Gay-Kimball Library

Board of Trustees Meeting

December 11, 2008

Minutes

Members Present: Kathy Marrotte, Beth Richardson, Evan John;  Catherine Callegari, Librarian

Minutes from last month’s meeting were read and approved by unanimous vote

Treasurer’s Report:  $3106.97.

Librarian’s Report: Door Count: 1175 (up from 800 last year); New Patrons: 11; Computer Usage: 166 (down from 170 last year); Circulation:  1925 (down from 2214 last year).

Old Business:

The Selectmen cancelled their budget review meeting with the Board earlier in December and did not reschedule one. Catherine and the Board were scheduled to meet with the Budget Committee at 7:45 at the conclusion of this meeting.  The new budget which Catherine will present includes her salary increase.  The Treasurer will also request that the remaining approximately @$3500.00 unspent surplus be returned in order to make up for the decrease in the Library Trust Fund distribution for 2009.

The alarm contact list will be revised to have Judy Metzger be #1, Catherine #2, Beth #3.

The children’s area in the basement has a persistent ground level leak in an area where several roof surfaces converge. Catherine will have Harold Newell open up the sheet rock wall to inspect and repair if possible.  It was suggested that gutters might help divert the volume of water.

The auction of the library’s collection of artwork at the Cheshire County Historical Society yielded $284.00. The Board decided that the money be retained in the checking account but put towards window replacement.

Catherine noted that she found the file cabinet key.

New Business:

Catherine suggested a “Food for Fines” program January 26-31 to support the Community Kitchen.  When patrons bring in one non perishable food item, $1.00 from their fine account will be donated to a maximum of $5.00.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 7pm.

Catherine discussed putting the library’s catalog online. She’s looking into hiring someone to set up a program which will mimic a static  IP address at a lesser cost than the $480.00/year formal program.

Catherine demonstrated a miniature MP3 player which could be used to store the most popular recorded books in the collection. Loaning it out to patrons is being considered.

There were no public comments.

The Board adjourned to meet with the Budget Committee in the function room. Catherine provided the committee with several pages describing library programs, statistics, and a spreadsheet with the budget information.  The committee members had a few questions related to programs, and Frank Obuchowski, Chairman, had a question about the librarian’s salary increase. Catherine provided justification for the increase. There were no specific concerns voiced.