The monthly meeting of the Haverhill Library Association was held at the library and called to order by Board of Trustees Chairman John Landrigan at 7:35 P.M. on May 7, 2012. Present were Trustees John Landrigan, Vesta Smith, Susan Lewis, Mike Marshall, Ken Frank and Jane Darby.
Minutes of the March 5th and April 2nd monthly meeting were approved.
SB 214 Report: Amended version passed the house. There was no word when the senate will take up the legislation. John will keep looking at the state website to see the progress. The lawyer fee for the consultation was $100.
Records Management Policy: The policy reflects what is currently being done. Policy was approved by the board.
Building: Weather Check is the company doing the roof. They will be beginning work soon. There is a possibility of using slate from another job they are doing. That would reduce our cost.
The brick work needs to be finished on the other end of the library building. We will be calling him to see when that work will be finished.
The mess in the back of the library will be cleaned up. Ken has offered to scrape the weeds off and spread some seed in back of the building.
The location of the property line was discussed and it was decided to ask Jim Alexander if he
knew exactly where it is located.
The condition of the front walkway was discussed. Ken said it would take a day to tear p the brick and lay down a new walkway that is flat and safer for the patrons. There will be an email asking for volunteer help when he is ready to do the work.
Financial Report: The town income came in. There were 2 unbudgeted items that were paid. One was the update to the Intuit Software and Lawyer fees.
Librarian Report: A young man has inquired about the job. It was decided to award him the mowing job as the other person who mowed last year has not asked about it.
Charter has offered to carry both phone and internet. We will compare prices and service to see if it is worth it.
$150 has been donated to purchase a table for the children’s side of the library. Nanci and Anne are researching to find a table that would be suitable for our unique space. The rest of the cost would need to be raised through fundraising.
Volunteer efforts were noted. Vesta will send a Thank-You note to Carolyn Danielson for weeding the flower beds.
Fundraising/ Programming: Dave Major gave a 40% discount for books purchased at the Jane Cleland author tea.
There will be an all day writing workshop program this summer.
Annual Appeal Mailing: John will forward the list. Look at list to find people who should be on list actually are. We send this out soon.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 P.M. The next regular meeting will be held at the library at 7:30 P.M. on June 4, 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Lewis
Friday, July 20, 2012
Minutes of April 2, 2012
The monthly meeting of the Haverhill Library Association was held at the library and called to order by Board of Trustees Chairman John Landrigan at 7:30 P.M. on April 2, 2012. Present were Trustees John Landrigan, Vesta Smith and Susan Lewis.
Minutes of the March 5, 2012 monthly meeting were not approved due to a quorum not being present.
SB 214 Report: There is a working session on the bill being held April 3. Voting will probably take place on the amended bill at this time. John will follow the process online and will report via email what happens. As soon as we know what is happening we will inform other local libraries.
Records Management Policy: The policy reflects what is currently being done. We will discuss this again when more trustees are available.
Building: Slate from North Haverhill are not usable as they are the wrong color. We will need to purchase slate. Work will begin when we are able to be fit into the contractors calendar.
Financial Report: John presented financial statements from March. The income from town and precinct was down from what we budgeted. The income reflected the chicken biscuit supper and book sale. Next month we will need to pay 40% of the estimate for the roof work.
Author Tea: Jane Cleland will be here Sunday April 15th. Susan Brown has offered to host the tea or to have it at the parish hall as previously planned. We will charge $10 a ticket. Like the chicken dinner it was decided that the trustees will provide the food. This will be coordinated through email. John will contact Dave Major to have some books on hand for people to purchase.
Annual Appeal Mailing: John will forward the list. Look at list to find people who should be on list actually are. We will try to send this out in April.
Book Discussions: Great Expectations will be held Monday April 16.
Librarians Report: Currently we have no Jane Cleland books in the library. The printer is not working properly. Nanci will talk to Mike about getting it repaired. The annual report is due to the state by the end of the week. The librarians will get it to John so he can add some information and send it to the sate.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 P.M. The next regular meeting will be help at the library at 7:30 P.M. on May 7, 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Lewis
Minutes of the March 5, 2012 monthly meeting were not approved due to a quorum not being present.
