Present:  Amy Howard (Chair), Kathy Nerrie (Treasurer), Gail LaHaise, Susan Johnson, Bill Ranauro, Sarah Mann, Erin Bowen, Jean Kobeski (Recording Secretary), Jane Malmberg (Library Director)

Absent:  Tim Lester

Approval of Minutes: Amy moved to accept the May, 2024 minutes as written.  Susan seconded and all voted to approve.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Kathy and Jane sent out copies of the Treasurer’s Report and Bills prior to the meeting for the Board to review.  There were no questions or comments.  Amy moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report and Bills.  Gail seconded and all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

Old Business:  Don Newcombe is repairing the grouting on the building today. Adam Vose reported that he is behind schedule but sent Jane photos of what he has done so far on the Community Room cabinets.  Jane said Rich Anderson is fine with planting a new tree on the side lawn. 

Amy will contact Tim about taking care of the new tree.  It was suggested that he go to either Maple Hill Nursery or Allen Brothers to look at and price trees.  They can deliver and plant for us. Since the Board will not meet in the summer, Amy said we could communicate via email to make a decision about a tree.

New Business:  Jane showed the Board pictures of the choices for the new North Walpole book drop.  One was on casters and one was not.  After weighing the pros and cons of both, the Board and Jane decided the book drop without casters would be safer and more secure.  Amy said we have money from the Friends to cover the cost of the book drop, freight, and lift fee so Sarah moved we buy the book drop without casters.  Amy seconded and all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

Sarah has been thinking about doing a community survey as a check on how the library is doing in terms of meeting community needs and our stated goals and mission. She also said that in doing this, it might be time to revisit and update the long-range plan from the library since it was last done before the renovation. She discussed this with Jane, who approved of the idea.  Sarah said she and Jane can work on the bones of the survey this summer and have it ready to present to the Board at the September meeting. Amy offered to help. Amy suggested this could be something we do every two years, keeping the bulk of the questions the same.  Jane said this survey needs to include North Walpole and staff input.

Jean asked to whom the survey would be given and how it would be distributed.  Sarah said it could be published on Facebook and in the Walpolean and Clarion.  Sarah suggested possibly taking out a full-page ad containing the survey in the Clarion. It could then be cut out and  returned to the library.  Gail suggested putting boxes around town as a drop off for those who prefer to fill out a hard copy rather than complete the survey online.    

Operations:  Jane reported that the library received a donation of a Kilowatt Meter to circulate as a kit for adults.  She said it has already been in circulation.

The library has received several hundred dollars in donations in memory of Grace Chandler.

Friends of the Library: Drop off of donated books for the book sale begins next week.

Other Business:  Jane distributed revised copies of challenge policies.  They were changed to state that challenges can be made by patrons who are residents of Walpole. 

Adjournment:  Gail made a motion to adjourn.  Erin seconded and all voted in favor. Amy adjourned the meeting at 4:50 p.m.

The next meeting will be September 10, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary

** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the September 10, 2024 meeting.