Guilford Free Library Trustees 05.18.26 Minutes

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Guilford Free Library

Trustees In Person & Online Meeting

Guilford, Vermont

Monday, May 18th 2026 – 6:30 PM

Trustees present: Josh Nelson, Meghan Ohrstrom, Laura Lawson Tucker, Emma Hallowell & Judith Serkin, John Shaw & Jeannette Tokarz 

Others present: Amber Hunt (Librarian)

Meeting began at 6:35 PM.

The minutes from the April 2026 meeting were approved.

Librarian’s Report – Amber

  • Summer programming is in full swing! Zumbini starts tomorrow 5/19, the library will be hosting a Puppet Party to celebrate the end of the school year on 6/17 & the first dance party of the year on 5/7 was successful. There was an impressive variety of ages ranging 1-84 years!
  • The Trustees did such a great job spring cleaning the library yesterday 5/17 that Amber would love us to do seasonal turnover in fall as well. Laura suggests right after we host Halloween.
  • Amber will prompt us soon to go through all the services the library offers to make sure the Trustees are familiar with everything.

Treasurer’s Report – Jeanette

  • This is our first time receiving a report from the town! Exciting, streamlined energy is flowing into the finance committee.
  • It looks like our expenditures to budget are within range.
  • Thank you Amber, John & Elly!

Chair Report – John

  • A library social will be held on 6/3 for a gathering of trustees, Friends of the Library, library staff & volunteers. This is not business, but getting together to celebrate the library & all those who give time in their busy lives to support it!
  • Due date of 7/1 for Trustees to provide feedback for Amber’s highlights & opportunities for growth. John will prompt Trustees on when to move forward on this.
  • Our next meeting on 6/15 will be the meeting where we create our strategic plan & Joy Worland will lead us all in a SWOT analysis.
  • Trustees should marinate on the strengths & weaknesses of the library before the next meeting.

Old Business

  • We all shared our findings & questions from watching or rewatching the Trustee training video. 
  • We went into executive session to discuss labor relations agreements with employees per 1 VSA 313 (a)(1)(B). A window washing decision was made.
  • Gift Policy final draft was discussed & approved unanimously to replace the current one.

New Business

  • Financial Policy was discussed & remarked on. We will revisit it on the agenda in July.
  • We discussed creating a Building Committee, electing Emma & Laura until March.
  • Meghan followed up on the idea of a Silent Book Club being hosted at the Guilford Center Meeting House. Carrie Nelson of the Guilford Historical Society will coordinate with Meg Boraski of Silent Book Club to schedule it the week of 9/15 & they will then coordinate with Amber to use library bathrooms.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 PM.

Meeting minutes by secretary, 

Meghan Ohrstrom