northbrookfieldlibrary

LIBRARY TRUSTEES SPECIAL MEETING 8 February 2023

Meeting convened:  7:02 pm

Present:  Peg Bodine, Tom Skowron, Ellen Smith, Dawn Thistle

Remote:  Harbour Fraser Hodder, Dave Maher, Scott Norrie

Absent:  Betty Wuelfing

Minutes of the Feb. 1, 2023 Special Meeting were approved.

Purpose of the meeting:  To discuss qualifications/references of candidates for the Library Director position, and, if appropriate, to vote our choice.

Motion made and seconded:  to offer the position of Acting Library Director to Amy Vessella. 

• Discussion followed regarding the candidates’ qualifications and references.
• The motion to offer the position of Acting Library Director (pending completion of Bachelor’s degree) to Amy Vessella was approved unanimously with a proposed start date March 1, 2023 if the offer is accepted.  After Amy completes her Bachelor’s degree, she will become Library Director.

Summary of references for Amy Vessella:

Phone Contact with Marcelo Gusmao
Former Library Technician at Hubbard Memorial Library, Ludlow, MA
February 3, 2023
• Marcelo worked side by side with Amy for 5-7 years at the Hubbard Memorial Library in Ludlow.
• Amy mostly worked in programming and collection development.
• Amy is “fun… sweet… dedicated… rational… smart… reasonable… detail-oriented… and level-headed.”
• “Amy knows how libraries are supposed to work. She is a good problem solver… gives good advice… a great
person to bounce ideas off.”
• Amy works well with staff. She is friendly and respectful of others. Her managerial style is collaborative. She
makes sure that “everybody in the room has a voice… Amy has “a gentle hand to guide people.”
• “Beloved” is the word that best describes how the library’s patrons feel about Amy. She loves talking with
people and developed a “strong rapport” with them. Patrons were disappointed when she left.
• While in charge of programming, Amy developed an annual car show that is still ongoing. Prizes are given to
winning entries. Amy also initiated and developed a record (music) collection for patrons.
• Amy was continually busy with monthly crafts programs.
• Amy has a solid sense of library policy. She is a people person who cares. She would be an excellent choice
as the next Library Director.
Phone Contact with July Siebecker
Children’s Librarian at Hubbard Memorial Library, Ludlow, MA
February 3, 2023
• Amy worked as an assistant in the children’s library for four years. She did “a little bit of everything”
including crafts, story times, summer reading programs, processing statistics for the library, and ordering
new materials for the collection such as DVD’s and magazines.
• Amy is “a lovely person… who gets stuff done… fits right in… funny, and a whirlwind.”
• Amy has “strong organizational skills … works with precision… a good planner… a hard worker… even had
her summer reading program planned by January.”
• Amy “can take an assignment and run with it… I have freely delegated tasks to her and then I sign off on
them knowing that she will take care of everything from start to finish… She does not like to be bored… is
well organized… she wants to keep the ship in order.”
• Amy has a “humorous disposition… is courteous and patient with patrons… is upbeat.”
• “Amy can sometimes worry that she hasn’t done enough, but I don’t see that as a negative… She goes the
extra mile… has a strong professional work ethic.”
• Amy has had experience with writing and obtaining local Cultural Council grants.
• “Amy has many interesting side interests… her interest in cars turned into our biggest adult program of the
entire year, a half day car show… Amy took care of every aspect of it including the funding and the
publicity.”
• Amy’s greatest strengths include “being innovative and capable of juggling many tasks at once.”

Phone Contact with Judy Kelly
Former Director of Hubbard Memorial Library, Ludlow, MA
February 3, 2023
• Amy worked in the adult section of the library for about four years while Judy Kelly was Library Director.
• Much of Amy’s work focused on planning adult programming.
• Judy stated, “Amy is excellent with people… the patrons loved her… She’s a great worker… quick learner…
no negatives.”
• “Amy is a good thinker… She thinks about a problem and how to fix it… what might work… what might not
work… This is innate.”
• Amy has good instincts and good skills.
• She interacted with people at the circulation desk. “She is great with people. The patrons loved her.”
• “Amy and her husband have an interest in cars. Amy put together a phenomenal car show that is now an
annual event and has grown each year.”
• Judy could not speak directly about any experience Amy may have regarding working with budgets and town
officials since that was not Amy’s responsibility at the time.
• “Amy was a great employee because she is a good, solid person.”
• “She’s got it all. She would have to learn the nuts and bolts of working in a small town library with a limited
budget and resources. I have no doubt. She would adjust and do just fine. She’s a PRIZE.”

Adjourned:  7:30 pm

NEXT MEETING:

• Wednesday 1 March 2023 at 7:00 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Smith, Secretary

…………………………………………………………….

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 1 February 2023

Meeting convened at:  7:08 pm

Present:  Peg Bodine, Scott Norrie, Dawn Thistle

Remote:  Harbour Fraser Hodder, Dave Maher, Tom Skowron, Ellen Smith

Absent:  Betty Wuelfing

Minutes of the regular January meeting were approved.

Minutes of the Special Meeting 1/25/2023 were approved.

Librarian’s Report                                                   February 1, 2023

Circulation:

                                                                                    2022                            2023   

January 2023   All Items circulated from                                           

                                                this library                   1485                            1453

                                    NB Items circulated                1361                            1428

                                    Checkouts Overdrive               404                              501

Wireless data was unavailable at the time this report was written.

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	10/31/22	11/30/22	12/31/22	1/31/23
Salary Account	51,952.80	46,130.16	40,379.67	31762.86
Library Expense Acct.	24,907.34	22,563.25	17,653.39	13,016.36
State Grant	64.92	6,089.54	5,531.38	1,715.96
Gift Account	-499.03    6,987.20 (Salem bequest)	3,525.89   6,897.20 (Salem bequest)	2,359.81    6,852.20 (Salem bequest)	2,359.81    5,922.30 (Salem bequest)
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,774.61	16,774.61	16,774.61	16,774.61

The FY24 budget proposal was submitted on time, and the Annual Report was submitted ahead of time on January 24.

January Activities and Programming:

• Dawn led a group of 6 people in Japanese shibori dyeing on January 9. Dave Brown’s Food for Thought program, scheduled for January 12, was cancelled due to illness.  And on January 26, Ronny LeBlanc amazed a crowd of 50 (!) with his research and experiences relating to Bigfoot in Massachusetts and elsewhere. I had to turn people away at the door. The Book Group met on January 31 to discuss Falling Man by Don Delillo.
• Brianna’s Tuesday Storytime took place each week, with a regular group of 4 kids/4 caregivers. On January 31, there were 7 kids/7 caregivers, and we hope that the new children will continue to come! Community Connections had 4 programs with a total of 63 kids and 36 adults.
• On January 31, we received 5 new hotspots to circulate to patrons.  These hotspots may be funded with town ARPA money.  If not, they will come from the Salem Bequest.

Coming events:

• Thursday, February 9 at 6:30—Elena Palladino, author, Lost Towns of the Swift River Valley: Drowned by the Quabbin.
• Saturday, February 25 at 10:00—Eshu Bumpus, storyteller
• Tuesday, March 7 at 7:00—Jeff Snow, The Softer Side of Celtic
• Wednesday, March 15, 6:00 —Seed-Starting with Roberta McQuaid

On behalf of the Friends, I am trying to set up a wine tasting at Agronomy in Oakham on March 23.

Building Maintenance:

• January was a mostly-quiet month for the building.  However, the fire alarm system alert is going off again.
• The new charger for the AED has still not arrived.  When I called the online seller of AED supplies and equipment, they said that that company has been having trouble supplying chargers.  They basically suggested getting a different AED.  I hung the new AED sign to make the location more obvious.
• The carbon monoxide detector recommended by the town insurance company for the boiler room is installed.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Thistle

Old Business:

• Kathy Crevier, library liaison to the Finance Committee, alerted Peg that the agreed upon pay raise for the new Director has not yet been officially funded. After approval from the Finance Committee Chair, NB Administrative Assistant gave Peg a “Request for Funds from Reserve Account” form. Dawn and Peg requested $ 4,485.60, signed the form, and returned it to Ashley Barre, who will forward it to the Finance Committee and Select Board for their approvals.

New Business:

• Budget—Dawn submitted the library FY’24 budget request to the Selectmen.  Certain line items were adjusted including the salary line to reflect the increase in the Director’s salary for FY’24 and utilities because of increased costs in recent months.  (See the memo to the Select Board and FINCOM below.)

MEMO TO:    North Brookfield Selectmen; Finance Committee

FROM:            Dawn Thistle, Library Director

RE:                  Haston Free Public Library FY2024 Budget Request

DATE:            January 17, 2023

As in past years, I have tried to be sensitive to Town budget issues and to level-fund this budget request as much as possible.  The largest increase I am requesting is in the salary line to cover the wage agreed upon for the new Library Director, plus the 2% increase for the rest of the library staff. Utility costs continue to increase, and I have increased those lines based on costs and usage over the last 2 years. With the move to Renaud HVAC, our General Repair and Maintenance costs have increased overall due to higher preventive maintenance costs, and Renaud continues to find and repair problem areas in our system, adding to the expense (but improving the performance of the system). 

Notes on specific line-item requests are below. 

Account    001.610	Descrip-tion		FY23 Budget	FY24 Request	Notes
5110.000	Salary		$75,000	$85,100	This amount represents the new wage for the Library Director: ($24/hr x 30 hrs x 52 wks= $37,440) plus a 2% increase for the other positions: Youth Services: $18.73/hr x 26 hrs x 52 wks= $25,322.96 Asst. Librarian: $15.30/hr x 18 hrs x 52 wks= $14,320.80 Custodian: $15.30/hr x 10 hrs x 52 wks= $7,956
5200.000	Purch. Of Service		14,000	14,000	This line is used for internet, wireless, security system monitoring, elevator inspection and service, fire systems inspection and service, copier maintenance, and—most important—our CWMARS system membership. As of Dec. 31, we have used 67% of that budget, but because it is front-loaded with the CWMARS payment, $14,000 should be enough for FY24
5210.000	Electri-city		13,000	15,000	During the first 6 months of FY23, we have spent approximately 58% of the budgeted amount.  Jan-Dec 2021 costs were $13,995.  Costs for Jan-Dec 2022 were $14,375, an increase of about 3%. Because we spent more than budgeted during the last 2 years, along with predictions of significantly higher costs in 2023, I am conservatively estimating that our costs will be around $15,000.
5220.000	Heat		5,400	5,700	In FY22 we cut $1000 from my original budget request, with the result that I paid $1258 out of my State Grant and Gift accounts for the heating bills–$258 more than my original FY22 request.
5240.000	Water		240	240	In FY22 we paid $180 in water bills, but in FY21 we paid $240, so I am leaving that amount for FY24
5250.000	Sewer		160	160	I do not expect an increase for this line
5260.000	Gen. Repair & Maint.		8,000	10,000	As mentioned above, our HVAC costs have increased substantially, from $4000 to $6750.  We expect additional AC repairs (as of 12/30/22 we have already spent the entire FY23 budgeted amount) and interior plastering.  In addition, Renaud has recommended that we purchase a new hot water heater: $6150.  We will monitor the situation for this year! We are currently looking for a contractor to check the library tower, which we now think is the source of the interior water leaks.
5280.000	Postage		0	0	Most communications are now done using email
5400.000	Lib. Supplies		400	400	We will continue to be careful with spending from these 2 supply lines
5410.000	Office Supplies		400	400
5420.000	Bldg, Maint. Supplies		0	0	I will try to use 5430 funds to pay for any necessary building maintenance supplies
5430.000		Custodial Supplies	300	300	This amount should suffice.
5512.000	Library Books		5,000	5,000	We are required by the state to spend an amount equal to 19.5% of our Municipal Appropriation on library materials.  The FY2022 appropriation was $122,600, making our required spending for library materials $23,907 for this year.  I am requesting an increase in the Library Magazines (5513) line.  Worcester Telegram alone costs almost $1200 for an annual subscription, and it is heavily used by patrons. We will continue to make up the difference in these lines with funds received through State Aid to Libraries and raised by the Friends of the Library.
5513.000	Library Maga-zines		700	1,000
Grand Total:			$122,600.00	$137,300.00

Please let me know if you would like to discuss this proposal or if there is anything else that you need.

