Library Trustees Minutes 03.17.25
Guilford Free Library
Trustees In-Person and On-Line Meeting
Guilford, Vermont
Monday, March 17th, 2025 – 6:30 pm
Trustees Present: Judith Serkin, Josh Nelson, Laura Lawson Tucker, Nika Fotopulos, John Shaw, Jeannette Tokarz
Trustees Absent: Sandra Cortes
Others present: Amber Hunt (Librarian).
Meeting began at 6:33pm
Accepted minutes from the February meeting.
Electing of Officers – Judith and Laura
we voted all in favor of the slate of officers as follows for the next year:
- Co-Chairs – Judith and Laura
- Treasurer – John
- Secretary – Nika (with support during the summer when she is away)
ADA compliance- Jeannette and Judith
Cotton design are scheduled to meet with the trustees at our April meeting.
There was a discussion about what support and scope of a building project the group is willing to take on. ADA compliance within the building and new ADA parking space were identified as high priorities that we want to move forward with.
We discussed what funds are already available for this through the Friends, as well as the Town’s Asset Management fund as a source for ADA compliance upgrades.
Jeannette will be in touch with Erika with questions on process for moving forward with ADA improvements.
Amber shared her observations of the space challenges and recommended an easier front entrance door with a button to automatically open.
Josh has been compiling a list of improvements and repairs to the building to submit to the Town.
There is an upcoming libraries grant for the preservation and deferred maintenance specifically for older libraries that we would be good candidates for and should consider applying for.
We are considering organizing a community meeting/discussion about the space in May. Josh offered to work with Amber to craft questions to be used as an internet survey or possibly in various group settings.
Librarian’s Report – Amber
An ash tree by the rec. committee shed has a crack and needs to be taken down. Amber has been in touch with the Town to take care of it.
Trump administration has plans to reduce state grant library funding (30% is federally funded). Your Reps of congress are the ones to reach out to. Fiber internet and courier services are grants we have received from these types of grants.
Vermont Library association conference is May 19th, early bird registration ends soon, please get in touch if you can and want to attend.
Mango language learning app and the ASL online learning option will be available through our library soon.
New courier stop starting in April.
Spring cleaning day details for May 3rd still to be determined.
Treasurer’s Report – John
Our monthly report is that we are on track. Our fundraising is doing very well and Amber is doing a great job spending the money.
John presented the idea of creating a Finance Committee. It would be comprised of 2 or 3 trustees plus Amber. The committee would be tasked with the financial management of our funds, discussing our financial policies, making proposals to the full board, creating a succession plan for the future treasurers, and overseeing the cds and bank accounts. This would provide more eyes and more input. Trustees are asked to consider being involved and to get in touch with John before the next monthly meeting when this will be discussed and potentially voted on.
New Business
none
next month’s agenda items
- update about conversation with erika
- finance committee
- Cotton design
- MOU with friends
Meeting adjourned 8:22pm
***Next Monthly Trustees Meeting: Monday April 15, 2025 at 6:30 pm – In person at the Library OR ONLINE.
Minutes by secretary,
Nika Fotopulos