SB 214 Report: There is a working session on the bill being held April 3. Voting will probably take place on the amended bill at this time. John will follow the process online and will report via email what happens. As soon as we know what is happening we will inform other local libraries.
Records Management Policy: The policy reflects what is currently being done. We will discuss this again when more trustees are available.
Building: Slate from North Haverhill are not usable as they are the wrong color. We will need to purchase slate. Work will begin when we are able to be fit into the contractors calendar.
Financial Report: John presented financial statements from March. The income from town and precinct was down from what we budgeted. The income reflected the chicken biscuit supper and book sale. Next month we will need to pay 40% of the estimate for the roof work.
Author Tea: Jane Cleland will be here Sunday April 15th. Susan Brown has offered to host the tea or to have it at the parish hall as previously planned. We will charge $10 a ticket. Like the chicken dinner it was decided that the trustees will provide the food. This will be coordinated through email. John will contact Dave Major to have some books on hand for people to purchase.
Annual Appeal Mailing: John will forward the list. Look at list to find people who should be on list actually are. We will try to send this out in April.
Book Discussions: Great Expectations will be held Monday April 16.
Librarians Report: Currently we have no Jane Cleland books in the library. The printer is not working properly. Nanci will talk to Mike about getting it repaired. The annual report is due to the state by the end of the week. The librarians will get it to John so he can add some information and send it to the sate.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 P.M. The next regular meeting will be help at the library at 7:30 P.M. on May 7, 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Lewis
Minutes of March 5, 2012
The monthly meeting of the Haverhill Library Association was held at the library and called to order by Board of Trustees Chairman John Landrigan at 7:30 P.M. on March 5, 2012. Present were Trustees John Landrigan, Vesta Smith, Ken Frank & Mike Marshall and Librarians Nanci Myers & Anne Ballam.
Minutes of the January 2, 2012 & February 7, 2012 monthly meetings and January 16, 2012 Annual Meeting were approved with corrections.
Removal of books from vault room: John reported he has started moving books out of the second floor east end vault room because of the presence of the boiler in that room. During his cleanup, he found stacks of old minutes that he is organizing for storage.
Roofing Contractor: Ken presented a contract proposed by Michael Mayo of WeatherCheck LLC for repairs to the library’s slate roof. Ken explained the price is more that obtained from another contractor last year who failed to follow through, but it includes more work. Ken has received good recommendations of WeatherCheck and feels their price is reasonable for the scope of work contemplated. Mike moved and Vesta seconded that we accept the offer. In discussion, John requested that the contract be corrected to indicate it was with the Haverhill Library Association and not the Town of Haverhill. The motion passed with the understanding the correction would be requested.
Financial Report: John presented financial statements for February. John has paid the outstanding bill to Hood’s Plumbing and included a letter indicating our dissatisfaction with their work. John has learned that the Haverhill Precinct Commissioners have recommended lowering the precinct’s contribution to the library this year from $1,500 to $1,000.
Librarians’ Report: Nanci submitted a Librarians’ Report. Nanci discussed the need for a kidney shaped table for the children’s room. Nanci has been communicating with North Haverhill’s Patten Library and reports they would like us to take their left-over slate tiles soon if we want them; Ken will contact North Haverhill. Nanci noted that the library’s computers have been having difficulties with Internet Explorer and email programs. The copier is making copies with black streaks; Mike will bring it to Ross’s Business Machines for repair. Nanci noted some parking difficulties with attendees of an exercise class held at Alumni Hall and talked directly with the instructor to remedy the situation.
Haverhill Historical Society: John reported that the Haverhill Historical Society intends to hire an intern during the summer to work on cataloging HHS holdings currently being stored in our library’s vault. The HHS has also proposed that we cosponsor a program in June of this year on a book by Kim Alexander and her husband about the diaries of Civil War General Fitz John Porter and a program during next year’s 250th Newbury-Haverhill Anniversary on Frances Parkinson Keyes.
