CHAPLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY

Chaplin, Connecticut

Meeting Minutes

March 16, 2009

 

Chairperson Helen Weingart called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.  Board members present were Dianne Beer, Diane Cox, Betty Urban, Rebecca Stockdale-Woolley, Kitty LeShay, Sharyn Rusch and June Rose.  Others present were Library Director Gerre Helmer.  Unable to attend was Board member Bill Jenkins and Assistant Librarian Jessica Jahnke.

 

3.                  Additions to Agenda:  None

 

4.                  Audience for Citizens:  None

 

5.                  Approval of Minutes:  February 9, 2009

Motion to approve the minutes of February 9, 2009, was made by Dianne Beer with the following corrections:  Item #7 should read – Salary line item for Custodian will be the same as previous year.  The heading of the minutes should read – Special Meeting Minutes.  The motion was seconded by June Rose and carried with abstentions by Diane Cox and Kitty LeShay.

 

6.                  Reports:

A.                Director’s Report:

Circulation for the month of January is 626 and February is 585.

Fiction 154/140           Juvenile Fiction 117/118         Video 33/44

Non-Fiction 36/32       Juvenile Non-Fiction 18/33     DVD 203/199

Periodicals 19/0           CDs 6/0                                   Audio 40/19

 

The Special Revenue balance is $11,238.77 and includes $2,626 (state reimbursement for grants). Overages in the budget include Substitute Librarian, equipment maintenance (purchase of 2 computers), Building Maintenance (continued problem with boiler).  Helen Weingart will get in touch with boiler company to resolve by the next meeting.

 

B.                 Board Chair Report:

The Board was presented with a copy of the Budget Freeze letter and will review the budget for non-essential spending at the next meeting.  Gerre Helmer will bring recommendations to the next meeting to address budget overages.

 

C.                Board Members Report:

Rebecca Stockdale-Woolley presented information on the English Lady program to be held in April.  Flyers will be posted at the Post Office, the Town Hall, Senior Center and at the Library desk.  Kitty LeShay will do an article for the Reminder.  Board members will make refreshments.

 

Diane Cox who also serves on the Planning & Zoning Commission presented information on the Plan of Conservation & Development.  The Last Green Valley Group will sponsor workshops on March 23rd and April 6th.  All community members are encouraged to attend.  Representatives from each Board in town are requested to attend the April 6th meeting.

 

The Science Center is offering a free one month membership with memberships starting at $35.  Gerre Helmer will check on a Season Pass.

 

7.                  Old Business:

A.                Discussion of VERSO and how to Proceed:

VERSO offers Webinars (would allow Board members to sit around computer to see how program works) during the day.  Helen Weingart will check with company to schedule evening Webinar session.

 

8.         New Business

            A.        Update on Computer Purchase:

                        The Dell Computers (for patron use) are up and running with no problems.

 

B.                 Special Revenue Report:

A check for $25 made out to the Library Director is missing.

 

C.                Review and Update Policy on Library Closing:

The Board was presented with the Policy on Library Closing.  The Librarian should consult with the Town Hall regarding closing.  If the Town Hall is closed, the Librarian will consult with a member of the Board of Selectmen.  Sharyn Rusch provided an old draft copy of the handbook.  Kathy Scott will make an electronic copy and email to all Board members for review at the next meeting.

 

D.                Process of Rental of Kilowatt Power Monitor:

A discussion was held regarding a deposit for rental of the Kilowatt Power Monitor.  Gerre Helmer will provide a written Lending Policy for the next meeting.

 

E.                 Update on Annual Book Sale:

All the books are sorted for the April 4th Book Sale except a box of special books that each Board member was asked to research for worth at Bookfinder.com and ABEBooks.com.  The value is 20% of the price found on these websites. 

 

F.                 Grant Money Deposited in Special Revenue:

Grant funds from 2007 were deposited into Special Revenue (they were deposited into the General Fund).

           

9.                  Correspondence:  None

 

10.              Agenda Items for Next Meeting:

·   Budget Review for Budget Freeze

·   Webinar for VERSO

·   Review Personnel Policy and Employee Handbook

·   Lending Policy for Kilowatt Power Monitor

·   Season Pass for the Science Center

 

11.              Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 8:48 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted by Kathleen Scott

Recording Secretary