Otis Library & Museum June Minutes
Thursday, July 11, 2022, 6:00 PM
Members present: Kathy Bort, Diane Dyer, Chair, Sue Brofman, Susan Ebitz, Lois Hall, Gloria Mamokhin Donna Rich, Celeste Watman
Chair Diane Dyer called the meeting to order at 6:10 PM.
Approval of Minutes
Donna made a motion, seconded by Sue B. to approve the July Meeting Minutes. The motion was unanimously passed.
Treasurer’s reports: A motion was made by Susan E., seconded by Celeste to accept the July Treasurer’s Report. The treasurer’s report was unanimously approved.
Director’s Report:
Attendance Increasing, very busy
Circulation: Increasing, museum passes more popular
Book Sale: Received 10 boxes of books, all books on the back porch will sell for $1.00
Programming: COMING EVENTS
TRIVIA QUESTIONS – Beginning Monday July 18, 2022
BRAG TAG JULY – BIOGRAPHIES
UKULELE WORKSHOP – August 10, 2022
ARIS Annual Report Information Survey
ARIS WORKSHOPS 7/19/2022
ARIS REPORT 7/1/2022 thru 8/26/2022
BRAG TAG AUGUST IDENTITY – WHO I WANT TO BE
TY ALLAN JACKSON – 8/25/2022 Otis Cultural Council & Otis Library
Proposal for Technology Workshops: presenter Jon Charow
Workshop 1 The Basics and Beyond – Learn how to effectively use your devices to their potential. Looking at using the Calendar, setting up contacts, notes, and sending and using links. Integrating and connecting your devices, and using Alexa, Siri and others to make life easier.
Session 1 Session 2
90 minutes instruction 90-minute instruction
60-minute help session 60-minute help session
Travel Travel
Workshop 2 The Cloud & File Management – what is the cloud, how to use it. How to transfer pictures from the hone, and computer to the cloud. Looking at how safe and secure is data in the cloud.
Session 1 Session 2
90 minutes instruction 90-minute instruction
60-minute help session 60-minute help session
Travel Travel
Small Library Pilot Project: Received the following from Andrea & Lauren of MLBC
Dear Kathy,
Thank you for this heartfelt message and for your good wishes for Shutesbury and Mary Anne. I agree that they are very deserving, but the need in Otis is great as well.
Andrea and I are now working hard on the addition of a “Very Small” library tier to our regular grant program. We are planning to complete the draft of changes to our regulations by the end of the summer and hold a public hearing that will explain everything to our libraries and towns in September. I will be sure to alert you when the hearing is scheduled.
I don’t know if you are aware, but we received an increase in our annual capital budget this year after 9 years of level funding. This means that we were able to fund 7 of the 14 waitlisted projects from the 2016-17 grant round, and it also means that the next grant round will be happening sooner – assuming that the new administration at the state level doesn’t change things, it will probably be announced in a year or so with applications due a year later. Otis is more than welcome to apply for a grant when that happens.
All the best to you and the rest of your wonderful team!
Lauren
Hi, Kathy, I echo Lauren’s sentiments wholeheartedly. It was such a pleasure to work with you and your team of staff members and trustees throughout the process. I am so happy to hear that there were positive outcomes for the library from the experience. We have analyzed the pain points and hope our proposed regulations mitigate them and allow very small libraries to participate successfully in our program. We will keep the lines of communication open, and my fingers are crossed for a workable solution for Otis to get your community the library it needs.
All my best, Andrea
Personnel: I have contacted Mary Rose Quinn with questions about hiring a replacement for my position of Library Director.
Old Business
Otis Library Fair: Sue B. provided a break-down of the profits and expenses. The fair made $4,804 from the vendor fees, various tables and donations. The fair expenses came to $646.66 giving the library $4157.34 in profit. All agreed it was the most money the library fair has ever made. The Staff & Trustees are grateful to all those who helped or donated. The library staff will send “thank you” notes, and a message will be posted to social media. Donna has organized fair photos. She has sent many photos to The Otis Observer. Donna will also organize fair photos into an album so that they can be viewed at the library. Both staff and trustees discussed went well at the fair and reflected on what could be improved next year. The consensus was that it was totally worth the effort and people could be seen enjoying themselves throughout the day.
New Business:
New Subcommittees: Five Year Committee (Celeste, Donna, Susan) Hiring Committee (Sue B. and Gloria
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Gloria, seconded by Sue. B the meeting was adjourned at 7:39.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Ebitz, Recording Secretary
Next Meeting: August 11,
Future Meetings: September 8, October 13, November 10, December 8, 2022