Records Management Policy: John provided the board with a copy of a proposed “HLA Policy on Document and Records Management.” Discussion of this policy was tabled until next month’s meeting.
Proposed Right-to-know Law concerning public libraries: John received consensus of support from the board for a draft email proposed to be sent to members of the State of New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee outlining the concerns of the HLA concerning SB 214.
HLA Book Sale at Strawberry Festival: The board agreed that the HLA would have a book sale table set up during the annual Strawberry Festival sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Haverhill on June 16.
Fund raising / Programming: The board finalized plans for the March 10 Chicken & Biscuit Supper. The next Winter Book Discussion will be on Dickens’ Bleak House on March 19.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M. The next regular meeting will be held at the library at 7:30 P.M. on April 2, 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Marshall
Minutes of the January 2, 2012 & February 7, 2012 monthly meetings and January 16, 2012 Annual Meeting were approved with corrections.
Removal of books from vault room: John reported he has started moving books out of the second floor east end vault room because of the presence of the boiler in that room. During his cleanup, he found stacks of old minutes that he is organizing for storage.
Roofing Contractor: Ken presented a contract proposed by Michael Mayo of WeatherCheck LLC for repairs to the library’s slate roof. Ken explained the price is more that obtained from another contractor last year who failed to follow through, but it includes more work. Ken has received good recommendations of WeatherCheck and feels their price is reasonable for the scope of work contemplated. Mike moved and Vesta seconded that we accept the offer. In discussion, John requested that the contract be corrected to indicate it was with the Haverhill Library Association and not the Town of Haverhill. The motion passed with the understanding the correction would be requested.
Financial Report: John presented financial statements for February. John has paid the outstanding bill to Hood’s Plumbing and included a letter indicating our dissatisfaction with their work. John has learned that the Haverhill Precinct Commissioners have recommended lowering the precinct’s contribution to the library this year from $1,500 to $1,000.
Librarians’ Report: Nanci submitted a Librarians’ Report. Nanci discussed the need for a kidney shaped table for the children’s room. Nanci has been communicating with North Haverhill’s Patten Library and reports they would like us to take their left-over slate tiles soon if we want them; Ken will contact North Haverhill. Nanci noted that the library’s computers have been having difficulties with Internet Explorer and email programs. The copier is making copies with black streaks; Mike will bring it to Ross’s Business Machines for repair. Nanci noted some parking difficulties with attendees of an exercise class held at Alumni Hall and talked directly with the instructor to remedy the situation.
Haverhill Historical Society: John reported that the Haverhill Historical Society intends to hire an intern during the summer to work on cataloging HHS holdings currently being stored in our library’s vault. The HHS has also proposed that we cosponsor a program in June of this year on a book by Kim Alexander and her husband about the diaries of Civil War General Fitz John Porter and a program during next year’s 250th Newbury-Haverhill Anniversary on Frances Parkinson Keyes.
Records Management Policy: John provided the board with a copy of a proposed “HLA Policy on Document and Records Management.” Discussion of this policy was tabled until next month’s meeting.
Proposed Right-to-know Law concerning public libraries: John received consensus of support from the board for a draft email proposed to be sent to members of the State of New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee outlining the concerns of the HLA concerning SB 214.
HLA Book Sale at Strawberry Festival: The board agreed that the HLA would have a book sale table set up during the annual Strawberry Festival sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Haverhill on June 16.
Fund raising / Programming: The board finalized plans for the March 10 Chicken & Biscuit Supper. The next Winter Book Discussion will be on Dickens’ Bleak House on March 19.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M. The next regular meeting will be held at the library at 7:30 P.M. on April 2, 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Marshall
Minutes of February 7, 2012
The monthly meeting of the Haverhill Library Association was held at the library and called to order by Board of Trustees Chairman John Landrigan at 7:00 P.M. on February 7, 2012. Present were Trustees John Landrigan, Mike Marshall and Susan Lewis.
