Clifton Community Library
Board of Trustees Minutes
September 17, 2019
Present: President Cindy Whitmore, JoAnn Young, Don Lashomb, Nicole Curry, Library Director Susan (Kate) Kosier, Nancy Russell, Julie Lanphear.
Absent: Samantha MacDonald.
The meeting was called to order at 6:09 pm by President Cindy Whitmore.
Public Comment:
Julie talked it over with Supervisor Hooven and the town would like copies of monthly library minutes going forward. Don will forward them to Karen Soltau. In regards to the town budget, Nancy is estimating a 2% increase across the board for employees. Kelly Houle now gets paid via direct deposit.
Friends Report:
No Friends Report since Marilyn Zimber is absent.
Correspondence/Communications:
We received a letter stating that Judith Lowell has bequeathed the library trustees a $1000 endowment in her will.
We received a copy of the “Inventing Tomorrow” DVD.
We received a new “TRUSTEE” newsletter.
Cranberry Lake Hub sent us an invitation to attend their August meeting
David Gibson sent us a box of books from Nashville, as he usually does every year.
Author Robert Haller donated his book to us and wrote a kind note.
There was an anonymous suggestion that the library close earlier on weeknights.
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved: Motion by JoAnn, seconded by Don.
Chief Financial Officer’s report was accepted: Motion by Don, seconded by Nicole.
Nancy and Kate have still been having some communication troubles. Nancy feels like she’s “backing into the numbers”. She needs information on invoices, and checks/check numbers; when Kate pays a bill she should write the check number and date paid on it. Nancy needs the previous month’s information a week in advance of preparing the report for our monthly meeting (and we should have her report a week before the meeting).
Nancy has not written any checks for us.
We will need to get receipts from people we hire who normally don’t give us receipts, as well as copies of deposit slips
We’ll keep going with Nancy at least through the end of the year. Note that she hasn’t been paid yet.
Report of the Library Director was accepted.
Old Business
Passes for the Blue Mt. Lake museum (“The Adirondack Experience”) have now gone out only twice this summer. Kate recommends getting more Wild Center passes instead; Cindy isn’t sure the Wild Center will offer us additional passes.
Construction Update: Supervisor Hooven says we have to fill out a building permit. Herbie will look it over. Contractors would not have to be state certified, but they have to provide workers’ comp.
Treasurer search: We are no longer searching for a treasurer since we’re keeping Nancy on.
John Dragun sent us designs for a sign. The larger sign will cost $1,175. Trustees are for it.
Designs for mobile shelves are here. We will use the bequest from Judith Lowell to help pay for them, and put a plaque up stating this.
New Business
This year’s volunteer appreciation event will be November 2.
We need next year’s proposed budget in to Nancy by next Friday. We will schedule a budget meeting for next Monday at 6:30 pm.
Last Saturday the library wasn’t open because the workers were unsure whose turn it was to work. They had a meeting and Kate will text everyone the day before they’re scheduled to work, and keep track of information in regards to who can sub when.
Pavilion curtains were taken down by Butch and Cindy.
Hours: Kate thinks we really only need one evening of operation during the summer, due to few patrons. We will consider this for next summer. Don proposes that after we go back to 1pm closing times this fall, whoever is working can have the option to work for an extra hour if she would like. Trustees agree that this is a good idea.
Next monthly meeting: Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 6:00 pm in the Library.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:28 pm. Motion by Don, seconded by JoAnn.
Don Lashomb
Secretary