Otis Library & Museum September Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 9, 2021
6:00 PM – Zoom
Members in attendance: Diane Dyer, Chair, Jim Adams, Kathy Bort, Susan Brofman, Susan Ebitz, Lois Hall, Gloria Mamokhin, Donna Rich, Celeste Watman
Diane Dyer called the meeting to order at 6:10 PM.
August Fair meeting minutes were unanimously approved. August Regular Meeting Minutes were tabled as well as the Treasurer’s Report.
Director’s Report – Kathy explained the feedback forms for soliciting input for the small library pilot program. The minutes were unanimously approved. Complete report is included below (unedited).
Old Business:
- The Board agreed to continue meeting on the second Thursday of the month at 6:00PM. With current COVID concerns the meeting will be held on Zoom. The meeting for November will be held on November 4, rather than on Veterans Day.
- It was agreed to hold onto raffle items donated for the fair. Kathy will follow-up with Barbara concerning the quilt donation.
- Donna shared that the StoryWalk continues to draw more families. (Seven children in August.) Giving children a chance to be together yet aware of nature and their environment continues to be twin goals of the program. “Pop-In” Poetry events have drawn a diverse and engaged following.
- Susan E. facilitated a discussion celebrating diversity with the staff of the FRRSD during Professional Development as part of ALA sponsored Diversity Otis Library Grant.
New Business: Museum Contents and Name
- Diane shared a letter she had received from Sonia Morrison, Co-Chair of the Otis Historical Commission (OHC), expressing a willingness to; “assume responsibility of the museum, should you (The Library Board) decide this is the best outcome for our town.” The Trustees were all in agreement that the expertise and efforts of OHC personnel would give the museum contents the attention they deserved. Celeste, who is willing to curate the museum contents is a member of the Library Board and the OHC. Gloria made the following motion, seconded by Donna;” I move we appoint Celeste to oversee the transfer of the contents of the Museum to the Otis Historical Commission provided that the artifacts remain intact and stay in Otis. The motion was unanimously approved.
- Gloria made a second motion, seconded by Celeste; “Upon acceptance of the transfer of the holdings of the Museum to the Otis Historical Commission, the library will be renamed Otis Library.” The motion was unanimously approved.
Friends of the Library:
- Diane has been interested in having a Friends of the library like many other libraries that she is visited. Sue B. suggested if we get the pilot grant a Friends of the Library could help with fundraising. Kathy suggested the Board needs to ensure that the mission and structure are clear. Jim made a motion seconded by Gloria to explore what would be involved in having a Friends of the Library in Otis. The motion was unanimously approved. Diane and Gloria will begin this work.
Book Club: Tabled
Meeting was adjourned at 7:25
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Ebitz, Recording Secretary
Next Meeting: Thursday, October 14, 6:00 PM on Zoom
| DIRECTOR’S REPORT SEPTEMBER 2021
Attendance Busy Delivery 3-5 Acquisitions 40 new releases 30 new DVD’s Summer Program has ended Sympathy & Donation sent for Brian Litchfield, Brandi Page’s brother Cancelled Events Fair Cancelled All vendors notified Posted on both websites Notices sent to patrons Ty Allen Jackson cancelled Small Library Pilot Project Publicity Feedback Board sent to town Hall picture sent Wish Tree in lobby picture sent Questionnaires given to patrons; sample sent Spaces Board coming Focus groups in process sent Erving Library visit will provide checklist soon Other visits Monterey New Marlborough Building Plan Workbook working on draft due September 30 Committee Invitations Brandi Page Selectpeople Larry Gould Lynn O’Brien Elizabeth Torsay Wilson Jane Feldman Hal Kobrin FINANCIAL AID & COMPLIANCE STATE REPORT in process due October 1, 2021
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