We took a tour of the vault room to see how many books needed to be moved and see the work that was done on the boiler.
Minutes of the January 2, 2012 and January 16, 2012 meetings were reviewed. As there wasn’t a quorum a vote could not take place.
NH Library Trustee Association: We currently have memberships for 2 of our trustees. Each membership costs $10.00 per year. In the past we have utilized the NHLTA to help find a lawyer for our lawsuit. More recently we have utilized the NHLTA for guidance in responding the ILL van issue. Currently John is one of the members. Mike Marshall will be the second member.
Alumni Hall and Parking Issues: The issue of storing the “Library Parking” signs was discussed. John has spoken to Keisha about making the group using Alumni Hall for an event during library hours responsible for putting out the signs. It was decided to leave the signs folded in the library and become more aware of upcoming events at Alumni Hall. Keisha also brought up the idea of a small parking lot that could be shared by Alumni Hall and the library; the idea was shelved due to concerns about location and cost.
Boiler Switch Problem: Mike will look into getting a cover for the emergency shut off for the boiler. It was noted that it is next to a light switch so it might accidentally get shut off. There are covers that can be placed over the switch so this doesn’t happen.
Building: Ken met with Gerand A Leone Slate Roofing Company. They looked at the library roof.
Financial Report: The month of January has no income only expenses. The propane bill was paid so the issue of the emergency switch being triggered due to lack of propane was dismissed. The idea of prebuying propane was discussed as an option for next year in an effort to save money. John will check on that this fall. The town of Haverhill budget advisory committee met and it will recommend that the libraries receive level funding.
Hood’s Bill: Hoods Plumbing and Heating are pressing for payment of the outstanding bill. It was decided that we would pay the bill and enclose a letter explaining that we were disappointed with the service we received.
Chicken and Biscuit Supper: Ted Shiffman is unable to cook for us. He recommended that the trustees do it themselves. After discussion it was decided that we could indeed do this. We will be looking for help from former trustees and other community members. John will look at the numbers from last year to see how much we need to purchase. We can cook the main dish on site and bring salads, drinks and desserts. We will plan this event via email. There will also be a book sale during the supper.
Winter Book Discussion Series: The day of the meeting was noted to be the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ birth. The remaining books and dates are David Copperfield 2/20 Bleak House 3/19 Great Expectations 4/16
Removal of Books from Vault Room: There was a discussion about the best way to go about moving books from their current location with the boiler and water pipes to the other vault room. The trustees will clean and prep the west vault room for the incoming books and begin moving them.
Fire Alarm: The HLA currently pays $500 per year to TASCO for the fire alarm service. It currently is not working properly. We need to fix this service.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 P.M. the next meeting will be March 5, 2012 at 7:30 P.M.
We took a tour of the vault room to see how many books needed to be moved and see the work that was done on the boiler.
Minutes of the January 2, 2012 and January 16, 2012 meetings were reviewed. As there wasn’t a quorum a vote could not take place.
NH Library Trustee Association: We currently have memberships for 2 of our trustees. Each membership costs $10.00 per year. In the past we have utilized the NHLTA to help find a lawyer for our lawsuit. More recently we have utilized the NHLTA for guidance in responding the ILL van issue. Currently John is one of the members. Mike Marshall will be the second member.
Alumni Hall and Parking Issues: The issue of storing the “Library Parking” signs was discussed. John has spoken to Keisha about making the group using Alumni Hall for an event during library hours responsible for putting out the signs. It was decided to leave the signs folded in the library and become more aware of upcoming events at Alumni Hall. Keisha also brought up the idea of a small parking lot that could be shared by Alumni Hall and the library; the idea was shelved due to concerns about location and cost.
Boiler Switch Problem: Mike will look into getting a cover for the emergency shut off for the boiler. It was noted that it is next to a light switch so it might accidentally get shut off. There are covers that can be placed over the switch so this doesn’t happen.
