7.21.25 Library Trustees Meeting Minutes

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Guilford Free Library

Trustees In-Person and On-Line Meeting

Guilford, Vermont

July 21, 2025 – 6:30 pm

Trustees present: John Shaw, Laura Lawson Tucker, Jeannette Tokarz

Trustees absent: Judith Serkin, Nika Fotopulos, Josh Nelson

Others present: Amber Hunt, Librarian

Meeting began 6:40pm

NOTE: Because of not having a quorum, we tabled all items requiring a vote

Tabled accepting minutes from June meeting

Librarian’s Report – Amber

Amber gave highlights from her July Librarian’s report.  Those highlights included:

  • The summer library camp program is utilizing the Windham Solid Waste Management District’s composting site at the Guilford Central School.  This is excellent!  No more compost waiting around for someone to take away!
  • State Librarian is coming to visit GFL on AUGUST 12 from 1- 2 pm.  She has been very helpful in her monthly reports sharing funding decisions and other current information that impacts all of the state libraries.  This is an informal visit.  Trustees are invited to come and meet our state Librarian.
  • Amber compared statistics from June 2024 to June 2025.  The statistics demonstrate how the library is a bustling, busy, and active place!  (e.g. Library is circulating 59% MORE books; There are 89% MORE visits; and 140% more requests for e-books) Amber and the Trustees concurred that the shift in 2025 of the town including books and services in the town budget is allowing the Library, along with the support of the Trustees and Friends, to increase programming efforts, in addition to providing more open hours for the library.
  • Mango Languages (online resource that is now available) is getting great feedback from patrons.
  • Amber is working on a Child Safety policy that she will soon present to the Trustees for review.
  • The current summer reading challenge is great! Both children and adults are participating.  A strong number of people have registered.  Prizes are being provided by the Guilford Store, generously funded by community member, Kitzi LaRock.
  • Camps are fully enrolled.  This week is #2 week of a total of 3 weeks.  Each week is for a specific age group.  Matt Valentine continues to manage and supervise the summer camps program with great energy and expertise.  Teachers are fantastic.  Different themes for each week.  Each week a visiting artist offers a related workshop for the campers. Lots of learning, literacy, fun, friendships, and enjoying and utilizing the outdoors is happening. Our funder from the Vermont Humanities Council is visiting this week.
  • July 4 event was fun! Having the library open was a good thing, after the program that was held at the Meeting House, we gave out popsicles at the library, as well as the library itself was open for patrons as well as new folks who have not visited in the past. Four new library cards were given to interested Guilford neighbors. Thank you to Crystal who managed the Library in Amber’s absence, who was away on a family vacation.

Co-Chairs report – Laura and Judith

Laura and Amber met this month to discuss various topics Amber is working on, thinking about, and addressing, most of which are included in Amber’s monthly Librarian’s report. Laura noted for the Trustees in response to Amber’s report great appreciation for all of her thoughtful, caring, and thorough report as our Librarian, who just completed her first year as our town’s librarian.

Treasurer’s report – John

Amber sent the monthly reports. We are still doing well. We have ended our fiscal year, and are now in a new fiscal year. We are on target with our budget—expenses and income.

Old Business- TABLED UNTIL AUGUST MEETING

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

REMINDERS

Next selectboard meeting is July 28th. Josh will attend with Amber.

Our ANNUAL HOT DOG ROAST will be held on Wednesday August 13th.  This is a celebration of the completion of the summer camps program.  All are invited!  Last year 70 people attended.  Our summer camps grant is funding this very fun and celebratory event.

Next Month’s agenda items

  • Accepting minutes from JUNE AND JULY meetings.
  • Voting on Sandra’s replacement
  • Brainstorming on new picnic area/landscaping, possibly forming a committee?
  • Follow up on clarity and coordination with the town on building needs as charted out with the town’s asset management plan
  • Update on Friends MOU
  • Who would like to attend the OCTOBER 27 Selectboard meeting with Amber?

Meeting adjourned 8:00 pm

***Next monthly Trustees meeting: Monday August 18, 2025 at 6:30pm – In person at the Library/or ONLINE

Minutes by,

Laura Lawson Tucker, substituting for Nika

Meeting Audio Recording: