Otis Library Annual Meeting
Thursday, November 10, 2022
6:00 PM- Otis Library/Zoom*
* Meeting will be conducted in accordance with the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law
Members present: Kathy Bort, Sue Brofman, acting chair, Diane Dyer
Susan Ebitz, Lois Hall, Donna Rich, Celeste Watman, on Zoom: Jim Adams. Gloria Mamokhin.
Invited Guests: Tom Burke, Rosy Crittendon, Carol Reife
Sue Brofman called the meeting to order at 6:06 PM
- Welcome and Introductions Sue B. invited all board members and the invited guests to introduce themselves.
- Approval of October Minutes: Gloria made a motion, that was seconded by Donna to approve the October Meeting Minutes as amended. The motion was unanimously passed.
- Approval of October Treasurer’s reports: A motion was made by Gloria, seconded by Susan to accept the October Treasurer’s Report. The treasurer’s report was unanimously approved.
- Director’s Report
Attendance: Gradually decreasing, 15-20 people on average
Acquisitions: Addition of 48 books, 6 audio, 32 DVD’s,
Reports: Federal and State Reports complete. Accepted initial award of $1864.86 from $3729.72
Programming: We had 6 participants to the Berkshire Library Crawl. Lisa Warren, from Otis, was the County winner. A suggestion for next year would be to keep the library on Winter hours.
Patron Appreciation Give Away: Ending Nov. 30, Books packed on December 9th.
Library Holiday Hours: Thanksgiving: Close early, 11/23 at 3:00 PM, Closed Thanksgiving. Christmas: 12/23, early close, December 24 -27, closed. December 31, 9-1 PM, January 1-3, closed.
Personal: Last Otis Observer Article, 11/15, Last day physically at the library 12/31. Will go on consultant status remotely.
Susan E. made a motion that was seconded by Gloria to accept the Director’s Report as written. The motion was unanimously passed.
- Unfinished Business
- FYI: Library StoryWalk , “Live” Brother Eagle, Sister Sky,” November 12, 3:00 PM. Donna shared a brief history and objectives of the StoryWalk.
- New Library Construction: Kathy reported on a meeting she attended virtually concerning grants for building projects funded partially from MLBC. The MLBC is interested in promoting a grant that would be targeted for libraries that contain populations of less than 2500. Kathy noted that Tara Jacobs, Sen. Paul Mark, and Rep. Smitty Pignatelli were all elected in 2022 and have all visited and been supportive of the library.
- Hiring Subcommittee Report and discussion of Interim Director – Donna explained the Major Challenges Facing our Library This resource supplied by MBLC, asked members to clarify both short and long-term goals that would be faced by a new acting director and the Board of Trustees. She offered to collect and collate people’s responses. Gloria shared a spreadsheet that she researched, and Susan created to compare the working lives of area Library Directors. These Library Directors worked in towns that had similar populations to Otis. Questions asked included whether the director worked full or part time, the number of hours worked, highest educational level, salary, benefits, work experience, and who they reported too. (See attached.)
After an explanation from Kathy, Susan made a motion to appoint Lois Hall, Interim Director of the Otis library. It was seconded by Donna and passed unanimously. Lois will officially take over on January 4, 2023, when the library reopens after the holiday. Lois will work Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Kerry will continue to work on Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 1:00 PM.
- New Business
- Election of Library Trustee Officers: Sue Brofman was unanimously voted as Chairperson of the Otis Library. Susan Ebitz was unanimously voted Recording Secretary. Sue B. agreed to remain acting Treasurer until a replacement could be found.
- Increasing the Otis Library Board of Trustees/Establishing a Friends Group: Sue B. explained that the library is looking to add two additional trustees and start a Friends of the Library Group.
Diane will serve as the liaison between Board of trustees and the Friends Group. Sue B. asked what interests they had in joining the library.
Rosy Crittendon expressed an interest in being in the Friends Group. Tom volunteered that he was experienced in financial issues and would be willing to serve as Treasurer. Carol shared a wide area of interests and willingness to be flexible with any library projects. The Board will meet on Thursday, November 17th at 6:00 PM to vote for these new members.
- Online meetings during winter months- Susan E. made the suggestion that the group meet on Zoom in the winter months. Sue B. suggested an “in-person” meeting in December. Jim made a motion that was seconded by Donna for the Board to meet on Zoom during the months of January and February. The motion passed by a vote of 6 – 1.
- Other
Next Meeting: December 8, 2022
Future Meetings: January 12, 2023, February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, 2023