Building: Ken met with Gerand A Leone Slate Roofing Company. They looked at the library roof.
Financial Report: The month of January has no income only expenses. The propane bill was paid so the issue of the emergency switch being triggered due to lack of propane was dismissed. The idea of prebuying propane was discussed as an option for next year in an effort to save money. John will check on that this fall. The town of Haverhill budget advisory committee met and it will recommend that the libraries receive level funding.
Hood’s Bill: Hoods Plumbing and Heating are pressing for payment of the outstanding bill. It was decided that we would pay the bill and enclose a letter explaining that we were disappointed with the service we received.
Chicken and Biscuit Supper: Ted Shiffman is unable to cook for us. He recommended that the trustees do it themselves. After discussion it was decided that we could indeed do this. We will be looking for help from former trustees and other community members. John will look at the numbers from last year to see how much we need to purchase. We can cook the main dish on site and bring salads, drinks and desserts. We will plan this event via email. There will also be a book sale during the supper.
Winter Book Discussion Series: The day of the meeting was noted to be the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ birth. The remaining books and dates are David Copperfield 2/20 Bleak House 3/19 Great Expectations 4/16
Removal of Books from Vault Room: There was a discussion about the best way to go about moving books from their current location with the boiler and water pipes to the other vault room. The trustees will clean and prep the west vault room for the incoming books and begin moving them.
Fire Alarm: The HLA currently pays $500 per year to TASCO for the fire alarm service. It currently is not working properly. We need to fix this service.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 P.M. the next meeting will be March 5, 2012 at 7:30 P.M.
Minutes of January 16, 2012 Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Haverhill
Library Association was held at the library and called to order by Board of
Trustees Chairman John Landrigan at 6:30 P.M. on January 16, 2012. Present were Trustees John Landrigan, Ken
Frank, Sue Lewis & Mike Marshall and Children’s Librarian Anne Ballam.
John noted the minutes of the 2011 Annual Meeting had already been approved at an earlier monthly meeting of the board.
A slate of officers for 2012 was proposed and approved: President – John Landrigan, Vice-President – Ken Frank, Treasurer – John Landrigan and Secretary – Sue Lewis.
John presented a revised 2011 Financial Report. The Board voted approval to submit the report for the town report. John also noted he will have copies available for the town’s Budget Advisory Committee meeting.
A review of activities of the past year was made in preparation of the 2011 Annual Report to the town. Major repairs to the bricks of the building, which will continue in 2012. The March supper, book sale and gift basket raffle. Book discussions. A Shakespeare program done in conjunction with the series of Shakespeare performances at Alumni Hall. Author luncheon with thanks to Keisha Luce for use of Alumni Hall. Library visit by the Haverhill Cooperative Preschool and Haverhill Cooperative Middle School sixth graders. Children’s reading program. Children’s cookie sampler. Annual book sale in September. Holiday Tea with thanks to Bill & Mary Emig. Thanks also to Cheryl Barnes for donating a ‘Harry Potter” quilt for use in the children’s room and to Library Volunteers Tasha Simmons and Charlene Aldrich.
Anne presented a Children’s Library Report. She also noted that the number of people accessing Wi-Fi with their personal computers has increased, but while some do it successfully, others have had problems.
Sue reported she was asked by a member of the public if the area behind the library could be used as a shared parking area for the library and Alumni Hall. Ken and Mike noted that probably would not work due to the location of the library’s drywell.
John thanked Ken for ‘No Parking’ signs he made to preserve parking in front of the library when Alumni Hall events attract large crowds.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 P.M. The next monthly meeting will be on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. (Note this is not on the usual first Monday of the month; it was changed due to schedule conflicts.)
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Marshall
John noted the minutes of the 2011 Annual Meeting had already been approved at an earlier monthly meeting of the board.
A slate of officers for 2012 was proposed and approved: President – John Landrigan, Vice-President – Ken Frank, Treasurer – John Landrigan and Secretary – Sue Lewis.
