CHAPLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY

Board of Trustees

Meeting Minutes

October 20, 2008

 

Chairperson Helen Weingart called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.  Present were Board members Betty Urban, Diane Cox, Sharyn Rusch, Dianne Beer, Rebecca Stockdale-Woolley and Kitty LeShay.  Others present were Library Director Gerre Helmer and Assistant Librarian Jessica Jahnke.  Unable to attend was Board member Bill Jenkins and June Rose.

 

3.                  ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:  None

 

4.                  AUDIENCE FOR CITIZENS:  None

 

5.                  APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  September 22, 2008

Motion to approve the minutes of September 22, 2008 was made by Kitty LeShay, seconded by Sharyn Rusch and carried with one abstention by Diane Cox.

 

6.                  REPORTS:

A.                Director’s Report:

Gerre Helmer presented goals action plan, copy of survey and budget packet with no significant changes from last month.  Kitty LeShay expressed environmental concerns with the amount of paper used for the detailed report and suggested that only the summary sheet be presented to the Board each month.  Betty Urban asked about the 50% for electricity and whether it was shared with the Senior Center.  Gerre Helmer was asked to clarify for the next meeting.  The survey will be at the desk for patrons.  Helen Weingart suggested forwarding a copy of the survey to the town hall to put on the website.

 

The Board was asked about renewing the pass for Rogers Williams Park that expires next month.  The cost is $110 and was used 5 to 6 times.  The Board agreed to renew the pass.  Jessica Jahnke suggested researching other museums that are more affordable.

 

Circulation for the month of September was 648.

            Fiction 182                 Juvenile Fiction 127                Video 60

            Non-Fiction 44            Juvenile Non-Fiction   32        DVD 182

            Periodicals 5                CDs 3                                      Audio 13

The Special Revenue balance is $8,433.75.

 

B.                 Board Chair Report:  

The Board was asked to establish a process to track attendance at the programs and suggested a sign in sheet.

 

Invoices were requested from Stafford Mechanical.  Helen Weingart will meet with Paul Carbone and the First Selectmen to discuss the list of costly diagnostic fees and parts replacements.

 

The mural dedication was wonderful with 51 people in attendance.  The Board was presented with a copy of the certificate given to artist Arnold Prince.  A professional book of photos will be assembled for his family.

 

C.                Board Members Report:

 

Sharyn Rusch asked about the board book collection for small children.  There are 15 board books in the collection.  The School Readiness wants to create welcome baskets for new parents to be distributed at the library.

 

Fire Safety Day will be held Saturday, October 25th from 1-3 pm.  There will be a Fire Truck and the following stations:  Reflective House Numbers, Planning an Escape Route, Safety Tips & Information and Children’s Fire Safety.  Refreshments will be cider and apples.  Notices were posted at Chaplin Elementary, Parish Hill, the Post Office, Zlotnicks, Town Hall and in the Chronicle Calendar of Events.  Kitty LeShay will cover this event for the paper.

 

7.                  OLD BUSINESS:

A.        Finalize Program Plan:

                        Helen Weingart presented Program Plan chart to coordinate monthly events.

                                    Sharyn Rusch (School Readiness will provide advertising)

November 5 – Nappy’s Puppets @ 6:00 pm (no cost)

                                                December 3 – Maria Sangiolo (Music) @ 6:00 pm (no cost)

                                    Rebecca Stockdale-Woolley

                                                November 19 – Tea Tasting @ 7:00 pm (no cost)

                                    Gerre Helmer

                                                February – Train Show

                                                February (school vacation) - possibly Storyteller Carol Stearns

                                                March (school vacation) – undecided

                                    Diane Cox and Rebekah Stockdale-Woolley

                                                March – English Lady (gardening tips)

                                    Helen Weingart

May – Prudence Crandall (Historical Society has music group for swing dancing – Helen will follow up with Donna Dufresne)

                                    Sharyn Rusch and Diane Cox

                                                May – Book Sale

 

            June – possibly Dog Show or photos from kayak

                                               

Gerre Helmer was asked to finalize programs for February and March for the next meeting.  Betty Urban suggested something to do with Earth Day.  The School Readiness can cover three programs for the spring.           

                       

8.                  NEW BUSINESS:  None

 

9.                  CORRESPONDENCE:  None

 

10.              AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:  None

 

11.              ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted by Kathleen Scott

Recording Secretary