The Walpolean

Walpole Town Library

Board of Trustees Meeting

April 8, 2025

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

Visitors:  Bevin Mitchell, Gretchen Fowler

Call to Order:  Amy called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. at the North Walpole Library. She welcomed Bevin Mitchell and Gretchen Fowler to the meeting and welcomed Jana Sellarole to the library Board of Trustees.

Recognition of Visitors:  Amy recognized Bevin and Gretchen, who came to give an update from the Friends of the Library.  Bevin reported that the book sale was very successful and the Friends were able to donate $17,000 to the library.  She said the Friends have made $3500 from book sales at the Reuse Center and offered a short history of the book area at the center. The 2026 book sale will take place October 25th and 26th, no Friday night.  She said it was difficult to coordinate that with the school.

Bevin stated that volunteers and board members are welcome to help sort books starting Wednesday, June 11th (and Wednesdays thereafter) at 9:30.  She also invited board members to join the Friends for their working meetings this summer on the third Thursday of the month from 5-6 at the coop. They discuss business as they sort and move books and pallets. Gretchen stated that they need more banana boxes. There has been a shortage but Kathy said she believes that is over.  Amy thanked Bevin and Gretchen for the update; they left the meeting at 4:38.

Elections:  After discussing the roles of Chair and Treasurer, Amy was reelected to the position of Chair of the Board of Trustees; Kathy was reelected as Treasurer and Jean as Secretary. 

Approval of Minutes:  Amy made a motion to accept the March minutes as written. Gail seconded and all voted in favor.  Motion carried.  

Treasurer’s Report:  Kathy reported that our CD came due and was automatically renewed.  

Bills:  Jane reported that magazine subscriptions are ordered once a year through one company and that explains the high bill reflected in the report. She also said she bought a $20 library ad for the FMRHS playbill.  Susan thanked Jane for the new Mahjong cards. Sarah moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report and Bills.  Erin seconded and all voted in favor. Motion carried. 

Old Business

Old Home Days:  Sarah found a musician, “Mr. Aaron”, to perform in the library after the parade. Time of the performance will be determined after the Old Home Day Committee has their next meeting.

There was a discussion about the parade: who would march, what they would do, what they would offer parade-goers. It was decided that bookmarks, rather than candy would be offered. Bill volunteered to make those; Sarah offered to help him. Gail and Erin suggested using the bubble machine and dancing to the accompanying song, encouraging children along the parade route to join in. Plans will be finalized via email;  Amy, Bill, Sarah, and Jane will serve as organizers.

Scholarship: Kathy reported that the scholarship can be funded by fees and donations. As a reminder, this scholarship is needs-based, merit-based, and the recipient must be civic-minded (school and community). The recipient will be chosen at the high school.  Bill will find out the name of the recipient and Amy will write a letter of congratulations to accompany the check. This individual will also be invited to a trustees meeting to be photographed with Shirley Capron. 

New Business

Impact of Funding Changes: Jane reported that the state is working on the state budget now;  there will likely be library cuts because the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has been told to make cuts. Jane said she met with the Alstead Library Director and they felt Inter Library Loan (ILL) would be the service most impacted by cuts in IMLS funding. They discussed the possibility of a mini consortium of local libraries but driving is a primary concern due to insurance and sorting and paperwork would need to be organized. Jane said she thinks Libby would continue but it would cost more and talking books are at risk. NH Humanities was cut, so grants will not be available. Everything is up in the air right now.  The trustees discussed ways they could lobby against these cuts; Sarah offered to draft a letter of support for state libraries on behalf of our Board of Trustees and will email it to members of the board for approval before sending it to local and state officials. Such a letter from the trustees supporting the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) can also be sent to our senators and representatives in Washington D.C.

Policy Changes:  Jane will clarify the policy regarding meetings and events in the Community Room to read:  “All meetings, programs, and events utilizing the library” must be open to the public.

Jane suggested changing the policy on library cards to say that a parent must sign for a library card along with their child, assuming responsibility for the materials the child checks out.

Buildings and Grounds: Jane reports that neighbors have complained the new lights on the porch are too bright.  She will talk to Brad about this;  perhaps there are warmer bulbs to use or the lights can be tilted differently. She will discuss this with Brad.

Technology:  Because Jane cannot get the router password from Consolidated, the printer manager suggested paying Consolidated $58/month for a new router and service. We cannot change providers;  we are part of a town contract with Consolidated and manage our own internet. Jane said we have enough money in the technology budget to pay for this. Amy suggested buying a new router elsewhere and finding someone to install it. Sarah suggested that Jane write a list of everything that needs to be done once we have a new router, and we will look for someone who is capable of doing all these tasks.  Trustees had a few names of people to contact. Sarah said she would have her husband send his recommendation for a router.  She asked Jane to take a picture of the existing router so he could find something comparable.

Friends:  After Amy, Sarah, and Jane met with various members of the Friends of the Library, they felt all outstanding matters of concern have been addressed and need not be discussed further.  

Adjournment: Gail moved to adjourn the meeting; Erin seconded, and all voted in favor. Amy adjourned the meeting at 6:10 p.m.

The next meeting will be May 13, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Main Library.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary

** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the May 13, 2025 meeting.