Abbot Public Library Board of Trustees — Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2024
Hybrid Meeting/ Meeting held in the interim library
LWVM Observer: Brigitte Lagoutte
Trustees in attendance: Gary Amberik (Chair), John Williams, David Ross, Deb Payson, and Kim Grad (Library Director). Kathy Barker and Jennifer Jewell (via zoom).
1. Minutes of Jan. 8 meeting were approved.
2. Director’s report:
The library will be closed on Feb. 19 (President’s Day holiday)
The library hired Wesley Sueker as an adult services librarian.
The interim library building still has problem with inconsistencies in the heating system, and some lavatories. All problems are being looked at.
Several projects regarding the library renovations will be addressed during the month of February:
– Self-checkout equipment and digital signs will be ordered. (funded by the Second Century Fund) as well as several makerspace items (funded by the Killam Fund).
– Delivery of the book drop bins. (funded by Shattuck Fund).
– Purchase of some audiovisual equipment will be made. (Funded by the Killam Fund and the APLF and the override)
– Selection and purchase of the memorial benches.
– On Feb. 16, the MHTV will do a tour of the renovated library.
– Work with the Driftwood Garden Club on plan and budget for the rehabilitation of the library grounds on 235 Pleasant (Funded in part by the Donation Funds).
Several items will need to be purchased later on: new refrigerator, new book trucks, shelving, and a people-counting sensor.
The interim library will be closing on April 13, 2024 to start the transition to the new library.
A town report is being prepared which will be presented to the FinCom. The budget goals are going level funded for the rest of the year.
The library programs remain very active. The meeting rooms are completely booked for the month of March. The library membership is increasing, and the Cultural Council Program has given $450 for STEM programs, and $900 for a six-week genealogy course.
Another library festival is being planned for July 2024.
The new library reopening is planned for late spring/early summer.
3. Chair’s and renovations reports:
The Building Renovations Committee will meet on Feb. 21, and the next APLF (Abbot Pub. Lib. Fund) meeting will be on March 12.
The library renovations are on target and progressing well.
There will be a gala at the new library on Friday, June 14, and a walkathon on June 15 to celebrate the reopening.
Three invoices were voted upon and approved:
– Wakefield moving and storage
– LD Russo construction
– CHA engineering consultants
4. Friends of the Library updates:
The Friends membership is growing.
The next meeting of the friends will be on March 13 when current officers will be presented.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Next meeting on March 4, 2024 at 6 p.m.