11.17.25 Library Trustees Meeting Draft Minutes

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Guilford Free Library
Trustees In-Person and On-Line Meeting
Guilford, Vermont
Monday, November 17th, 2025 – 6:30 PM


Trustees present: Laura Lawson Tucker, Jeannette Tokarz, Josh Nelson, Emma Hallowell, John Shaw & Meghan Ohrstrom
Others present: Amber Hunt (Librarian)
Meeting began at 6:30 PM sharp!
The minutes from the October 2025 meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report – John (Expedited due to him being home sick)
● Nothing special to report! In a temporary setup where Amber continues to meet with Patrice (Friends’ treasurer) to get invoices paid out of Friends’ bank account until we get our new account set up with town. Work in progress! Likely will be done next fiscal year.
● Overview provided for Emma (new trustee) about the current state of library finances & separation from Friends of the Library finances.
● We are on track for our monthly report!
● John summarized his & Amber’s meeting with Ellie. For donation button to be set up on Guilford website for library, John needs approval from the Selectboard. He will attend meeting Mon 11/24.
● Annual report shows 4% increase for FY27, but that is considered level funded.
● 3% wage increase for cost of living. Following town on this one.
● Discussed his personal understanding that monetary gifts are to supplement the budget not replace.
● E-Bikes previously paid for via grant & now we will pay for it with budget.
● Approved FY27 budget. Thank you John & Amber for all your hard work!

Librarian’s Report – Amber
● Amber shared how it continues to go very well with the town & their bookkeeping.
● Excited about how Poetry & Sound program continues to serve the kids well in our town!
● Short & sweet report. Thank you Amber!

Co-Chair Report – Laura
● Laura proposes that as we look over the annual Trustees calendar that we volunteer to take on specific & concrete roles to take things off of Amber’s plate. We all agreed happily!

Friends of the Library update
● No business today.

Old Business
● Thank you Jeanette for labeling envelopes during the meeting for our annual appeal letters.

New Business
● Welcome Emma to the board!
● Meghan (me) discussed the possibility of offering seasonal Zumbini sessions. Trustees agreed that I
should talk further with Amber.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:48 PM.

Meeting minutes by secretary,
Meghan Ohrstrom

Meeting Recording: https://guilfordvt.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-17-Library-Trustees-meeting.mp3