[Music] This is the October 17th, 2025 meeting of the Kushnet Public Library Board of Trustees. We are being audio taped and
videotaped. We do have a quorum. First item on the agenda today is the secretar's report of September 12th. Does anyone have any clarifications or uh questions on those minutes? No.
Okay. Need a motion. Motion to accept the minutes. I second. >> All in favor? I thank you. abstain. >> Um the the budget.
>> All right. Um not much new to report with the budget. Um I will say our salaries are on par. We're about a little bit halfway through the first quarter of this fiscal year. Um and under operating um our energy bill
for September uh was not available yet. Um, and then I purchased some office supplies. Uh, in office supplies, there was some water, some odds and ends. Um, and then in children's supplies, I was I
purchased items for uh upcoming programs, and that includes some stickers and some bookmarks. The biggest change in um our the operating budget would be under material where I uh put
$6,000 into Hoopla. Um as you know, Hoopla is um it is C we pay per a borrow um but it gets used quite um frequently. So um that $6,000 now puts us over a
little bit over 50% spent in the material line. Um, that's it for the budget. Any questions about anything on the budget? >> I have a question about Koopla. >> Yes. >> Um, a few months ago, we were concerned
about losing funding for that. Um, it was one of the cuts on the federal level. Did that come to pass? >> So, the cuts from the federal level was state run databases. So, it wasn't Hoopla. Hoopla we pay um
>> so libraries subscribe to Hoopla so not all libraries in the network subscribe to Hoopla uh so we do >> um but the federal cuts um was databases um concat was on the table right now it's safe um
>> so we're okay with >> we are absolutely I will say um regarding >> so I don't know if you in the news Baker and Taylor which is a really popular uh company who publishes uh or ships books
uh owns a lot of database uh materials and so forth related to libraries they are no longer existing. >> So the software that we use to process state aid is from Bayland Taylor. >> Oh wow. So now there's a big question mark when we do uh state aid next year.
What is going to happen? What are we going to use? And regarding to state aid, the workers who process state aid are federally funded. So that's always a big question mark of what's happening um on the federal uh level. Um
>> that's not just this library, that would be every library. >> Every so the state um uh MBLC will have to look at what software or what we're how we're going to report our data for um um state aid next year.
>> But right now we're all set submitted it and um we should hear shortly about the awards for that. Does anyone else have any questions on the budget? We can get a motion.
>> Motion to accept the budget. >> All in favor? >> I. Thank you. Next, we have old business building maintenance projects. >> Um, this is just an update on items that I've spoken about in previous meetings.
Um, so this uh last month our um trees were trimmed. So Matt uh came with a chainsaw that was extended. Uh I was able to trim both trees that are on our
north on our lawn on the north. Um those trees were reaching the building, reaching the roof and dislodged one of the leaf guards. So, they were able to trim it, took away all of the material, uh, all of the debris, and they were
able to replace the leaf guard that fell that came off of our roof. Um, so everything looks great. The leaves are falling right now. Um, so clean up um will happen after, which leads me to the second um,
uh, topic of this, which would be the Boy Scouts. So, I reached out to the Boy Scouts again. Um, they were here last year doing a cleanup. Um they had mentioned about mulch um and I reached out they are interested in doing it. I
tenatively have a date of November 15th for them to come and do a cleanup. Um the last friends meeting I mentioned the mulch. So the friends agreed to purchase mulch. Uh I believe it'll be coming from Roseland. I just got to notify the
friends when they when the boy scouts are coming so Rosland can deliver the mulch. >> Oh that's great. >> Absolutely. So, we'll have some fresh mulch out there and hopefully that will in the spring, in the summer of next year, we'll tap down those weeds and
keep thing a little bit neater. Um, but I figured we'll wait for the cleanup because those leaves they they just fall. You clean it up, they fall. And you know, we we'll just wait till the end and >> Good good thinking. >> Yes. And right now there is a beautiful
um display in our front uh that the friends did of a there's pumpkins, some uh gourds and a hay um barrel and um it it looks really nice, you know, with the little mums that came out from um
previous years. So it's not horrible. Look, it's just it will be cleaned up >> um next month. Um, so that's it for the building, which I'm happy that there's no plumbing issues. >> Have you heard about the invoice that
you're trying to get for the dehumidifiers? >> So, I give up on them. I have two other companies. I'm just waiting till I come back to do that. >> Okay. Yep, that's fine. I was just curious. >> Yeah. >> So, is it We're getting another company to do the dehumidifiers.