Adjourned:  7:30 pm

NEXT (SPECIAL) MEETING:  8 February 2023 at 7:00 pm

NEXT (REGULAR) MEETING:  1 March 2023 at 7:00 pm

Respectfully submitted:

Ellen Smith, Secretary

…………………………………………………………….

LIBRARY TRUSTEES SPECIAL MEETING 1 February 2023

Meeting convened:  6:00 pm

Present:  Peg Bodine, Scott Norrie, Dawn Thistle

Remote:  Harbour Fraser Hodder, Dave Maher, Tom Skowron, Ellen Smith

Absent:  Betty Wuelfing

Guest:   Brianna Lamb

Purpose of the meeting:  To interview Library Director candidate

 Amy Vessella

Topics addressed:

• Role of the public library now and in the future
• Management style
• Budget and grant writing experience
• Communications with the public and dealing with concerns/complaints
• Technology
• Building maintenance
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Adjourned:  6:50 pm

NEXT MEETING:

• Wednesday 1 February 2023 at 7:00 pm (regular monthly meeting)

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Smith, Secretary

…………………………………………………………….

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 4 January 2023

Meeting convened at:  7:05 pm

Present:   Harbour Fraser Hodder, Tom Skowron, Ellen Smith, Dawn Thistle

Remote:  Peg Bodine, Scott Norrie

Absent:  Dave Maher, Betty Wuelfing                                             

Minutes of the December 2023 meeting were approved.

Librarian’s Report                                                   January 4, 2023

Circulation:

                                                                                    2021                            2022   

December 2022           All Items circulated from                                           

                                                this library                   1546                            1211

                                    NB Items circulated                1407                            1217

                                    Checkouts Overdrive               297                              387   

Wireless Statistics
October	November	December
TOTAL UNIQUE CLIENTS 111 AVERAGE # OF CLIENTS PER DAY 6 AVERAGE USAGE PER CLIENT 260.5 MB	TOTAL UNIQUE CLIENTS 133 AVERAGE # OF CLIENTS PER DAY 9 AVERAGE USAGE PER CLIENT 436.9 MB	TOTAL UNIQUE CLIENTS 124 AVERAGE # OF CLIENTS PER DAY 8 AVERAGE USAGE PER CLIENT 523.8 MB

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	9/30/22	10/31/22	11/30/22	12/31/22
Salary Account	57,752.16	51,952.80	46,130.16	40,379.67
Library Expense Acct.	30,613.48	24,907.34	22,563.25	17,653.39
State Grant	218.79	64.92	6,089.54	5,531.38
Gift Account	260.28	-499.03    6,987.20 (Salem bequest)	3,525.89   6,897.20 (Salem bequest)	2,052.57    6,852.20 (Salem bequest)
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,774.61	16,774.61	16,774.61	16,774.61

I have received notification that the FY24 budget proposals are due on January 19…

December Activities and Programming:

Brianna Lamb led a group of 8 people in making Polish jezyki star ornaments on December 12. The Coloring Group met twice. The Book Group did not meet, due to the Christmas holiday.

Brianna’s Tuesday Storytime took place on two Tuesdays this month, with 3 kids and 3 caregivers at each session. Community Connections had 2 programs with a total of 12 kids and 11 adults.

The Friends’ Letters for Santa and Cookie Walk event on December 4 was a great success.  We made about $200 in cookie sales.

Coming events:

Monday, January 9 at 5:30 —Shibori Fabric Dyeing

Thursday, January 12 at 6:30–Dave Brown, Food for Thought, pt. 2

Thursday, January 26 at 6:30– Ronny LeBlanc, Bigfoot in Massachusetts

Saturday, February 25 at 10:00—Eshu Bumpus, storyteller

Thursday, February 9 at 6:30—Elena Palladino, author, Lost Towns of the Swift River Valley: Drowned by the Quabbin.

Last month’s ARPA grant discussion with Kathy Crevier was helpful.  I emailed Ethan Melad to ask for his understanding of what might be possible to request under the ARPA guidelines.  I sent him my list of (smaller) possibilities that seemed appropriate and mentioned the suggestion that “roof” repairs might also be possible.  He thought that the smaller items seemed to fit the guidelines and asked how much the repairs might cost.  I had no idea what to tell him.  I look to you to suggest someone to contact, or I can reach out again to Raymond James.

Building Maintenance:

On December 1, staff from the Mass. Department of Corrections came and verified my measurements for the new shelves for media and young adult books. They have submitted a preliminary quote for $420 to cut and finish 11 shelves.  The shelves should be delivered later this month.

On December 10, the Building Committee met and reviewed the various library systems and issues.

On December 13, Gurney Water Treatment came and added glycol to our chiller system.

The fire alarm system alert problem was checked by the NB Fire Department, who determined that the issue was one of the two phone lines for the system.  Verizon came and fixed the line.  Later that week, it became clear that the fax was no longer working.  Verizon came again on December 20 and determined that a line had been damaged when the gas company was doing work at the corner of Main and Spring Streets the month before.  It is now fixed, and the alarm system and fax are back online. I must say that Verizon has been very responsive!

The new charger for the AED has not yet arrived.  I need to follow up with the online seller.

The carbon monoxide detector recommended by the town insurance company for the boiler room has arrived, but I have not yet installed it.

On Friday, Dec. 16 (?), I happened to come to the library and saw that rain was blowing and leaking in the “sunny reading room.”  Tom Skowron was available to come and look at the leak, including in the attic where it seemed to be coming in.  I think we have a better idea now of what we are dealing with.  On the following Friday, Dec. 23, it was also pouring out, and the leak was even worse…

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Thistle

Old Business:

We’ve received one application so far for Director position.  We will extend the application deadline for a month.  We need a plan for interim Director if necessary.  Youth Services Librarian, Brianna Lamb, is willing to serve as interim Director.  Motion approved to extend position posting until January 31, 2023.

New Business:  None

Adjourned:  8:00 pm

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday, 1 February 2023 at 7:00 pm

…………………………………………………………….

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 7 December 2022

Meeting convened at:  7:06 pm

Present:  Peg Bodine, Harbour Fraser Hodder, Scott Norrie, Tom Skowron, Ellen Smith,

Betty Wuelfing,Dawn Thistle

Absent:  Dave Maher

Guest:  Kathy Crevier (FinCom)

Minutes of the November meeting were approved.

Librarian’s Report                                                   December 7, 2022

Circulation:

                                                                                    2021                            2022   

November 2022          All Items circulated from                                           

                                                this library                   1429                            1363   

                                    NB Items circulated                1187                            1295

                                    Checkouts Overdrive               293                              399     

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	8/30/22	9/30/22	10/31/22	11/30/22
Salary Account	63,533.16	57,752.16	51,952.80	46,130.16
Library Expense Acct.	33,401.84	30,613.48	24,907.34	22,563.25
State Grant	218.79	218.79	64.92	6,089.54
Gift Account	68.28	260.28	-499.03    6,987.20 (Salem bequest)	3,525.89   6,897.20 (Salem bequest)
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,774.61	16,774.61	16,774.61	16,774.61

With the hiring of a new Library Director, the Finance Committee agreed to increase the salary to $24/hour.  Because of a communications snafu, we did not get our request on the Dec. 2 Town Meeting warrant.  Peg is working with the Selectboard to determine next steps.

November Activities and Programming:

• Nine members of the Haston Arts (and Crafts) Club met on Nov. 7 to complete their primitive oval boxes, and 5 crafters created Christmas cards with Rhonda Brault on Nov. 14.  The Coloring Group met once, and the Book Group met in-person and via ZOOM on November 29 to discuss The President and the Freedom Fighter, by Brian Kilmeade.
• Brianna’s Tuesday Storytime attendance was down a bit, and Community Connections had 3 programs with a total of 27 kids and 19 adults.
• The Friends met on November 17.  We planned the annual Letters for Santa event on December 4 and have added a fundraising element: a Cookie Walk.  People can purchase from a wide variety of cookies baked by the Friends, $5 for ½ pound or $8 for 1 pound. We’ll see how it goes!  Piano students from Melissa Quillitzsch’s OnQ Studio will be performing holiday music again this year.
• As described in an earlier e-mail, we are now including a disclaimer on Facebook, per the Town’s new Social Media Policy.  It reads:
• The North Brookfield Public Library Facebook page has been created to share information about the services and activities of the Haston Free Public Library, a department of the Town of North Brookfield, MA. For more information about the library, please go to: https://northbrookfieldlibrary.org/. For more information about the Town of North Brookfield, please go to: https://www.northbrookfield.net/.
• Any content posted or submitted to this site is subject to public disclosure. In addition, users of this site are subject to Meta’s Terms of Service.
• On November 16, Dawn, Bri, Gabby and Lisa attended CPR/AED training at the Fire Station with Keith Marshall.  We all now have our certificates!

Coming events:

Monday, December 12 at 5:30—Jezyki Paper Star ornaments with Brianna Lamb

Monday, January 9 at 5:30 —Shibori Fabric Dyeing

Thursday, January 12 at 6:30–Dave Brown, Food for Thought, pt. 2

Thursday, January 26 at 6:30– Ronny LeBlanc, Bigfoot in Massachusetts

Building Maintenance:

• The elevator was inspected on November 4.  On November 30, the fire extinguishers and sprinkler system were inspected.  Also on November 30, Renaud came to complete its fall preventive maintenance, including replacing all filters.  They also sent a sample of the chiller fluids to Gurney Water Treatment so that they could determine the amount of glycol needed to protect the chiller during extremely low temperatures.  It appears that the glycol percentage has dropped to 21%.  Gurney will replace it with 95% concentrate.  This will cost either $1765 or $2000, depending on whether we decide to keep the old fluids on site (more on this at the meeting).
• Responding to the Fire Department inspection, in addition to our CPR/AED training, I have ordered a sign and a new charger for the AED, cleared the boxes out of the electrical closet and made sure the elevator emergency number is posted in the elevator closet.  The only thing left on their list is to get trained in the use of the fire extinguishers; I will contact Chief Holway about that.
• The fire alarm system is once again acting up; I will have to contact Citizen Security about sending someone out to determine what the problem is.
• Boiler inspection showed need for carbon monoxide detector—Dawn has ordered one.
• Finally, on December 1, staff from the Mass. Department of Corrections will come to confirm my measurements for shelves needed to replace missing shelves in the media and young adult areas of the library.  They have submitted a preliminary quote for $420 to cut and finish 11 shelves.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Thistle

Old Business:

• $24/hour salary approved by FinCom and Selectmen.  $5,000 needed to cover overage in FY’23 budget will come from Select Board’s Reserve Account.
• Director job posting went out December 1^st and will be on the MBLC site for 6 weeks—until January 15^th and can be extended if necessary.  We’ll probably need an additional meeting to review and prepare for interviews to follow.

New Business:

ARPA funds—Kathy Crevier of FinCom suggested that ARPA funds might be used to address roof/masonry issues.  This had been brought up by another member of the FinCom.  Dawn had read the ARPA guidelines and did not see such an expenditure in the list of costs that might be covered.  She will research further.