John presented a revised 2011 Financial Report. The Board voted approval to submit the report for the town report. John also noted he will have copies available for the town’s Budget Advisory Committee meeting.
A review of activities of the past year was made in preparation of the 2011 Annual Report to the town. Major repairs to the bricks of the building, which will continue in 2012. The March supper, book sale and gift basket raffle. Book discussions. A Shakespeare program done in conjunction with the series of Shakespeare performances at Alumni Hall. Author luncheon with thanks to Keisha Luce for use of Alumni Hall. Library visit by the Haverhill Cooperative Preschool and Haverhill Cooperative Middle School sixth graders. Children’s reading program. Children’s cookie sampler. Annual book sale in September. Holiday Tea with thanks to Bill & Mary Emig. Thanks also to Cheryl Barnes for donating a ‘Harry Potter” quilt for use in the children’s room and to Library Volunteers Tasha Simmons and Charlene Aldrich.
Anne presented a Children’s Library Report. She also noted that the number of people accessing Wi-Fi with their personal computers has increased, but while some do it successfully, others have had problems.
Sue reported she was asked by a member of the public if the area behind the library could be used as a shared parking area for the library and Alumni Hall. Ken and Mike noted that probably would not work due to the location of the library’s drywell.
John thanked Ken for ‘No Parking’ signs he made to preserve parking in front of the library when Alumni Hall events attract large crowds.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 P.M. The next monthly meeting will be on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. (Note this is not on the usual first Monday of the month; it was changed due to schedule conflicts.)
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Marshall
Minutes of January 2, 2012
The monthly meeting of the Haverhill Library Association was held at the library and called to order by Board of Trustees Chairman John Landrigan at 7:30 P.M. on January 2, 2012. Present were Trustees John Landrigan, Jane Darby, Ken Frank, Sue Lewis, Vesta Smith & Mike Marshall and Librarians Nanci Myers & Anne Ballam.
Minutes of the November 7, 2011 and December 5, 2011 meetings were approved.
State Library Van: John reported that libraries across the state had provided feedback concerning proposed cuts to the State Library Van to State Librarian Mike York, who in turn prepared a report to the state legislature arguing against the cuts.
Status of 2012 Fall Festival: No information is available yet.
Alumni Hall Parking Issues: Nanci reported she had conversations with Alumni Hall Executive Director Keisha Luce concerning parking problems during events held at Alumni Hall. Ken volunteered to make some no-parking signs and John said he would email Keisha asking her to deal with organizations using Alumni Hall to make sure their patrons did not park in front of the library.
Board Development: John will approach some potential candidates for positions on the board.
Building: Ken will contact Gerard A Leone Slate Roofing Company of Sunapee, NH as a possible contractor for repair to the library’s roof. John reports that he still intends to respond to the Byrne Foundation’s offer of a matching funds grant.
Financial Report: The library received payments from the Town of Haverhill and the Mildred Page Bequest in December and we ended the year with a loss of $1,832.18 in our regular operating budget when special amounts received and expended for building repairs in 2011 are disregarded. The deficit was ameliorated by a generous special year end contribution to the library by Jane Darby & Jack Carlock. John presented a draft ‘Operating Receipts & Disbursements’ statement he prepared for the annual town report, noting it shows a balance which might inaccurately portray an inflated cash on hand balance. After discussion, it was decided that the report should have an explanation of the major building repairs being the cause for the buildup of cash on hand, but that cash is already designated to be spent on repairs.
Town Funding Request for 2012: John will find out when the town’s Budget Advisory Committee is meeting so we can be present to support our request for increased funding.
Librarian’s Report: Anne reports that a tutor and seventh grade girl arrived at the library asking for a quiet place for a tutoring session as part of the ‘ACES’ program in the schools. Anne will contact the school to get confirmation of the program and the tutor’s background check. Anne reports that Hood’s Plumbing & Heating left messages on Nanci’s home and cell phones looking for payment for work done at the library last winter; John will call them. Ken will check current problems with freezing lines.
