Library Trustees Meeting Minutes 2.16.26
Guilford Free Library
Trustees In Person & Online Meeting
Guilford, Vermont
Monday, February 16th 2026 – 6:30 PM
Trustees present: Josh Nelson, John Shaw, Meghan Ohrstrom, Jeannette Tokarz & Emma Hallowell
Trustees absent: Judith Serkin & Laura Lawson Tucker
Others present: Amber Hunt (Librarian)
Meeting began at 6:36 PM.
The minutes from the January 2026 meeting were approved.
Friends of the Library update
No new updates to report
Librarian’s Report – Amber
John & Jeanette attended the meeting where the Selectboard approved the Library Fund
Town treasurer would like to meet to discuss how the Library Fund will fit into the town’s budget
Summer camp’s funding is secured with Vermont Humanities & registration will be opening soon. We are so grateful to be able to offer a free camp to the community. What a gift!
Discussed the prospect of expanding the library of things if we had the space to do so.
Discussed how specific funds can be used if they were gifted for a certain purpose. The finance committee will chat about that more as the Gift Policy continues to be worked on.
Amber has applied to be a part of The Association for Rural & Small Libraries cohort to further her professional development.
Co-Chair Report – Amber
Amber met with Judith & Laura where they reviewed the agenda & discussed preparations for town meeting
Treasurer’s Report – John
We continue to be on track with spending against budget
We have new, safer folding chairs that replaced our old ones
We exceeded our projected budget for the annual appeal. Thank you donors!
Old Business
Town meeting prep:
Amber has reserved a table for the library & will be staffing it herself, but is open to company from the trustees as well. John suggests we include a suggestion box at our table.
Meghan & Emma both accepted to run to officially fill trustee seats with a vote on the floor. John will present our slate.
Laura will be giving the oral library report & we were encouraged to give suggestions on what to include as highlights.
Building use policy:
We reviewed the “building use by outside groups policy” 2nd draft written by Amber & Judith.
Questions about liability insurance which we will discuss with the town treasurer
Amber will be making an appointment with the state to survey how many occupants can fit in the space.
Policy was approved by unanimous vote
Strategic plan:
Nonprofit consultant Richard W. will be attending our next meeting as a facilitator to discuss past plans & what to include moving forward.
Joy W. from state library is willing to join us in June or July when we create the strategic plan
New Business
In an attempt to formalize, the finance committee has created a detailed Gift Policy which was emailed for our early review. We offered in person feedback, but we will vote on it officially at the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 PM.
Meeting minutes by secretary,
Meghan Ohrstrom
Meeting recording: https://guilfordvt.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2025-02-16-Guilford-Library-Trustees-Meeting.mp3