>> Well, I'm going to have another company look, give me another quote because >> So, they needed a 50% deposit. Yeah, >> right. To do the work, but in order for the town to pay the deposit, they need an invoice. >> And so Elizabeth's trying to explain to them, hey, listen, we we have no problem
paying you, but in order for the town to pay you, I need you to give me an invoice for the 50%. And >> they were reluctant to do and right the assistant accountant and uh she emailed and called and there wasn't >> any response. I'm like, you know what,
I'm not changing people. So, so we're just looking at alternatives >> and I there's two companies that I found that do that type of project. Um, so when I come back, I will reach out to them >> to get quotes from them and see. >> And I mean, right now it's winter, so I I know there's no humidity or, you know,
it's not insane downstairs because it's not the summer. So, you know, one is working, so it's we're not completely without a dehumidifier. It's just the other one is is not working. Um, so it's it's urgent, but it's not like I have to
have it done right now. >> Okay. I was just curious. >> Oh, yep. >> All right. Anybody have any other building questions? >> No. >> No. Okay. Then we'll move on to new business, >> which is >> Oh, the incident on the back lawn.
>> Yes. So, I am just going to make this brief and just let everyone be aware what happened on our back lawn on a Sunday. Um, so I came in on uh Monday. I was reeling down the trash barrels and I'm looking
at our fence and I'm like, "Our fence looks horrible. What What happened? It was like to toppled over and it looked like something backed into it." >> So, I went to go look at our security cameras, you know. So, I'm watching security cameras, watching movement, and
um I there on Sunday there was a truck that was on our lawn running around next to the pavilion, which that's a big red flag to me. That that's a a no no. Um so, I wanted more
more visual of the back lawn. Unfortunately, our camera is just a certain area. So, I do know that the town the the police department has cameras elsewhere outside. So, I reached out to the the PD. So, long story short,
a detective came and he said what he saw was there were people who were who had there were two trucks that had ATVs on the back. They unloaded the ATVs, somehow took the fence down and went for a little ride on the fields, which by
the way are not ours. They're not town property. They are private property. Um, so the fence was I know our fence is is it's aesthetically pleasing. It's not meant to, you know, >> to to deter anyone from coming in or
out. Um, but there was clearly damage. So, um, the detective asked what I would like to do. I'm like, well, I don't want to press charges. I just want them to I want the people to be aware who did this that that is private property. Please don't
destroy our property. >> Um, and that was that. I haven't heard back. Um, so it was the fence was fixed. Uh Matt came uh fixed it the day after.
Then it fell again, but the ground was so wet because of the rain we had. So he came in uh the following day and um put reinforcements in the back of the fence. So now there's actually a piece of wood there and then something to do with the post that's in the ground. Uh so it's
been it it's back to normal right now. Um so that um I just wanted the trustees to be aware of of that situation. Um it was you know taken care of. Um
I just want to put it on camera that you know that is not our property or the town's property. Um you know >> please don't write on our lawn. >> Exactly that too. >> Yeah. Um, >> why not just drive around the fence?
>> And there is an opening on the side, but you know what the what what people do on private property. If they get permission, fine. But don't access it through our lawn. >> Take down the >> and take down our on top of everything.
Um, I mean, that fence is fragile. um you know and all it I could lift the the the the wood that was going across it. It's very very light and very dense. It's because it's um
you know it's it's not pressuret treated. It's just a fence. Right. >> So So yes, uh any questions about that that incident? >> Nope. >> Anybody else have any questions? No.
>> All right. We have the uh Naran and CPR training. >> So on um last week uh staff members who I mentioned this at the previous meeting uh staff members who were interested in learning how to administer Narcan were
trained on how to administer Narcan. Uh they were about there were five of us who are trained. Um wonderful collaboration. Uh so the Southeastern Massachusetts Public Health Collaboration came in uh trained staff.
It literally took 15 minutes um to learn how to do it. And um what happened uh is the mention of an AED machine. So, the Southeastern Masters Public
Health Collaboration has AED machines um that could be potentially put into this building. What is required of us is at least three members, three staff in the building have to be trained on how to
use it. I am trained how to use it. Um, so I put a a call out to see who would be interested in learning how to do CPR and also to learn to to use an AED machine. Um, >> what kind of what does that machine do? >> It sharps your heart. >> Oh, okay.