Fund raising / Programming: The Books & Music Holiday Dessert Tea held December 10 at Bill & Mary Emig’s home was a success. John noted special thanks to the Emigs for hosting the event and providing the refreshments & food; they also paid for a newspaper advertisement. The Board was in favor of asking the Emigs to host our April 15 Author’s Luncheon and to repeat the Holiday Tea. The Chicken & Biscuit Supper is scheduled for March 10; John will approach Ted Schiffman; more planning will be done at next month’s meeting. In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ birth, the Winter Book Discussion Series will feature Pickwick Papers on January 16, David Copperfield on February 20, Bleak House on March 19, and Great Expectations on April 16. The Book Club for Readers will meet on January 26 to discuss stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer and Philip Roth.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 P.M. The Annual Meeting will be held at the library at 6:30 P.M. on January 16, 2012 and the next regular meeting will be held at the library at 7:30 P.M. on February 6, 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Marshall
Minutes of the November 7, 2011 and December 5, 2011 meetings were approved.
State Library Van: John reported that libraries across the state had provided feedback concerning proposed cuts to the State Library Van to State Librarian Mike York, who in turn prepared a report to the state legislature arguing against the cuts.
Status of 2012 Fall Festival: No information is available yet.
Alumni Hall Parking Issues: Nanci reported she had conversations with Alumni Hall Executive Director Keisha Luce concerning parking problems during events held at Alumni Hall. Ken volunteered to make some no-parking signs and John said he would email Keisha asking her to deal with organizations using Alumni Hall to make sure their patrons did not park in front of the library.
Board Development: John will approach some potential candidates for positions on the board.
Building: Ken will contact Gerard A Leone Slate Roofing Company of Sunapee, NH as a possible contractor for repair to the library’s roof. John reports that he still intends to respond to the Byrne Foundation’s offer of a matching funds grant.
Financial Report: The library received payments from the Town of Haverhill and the Mildred Page Bequest in December and we ended the year with a loss of $1,832.18 in our regular operating budget when special amounts received and expended for building repairs in 2011 are disregarded. The deficit was ameliorated by a generous special year end contribution to the library by Jane Darby & Jack Carlock. John presented a draft ‘Operating Receipts & Disbursements’ statement he prepared for the annual town report, noting it shows a balance which might inaccurately portray an inflated cash on hand balance. After discussion, it was decided that the report should have an explanation of the major building repairs being the cause for the buildup of cash on hand, but that cash is already designated to be spent on repairs.
Town Funding Request for 2012: John will find out when the town’s Budget Advisory Committee is meeting so we can be present to support our request for increased funding.
Librarian’s Report: Anne reports that a tutor and seventh grade girl arrived at the library asking for a quiet place for a tutoring session as part of the ‘ACES’ program in the schools. Anne will contact the school to get confirmation of the program and the tutor’s background check. Anne reports that Hood’s Plumbing & Heating left messages on Nanci’s home and cell phones looking for payment for work done at the library last winter; John will call them. Ken will check current problems with freezing lines.
Fund raising / Programming: The Books & Music Holiday Dessert Tea held December 10 at Bill & Mary Emig’s home was a success. John noted special thanks to the Emigs for hosting the event and providing the refreshments & food; they also paid for a newspaper advertisement. The Board was in favor of asking the Emigs to host our April 15 Author’s Luncheon and to repeat the Holiday Tea. The Chicken & Biscuit Supper is scheduled for March 10; John will approach Ted Schiffman; more planning will be done at next month’s meeting. In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ birth, the Winter Book Discussion Series will feature Pickwick Papers on January 16, David Copperfield on February 20, Bleak House on March 19, and Great Expectations on April 16. The Book Club for Readers will meet on January 26 to discuss stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer and Philip Roth.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 P.M. The Annual Meeting will be held at the library at 6:30 P.M. on January 16, 2012 and the next regular meeting will be held at the library at 7:30 P.M. on February 6, 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Marshall
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