Adjourned:  8:02 pm

NEXT MEETING:  4 January 2023 at 7:00 om

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Smith, Secretary

…………………………………………………………….

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 2 November 2022

Meeting convened at:  7:02 pm

Present:  Peg Bodine, Dave Maher, Tom Skowron, Ellen Smith, Betty Wuelfing,Dawn Thistle

Remote:  Harbour Fraser Hodder

Absent:  Scott Norrie

Minutes of the October meeting were approved.

Librarian’s Report                                                   November 2, 2022

Circulation:

                                                                                    2021                            2022   

October 2022  All Items circulated from                                           

                                                this library                   1436                            1403   

                                    NB Items circulated                1304                            1386

                                    Checkouts Overdrive               375                              363     

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	7/31/22	8/30/22	9/30/22	10/31/22
Salary Account	72,158.76	63,533.16	57,752.16	51,952.80
Library Expense Acct.	38,337.82	33,401.84	30,613.48	24,907.34
State Grant	218.79	218.79	218.79	64.92
Gift Account	713.45	68.28	260.28	-499.03 6,987.20 (Salem bequest)
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,720.48	16,774.61	16,774.61	16,774.61

The town Accountant has not yet been able to roll over the FY22 accounts, so I have not been able to reconcile my numbers each month this FY.  I have separated the gift account funds so that I can track use of the $10,000 Salem bequest money.  The Friends of the Library voted on October 20 to gift $5000 to the library. When that is added to the “regular” gift account, you will not see any numbers in the negative.

On October 27, Ellen and I met with the NB Finance Committee to make a presentation proposing an increase in salary for the position of Library Director.  Committee members seemed interested and even sympathetic, but we will not know for some time whether they will be able to find the funds for the increase.

October Activities and Programming:

October has been a busy month with several programs!  Two author programs, Walking to Wachusett, with Bob Young (October 4) and Leaving Coy’s Hill withKatherine Sherbrooke (October 12), were well attended. The Sherbrooke presentation was a zoom/in-person hybrid which fully tested our new network.  The Haston Arts Club gathered on October 17 to make covered primitive boxes, with Louise Meierdierks.  Their second workshop for completing their projects will take place on November 7.

Halloween was very busy this year.  Dawn and Bri participated in the Coalition for a Healthy North Brookfield’s Family SpookFest on October 23.  Bri hosted a Teen Tarot Reading on October 27, but sadly only one teen came. On October 28, 19 people attended an adult séance and tarot reading program by Mme. Dina LeDuke, and on Saturday, October 29, Bri held the 2^nd annual Children’s Halloween Party.

The Book Group met in-person and via ZOOM on October 25 to discuss The Sun Also Rises, by Hemingway. The discussion was lively and continued for another week via email!  The Adult Coloring group met once.

In October, Brianna’s Tuesday Storytime has regularly had 7 children and 7 adults. Community Connections had 2 programs with 12 kids and 10 adults each.

The Friends met on October 20.  We discussed a variety of ideas for fundraising.  Twelve members attended—the largest group in a very long time!

Brianna and I applied for a total of 5 NB Cultural Council Grants, and a couple of other grant proposals were submitted for programs to take place here.  We’ll see what the Cultural Council gives us!

On October 27, I received an email informing the library of the Town’s new social media policy.  Most of it is simple to deal with, but there are a few sections that require us to make some changes in how we post to Facebook and Instagram (the 2 social media platforms we are currently using).  I haven’t had time to figure it all out yet, but I’m thinking about it.  We’ll need to add some language to our sites.

Building Maintenance:

On October 6, CW MARS technical staff came and installed a new network and switch.  Now both the CW MARS and public computers are on the same switch, and we are back to one wireless network.  Users do not need to use a password, but they must agree to the policies on an initial splash page.  So far, the wireless seems to work everywhere in the building, and especially in the meeting room which did not have internet access before.  Yay!  This network upgrade was funded with ARPA grant funds and some of the Salem Bequest money.

The Fire Department came for its annual inspection on October 22.  Some members of the Building Maintenance Committee also attended.  The inspection went well, with only a few items needing attention:

• CPR/AED and Fire Extinguisher training (CPR/AED is scheduled for Nov. 16)
• AED maintenance and signage (signage ordered)
• Clean out electrical closet
• Post elevator emergency number in elevator room (it used to be there; not sure where it went!).

The state elevator inspection is scheduled for this Friday (11/02).  Fire extinguisher/sprinkler system inspection is scheduled for Nov. 30.

A couple of the staff printers stopped working a few months ago due to a Microsoft upgrade.  We worked around the problem until October 26, when CW MARS assisted remotely with installing new printer drivers and correcting some settings.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Thistle

Old Business:

• Motion to approve amended Library Director job description was approved unanimously.
• Motion approved unanimously to post the Director position beginning December 1, 2022.  The ad will include the town’s population figure.  The ad will state:  See library website (www.northbrookfieldlibrary.org) for complete job description.  The salary range will be included in the ad when we hear back from the FINCOM/Select Board.

New Business:

• Members of the Board who were present at the meeting signed/witnessed the acknowledgements of receipt of the town’s new social media policy.
• In the event that we do not have a suitable candidate for the Director position, we will need a “contingency plan” beginning March 1, 2023.  Ideally Brianna and Gabby would fill in on a temporary basis pending the hiring of a permanent Director.

Adjourned:  8:27 pm

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday 7 December 2022 at 7:00 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Smith, Secretary

…………………………………………………………….

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 5 October 2022 (The previous meeting was held August 31 rather than in Sept. due to Dawn’s vacation next week)

NOTE;  There was no meeting in July. 

Meeting convened at: 7:01 pm

Present: Peg Bodine, Scott Norrie, Tom Skowron, Ellen Smith, Dawn Thistle

Absent:  Dave Maher, Betty Wuelfing

Remote:  Harbour Fraser Hodder

Guest:  Kathy Crevier of the FINCOM

Minutes of the August 31 meeting were approved.

Librarian’s Report                                                   October 5, 2022

Circulation:

                                                                                    2021                            2022   

September 2022          All Items circulated from                                           

                                                this library                   1687                            1363               

                                    NB Items circulated                1563                            1288

                                    Checkouts Overdrive               312                              382     

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	6/30/22	7/31/22(FY23)	8/30/22	9/30/22
Salary Account	872.00	72,158.76	63,533.16	57,752.16
Library Expense Account	-159.66	38,337.82	33,401.84	30,613.48
State Grant	218.79	218.79	218.79	218.79
Gift Account	731.08	713.45	68.28	260.28
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,774.61	16,774.61

• The State Aid Financial Report was submitted on September 27.
• I finally got my National Grid electric bills; I had received none since May.  Luckily we had encumbered two months-worth from FY22 money, so I am able to pay them!
• September Activities and Programming:
• On September 8 Dave Brown presented “Food for Thought,” to an audience of 9. Planning for Medicare on September 13 attracted 15 people. Seven were entertained and educated by the skills and tricks of Carol Kelley’s and Theresa Langelier’s dogs on September 24, sponsored by Second Chance Pet Services.
• The Book Group met in-person and via ZOOM on September 27 to discuss The Stranger in the Woods, by Michael Finkel. There were 3 attendees on ZOOM and 12 here in the library—it was a very popular book!
• The Adult Coloring group met twice.
• Brianna’s Tuesday Storytime has been averaging 4 children (and 4 parents). The Community Connections programs are very popular. Bee Ready and Books & Blankies alternate on Wednesday mornings. Bee Ready can brag up to 15 children (plus parents), while Books & Blankies is enjoyed by smaller groups.
• Brianna participated in the North Brookfield Elementary School’s PTO Cake Walk on September 21.

• The Friends returned from their summer hiatus on September 22.  We added the American Heritage Museum to our museum pass offerings.

Future Programs:

October 4: Walking to Wachusett, with Bob Young

October 12: Katherine Sherbrooke, Leaving Coy’s Hill (rescheduled)

October 17: Covered primitive boxes, with Louise Meierdierks

October 23: Family SpookFest—Trunk or treat at NBES

October 28: Séance with Mme. Dina LeDuke

Staff News:

We have offered the two-year alternate Saturday Circulation Assistant job to Lisa Testa. 

Building Maintenance:

• I have contacted Renaud to schedule the switch-over from cooling to heating.
• There was quite a bit of leaking in the sunny reading room during the rain storm last week.  I know, I know, I need to reach out AGAIN to Raymond James…ARGH.
• CWMARS is coming tomorrow to redo the network.  This will be paid from ARP funds and
  $1,000 from the Salem bequest.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Thistle

Old Business:  None

New Business:

àDirector hiring process timeline:  Motion to follow the listed timeline was unanimously approved.

• Dec. 1—ads go out
• Dec. 31—Applications due
• Jan. regular trustees meeting executive session to review applications
• Jan. interviews to be scheduled
• Jan. decision and offer of position to selected candidate
• Mid-February start date-could be sooner depending on circumstances

Kathy Crevier of the FINCOM listened to our concerns about the need to offer an acceptable hourly rate when seeking to fill the Director position following Dawn’s retirement.

Adjourned:  8:30 pm

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday 2 November 2022 at 7:00

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Smith, Secretary

……………………………………………………….

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 31 August 2022 (this is the Sept. meeting one week

early due to Dawn’s vacation next week)

NOTE;  There was no meeting in July. 

Meeting convened at:  7:08 pm

Present:  Peg Bodine, Dave Maher, Scott Norrie, Ellen Smith, Dawn Thistle

Absent:  Harbour Fraser Hodder, Tom Skowron, Betty Wuelfing 

Minutes of the June 1^st meeting were approved.

Librarian’s Report                                                   August 31, 2022

Circulation:

                                                                                    2021                            2022   

August 2022                All Items circulated from                                           

                                                this library                   1859                            1799                           

                                    NB Items circulated                1742                            1714   

                                    Checkouts Overdrive                354                              380     

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	5/31/22	6/30/22	7/31/22(FY23)	8/30/22
Salary Account	9,395.00	872.00	72,158.76	63,533.16
Library Expense Account	598.26	-159.66	38,337.82	33,401.84
State Grant	218.79	218.79	218.79	218.79
Gift Account	3,418.08	731.08	713.45	68.28
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,774.61

We received the second $10,000 check from the Salem bequest on August 13. 

The State Aid Financial Report opened for data entry on August 8, but then the software crashed due to a ransomware attack.  It is not clear whether the delay will affect the State Aid award timeline.  I am VERY GLAD I submitted the ARIS report early; many libraries have not been able to submit theirs prior to the original deadline of August 26 due to this issue.  MBLC is extending the deadline for them.  In the meantime, I am working on the Financial Report on paper!

August Activities and Programming:

The Summer Reading Program ended officially on August 20 with a performance by storyteller Davis Bates.  Brianna says, “The reading program was a great success, with 44 children signed up. Over the course of the summer, we offered 26 fun programs for all ages. The East Quabbin Land Trust hosted 3 nature programs, children learned about plant and animal track identification, Miss Bri’s friend talked about camping and hiking safety, and lots of STEAM-focused crafts were made (a favorite was the handmade butterfly feeders, which now stand outside the library, attracting bees and butterflies. At the finale program on August 20th, winners were drawn for the summer reading prizes. These included bug catching kits; a Camp iRead lantern and lunchbox; passes for Old Sturbridge Village, Eric Carle Museum, Basketball Hall of Fame; a coupon for Brookfield Orchards and more!”  Tuesday story times continued to attract as many as 10 children along with accompanying adults.

