Attendees: Cindy Binzen, Miriam Newman, Rachel Kurland, Becky Proulx, Carol Wilson, Melissa Strayton (Library Director), Kevin Lynch.  Absent: 


Action Item Summary

Miriam

  • Follow up on coyote talk regarding weekend time slot, all ages appropriate

Kevin 

  • Biblio+/Libby show-and-tell.

  • Update current website to include Biblio.

  • Post policies on google drive.

  • Benevity listserv followup

  • Organize website review meeting first with Melissa, Carol then next meeting including James Taylor

Rachel

  • Finalize 2025 budget 

  • Benevity followup with charity navigator and Masland’s office

Cindy

  • Ask Eric to skip mowing back field in 2025 and find someone to brush hog once yearly instead

  • Contact Steven Walker on salt issue.

Melissa

  • Coordinate thermostat installation with Tom Root

  • Regular weekend postings to the listserv should include noteworthy acquisitions and events

  • Pursue Fall (late 4Q)  grant for roof replacement.

Carol 

  • Next steps on baby books.


Secretary’s Report

  • Assign a secretary to take notes – Lynch

  • Approve minutes from December meeting -  Moved Lynch, second Kurland, approved all.

  • Any items to add/remove? None

  • Rachel will be doing bills going forward.  Thanks in advance.


Librarian’s Report

  • VT Dept of Library and Turrell are submitted.  Subrecipient grant report for Courier submitted.  Town Meeting write-up submitted.

  • Valentine’s construction activities had no attendees.

  • Saturday postings suggestions - story time, Biblio+, Covid tests, closings, passes.

  • Ordering for collection - big children’s order circulating well, adult order nearing submission. B+T has huge delays for all categories; B+T has reduced discounts making it more advantageous to use non-profit pricing at Norwich and Yankee Bookstores.
  • School age Saturdays, nursery time.

  • Roberta – bookkeeper update, Meg Albee for one month, potentially more.

  • Thermostat – Tom Root - Melissa to contact.

  • Dog-eared pages.  Patron upset at dog-eared pages.  Consider a message to patrons to love our books

  • Two candidates have expressed an interest in pre-school story-time on a volunteer, ad-hoc basis.

  • Benevity check for $957.00.  Kevin to check legitimacy with Library Listserv, Rachel to check Masland office and Charity Navigator. 


Friends Report 

  • Melissa solicited volunteers from Friends.


Treasurer’s Report

  • Review profit and loss statement.

  • 2025 budget approved

  • Meg Albee volunteering one month, unpaid for bookkeeping.  May be open to continuing on a paid basis.  


Appeals Letter – thank yous

  • Annual Appeals letter ~$5K


Other Business

  • Investment Committee update - Significant proportion of endowment investments are in ESG funds which are lagging the market and have poor outlook under Trump administration.  In the interest of maintaining financial viability of endowment, we plan to lift the restriction to ESG funds thus providing both access to a broader mix of funds and providing liquidity (which reduces the risk profile of the portfolio).  Move Newman, second Lynch, approve majority.  

  • Rachel will add $1K to fund bookkeeper and finalize budget.  Motion to accept budget Kurland, Wilson seconded, majority approved.

  • Architect proposals - nothing yet.

  • Website update - Kevin to organize meeting Melissa, Carol, Kevin

  • Adult programs – Libby Kevin, tech time Cindy S, Becky, Scams and Fraud, BBB, Wednesday March 26, Corey Cook and others April 30, 

    • Coyote talk -$275.  Approach conservation committee to co-sponsor. Miriam to investigate further to determine whether it is appropriate for all ages.  Target would be the weekend.

  • Baby books - Carol has next steps.

  • Hazel memorial 17-May.  We should consider putting out her scrapbooks.

  • WASPS! Need to find nest.

  • Salt being used is bleaching floors.  Cindy to contact Steve.


January Monthly Duties

Prepare narrative and financial report for Town Meeting - done

EOY register Sec. of State governance - $20 due 2025 - done

February Monthly Duties

Annual fiscal report to Probate Court – Rachel

Change smoke detector batteries, blow out dust – Rocky

March Monthly Duties

Election of officers

Policy review

Include in minutes ”exclusion of officers of the Inc. from protection under St. of VT Workers Comp. Act”



Next meeting March 10, 2025 7pm at Library