Stowe Free Library

STOWE FREE LIBRARY

Minutes of Trustees Meeting May 7,  2010

The meeting came to order at 8:30 a.m. with Dick Johannesen, Stephanie Chase (SC), Frits Momsen, Phyllis Thibault, Jo Sabel Courtney, Meg Kauffman Nancy Stead and Dee Reever of Friends of SFL present. The April minutes were accepted as presented. An astilbe plant and card containing way too kind notes (lies) were given to me, moi, in thanks for serving three terms of office. As one of a dwindling number of artifacts with prodigious memory for what happened years ago, I promised to be available when helpful.

Friends of Stowe Free Library: Dee plugged the upcoming plant and bake sale, and updated us on the summer book sale. No chair has yet stepped up for the latter event to replace Robin. The sale has been cut back to 3 weeks, July 8-28, and there will be an on-going sale on three shelves SC has made available in the Library. Additionally, they will try periodically shipping boxes of books to Thiftbooks.com for internet sale.

Directors Report: SC has received a fellowship from the American Library Association to Ross Business School at UMichigan for week of leadership training. It is a great honor - a very few fellowships are offered nationally. Circulation stats were also discussed and it is guessed that the Kindle and iPad are having an effect on book circulation, most particularly with our tourists clientele.

HDML and AC Building Sign issue: The conflict in signage that acknowledges the Helen Day (Montanari) Trust while identifying the home of Stowe Free Library continues. Essentially, the decision is now in the hands of the Select Board and our action is needed for their May 24^th meeting. The Trustees feel it is important to identify the Stowe Free Library because, over the last 25 years, having the Helen Day Library sign on the building has confused people into thinking there are two libraries. We would prefer to have Stowe Free Library and Helen Day Art Center across the base of the façade pediment, and a sizeable sign on the building which honors the gift of the Helen Day Memorial trust. Frits made that motion, which was approved 5-1.

The Trustees moved into Executive Session to discuss Trustee applications.

Space Needs Report: The committee of Jo, Meg and Frits said Tom of Northern Architects is working on cost estimates for each segment of the proposed staged  project.

Volunteer Policy:  Phyllis, Sally Nolan and Marcia, with staff input, created a volunteer policy which was distributed for discussion next month.

Volunteer Reception:  Frits will talk to Stowe Inn about having the June event there again. The executive board of FSFL, staff, trustees, and circulation desk volunteers will be included - about 40 people. It is hoped to put it together at $8/head, and to hold it from 4:30- 6:30.

By-Law Revision: The draft was reviewed for final approval. A three term limit was suggested for Trustees and passed 5-1.

The next meeting (at which the remaining Trustees can haggle about the correctness of these minutes) is Friday June 4, 8:30 a.m. The meeting adjourned at 11:15.

Respectfully Submitted,