08/16/2022 BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES Minutes

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Operating budget priorities will include more funding in the materials line item to help cover the growing use and expense of ebooks and downloadable materials. We need to ask for more than 16% of the operating budget,particularly since our operating budget is relatively small in comparison to other libraries. OverDrive and Ingram purchases alone amount to roughly $100,000 or a little more. The DVD market has been impacted by streaming services which emerged during COATI D-1 9. Print magazines are also a dwindling commodity,but that doesn't represent a significant amount of funding to redirect to other formats. L vital_PRAgqXX.L4 Capital Budget priority would be the Children's Room,which needs a makeover, which will cost more than $25,000—the threshold for Capital expenses, when carpeting, shelving, and furniture is factored into the equation. Capital Budget items won't be funded quickly,so other funding might be more appropriate to complete this project sooner than later, The Town Planner has mentioned solar panels and electric charging stations in the parking lots of public buildings, so that is something to consider when discussing outdoor plans. The DPW Director has already included a generator for the Library in the Capital budget,so that is covered. Community Preservation Funds that can be used for outdoor recreation can be a funding source to expand and improve the Children's garden area into a true outdoor play area. MeEgpL2g2M1g!jU The Library website can be updated to include some language that clarifies that the Library Trustees set policy for and have authority in regard to Meeting Room use or misuse. Friends of the L±ra n es The Friends decided regretfully to postpone their summer fundraiser and reschedule an event into next spring or early June'. The Bernard Cornwell author event is scheduled for Saturday,September 10, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Library. The Friends need an updated website to include more content and information about donations and planned giving. Trustee Advocacy The Trustees need to communicate the Library's needs to the residents relative to the operating budget. Additional funding will be required to comfortably open for 50 hours per week, as now required for state certification based on the 2020 Census figures. Ways to do this include: Letters to the Editor,Articles in the Enterprise, Requesting a meeting with Select Board Liaison to the Library, John Cotton,and Outreach to the Finance Cornmittee to educate the about the Library's services and funding needs. Next yEetin ...Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.