On August 2, the library participated in the town-wide National Night Out event.  It was great to see all the other town departments and organizations and to see so many patrons outside the library.

The presentation by Katherine Sherbrooke, author of Leaving Coy’s Hill, which the Book Group read last month, scheduled for August 11, was cancelled due to the author’s case of COVID. We have tentatively rescheduled her talk for October 12.

The Book Group met in-person and via ZOOM on August 23 to discuss The Personal Librarian, by Marie Benedict. This discussion followed an informal reception in honor of Bob and Sue LaFlamme who leave for New Hampshire at the end of September. Although Bob will still participate in the Book Group via ZOOM, we will really miss his considerable physical presence at our on-site discussions!

The Adult Coloring group met three times.

Future Programs:

September 8: Food for Thought, with Dave Brown

September 13: Planning for Medicare (sponsored by BC/BS)

September 24: Pet Care/Pet Responsibility, with Carol Kelley (sponsored by Second Chance Animal Services)

October 4: Walking to Wachusett, with Bob Young

October 12: Katherine Sherbrooke, Leaving Coy’s Hill (rescheduled)

October 17: Covered primitive boxes, with Louise Meierdierks

October 28: Séance with Mme. Dina LeDuke

Staff News:

Brianna will be taking a Saturday course needed for her library degree during the fall semester.  Because she and I alternate Saturday morning coverage, this will create a bit of a staffing issue. I cannot work every Saturday, and Gabby should not work alone.  Bri and I are interested in your thoughts and suggestions regarding this situation.  A possibility may be to hire someone to work Saturdays using the Salem money.  I have been looking into this option with town Treasurer, Allison Bulger.

Building Maintenance:

Renaud came on July 28 and August 3 and replaced the actuator in the ceiling of the Local History Room to the tune of $1764.75. Sigh.

We are still receiving regular “trouble alerts” from the fire alarm system.  It is apparently an issue with the batteries.  I have not yet contacted Citizen Security about fixing the problem.

Respectfully submitted, Dawn Thistle

Librarian’s Report                                                   August 3, 2022

Circulation:

                                                                                    2021                            2022   

July 2022                    All Items circulated from                                           

                                                this library                   1651                            1857

                                    NB Items circulated                1583                            1809

                                    Checkouts Overdrive                318                              428

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	4/30/22	5/31/22	6/30/22	7/31/22(FY23)
Salary Account	14,988.75	9,395.00	872.00	72,158.76
Library Expense Account	2,844.29	598.26	-159.66	38,337.82
State Grant	2,480.56	218.79	218.79	218.79
Gift Account	123.00	3,418.08	731.08	713.45
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48

July Activities and Programming:

I submitted the library’s ARIS report on July 28, 2022.  The State Aid Financial report will open for data entry on August 8.

The Summer Reading Program’s Crafty Tuesday story times plus STEAM Mondays and Wild Wednesdays have generated a lot of interest and activity.  Community Connections brings their Read, Build, Play and Music & Me groups occasionally as they rotate activities among all the area libraries.

The Book Group met in-person and via ZOOM on July 26 to discuss Leaving Coy’s Hill, a fictional biography of Lucy Stone, by Katherine Sherbrooke. The Adult Coloring group met once. The Haston Art Club enjoyed two sessions of Drawing for the Joy of It, July 18 & 25, with Deborah Roberts Kirk.

Programs planned for August include author Katherine Sherbrooke, author of Leaving Coy’s Hill, which the Book Group read this month.  She’ll be here on Thursday, August 11 at 7:00.   On Saturday, August 20, our Summer Reading Program will conclude with storyteller Davis Bates at 10:00. Simultaneously, we will also be holding the more-or-less annual Friends of the Library Book Sale on the front lawn. Please spread the word!

Building Maintenance:

Our new fax machine has been set up and is working great!  We set a new fee structure: $3.00 for the first 5 pages and $.50/page thereafter.

With the onset of really hot weather, the HVAC chiller occasionally does not start automatically.  However, we have been able to start it ourselves when that happens. 

We have also been receiving regular “trouble alerts” from the fire alarm system.  I have had to shut off the alarm a couple of times, but otherwise there has been no obvious trouble.  If it continues, we will need to bring in Citizen Security to check it out.

As you know, Bob LaFlamme is moving to New Hampshire.  In celebration of his membership on the Building Maintenance Committee and long support of the library, we will be hosting a reception on August 23 at 5:30 pm, before the Book Group meets at 7:00.  I hope you all will be able to attend.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Thistle

Librarian’s Report                                                   July 6, 2022

Circulation:

                                                                                    2021                            2022   

June 2022                    All Items circulated from        1596                            1836

                                                this library

                                    NB Items circulated                1467                            1715

                                    Checkouts Overdrive                308                              421

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	3/31/22	4/30/22	5/31/22	6/30/22
Salary Account	20,483.00	14,988.75	9,395.00	872.00
Library Expense Account	3,044.27	2,844.29	598.26	-159.66
State Grant	180.05	2,480.56	218.79	218.79
Gift Account	707.95	123.00	3,418.08	731.08
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48

I met with Shiela LeBlanc and filled out the necessary paperwork to cover the overages in the budget.  She did not anticipate any problems.

I received the annual invoice from CW MARS for FY23, but thought you’d be interested to know that the value we received for our FY22 assessment of $4965 was $124,881 (based on usage) or $234,325 (based on replacement costs).  Well worth the FY23 assessment of $5113.

A letter came from the Trustees of Robert T. Salem Revocable Trust explaining that the tax issues have been resolved, and the “Trustees will now proceed to complete the administration of the estate. The Trustees are obtaining an up-to-date accounting which will be submitted to you once completed.”   Should be interesting.

June Activities and Programming:

Tuesday story times and Wednesday Read, Build, Play times are continuing through the summer.  It is really gratifying and impressive how Bri has grown her story times.  Summer Reading has been busy with activities on at least 3 days each week and attendance has been good.  So far, 39 children have registered. 

On June 13 Rhonda Brault led a workshop on making greeting cards.  Every participant was able to select the occasion and style and made 2 cards.

The Book Group met in-person and via ZOOM on June 28 to discuss The Splendid and the Vile, by Erik Larson. The Adult Coloring group met twice.

Programs planned for July:

• Haston Art Club: Drawing for the Joy of It, July 18 & 25, with Deborah Roberts Kirk.

Building Maintenance:

The fax line has been installed, but is not yet activated.  A reconditioned fax machine purchased through e-bay did not function, so I returned it.  I will order a new one in July, then contact Verizon to activate the line.

There was some sort of miscommunication with Lyndsey Bennett, and our spring yard clean-up never took place.  I have asked her to send the contract, but she has not done so.  She has been mowing, though I have not received a bill.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Thistle

Old Business:  None

New Business:

• Motion approved to follow Dawn’s recommendation on expenditure of $10,000, second installment of “Salem bequest”

*Worcester Telegram (12 month print subscription)

*New wireless network amount not covered by ARPA grant

*Hot spots/Internet service

*Sat. staff member (alternate weeks) for 2 years @ $15/hour

*LEGO cart

*Shelving for audio books

• Dawn shared her goals for the coming year—“Action Plan FY 2023)
• Update technology binder
• Organize a “planning calendar” for programming
• Train staff in emergency action plan—CPR and defibrillator training
• Update website
• Improve library signage
• Dawn plans to complete the “pandemic video”.  Josh Allen is working on editing.
• Dawn read her letter of intention to retire as of February 28, 2023 which the Board accepted with deep regret.

Adjourned:   8:25 pm

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday 5 October 2022 at 7:00 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Smith, Secretary

……………………………………………………………………………………

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 1 June 2022

NOTE;  There was no May meeting.  Notice was not posted in time.

Librarian’s reports for May 4^th and June 1^st are included in these minutes.

Meeting convened at:  7:05 pm

Present:  Peg Bodine, Harbour Fraser Hodder, Scott Norrie, Tom Skowron, Ellen Smith,

Betty Wuelfing, Dawn Thistle

Absent:  Dave Maher 

Annual Election of officers:  Dawn opened the process and requested nominations for

Chairperson.  Peg was re-elected unanimously.  Peg conducted the remainder of the

meeting.  Scott was re-elected as Vice Chair and Ellen was re-elected Secretary.

Minutes of the April 6^th meeting were approved.

Minutes of the April 13^th Special Meeting were approved with the addition of a note

 indicating that Harbour participated remotely since she was out of state.

Librarian’s Report                                                   May 4, 2022

Circulation:

                                                                                    2021                            2022   

April 2022                   All Items circulated from        1275                            1604

                                                this library

                                    NB Items circulated                1237                            1533

                                    Checkouts Overdrive               314                              374

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	1/31/22	2/28/22	3/31/22	4/30/22
Salary Account	34,396.25	28,861.25	20,483.00	14,988.75
Library Expense Account	11,519.84	8,884.63	3,044.27	2,844.29
State Grant	3,670.90	926.73	180.05	2,480.56
Gift Account	5,719.44	3701.85	707.95	123.00
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48

We received the 2^nd State Aid check for $5398.30 and the Friends have also voted to give the library an additional $5,000 to cover materials and other expenses.

Peg and I met with the NB Finance Committee on April 7 to discuss the FY23 budget and the status of the FY22 budget.  It went reasonably well, and they did not seem to think that my FY23 budget request was too far out of line.  But they did not tell us what their recommendation would be.

April Activities and Programming:

Volunteer Roan Testa began her internship on April 4 and has been making a great contribution to the activities of the library.  We will certainly miss her when it is over at the end of May!

Tuesday story times and Wednesday Read, Build, Play have been going well with good attendance.   The Easter egg hunt was a success, and lucky Naomi Yeung won an art set with the egg she found.  The Poetry Slam in honor of National Poetry Month, did not attract any young adults, but Bri is determined to keep reaching out to that age group!

On April 7 we held a Volunteer Appreciation Party.  All the volunteers attended, and we were able to say a special “thank you” to Florine Martel, who is retiring after 20 years of volunteering.

The two Watercolors for Beginners classes taught by Deborah Roberts Kirk were filled to capacity and because of the interest, we may try to do this again soon.  Eleven people attended “Laugh and Learn” with David Maloof on Thursday, April 28. 

The big event was the (Almost) May Festival on April 30.  It was a windy day, but otherwise the weather cooperated and everyone had a great time.  All the vendors seemed to do well, the music was great, the tours of the Town House were popular, and everyone was smiling.  A lot of individuals worked hard to make it happen, but special thanks go to Ellen Smith for all her efforts!

The Book Group met in-person and via ZOOM on April 19 to read and discuss poetry, beginning with poems selected by Clarence Burley for his own funeral. It was very moving; Clarence will be greatly missed by the group.  The Adult Coloring group met on three Mondays.

The Friends met on April 21 to finalize the (Almost) May Festival plans. 

Programs planned for May:

• Fun Fused Glass with Deenie Pacik, May 10 at 6:00
• How to Start and Grow your Small Business with Dani Whitestone, May 26 at 7:00

Brianna and Gabby have completed self-assessments, and I am in the process of writing their performance reviews.  I expect to meet with them during the week of May 9 to discuss their progress.

Building Maintenance:

Renaud HVAC is scheduled to do its spring maintenance and the switchover from heat to cooling on May 10 & 11.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Thistle

Librarian’s Report                                                   June 1, 2022

Circulation:

                                                                                    2021                            2022   

May 2022                    All Items circulated from        1276                            1774

                                                this library

                                    NB Items circulated                1183                            1642

                                    Checkouts Overdrive                358                              457

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	2/28/22	3/31/22	4/30/22	5/31/22
Salary Account	28,861.25	20,483.00	14,988.75	9,395.00
Library Expense Account	8,884.63	3,044.27	2,844.29	598.26
State Grant	926.73	180.05	2,480.56	218.79
Gift Account	3701.85	707.95	123.00	3,418.08
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48

We have met our FY22 requirement for materials expenditures.

