Walpole Town Library

Board of Trustees Meeting

September 8, 2026

Present: Susan Johnson (Chair), Kathy Nerrie (Treasurer), Gail Lahaise, Amy Howard, Erin Bowen, Jean Kobeski (Secretary), Jane Malmberg (Library Director)

Absent:  Bill Ranauro, Sarah Mann, Jana Sellarole

Susan called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. in the Community Room of the main library 

Approval of Minutes: Gail moved to approve the June minutes;  Kathy seconded and all voted in favor.  Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report:  Kathy emailed the Treasurer’s Report and Bills to the trustees prior to the meeting.  She reported that interest rates are good and we’ve received more money than anticipated from our private fund accounts. 

Bills:  Kathy stated that the D. Rising Account, which was earmarked for landscaping, is almost out of money.  With no further discussion, Gail moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report and Bills.  Amy seconded, and all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

Old Business  

Library Director Search:  Amy reported that the committee, consisting of trustees, staff, and community members, met during the summer to establish the hiring process. She stated  candidates will initially be vetted over the phone so that they understand what the job entails: duties, salary, benefits, etc. The committee will then make recommendations to the trustees. 

Jane, Susan, and Amy met with the selectboard to discuss the hiring process.  They were told the selectboard may want to meet the candidates; therefore they would like the library to keep them informed about the progress. It was recommended that the salary range be posted in the job description but vacation hours are a question and will need to be discussed further.  Amy told the selectboard the library would like to have overlap between Jane and the new hire, possibly for four weeks. She was told that, as long as the library doesn’t go 10% over budget, that would be acceptable. Jane said that in December, when budget meetings are held, she will be able to talk more about the overlap situation with the selectboard.

Jane sent a copy of her resignation letter to the trustees and will send a copy to Sara Downing.

Job postings are imminent.

Scholarship Wrap-up:  Susan shared a thank-you note to the board from Emily Heddon, this year’s library scholarship recipient.

New Business:  Jane shared a draft of her proposed 2027 library budget with the board.  It will be discussed next month.

Technology:  Jane explained the payment process for Libby, which 30% of our cardholders use. She received funding ($3,000) from the Friends of the Library to purchase additional copies of popular ebooks and audiobooks that would be available exclusively for our patrons.  This will shorten the wait time for these popular titles.  She will send out an announcement to the community.  Both Hoopla and Libby are included in the technology line of the budget and Jane raised it by $4,000 for 2027.

There was a discussion about current donations to the library and to the Friends.

Operations: Julie Rios will present a program on floods in North Walpole on Saturday, September 26 at 1:30 in the main library. 

Jane stated that an author has contacted her about a possible author talk.

Buildings and Grounds:  

Gardens: Susan met with Jennifer about the gardens. Jennifer said perennials are doing so well she’ll be able to move some around and not use as many annuals next year.  Jennifer asked for an increase in the landscaping budget; trustees will look at the budget in December before approving.  Kathy volunteered to be the Buildings and Grounds liaison from the board.

Old Front Door:  Some people have expressed interest in buying/having the old front door of the library.  The board decided to hold a silent auction, with the door going to the highest bidder.  Jane said she would make a poster announcing this for the library as soon as she gets info about the door and measurements from Michael Nerrie, who is currently storing the door.  

Railing: Jane has spoken to the selectboard, Mark Houghton, and Prime about the railing.  Due to costly necessary unrelated repairs in the library, the selectboard suggests that the railing project be put into a warrant article.  Jane said Doug will write up a proposal and that’s how  this will proceed.

Adjournment:  Gail moved to adjourn the meeting to go into non-public session.  Amy seconded and all voted in favor. Susan adjourned the meeting at 4:52p.m.

The next meeting will be October 13, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. in Walpole.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary

** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the October 13, 2026 meeting.

Tagged: LIBRARY TRUSTEES, Meeting Minutes