05.19.25 Library Trustees Meeting Minutes

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Guilford Free Library

Trustees In-Person and On-Line Meeting

Guilford, Vermont

Monday, May 19th, 2025 – 6:30 pm

Trustees present: John Shaw, Nika Fotopulos, Laura Lawson Tucker, Josh Nelson

Trustees absent: Judith Serkin, Jeannette Tokarz, Sandra Cortes

Others present: none

Meeting began 6:38pm

Accepted minutes from April meeting

Librarian’s Report – Amber

Amber’s report was sent in writing, since she was attending the VLA Conference today.

Thank you Amber for the report! As well as Josh, Eliza and her grandfather for helping set up tables. Thank you to John and Miriam for initiating a new teen/tween book group.

Co-Chairs report – Laura and Judith

Judith had a monthly meeting with Amber. Laura touched on a few things about that meeting.

Matt and Amber are concerned about not having sole access to the BBCC for camp rain days. Laura will be communicating with Ada to clarify.

There will be an effort to valorize the scope of the Library’s outdoor land.

Basement clean up report: local people have repurposed some of our give aways. And we are getting organized! The best the basement has looked in years 🙂

Treasurer’s report – John

Amber sent the monthly reports. We are still doing well. We are approaching the end of our fiscal year, at the end of June.

Amber has been successfully finishing up the funds from the John Eldred Jr Foundation grant, by purchasing beautiful and practical furniture and supplies to improve our spaces.

The programming budget has allowed Amber to come up with fresh programming and these funds have been well utilized.

Amber has been tracking the books and services budget separately from the rest of the Library’s other budget items, and it is also on track.

We received a grant that helps pay for the courier service, and we have enough in our budget to cover the extra weekly stop.

Update on the finance committee:

They had their first meeting. John and Amber gave an explanation of the ins and outs of the library’s finances to Josh and Jeannette.

New Business

Laura shared that Sandra needs to resign for personal health reasons. We are so grateful for all the ways Sandra has offered of herself to the Library through the years. She will be missed as a trustee, but we support her decision.

Trustees will vote on a recommendation for a replacement Trustee candidate at the June meeting. This will then be brought to the following selectboard meeting.

We discussed checking with Amber about hosting an event to thank Library volunteers.

John and Amber attended the last selectboard meeting to update the town on Library news.

Next selectboard meeting is July 28th. Josh offered to attend that meeting.

July 4th  planning: Josh and Laura are away, possibly Nika and John could be available to help with this event. Popsicles again? Ask the Friends for help too.

We decided on Wednesday August 13th for the annual hot dog roast.

Next Month’s agenda items

  • Organizing a thank you volunteer party.
  • Appreciate Sandra
  • Voting on Sandra’s replacement
  • Josh will attend the next July 28th meeting
  • 4th of July planning
  • Brainstorming on new picnic area/landscaping, possibly forming a committee?
  • Planning Hot dog roast
  • Update on Friends MOU

Meeting adjourned 7:48pm

***Next monthly Trustees meeting: Monday June 16th, 2025 at 6:30pm – In person at the Library/or ONLINE

Minutes by Secretary,

Nika Fotopulos

Meeting audio recording: https://guilfordvt.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Library-Trustees-2025-05-19.mp3