Report for July because two additional checks were deposited, the Town check and the ARPA Grant money.  He asked that the revised reports replace the reports he submitted last month.  Marty gave Cathryn a $50.00 reimbursement check for two $25.00 gift certificates, one for the Summer Reading Program and one for the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program.  Michael contacted Marty and requested his check, which Marty had already sent, but Michael had not received.  Marty resent the check; Michael contacted Marty a second time, stating he had received two checks.  Marty advised him to hold onto the second check as payment for August.  Cathryn requested a copy of the itemized bill from Amazon for the ARPA Grant items so she can submit it to the ARPA Grant.  

The Director’s report was reviewed and accepted.  Cathryn removed Porch Pickups from the report because they are no longer being requested.  The Summer Reading Program consisted of a small group of preschoolers, kindergarteners and a few older children.  The volunteers were wonderful.  Cathryn was pleased with the outcome of the program. 

Old Business 

          Leslie spoke about the Library’s Free Book Tent on Old Home Day.  Her recommendation for next year was to make sure there are plenty of children’s books.

            Marty reported on the status of the library signs.  Once the signs arrive, Marty will contact Dig Safe.  There is a 30-day window to get the signs displayed after Dig Safe’s assessment.  Marty will then contact Emmett.  Leslie mentioned that she could no longer see the wooden stake placed for the south library sign at the corner of White Plains Road.  Nancy volunteered to contact Dana to see who lives there.

            Nancy reviewed the status of the landscaping.  Linda Clark has added a small garden in front of the flagpole. Leslie used the left over soil in the Library’s garden. 

Nancy reviewed the many responses she received on Facebook after inquiring if there is an interest in forming a Garden Club in Webster.  Twenty-three comments indicated there is interest in the following:  sharing information (some responses specified a formal garden club, while others preferred an informal garden club), seed starting, seed/plant swaps, veggies/trees and garden tours.  Nancy will respond with another query on Facebook asking for the preferences for the desired day and time to hold the Garden Club.  A tentative date was set to have the first meeting at the end of September with topics to include putting the garden to bed and winter gardens.

            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.  November’s movie will be Percy vs. Goliath.  He will have recommendations for December’s movie at the next meeting.  A unanimous decision was made to show the movies on the third Friday of each month.  Leslie volunteered to display the sign and provide snacks.

Budget ideas for 2022 were brainstormed.  Leslie reminded everyone that we had talked previously about increasing work hours for Cathryn. Cathryn requested an additional three hours per week to accomplish her duties.  Cathryn has had the same hours for the past 28 years and her duties have increased considerably over the years.  Different days were discussed and Nancy suggested the three hours could be flexible.  It was decided to discuss this again at the next meeting.  

Leslie suggested replacements for the sandwich board sign including the white board holding the letters to the sign and another set of letters.  Nancy said she would research costs. 

Nancy thought new programming for the Garden Club could include the Cooperative Extension and speakers like Jim Ramanek on Seed Starting.

        Cathryn suggested purchasing a new pass to the NE Aquarium, in anticipation of next summer’s Reading Program theme, Oceans.

        Cathryn said a new air conditioner might be necessary.  She has someone scheduled to service the air conditioner on September 22 because it is consistently leaking.  The last time it was serviced, she was warned it was near the end of its 20-year-old lifespan.

New Business

          Cathryn reminded us of her vacation time September 5-8, which consists of two vacation days and one holiday.  She also informed us of a mysterious bag of ice melt, which liquefied and caused seepage to the Town Office below also resulting in a consequent mess in the closet.  Dana promptly handled the cleanup.  Leslie volunteered to send a thank you.

            Marty inquired when/if the dented railing in front of the library is going to be repaired/replaced.  Cathryn responded that Dana is handling it.

            Leslie inquired if the Baby Bags should continue.  Cathryn agreed to order four more baby books.  A reassessment of whether the Baby Bags are to continue will occur once they are given away.

            Nancy asked Cathryn to be prepared to review the actions she has taken on her 2022 goals.

            Nancy requested a summary of the Library’s expenditures to date for the next meeting.

            Nancy presented Cathryn with a $100 gift card in recognition of all her efforts during COVID.

The meeting ended at 5:20 p.m.  The next meeting will be held in the Meeting Hall next to the Library on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Leslie Collins, Secretary

Summary of duties during September 2021:

*Marty will contact Dig Safe and secure a date from them to assess the two locations for the library signs.  

*Marty will send Cathryn a copy of the itemized bill from Amazon for the ARPA Grant items so she can submit it to the ARPA Grant.

*Marty will pick out a movie for December so previews can be shown at the September (Casablanca) movie.

*Marty will send us a copy of the Library’s expenditures to date for the next meeting.

*Cathryn will order four more baby books for the Baby Bags.

*Cathryn will be ready to present a review of the actions she has taken on her 2022 goals.

*Cathryn will explore the cost of a NE Aquarium pass.

*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 8-27, Peg Foss requested four bags, will deliver 8-1))

*Leslie will make four more Baby Bags.

*Leslie will send Dana a thank you for his help with the ice melt disaster. (Sent 8-31)

*Leslie will monitor the front gardens.

*Leslie will provide a copy of her Meeting Notes at each meeting.

*Leslie will provide individual snacks and mini bottles of water for movie night.

*Leslie will do the sign for Casablanca and put it out in front of the library.

*Nancy will take the paper recycling to the dump.

*Nancy will make a second query on Facebook to determine preferred days and times for a Garden Club.

*Nancy will crochet some neutral colored baby beanies for the Baby bags.

*Nancy will find out from Dana who owns the property where the Library stake was placed for the southern Library sign.

*Nancy will place Revisiting the 2022 Budget/Additional hours for Cathryn on the next agenda.

*Nancy will research the cost of a new white board and another set of letters for the Library sign.

*Nancy will welcome new residents to Webster and the Library with the welcome letter.