From Julie Rios at the Walpole Town Library:
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From Julie Rios at the Walpole Town Library:
Library Trustees Meeting Minutes – 6/10/25
Walpole Town Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
June 10, 2025
Present: Amy Howard (Chair), Kathy Nerrie (Treasurer), Susan Johnson, Bill Ranauro,
Susan Johnson, Sarah Mann, Erin Bowen, Jana Sellarole, Jean Kobeski (Recording Secretary), Jane Malmberg (Library Director)
Absent: Gail Lahaise
Visitor: Eryn Sellarole
Call to Order: Amy called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. in the Hubbard Community Room.
Approval of Minutes: Amy moved to approve the May 13, 2025 meeting minutes. Erin seconded and all voted in favor; motion carried.
Introduction of Eryn Sellarole: Amy welcomed Eryn Sellarole to the meeting. Eryn introduced herself as the new Chair of the Friends of the Library, working along with Gretchen Fowler in this role. Eryn provided an update on their activities. The Friends board approved an additional $5,000 to the library for programming and newspapers. The annual book sale is on again for the end of October. Every Wednesday during the summer from 9:30-10:30 at the Coop, the Friends will sort books and accept donations for the book sale. They prefer that donations be dropped off here but will still accept books at the reuse center. They also welcome volunteers to help with the sorting process.
Treasurer’s Report: Kathy reported that last month we received a quarterly check from the Library Trust Fund for $5,000. It was more than expected but it was based on interest that they make. The library also received a large amount of donations in memory of Gary Rhodes.
Bills: The biggest expense last month was renewal of Library Aware software. Jane said she is considering changing to a less expensive software, but Julie finds it useful when sending out the newsletter each month. They will continue to look for a less expensive option. Amy moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report and Bills. Erin seconded and all voted in favor; motion carried.
Old Business
Old Home Days: Jane reported that preparations for the march are underway and six staff members will participate. Bill had the bookmarks printed and Sarah will order the temporary tattoos.
Library Scholarship: Amy delivered a letter and check to the high school prior to Awards Night. Analiese Kenyon received the scholarship. Susan suggested putting an announcement of this award in the Clarion.
Bill suggested possibly refining the scholarship guidelines, but this could be done at a future meeting.
Long Range Planning: Jane will send copies of the 2018 Five-Year-Plan to the trustees to review during the summer in preparation for writing the new long range plan.
New Business
Policy Review: Jane recommended reviewing one policy per meeting, as suggested at a recent regional trustees meeting. Trustees agreed it is a good idea.
At this board meeting Jane presented her ideas for our display policy, referring to the Nashua Public Library policy as an example. Bulletin board and rack displays were discussed. Kathy suggested rack displays follow bulletin board guidelines. Susan recommended formalizing each policy by stating the policy has been approved by the Board of Trustees. It was also suggested that a statement saying all policies apply to both the main and North Walpole branches of the library appear at the beginning of the policy handbook. Jane said we can also make that statement on our website link to library policies. Jane will revise our display policy this summer and send it to the board for approval.
Operations: Jane sent her operations report to the trustees for review prior to this meeting. She noted at the meeting that the Savings Bank of Walpole presented the library with a $200 grant, which Jane said would be used for the Walpole Reads program in the fall. The SBW will be listed as a co-sponsor of the event.
Jane said with increased funding from the Friends, she can plan some additional adult programs. She is currently working on one with a chocolate theme for late August or early September.
The frustration over the router continues. No progress has been made. Jane will contact Sarah Downing or Carolyn Vose to see if the Town can contact Consolidated on behalf of the library. In the meantime, it was suggested that staff give patrons who want to print the password for the other router.
Adjournment: With no further discussion, Erin moved to adjourn the meeting. Sarah seconded and all voted in favor. Amy adjourned the meeting at 4:55 p.m.
The next meeting will be September 9, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. in the Main Library.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary
** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the September 9, 2025 meeting.
Great Decision at the Library – 6/16/25
“Great Decisions”
One Week from Today
to discuss:
“Climate Change: A Global Challenge”
The “Great Decisions” public forum will meet again on Monday, June 16, 6:00 p.m. in the Walpole Town Library. Our topic is “Climate Change: A Global Challenge amidst Geopolitical Tension.” Leading the discussion is science teacher, environmental activist, climate-change educator Tom Sintros of Alstead, NH. Along with his many environmental and educational projects, Tom was a Climate Reality presenter for Al Gore and speaker for Carbon Coalition. He has worked with The Climate Project, Climate Solutions University, and Clean Air Cool Planet, and was a founding board member of Keene Cities for Climate Protection.
The relevant reading from the Foreign Policy Association is “International Climate Cooperation in an Era of Geopolitical Turmoil” by Joshua Busby. This article is available at the library or can be emailed to you upon request by contacting Jane Malmberg, Library Director: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org
All are welcome at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June 16, in the Hubbard Meeting Room, Walpole Town Library. We begin with a 20-minute Master Class video prepared by the Foreign Policy Association which cannot be shown over Zoom. For those joining via Zoom, please contact Jane Malmberg for the Zoom link in advance of the meeting and join at 6:20 p.m.
Sue Kibbe
Author Betsy Small at the Walpole Town Library – 5/20/25
Tuesday, May 20, 7 PM
Walpole Town Library
Sierra Leone is often sensationalized as a place of extreme violence and suffering—of blood diamonds, child soldiers, war amputations, and Ebola and now the highly addictive drug Kush. Before Before captures daily life in a different country, one Betsy Small first encountered as a Peace Corps worker between 1984-87, and then rediscovered when she returned decades later with her daughter. Living in Tokpombu, a remote community of forty rice-farming families, the author faced struggles that changed her forever and witnessed the growing tensions in this rainforest village—between the young and old, between the traditions of oral history and honoring the ancestors valued by the elders and the siren call of the illicit diamond mines faced by the youth.
Before Before offers a rare portrait of everyday people, with particular focus on the lives of women and girls, before the brutal war of 1991 tore the country apart. Through Small’s account of immersion in another world as she witnessed injustice and was welcomed as a friend, readers are invited to explore the shared ground of our humanity.
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