Otis Library & Museum Annual Meeting Minutes
March 10, 2016
Roosevelt Room
Meeting was called to order at 6:44 with Diane Dyer assuming the chairperson’s role. Members and guests present included Kathy Bort, Lois Walter Engels, Diane Dyer, Eve Kummel, and Susan Ebitz~
Minutes from the November 12, 2015 meeting were accepted
Director’s Report: Kathy Bort
- Circulation averaging 20-25, fiction and nonfiction books done, weeding of inventory because there is no room, books will be offered to patrons
- Purchased 42 books, 23 DVD’s
- Programs: Karen Karlberg photography display during the month of March, 20% of sales to library, Reception on Saturday, March 12, from 3:00 to 5:00, Eve set-up and will hostess
- Books in Memory of Cora: Otis raised $500, Sandisfield $110, Family and friends will use funds as well as a 10% discount to purchase books at the Bookloft. Special bookplates will be inserted and the collection will be housed at the Otis, Sandisfield and Farmington River Library.
- Cradles to Crayons PJ Drive – very successful, 22 pairs of PJ’s and $110 in donations, Further donations can be made to: Cradles to Crayons, Attn. Olivia Wilson, 155 North Beacon St. Brighton, MA 12135
- New wireless printer installed that will print four ways; Direct – connected to computer, Air print- for Apple & Mac devices, E Print – Android service plug-in, and Google Cloud Print. Patrons will need to identify their own device and best option for capability (first page free, $.25 a page, prints front and back).
- Commonwealth Catalogue replaces the old virtual catalogue which offers patrons more “out of area” options without having to go through the librarians
- IT Workshops: John Charow will lead four workshops – the Board needs to determine what is to be offered. It was agreed that the Board would develop a survey for our patrons that the library staff would review, print, and distribute to our patrons. It was also noted that a request for using Ancestry.com was received. Eve accepted the request of organizing and presenting this workshop in the future.
- Joy Brown approached Hank about donating her husband’s books to the library. Eve is willing to take a look to judge how suitable these articles are.
Treasurer’s Report: Walter noted that:
- He has placed his name on the Town of Otis ballot for library and museum treasurer.
- The third quarter Town of Otis stipend~ of $15,221.15 was received by the library and museum.
- The Board of Library Commissioners grant of $966 was received by the library and museum.
- The Select Board approved the 2016-2017 library and museum stipend budget of $62,407, the minimum permitted.
- The actual budget for the library and museum is expected to be approximately $73,500.
- The library director has informed the board that the governor of MA has substantially cut library funding.
- The treasurer was asked to gather salary information for the next meeting.
New Business:
- Board voted to set the date for the library fair to Saturday, July 9th at Town Hall
- Board voted to not put individual notes on each individual campaign letter
- Eve and Walter will look at the annual campaign letter for possible revision
- Kathy passed out a packet on strategic planning for the library. Eve and Susan interested in being on the sub-committee. One more member is needed
- Susan shared the idea about reaching out to the various school communities by assembling a “valise” of artifacts that could enhance social studies instruction.
- Kathy noted that we are paying subscriptions to newspapers.com, fold 3.com and GALE
- Next meeting is April 14, 2016 at 6:30.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:07. Executive session was called to order at 8:15. The major topic of discussion was the salaries of library personnel compared to other town employees. Walter presented information that was taken under advisement. Executive session was adjourned at 8:40. After that, the four remaining board members agreed on the workshops that would be offered to library patrons via a survey that the board would develop and the staff would distribute. The board locked up and left the library at 9:06.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Ebitz, Recording Secretary