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