Town meeting on June 3 will determine whether or not we receive the budget requested in January…

May Activities and Programming:

I completed Brianna’s and Gabby’s performance reviews.  We attended the Massachusetts Library Association meeting in Hyannis on May 24, and also plan to visit the Optima sorting facility where interlibrary loan materials are received, then sent on to requesting libraries on June 8.

Intern Roan Testa completed her internship on May 26.  She made a great contribution to our services and activities.  I wish we could keep her!

Tuesday story times and Wednesday Read, Build, Play continue to grow in popularity.  Brianna has planned out our Summer Reading program on the shared Massachusetts theme of “Read Beyond the Beaten Path,” which will begin with a kick-off event hosted by the East Quabbin Land Trust on Saturday, June 25^th.  Community Connections is planning to hold a musical story time, “Rocking and Reading,” on Saturday June 4.

On May 3, we hosted a representative from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, who set up an information table.  Our monthly craft event was Fun Fused Glass with Deenie Pacek on May 10, attended by 12 people. Seven women attended Dani Whitestone’s talk on How to Start and Grow your Small Business on May 26.

The Book Group met in-person and via ZOOM on May 31 to discuss The Midnight Library, until a power outage knocked-out ZOOM.  The power came back on almost immediately, but ZOOM did not cooperate. The Adult Coloring group met twice.

The Friends met on May 19 to review the successful (Almost) May Festival.  The next meeting will not take place until September, although I am planning to hold our more-or-less annual book sale on August 20.

Programs planned for June:

• Haston Art Club Greeting Card craft, with Rhonda Brault, June 13

Building Maintenance:

Renaud HVAC performed the switchover from heat to cooling on May 10 & 11.  The chiller still has to think about whether or not it will come on when it’s really hot; the outside temperatures keep fluctuating so much that it doesn’t know what it wants to do…we will keep track of issues.

I have been working with the town’s Verizon rep, and they are activating a new POTS line for faxing.  I have submitted a form that should get us the reduced, rather than the tariff rates, and I hope that it will be affordable!

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Thistle

Old Business:

• The Employees’ Emergency Procedures plan was approved unanimously.

New Business:

• The library by-laws have been reviewed by the Board.  A motion was approved to accept the current by-laws with the date of June 1, 2022.
• There was a brief discussion of possible goals for the coming year.  It was decided that we will define those goals at a fall meeting.

Adjourned:  8:07 pm

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday 7 September at 7:00 pm

*****PLEASE NOTE: THERE WAS NO TRUSTEES MEETING IN MAY.

NOTICE WAS NOT POSTED IN TIME.

****************************************************************

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 6 April 2022  (Hybrid meeting) 

Meeting convened at:  7:05 pm

Present:  Peg Bodine, David Maher, Scott Norrie, Tom Skowron, Ellen Smith, Betty Wuelfing,                          Dawn Thistle

Remote:  Harbour Fraser Hodder

Minutes of the March regular meeting and Special Meeting of March 16^th were approved.

Librarian’s Report                                                  

Circulation:

                                                                                    2021                            2022   

March 2022                 All Items circulated from        1509                            1752

                                                this library

                                    NB Items circulated                1471                            1654

                                    Checkouts Overdrive               349                              364

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	12/31/21	1/31/22	2/28/22	3/31/22
Salary Account	39,731.75	34,396.25	28,861.25	17,671.00
Library Expense Account	15,429.25	11,519.84	8,884.63	3,044.27
State Grant	4,662.81	3,670.90	926.73	180.05
Gift Account	7,412.53	5,719.44	3701.85	707.95
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48

The 2^nd State Aid check for $5398.30 is expected this week.

I have been summoned to meet with the NB Finance Committee on April 7 to discuss the FY23 budget and the status of the FY22 budget.

March Activities and Programming:

• Miss Bri’s story times have been attracting a few new children on Tuesdays.  Her e-newsletter has been very well received! Community Connections’ Read, Build, Play group has been very popular with as many as 10 family groups on Wednesday mornings.
• The Lotus Flower Lantern Workshop on Wednesday, March 9, experienced internet access difficulties in the meeting room, but the small in-person group of 6 were able to move upstairs to join the ZOOM group of 3 participants plus instructor.  All the resulting lanterns were lovely!
• Due to low registrations, Dani Whitestone’s presentation on Starting Your Small Business was postponed and has not yet been rescheduled.
• The presentation by Judge Maura McCarthy on March 22 was great, with 20 people (including 4 middle-schoolers) in attendance. We all learned a lot about how justice is dispensed in the District Court!  On March 28, Julie Rawson of Many Hands Organic Farm came to speak on garden health.  Twenty-eight people attended.
• The Book Group met in-person and via ZOOM on March 29 to discuss several short stories. Eight members were in the library with four online.  The Adult Coloring group met on three Mondays, and the older Dungeons and Dragons group met once.
• The Friends met face-to-face on March 17 and to work on Almost May Festival plans.  On Thursdays March 24 and 31 a sub-group met with members of the Friends of the Town House and Earth Day committees to coordinate planning. It is shaping up to be a great event!
• The Bruins/Cradles to Crayons/Wonderfund Pajama Drive ended on March 31.  We collected 75 pjs; 50% over our goal!

Programs planned for April:

• Volunteer Appreciation Party, Thursday, April 7, 2:00
• Two Watercolors for Beginners classes taught by Deborah Roberts Kirk on Monday, April 11 and Thursday, April 14 (this class is limited to 10 and has a waiting list already)
• “Laugh and Learn” with David Maloof on Thursday, April 28 

Both of the latter programs are funded by the NB Cultural Council.

Building Maintenance:

Ethan Melad (Board of Health) dropped off two HP laptops that they received with COVID money, but ended up not using.  I have been working on setting them up.  Related to that, I have been corresponding with Anne Savoie about the renewal of our Desktop Computer Support contract.  After looking at our computers, I have decided to decommission a couple of Win7 machines and add the laptops to that contract –$1700.  We seldom (basically never, unless the middle school gamers are all here) need so many desktop machines.  With the new laptops, we can sign them out to be used anywhere in the library (as the network allows), should we need to provide additional computers.  And, related to that, I am going to submit a proposal to the town ARPA Committee requesting funds for a complete wireless network upgrade.  CW MARS has given me quotes for access points and related hardware, as well as a new switch to accommodate it all ($4472).  We’ll see what the Committee decides!

Internship:  North Brookfield High School senior, Roan Testa, will be volunteering as an intern (20 hours per week) until the end of the current school year.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Thistle

Old Business:

• Update on Director’s evaluation—The draft prepared by Peg, Dave, and Betty, based on submissions by members of the Board, was unanimously approved.  Any member of the Board may submit additional comments in writing for attachment to the evaluation.  Such comments might tie in with the current Long Range Plan or identify specific areas of focus.
• Confidentiality Policy—Revised policy was unanimously approved.
• Emergency Action Plan—Motion approved to table discussion and vote until the May meeting.
• Dawn consulted with Ashley Barre regarding the need for a reliable fax line at the library. 
• By-laws—Motion to table the review of the library by-laws until the May meeting was approved unanimously.

New Business:

• Ashley gave Dawn the name of a person at Verizon who might be able to discuss re-activation of the old fax line since the new phone system often does not work when a patron needs to send a fax.

Adjourned:  7:55 pm

NEXT MEETINGS: 

(Special Meeting) Wednesday 13 April 2022 at 7:00 for Director Evaluation

(Regular Meeting) Wednesday 4 May 2022 at 7:00 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Smith, Secretary

**********************************************************************

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 2 March 2022

Present:  Peg Bodine, Dave Maher, Tom Skowron, Ellen Smith, Dawn Thistle

Remote:  Betty Wuelfing

Absent:  Harbour Fraser Hodder, Scott Norrie

Meeting convened at 7:01 pm

Minutes of the Fecruary meeting were approved.

Librarian’s Report:

Circulation:

                                                                                      2021           2022

February 2022 All Items circulated from              1244           1328

this library

NB Items circulated                                                  1198           1226

Checkouts Overdrive                                                 351              323

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	11/30/21	12/31/21	1/31/22	2/28/22
Salary Account	45,253.25	39,731.75	34,396.25	28,861.25
Library Expense Account	21,126.72	15,429.25	11,519.84	8,884.63
State Grant	5,329.30	4,662.81	3,670.90	926.73
Gift Account	8,305.31	7,412.53	5,719.44	3701.85
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48

February Activities and Programming:

Community Connections did not offer story times at the Haston Library in February, but will start up again on Wednesday, March 2.  Having the Community Connections Parent-Child Playgroup on Wednesdays should work out well, as it allows Brianna to continue her own Tuesday story times.

Despite the snow, the program on Asian Folk Tales took place on Saturday, February 26, with 13 attendees.

The Book Group held a hybrid meeting on February 22 to discuss Go Tell It On the Mountain by James Baldwin. Ten readers attended.  The Adult Coloring group met on two Mondays, and Dungeons and Dragons met three times.

The Friends met face-to-face on February 17 and decided to hold an “Almost May Festival” on April 30, if the Congregational Church gives permission to use their lawn.  Friends of the Town House are interested in participating.  Bri is planning a “Story Walk” and Sue Lewandowski is planning Earth Day activities.

So far, we have collected about 30 pairs of PJs for the Bruins/Cradles to Crayons/Wonderfund Pajama Drive.  Our goal is to collect at least 50 before the end of March; I expect to exceed that number!

Programs planned for March:

• Lotus Flower Lantern Workshop, Wednesday, March 9

• Book talk with local author Dani Whitestone, Wednesday, March 16

• Judicial Outreach program with the Hon. First Justice Maura McCarthy, Tuesday, March 22

Building Maintenance:

Representatives from Barnard Roofing (Raymond James Restoration) came on February 16 to look at the places where leaks have been happening this winter.  I have not heard back from Raymond Simoncini regarding next steps…  During the rainstorm on February 22, there were no leaks, surprisingly—it always seems to depend on the direction of the wind.

The elevator inspection took place on February 11. We passed this time!

I am still waiting to hear from the N.Brookfield Fire Department about when we might be able to have CPR and AED training for staff.  I have emailed and left a voicemail message.  NBFD Lieutenant (?) Sean Adams stopped by to check our AED; I had just replaced the pads and powerpack, so we are in good shape with that.  Peter MacFadden attached the 1-6-1 to the front of the building, and now we meet that Fire Department requirement.

 There was concern expressed on Facebook about the condition of the POW flag in front of the library.  I reached out to the American Legion and VFW and also Holly Kularski (Veterans Affairs).  I think that Holly will be ordering one to replace the damaged flag.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Thistle

Old Business:

• Emergency Plan:  Dawn has completed the draft.  We will review and discuss next month.  Motion to table until April meeting was approved.
• Fax Machine:  Dawn is still working on getting our copier to send faxes reliably.
• Dawn continues to work on her retirement planning

New Business:

• Confidentiality Policy was discussed.  We will vote next month.  Motion to table until April meeting was approved. 
• Reconsideration Policy:  Approved
• Gift/Donation Policy:  Approved
• Director Evaluation Tool:  Peg will send forms to us along with copies of long range plan, annual reports, etc.

