Minutes for the March 9 Trustees Meeting

The meeting convened at 7 p.m. at the library. Present were Cindy Binzen, Rachel Kurland, Miriam Newman, Curt Albee, Carol Wilson, Melissa Strayton (librarian) and Marty Frank.

Minutes from the February meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Rachel reported that no profit-and-loss statement was available because of a snag in moving our Quickbooks files to the new computer (the thumbdrive Kerry prepared is a  read-only file). While waiting for that to happen and complete the transition to Roberta Robinson, who is ready to come on board as the new bookkeeper, Rachel has been taking care of bills. Rachel believes we should have sufficient funds in our checking account because of the recent deposit of the donation from the estate of Anne Aversa. The more recent version of Quickbooks has been bought and installed on the computer at the library, where Roberta intends to do the bookkeeping.

Librarian’s Report: Mike Tisdale visited the library to set up the recently acquired refurbished laptop and update Melissa’s computer. At his recommendation, we purchased a new computer for Melissa (for about $850; to be covered by our reserve fund) and determined the refurbished laptop to be too old and outdated to be useful. Melissa will call the dealer we purchased the laptop from to try to get a refund.

Things in general are going well. The materials from the most recent order have arrived, been shelved and promoted on the listserv, Facebook and in the Strafford News. We had 10 views on Kanopy last month ($20). Melissa has applied for a grant from the Vermont Department of Libraries for the summer reading program. 

Suzanne Lupien approached Melissa and asked about having the library host a program — perhaps on a Saturday afternoon in April — in which she and Mel Goertz will read their writing. The Friends are meeting on April 6, and Melissa is going to ask them to fund a second pass to VINS, for which there is a lot of demand.

A question from Melissa about what the library should do to protect patrons from the potential spread of the coronavirus prompted a lengthy discussion among board members. (Melissa has already been regularly wiping down computer keyboards, light switches and doorknobs). The board decided to switch to paper plates to serve snacks for the afterschool program, ask people to wash their hands before using computers and to make some sort of cleaning agent available at the computer stations.

The therapy-dog program went off without a hitch and without any participants.

Miscellaneous: Cindy has asked Will Cooney to make one more design change to our exterior sign and is waiting to hear from him. There is now a toolbox and tools in the basement. Cindy purchased one new fire extinguisher and had two others recharged. Melissa told trustees about a program on sustainability in libraries that will take place on April 3 from 10 to 3 at the Kilton Library in West Lebanon. 

Annual organizational business: The board voted to continue meeting on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the library. 

Marty moved, Miriam seconded, that we exclude officers from protection under the state of Vermont Workers Compensation Act. All voted in favor.

Marty moved, Miriam seconded, that Cindy Binzen be re-elected president. All voted in favor.

Carol moved, Miriam seconded, that Rachel Kurland be re-elected treasurer. All voted in favor.

Curt moved, Cindy seconded, that Marty be re-elected secretary. All voted in favor.

More Miscellaneous: Kerry is sending out 1099s to those who have been paid by the library more than $600 in 2019. Rachel will be sending the annual financial report of the library to the probate court. At 8:01, Miriam moved, Marty seconded, that the board go into executive session to discuss personnel. The board returned to regular session at 8:08.

Our next meeting will be on April 8 at 7 p.m. at the library.

Submitted by Marty Frank