Adjourned:  8:25 pm

NEXT REGULAR MEETING:  Wednesday 6 April 2022 at 7:00 pm

Respectfully submitted:  

Ellen Smith, Secretary

**********************************************************************

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 2 February 2022  Hybrid meeting:  In person and remote due to continuing COVID 19 issues

Meeting convened at:  7:04 pm

Present:  Peg Bodine, Ellen Smith, Dawn Thistle

Remote:  Betty Wuelfing, Tom Skowron, Dave Maher 

Absent:  Harbour Fraser Hodder, Scott Norrie

Minutes of the January meeting were approved.

Librarian’s Report                                                  

Circulation:

                                                                                    2021                            2022   

January 2022               All Items circulated from        1006                            1485

                                                this library

                                    NB Items circulated                1122                            1359

                                    Checkouts Overdrive               338                              401

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	10/31/21	11/30/21	12/31/21	1/31/22
Salary Account	50,783.00	45,253.25	39,731.75	34,396.25
Library Expense Account	21,421.25	21,126.72	15,429.25	11,519.84
State Grant	206.83	5,329.30	4,662.81	3,670.90
Gift Account	10,482.50	8,305.31	7,412.53	5,719.44
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48

I submitted the library’s FY23 budget proposal on January 27.  The library 2021 Annual Report is ready for submission.

January Activities and Programming:

• Due to the increase of COVID cases this month, on site meetings and programs were cancelled, rescheduled or held virtually.  The library closed to the public, offering only curbside service, from January 13-18 while Dawn was away and Gabby was quarantining due to a COVID exposure.
• Community Connections has ceased its in-person indoor story times for the foreseeable future, but Brianna is still offering story time for the one or two children (and caretakers) that have been coming each week. The program on Asian Folk Tales originally scheduled for January 22 has been rescheduled for February 26.
• The Book Group met again virtually on January 25 to discuss Infamy by Richard Reeves. The Friends also met via ZOOM.  The only group (two people) that has continued to meet this month is the adult coloring group.
• So far, the library has received $1525 in memory of Theresa Cuddy, who passed away on December 17. 
• Volunteer Deb Hill is working on design of a logo for the library.
• Dawn is signing up with CWMARS for Kanopy.

Building Maintenance:

• I have emailed Raymond Simoncini to get an update about further roof work by Raymond James Restoration.   
• Renaud HVAC and Controls has sent its Maintenance Agreement for renewal.  Do we want to renew for one year, two, or three years?  The price will not go up per year if we commit to more than one.
• Worcester Elevator came and corrected the problem with the Fire Service Stop Switch.  We did receive the 15% discount promised by the company president; the cost was $2762.50, which had to be paid out of the library Gift Account. They will return with the State Inspector for re-inspection.
• The annual Fire Department inspection took place on Jan. 3.  I have received their report, as well as suggestions for additions to the draft Emergency Action Plan. I have added those items to the document and reached back out to them to schedule CPR/AED training for the staff. 
• Early this month, Gabrielle and I cleaned and re-organized the storage closet off the kitchenette in the Community Room.  We now have an inventory of all the surplus metal shelving, etc. that is stored there.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Thistle

Old Business:

• Child Safety Policy—
• Revised policy approved by Trustees (Feb. 2, 2022)
• New brass numbers (4” high) will be affixed to front portico in the addition.
• Voted to table discussion of Emergency Action Plan until March pending the gathering of additional information.
• Dawn will submit the Library Annual Report to the Board of Selectmen.

New Business:

• Ellen will send annual report of the Library Building Maintenance Committee to Selectmen.
• Dawn is looking toward retirement within the foreseeable future and will present a plan for a smooth transition.  Dawn will consult with Brianna and Gabby about this process and update the trustees with the details.

Adjourned:  8:05 pm

Respectfully submitted, Ellen Smith, Secretary

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, 2 March 2022 at 7:00 pm

************************************************************************

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 5 January 2022

Meeting convened at:  7:02 pm

Present:  Peg Bodine, Harbour Fraser Hodder, Scott Norrie, Tom Skowron, Ellen Smith, Betty Wuelfing,

                        Dawn Thistle

Absent:  Dave Maher

Librarian’s Report                                                  

Circulation:

                                                                                    2020                            2021   

December, 2021          All Items circulated from        1235                            1546

                                                this library

                                    NB Items circulated                1246                            1407

                                    Checkouts Overdrive               312                              269

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	9/30/21	10/31/21	11/30/21	12/31/21
Salary Account	56,269.25	50,783.00	45,253.25	39,731.75
Library Expense Account	24,230.30	21,421.25	21,126.72	15,429.25*
State Grant	1,282.26	206.83	5,329.30	4,662.81
Gift Account	817.34	10,482.50	8,305.31	7,412.53
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48

*This amount reflects the budget reduction approved by the town on December 3.

December Activities and Programming (Facemasks still required):

December started off with our Letters to Santa event.  Santa received and replied to about 30 letters.  As in the past the OnQ Piano Studio presented a Christmas music recital.  It’s always fun to hear kids play those well-known tunes!

Community Connections offered one very well-attended Parent-Child Playgroup here on December 9.   Brianna attended a special holiday event at Timberyard Brewery organized by Community Connections the following week, but after that event, Community Connections decided to hold off on in-person activities until after the new year.  As a result, Bri has gone back to creating her own storytime activities, as we just don’t know what Community Connections will be doing moving forward. 

Saving Santa’s Christmas Cookies! puppet show on December 18 was really cute, but only a few families attended.

The Haston Art Club (8 people) met on December 8 to make stamps and wrapping paper.  Due to the holidays, the Coloring Group and Dungeons & Dragons did not meet as frequently this month. The Book Group met virtually on Dec. 30 to discuss Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell.

The Friends did not hold their regular monthly meeting this month.

On December 7, Dawn and Trustees met with the Board of Selectmen to respond to Joanne Carey’s complaint about the lack of conservative titles.  Response to the presentation as streamed on YouTube and recorded in the Quaboag Current has been positive.

Local business woman, Theresa Cuddy, passed away on December 17.  Her family kindly designated the library as a recipient for memorial gifts.

Building Maintenance:

We have not heard anything back from Raymond James Restoration since Raymond Simoncini came two months ago.  In the meantime, the ceiling leak in the Sunny Reading Room has become worse, with leaks happening whenever it rains. 

Colby Fire came on December 21 to check all the fire extinguishers and systems for fire suppression.

Renaud HVAC and Controls came on December 28 to perform the fall preventive maintenance.  They identified one failing pump and one or two other issues that will need to be addressed before the spring switch-over to cooling.

A Worcester Elevator technician came on December 29 to do the annual maintenance. Previously, I had communicated with the President of Worcester Elevator, Paul Hasbrouck.  He assured me that they had ordered the necessary parts and would do their best to fix the problem that resulted in our inspection failure last month before the extension runs out.  He also offered us a 15% reduction in the cost, because we are a long-term customer.

The annual Fire Department inspection is scheduled for Jan. 3.  I have completed a draft of an Emergency Action plan as is required by Fire Code 527 CMR Ch. 10.8 and NFPA 101 Ch. 4.8.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Thistle

Old Business:

• Policy Discussion:  Child Safety Policy

Revisions were suggested by Brianna, Dawn, and trustees.  The Board will vote on a revised policy at the February meeting

New Business:

• Motion approved to delete fax machine policy since the library does not have a working machine at this time.
• Emergency Plan will be discussed and voted on at the February meeting.
• COVID issue—At this time Dawn will suspend in-person programming and use of the meeting rooms. M If Dawn feels it necessary, she will announce any needed changes in library hours.

Adjourned:  7:40 pm

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday 2 February 2022 at 7:00 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Smith, Secretary

*******************************************************************

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 1 December 2021

Meeting convened at:  7:04 pm

Present:  Peg Bodine, Tom Skowron, Ellen Smith, Betty Wuelfing, Dawn Thistle

Present Remotely:  Harbour Fraser Hodder (illness), Scott Norrie (illness)

Absent:  Dave Maher

Minutes of the November meeting were approved.

Librarian’s Report

Circulation:

                                                                                    2020                            2021   

October, 2021             All Items circulated from        1475                            1428

                                                this library

                                    NB Items circulated                1428                            1186

                                    Checkouts Overdrive               287                              289

Last month I said I would try to come up with some monthly statistics that might be more meaningful to Trustees.  Sorry, I didn’t get a chance!

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	8/31/21	9/30/21	10/31/21	11/30/21
Salary Account	61,789.25	56,269.25	50,783.00	45,253.25
Library Expense Account	30,260.90	24,230.30	21,421.25	21,126.72
State Grant	1,492.29	1,282.26	206.83	5,329.30
Gift Account	1,317.34	817.34	10,482.50	8,305.31
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,682.95	16,720.48	16,720.48	16,720.48

On November 8 we were informed that we will receive State Aid in the amount of $5386.84.  It arrived on November 16.

The town requested that all town budgets be reduced by 3%.  In response I suggested the following cuts:

$1000 from 001-610-5200-000 (Purchase of Svcs)

$1000 from 001-610-5210-000 (Electricity)

$1000 from 001-610-5220-000 (Heat)

$500 from 001-610-5420-000 (Bldg, Equip, Maint Supplies)

With these cuts, at some point during the year municipal funding will run out. When that happens, future purchases, including utility payments, will need to come out of Gift (Friends of the Library) and State Grant lines.

November Activities and Programming (Facemasks still required):

On November 1 we had a fascinating talk by Dr. Andrew Budson about memory issues and Alzheimer’s care. Twenty-three people attended (mostly from other towns!)

Children’s programming continued with weekly Tuesday story times with crafts.  Beginning next week, we are going to try a collaborative story time with Community Connections on Tuesday mornings for Read, Build, Play.  Brianna will present along with Patti Lowkes.  If it goes well, we’ll continue and possibly add another story time that Brianna will offer by herself, as she has been doing this fall.

International Games Week activities were not well attended, but Brianna is accumulating a number of nice, new games (free from the toy companies) that families may want to borrow.

Future children’s programming includes: Puppet Playhouse Theatre presents the original story, Saving Santa’s Christmas Cookies! With Dawn Sedlier, puppeteer, on Saturday, December 18 at 10:00 a.m. in the Children’s Library.

The Haston Art Club (11 people) met on November 8 to make needle-felted ornaments with Brianna.  On December 13, we will make stamps to create our own, unique wrapping paper.  The Coloring Club met most Mondays. The younger Dungeons & Dragons group is back meeting in the library once or twice a week. The Book Group met on Nov. 30 to discuss A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. There will be no December meeting.

The Friends of the Haston Free Public Library has planned its annual Letters to Santa event to precede the town Christmas Parade at 4:00 on December 4.  In addition to the letters, Miss Bri will help kids color paper ornaments, and Mrs. Quillitzsch will once again have some of her piano students play Christmas favorites.

Conservative titles continue to arrive and circulate.

Building Maintenance:

I submitted an item for the warrant for the Special Town Meeting, requesting additional funding for HVAC expenses. I am not optimistic that any funds are available.

Raymond Simoncini came to the library on November 2 to look at the half-round window and the tower where the leaking continues to happen when the wind blows during heavy rain.  He will try to address those concerns before the weather gets really bad.  He will also let us know about engaging an engineer to assess the situation with the bulging façade.

Our elevator failed inspection on Nov. 10.  Evidently there is a problem that most elevators have with the medical emergency key switch.  We have 90 days to take care of this.  I spoke with Paul Gibree at Worcester Elevator on Nov. 16, and he is waiting to hear from the elevator company about how to fix the problem.  I asked whether we might need an extension, given that so many elevators have this same problem, and he said he would take care of it.  I will follow up with him.  Also related to elevator inspections, the state pricing structure has changed.  This year the cost was a flat $400.  If we schedule the inspection for next year 90-120 days in advance of expiration, the cost will be only $200.  However, if we wait until the 60-89 day window, it will cost $600, and if we have the inspection 59 or fewer days in advance, it will cost $800.  I guess I need to mark my calendar well ahead of this schedule.  Also, the re-inspection fee is $200, which I imagine we will need to pay this year after the emergency key switch gets fixed.

The Building Maintenance Committee met on November 20.  There are a few emergency lights that are not working, and the Tower stairway bulbs need to be replaced (Scott took care of this, thanks!) I will need to contact Colby Fire to have the extinguishers inspected or replaced if necessary.  We are waiting for the Renaud HVAC fall assessment to take place; I will contact them, too.  Committee members suggested purchasing chalk/white boards to cover the peeling paint in the Children’s Craft room, now that those leaks are remedied.  A hands-free faucet in one of the lower level bathrooms is not working.  It was suggested that we switch out the automatic faucet with one with manual controls.  I had contacted Darin Anderson about joining us for this walk-through, but he did not get back to me.  I will call him again to schedule the annual Fire Department inspection.

I submitted the Capital Improvement Plan entries for the library: $10,000 (est.) for the engineering study and $50,000 (est.) for re-setting the façade stonework, depending on the outcome of the engineering study.  Raymond has no real estimates for this work at this time, so I hope we’ll at least get the building on the project list.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Thistle

Old Business:

• Policy discussion:  A motion was approved to table this item until the next Board meeting.
• Raymond James update:  Covered in Dawn’s report above.

New Business:

• Discussion of the Nov. 9, 2021 meeting of the Board of Selectmen (BOS) at which Joanne Carey addressed her concerns about the library’s Materials Selection Policy.  This is the issue Joanne brought to Dawn and then to this Board at the Oct.6^th meeting. 
• The Board of Trustees will ask to be placed on the agenda for the Board of Selectmen’s meeting either Dec. 7^th or 21^st.  The Board prepared for a presentation to the BOS which will include an introduction by Chair Peg Bodine followed by an explanation of the Materials Selection Policy by Director Dawn Thistle and an opportunity for the members of the BOS to ask questions of Dawn/the Board of Trustees.
• Open Meeting Law clarifications/reminders:
• If an emergency meeting is needed:  The meeting must be posted ASAP prior to such meeting.
• Members of the Board are public officials at all times so 4 members constitutes a quorum.  No deliberations related to the library and our roles as trustees may take place when trustees gather anywhere or at any time.

Adjourned:  8:40 pm

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday 5 January 2022 at 7:00 pm

Respectfully submitted, 

Ellen Smith, Secretary

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 3 November 2021

Convened:  7:03 pm

Present:  Peg Bodine, Harbour Fraser Hodder,Dave Maher,Scott Norrie, Tom Skowron, Ellen Smith, Dawn Thistle  

Absent:  Betty Wuelfing

Minutes of the October 2021 meeting were approved.

Librarian’s Report                                                  

Circulation:

                                                                                    2020                            2021   

October, 2021             All Items circulated from        1553                            1436

                                                this library

                                    NB Items circulated                1560                            1304

                                    Checkouts Overdrive               296                              375

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	7/31/21	8/31/21	9/30/21	10/31/21
Salary Account	70,186.25	61,789.25	56,269.25	50,783.00
Library Expense Account	39,012.31	30,260.90	24,230.30	21,421.25
State Grant	1,492.29	1,492.29	1,282.26	206.83
Gift Account	1,035.25	1,317.34	817.34	10,482.50*
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,682.95	16,682.95	16,720.48	16,720.48

*The Friends of the Library gave the library $10,000 to use for books and, if necessary, to pay HVAC bills that the FY22 budget cannot cover.

October Activities and Programming (Facemasks still required):

Children’s programming continued with weekly Tuesday story times with crafts.  Community Connections would now like to return to North Brookfield on Tuesday mornings for Read, Build, Play.  Because this would mean changing our own story time schedule (and Brianna’s work schedule, too, most likely), we are taking time to consider the request The Halloween Teen Trivia event had a couple of takers, but the Kids Halloween Party was attended by 15 children and 12 adults, most in costume.  An afternoon story time with the East Quabbin Land Trust was a good idea, but no one came.

The Haston Art Club (11 people) met on October 18 to draw pumpkin still-lifes with Laura Dusty.  On November 8, Brianna Lamb will offer another needle felting project. The Coloring Club continued to meet on Mondays. The Book Group met, again with 14 participants, including 3 via Zoom, to discuss Dubliners by James Joyce.  Next month we will read A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold.

The Friends’ Book Sale continues to attract buyers, but I have called The Traveler Restaurant about picking up the boxes that remain.  On October 30 a group of Friends staffed a table at the Family Fun Fest organized by the Friends of the Town House at Common Ground.  Although very few of our library items (cookbooks, Cat’s Meow libraries, plates, notecards, poetry books) sold, it was good to participate in such a worthy community activity.

Collection Development:  I have ordered several of the titles by conservative authors that were suggested by Joanne Carey who attended the Sept. trustees meeting.  I’ve also ordered additional books on the Vietnam War.

Preserving our Memories Grant:

I have sent most of the video interview files to Josh Allen and have begun to schedule a second round of interviews, which I hope to have completed by the end of December–though it will probably be January.  I have also been indexing the videos by topic to facilitate Josh’s work compiling them.  I will be writing a brief voice-over script to introduce the different topics/themes that people have talked about in the interviews.  I submitted the required report on the project to the MBLC.

Building Maintenance:

Renaud came on October 20 to perform the switchover to heating, but I am waiting to hear when they will come to do the preventive maintenance mentioned in their contract, as well as any necessary glycol addition to the system. I spoke with Ashley Barre about how to request additional funding from the town to cover our increased HVAC costs, and she suggested adding a warrant for the Special Town Meeting.  I will draft something before her deadline of November 5.

We had more rain and more leaking on October 26.  I emailed and called Raymond James Restoration again, but Raymond Simoncini has not returned my calls/messages.

The largest window in the Reading Room jammed in the open position, ripping out the latch.  Dave Maher disassembled the window frame to free the weight and get things moving again.  We will need putty to re-attach the latch mechanism.

Our elevator inspection is scheduled for Nov. 10 at 11:00.  I have notified the Fire Dept. and Citizen Security.  I have also left a message for Darin Anderson, inviting the Fire Dept. to join the Library Building Maintenance Committee on November 20 to do their annual inspection.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn

Old Business:

• We’ll examine the Child Safety Policy to see if it needs revising and will also look at other policies that may require updating.

New Business:

• Need to resubmit library priorities for inclusion in the updated Capital Improvement Committee list.

Adjourned:  8:15 pm

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday 1 December 2021 at 7:00 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Smith, Secretary

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 6 October 2021

Present:  Peg Bodine, Dave Maher, Tom Skowron,  Ellen Smith, Betty Wuelfing, Dawn Thistle

Absent:  Harbour Fraser Hodder, Scott Norrie

Guest:  Joanne Carey

Meeting convened at 7:05 pm

Minutes of the September Meeting were approved.

Librarian’s Report                                                  

Circulation:

                                                                                    2020                            2021   

September, 2021         All Items circulated from        1637                            1687

                                                this library

                                    NB Items circulated                1766                            1563

                                    Checkouts Overdrive               308                              329

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	6/30/21	FY22: 7/31/21	8/31/21	9/30/21
Salary Account	1,668.09	70,186.25	61,789.25	56,269.25
Library Expense Account	4,201.89	39,012.31	30,260.90	24,230.30
State Grant	1,976.49	1,492.29	1,492.29	1,282.26
Gift Account	1,035.25	1,035.25	1,317.34	817.34
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,682.95	16,682.95	16,682.95	16,720.48

September Activities and Programming (Facemasks still required):

I submitted the State Aid Financial Report.  Despite the pandemic, we were able to spend the required amount on materials, which should ensure that we receive State Aid for this fiscal year.

Children’s programming continued with weekly Tuesday storytimes with crafts.  Brianna reports that the numbers of children and caregivers are increasing.  [Community Connections has begun to expand programming this fall, but their activities are still not up to pre-pandemic levels and there are no Read, Build, Play or Parent/Child Playgroup sessions here in North Brookfield.]  Bri has planned a Halloween Teen Trivia Night and a children’s Halloween Party for later this month.  She has also been reaching out to the school librarians and the East Quabbin Land Trust to build partnerships and assist in promoting events.

LEGO Club participation has decreased somewhat with the start of school and the younger Dungeons & Dragons group is no longer meeting here.  The older D&D group did meet in September and seems to like the meeting room (with computer projector and screen) a lot.  The Haston Art Club met on September 13 to make the wool sewing kit, originally scheduled for May 2020, with Louise Meierdierks.  Our next meeting will be on October 18 to make pumpkin still-lifes with Laura Dusty.

The Coloring Club continued to meet on Mondays. The Book Group met with 14 participants, including 4 via zoom to discuss Educated by Tara Westover.  Zoom has continued to be helpful by allowing members to participate who cannot come to the library.

The Friends’ Book Sale has earned well over $1000 at last reckoning.  We received a $250 check from one patron!

Preserving our Memories Grant:

The last two programs funded by the grant, “Find Your Ancestors” with Seema Kenney and “A Private View of the Past” with Amy Hietala, were very interesting and had decent attendance.  I have interviewed 11 people for the grant video and am still making appointments.  I have sent several videos to Josh Allen for editing, though he obviously won’t be able to complete the project until I have sent him all the videos.  I am required to submit a “final” report to the MBLC by October 15, but I am expecting the project to end by June.

Finally, Julie Stepanek (originally scheduled for summer 2020) came back to teach us how to play ukulele.  Nine people–of all ages—attended this NB Cultural Council funded program.

Building Maintenance:

Renaud returned to replace the leaky gasket and the chiller has been behaving since.  I have emailed regarding making an appointment to switch over from cooling to heating.  I have now used all my budget for maintenance and repair.  The Friends have given the library $5000 to pay for the ongoing bills for this fiscal year, but we all agreed that I and Trustees should meet with the Selectmen/Finance Committee to explain the situation and see if any funds are available this year.  I will request an appropriate increase in my FY23 budget request, of course.

Hurricane Ida blasted through with lots of rain that leaked in all the old familiar places.  Dave Maher and I tried to follow the path of the Sunny Reading Room leak in the attic, and it seems like it might be coming from the lintel over the old front door. I contacted Raymond Simoncini (Raymond James Restoration) regarding this and the “bulge” that his team had pointed out during their original assessment. 

I am waiting to hear from him regarding hiring an engineer to give us an estimate of what would be involved in taking care of the “bulge.”

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn

Old Business: 

• The Library Building Maintenance Committee (LBMC) will meet at 9:00 am, Saturday, Nov. 20^th for the annual walk-through and inspection of the building.
• Dawn will contact the Fire Dept. about their annual inspection and will suggest Nov. 20 at the same time as the LBMC meeting as a possible date.

New Business:

• Dawn presented the updated Materials Selection Policy which was approved unanimously by the Board.  (See attachment)
• Guest Joanne Carey discussed the library’s Materials Selection Policy and explained to the Board that she feels there is a lack of balance reflected in the library’s non-fiction collection.  She feels that there should be more materials representing a conservative viewpoint.  The Board thanked Joanne for her input and Dawn invited her to make suggestions for future library material purchases.

Meeting adjourned:  8:13 pm

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday 3 November 2021 at 7:00 pm

Submitted by:  Ellen Smith, Secretary

Attachment: Materials Selection Policy

It is the function of the Haston Free Public Library to serve all residents of the Town of North Brookfield.  Books, periodicals, and audio-visual materials are provided for information, for general educational advancement and for the enrichment and recreation of borrowers.   For the specialized or out-of-print materials not available here, the library depends on the CW MARS (Central and Western Massachusetts Resource Sharing) and Massachusetts Library System for inter-library loan service and delivery.

Book selection is performed by the Youth Services Librarian for the Children’s Department and Young Adults and by the Library Director for the other areas of the Library.  The Library Director is responsible overall to the Library Trustees for the development of the collection.  Factors which may limit the selection of materials include primarily, the availability of funds, space in the library, and whether or not the cost of an item outweighs its value to the overall community.

Books and other materials are selected according to the following policy:

• Materials selected must meet high standards of quality in content, expression and format.  These standards are not determined by any one individual, but rather from a consensus of well-known journals and critics (i.e. the Library Journal, Booklist, etc.)
• Materials of local history shall be purchased.
• The Library will purchase works written by authors whose views, though they may be widely rejected, have affected the shaping of world events.
• The Library is responsible for providing materials on controversial issues, and whenever possible, to represent many shades of opinion on these issues.
• Serious works are not necessarily excluded because of unpleasant language or frankness.   If a work has artistic merit or provides important information, it has a place in our collection.
• Criteria essential to the selection of non-fiction for both the children’s and the Adult collection include authoritativeness, accuracy, objectivity, timelessness, clarity of presentation and community need.  An attempt is made to limit purchases of specialized research materials for which there might be demand from only one or two members of the community.
• An up-to-date, balanced and useful collection will be maintained through a continual discarding and replacing process.  Worn but basic titles will be replaced and obsolete or infrequently used material withdrawn.
• Gifts of books to the library may be accepted if they meet the standards of the Materials Selection policy as outlined above.
• The Library is opposed to the removal from its shelves at the request of any individual or group, books or materials which have been chosen according to the Library Materials Selection Policy.  Furthermore, the library will oppose coercion on the part of an individual or group seeking to have books or materials added to the shelves contrary to the Materials Selection Policy.
• Because they represent an ideal which the Library is trying to maintain, the Board of Trustees endorses the “Freedom to Read” statement of the American Library Association, and the “Library Bill of Rights” adopted by the American Library Association.

rev. 10/6/21

………………………………………………………………………………………….

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 1 September 2021

Present:  Peg Bodine, Dave Maher,Scott Norrie, Tom Skowron, Ellen Smith, Betty Wuelfing,

Dawn Thistle

Absent:  Harbour Fraser Hodder

Meeting convened at 7:03 pm

Minutes of the July meeting were accepted.

Librarian’s Report:

Circulation:

                                                                                    2020                            2021   

July 31, 2021              All Items circulated                  934                            1651

                                    NB Items circulated                1265                            1583

                                    Checkouts Overdrive              348                               318

August 31, 2021          All Items circulated                1515                            1858

                                    NB Items circulated                1677                            1739

                                    Checkouts Overdrive              354                               351

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	5/31/21	6/30/21	FY22: 7/31/21	8/31/21
Salary Account	7,992.12	1,668.09	70,186.25	61,789.25
Library Expense Account	6,574.30	4,201.89	39,012.31	30,260.90
State Grant	3,892.68	1,976.49	1,492.29	1,492.29
Gift Account	1,701.74	1,035.25	1,035.25	1,317.34*
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,682.95	16,682.95	16,682.95	16,682.95

*The gift account shows an increase due to the receipt of Cultural Council Grant funds.

July & August Activities and Programming (Facemasks still required):

• I submitted the ARIS (annual report) data to the MBLC for FY21, and the State Aid (Financial) report is almost complete (due on October 1).
• With the hiring of Brianna Lamb as Youth Services Librarian, we were able to kick off our Summer Reading program.  Bri planned and presented 7 Tails & Tales storytimes with crafts and 6 Maker Mondays over the course of the summer.  Attendance at each program was pretty low, but 36 kids registered and there were only a few programs with zero attendance.  Summer reading programs funded (at least in part) by the NB Cultural Council, included Henry the Juggler (July 31), Ed the Wizard twisting balloon animals (August 7), and Reptiles Rock (August 17). Combined attendance for these programs was 69. Reptiles Rock, not surprisingly, was the most popular.  Brianna hosted an “End of Summer Reading Party” on August 21 with refreshments and games that she created.  Prizes were awarded to the Summer Reading participants.
• LEGO Club has been meeting weekly since July1, and we now have two Dungeons & Dragons groups.  An older (late teens, early twenties) group meets once a month and a younger (age 13-18) group meets weekly.  The Haston Art Club met on July 12 to make piñatas with Laura Dusty and on August 9 to make needle-felted owls with Brianna.   The Art Club will meet next on September 13 to make sewing kits with Lou Meierdierks.

The Coloring Club continued to meet on Mondays. The Friends group did not meet, but they came to the library to assist in setting up, managing and packing up the Book Sale on August 28.  Over 100 people came, and we made $750.  The Book Sale continues for the month of September on the lower level of the library. 

The Book Group met as “beta readers” in July with author Jack McClintock to critique his book, Sin Eater, about his years working as a prison psychologist. We all agreed the book was interesting and offered many (mostly) constructive suggestions for improvements. On August 31 we discussed The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich.

Preserving our Memories Grant:

• I purchased a video camera and lighting equipment for creating videos with North Brookfield residents who describe how they have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic.  So far I have completed 4 15-minute interviews (which have turned out quite well!) and have 5 more scheduled.  My hope is to finish with at least 20 videos of a diverse cross-section of the population.  Josh Allen has agreed to help with compiling a “highlights” video. Although this process may take longer, I will need to spend any remaining funds by the end of September.
• Two more programs paid for from this grant will take place next month:  On September 9, genealogist Seema Kenney will return to talk about Find Your Ancestors, and on September 14, Old Sturbridge Research Librarian Amy Hietala will discuss “A Private View of the Past,” focused on diaries and correspondence from their collections.
• In addition to the above-mentioned programs, we have also rescheduled Julie Stepanek’s popular “Learn to Play Ukulele” class for September 21–funded by a 2020 NB Cultural Council grant.

Staffing:

Both Brianna and Gabby have moved confidently into their new roles.

Building Maintenance:

Renaud came on August 2 to do a complete assessment of the HVAC.  They identified a problem with a cracked drain pipe likely caused during the winter by insufficient glycol in the system.  We will need to hire Gurney Water Treatment to add glycol when we switch over to heating ($960 in October?).  Later that week there was a drip from a ceiling pump over the non-fiction collection which was repaired on August 9 (no charge). On August 19, the drain pipe was fixed ($630) On August 23 the chiller had stopped running. Renaud came and determined that a bypass valve was malfunctioning, creating a low water flow.  They will be back to replace the actuator.  On August 30 one of the large cold water pipes in the boiler room sprung a leak.  Renaud came and stopped the leak, but will need to replace a gasket (at least).  They’re returning on September 1.  The charges are certainly adding up, but these are repairs that must be made.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn

Old Business:  None

New Business:  Discussion of details in the recently distributed “Appointed and Elected Committee Handbook”.  Dawn spoke with Town Clerk and determined that trustees minutes may be posted on the library website since it is linked to the town website.

Adjourned:  7:53 pm

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday, Oct. 6^th at 7:00 pm

Submitted by:  Ellen Smith, Secretary

***PLEASE NOTE: THERE WAS NO AUGUST 2021 meeting.

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING 7 July 2021 (in person and via Zoom)

Present:  Peg Bodine, David Maher, Scott Norrie,Ellen Smith, Betty Wuelfing, Dawn Thistle

The meeting convened at 7:07 pm

Minutes of the June meeting were accepted.

Librarian’s Report                                                  

Circulation:

                                                                                    2020                            2021   

June 30, 2021              All Items circulated                  934                            1596

                                    NB Items circulated                288                             1467

                                    Checkouts Overdrive              224                               276

Financial Report:

Account Balances as of:	3/31/21	4/30/21	5/31/21	6/30/21
Salary Account	18,041.02	11,918.72	7,992.12	1,668.09
Library Expense Account	10,616.01	7,915.92	6,574.30	4,201.89
State Grant	2,872,75	6,189.51	3,892.68	1,976.49
Gift Account	1,926.37	1,701.74	1,701.74	1,035.25
Child Book Gift	625.29	625.29	625.29	625.29
Trust Funds (expendable)	16,682.95	16,682.95	16,682.95	16,682.95

June Activities and Programming:

June felt closer to normal than we’ve been in a long time. On June 1 & 8 we held the virtual Writing Your Autobiography with Seema Kenney with three attendees.  This was part of the Preserving our Memories grant project funded through the MBLC.  Also on June 8 was Let’s Draw Animals with Rick Stromoski.  This was also virtual and had 4 attendees.  It was REALLY fun, and I would love to have Rick back in person.  On June 19 we held our first real face-to-face program with LEGO Master Builder, Dan Steininger.  The meeting room was packed 26 kids and their families (all in masks, of course!).  The powerpoint presentation started slowly, but once the LEGOs were dumped out and the competitions began, everyone had a total blast.  It was a great way to start our in-person programming back up, plus kids want us to get the LEGO Club going again.

The ever-faithful Coloring Club continued to meet on Mondays, the Friends held their summer get together in the library (it was supposed to be at Helen Foyle’s, but she had skunk issues!), and the Book Group had its year-end meeting/cookout at Bob LaFlamme’s.  Bob has sold his house, so it was sad to know that we will not be meeting there anymore! 

Programs for July will include Henry the Juggler (July17) and Ed the Wizard (July 31) plus a Piñata Party—a piñata-building craft night for the newly-formed Haston Art Club—on July 12.  The Haston Art Club plans to meet on the second Monday of every month.  The LEGO club will meet on Thursdays and, last, but absolutely not least, Summer Reading Tails & Tales begins on July 6. 

Summer Reading will feature the usual reading log, on which kids record all the books they have read.  As long as they have read at least one book, they can select a prize from the prize table.  At the end of the summer there will be even bigger prizes (thank you for your donations, David Maher!)  Summer Reading programming includes Maker Mondays with STEM projects for older elementary kids and Tails & Tales Tuesday Storytimes for the younger kids with a story and a craft.

Staffing:

Rebecca Laughlin decided not to accept our offer of the Youth Services Librarian position.   After a couple of days of panicking, I asked Brianna if she would be interested.  I had asked her earlier in the spring, and she had said no, but now she would like the job.  I am very pleased, as I believe she brings a lot of enthusiasm to her work, and this will be a good way for her to embark on her professional library career.  The other great result is that Gabby Holmes can move directly into Bri’s position. So, we are all set for an easy transition.

Building Maintenance:

Renaud HVAC & Controls is our new HVAC contractor.  They switched our system over to cooling on June 8.  They have moved billing to the start of the new fiscal year, so there will be no issues with paying them with FY21 funds.

All members of the Building Maintenance Committee have agreed to continue to serve, and Dave Maher has also joined the committee.  Reappointment by the Selectmen should happen soon.

Cooking program for children has been proposed by a patron.  The Senior Center kitchen is appropriately equipped.  The logistics need to be worked out since the patron would like to have more than 5-10 children participate.  Dawn feels 5-10 would be the best size group given the size of the space, etc.  Further details will follow.

CWMARS cost have gone down by about $800 because of the elimination of a rather large number of items from our database, including outdated materials and items that have been lost or missing for a long time.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn

Old Business:  None

New Business:

• New COVID 19 guidance from Gov. Baker’s office allows for remote meeting to continue until April 2022.

Adjourned:  7:38 pm

Submitted by:  Ellen Smith, Secretary

NEXT MEETING:  Wednesday September 1, 2021 at 7:00 pm (No meeting in August)