>> Um, it I have I think six people who are interested. >> Oh, that's great. >> So, this machine is cost thousands of dollars. >> Um, this would be something free for us. Um, all that we would have to pay for is
the card that you're heart safe savvy. Um, so I I think she said it was $20. There is an education line in our budget that I haven't even used >> uh for three years. So I am thinking that that could be used for that. Um I
am I'm still I'm not going to uh so the AED machine um would be somewhere in the library uh visible. I don't know where we put it yet. Uh but we also received a Narcan box that has it's just like a a
lock box, but it's not locked. Uh it's a metal box that has Narin in there. Um a mask uh if you were to do CPR. Um, and it sits there. Um, what I will also put in there, um, so last week, uh, a
cushion at at at Partway's building through the Southeastern Public Health Collaboration had a free training on stop the bleed. I went to uh, so I got a tourniquet and learned how to, you know, god forbid someone's bleeding
couscously, you know. Um, you know, it's crazy that you we have to think about these things, but um, I received the kit. They were super helpful. Um, and it's something that we could put in that area wherever we
decide to do. Um, I don't even know if it has to be public facing or it could be in the staff locker room, but, you know, when it comes time to, you know, receiving it, we can decide that. Um,
so it was very informative. Um, and I don't know where the closest AED machine is in in town. I don't Maybe the school has one. I don't even know if the police department has one. Um, >> I'm not sure. >> I feel
I know there's none in the fire station. >> No. >> So, which is >> That's correct. Although they have them on the ambulance, that makes sense. Yeah. >> Um, so some part like in for Haven, I believe Kushman Park has one. >> Um, some park
>> I know Poke Park has one. >> They have they have two or three of them. Okay. Yeah. >> So I guess all the schools have them. >> Yeah. >> So um >> I believe the Fabian family donated them to the park. >> Ah um
>> excellent did. Good thought there. So I I mean there's not really a vote for this. I just if there was any >> feedback or hesitation on like why do we need that, you know, just let me know. U but I'm going to otherwise I'm going to
go ahead and or plan reach out to the nurses to to figure out training because training is about three hours but you could do the videos online and then do the physical training in person. But um >> what about the um I know that the the
device itself does not expire, but I do know that the batteries do and I know that the pads do. So um are they going to be I mean I know the they're providing the device, but that may be something that like are they
going to Yeah. And I I want to say it's like a two years on the pads. Two years on the Okay. >> I know that >> um at Pope at the end of the season, right when they're done playing fall ball that the fire department takes them Yes.
>> and services them and then keeps them and then when the when the you know >> baseball season resumes again, they come back out. >> Okay. But I mean, I don't know >> what they do or if if that's something that, you know, >> they probably test it to be honest.
>> Well, I would think that they check. Right. >> Someone. >> Right. Right. But I mean, I don't know, you know, what that entails. I don't know if if there's any money involved. I don't know what the >> So, that would be questions I would have to ask the nurses and >> Right. After depending on what they say,
the fire department. >> Exactly. or maybe they service them, you know, who knows, once a year maybe or two every so often. >> Okay. >> You know what I mean? And then you're usually the um the certification expires to every Yeah. So that might be in
conjunction with the the unit that >> something might you know. >> Okay. That will be something I will when I write my email to the >> right just just to ask just to see. I think that's great that so much of the
staff is interested. >> Absolutely. Fantastic. >> So, more the better. Well, especially too where you don't have the it's we don't have 10 people here 9 to5. So, it's not going to like I mean this is like a this covers more of a an area of
the hours that we're open too just in case. I mean, what happens if three people are or the three people trained aren't even here? >> Yeah, I know. >> Now you've got more of a >> training spread out, >> right? more of a training spread out and then who knows the people that aren't interested right now might become
interested or >> or not >> you know I think that's great >> and it's wonderful that there are these programs essentially free even the stop to lead was >> it it was at part it was for anyone absolutely anyone had nothing to do with
you know me working at the library and me working for the town it was for the public >> um and you know you walked away with a a kit with a tourniquet and uh instructions and pads and things and you know you could leave it in your car like
you know crazy things happen and and you know to have that knowledge of like okay >> at least I know if someone is bleeding what to how to stop or not you know stop it until help arrives you know
>> and um I I don't know if they had a good turnout I was the first one there cuz I come here for the treatment But um you know it's >> I can share a story when we had dances here at the center.
>> Um we had a little boy. I don't know how old he was but the dances were sixth, seventh and eighth graders. >> He was sitting in a chair and he just leaned back and just tapped his head. Oh, >> however, he had been in an accident
prior to coming to the dance. He had had his head stitched. So, when he did that, he stitches and I can tell you there was blood everywhere. None of us knew what the problem was. Fortunately, one of our
volunteers was an emergency room nurse. >> Oh, wow. I was lucky. He just went right into action and you know took care of it. We had the ambulance shop but >> but that's the kind of thing you don't expect
when you say who's going to bleed in a library that's happen you know and and it's better to be prepared even I hope we never ever ever have to use any of these things but at least as a piece of mind that I know it's there. I know
we're not far from the fire and the police department, but you know, time is of of the essence when there's a medical emergency, you know. >> Absolutely. >> Good. >> Yes. So, >> anybody have any other questions or
comments on that? >> No. >> All right, then we're moving on to the director's report. >> So, the director's report, um, I just want to make note we've been a little bit short staffed the past month and a half. Um but that staff member uh came
back yesterday. So we're thrilled to be at a full-time a full level staff. Um staff are you know these months uh it kind of gets busy gets slow gets busy gets slow. So staff are doing a huge uh
weeding project of our DVDs. So, our DVDs take up the wall um towards the the back of the building and space gets tight and you know we're a small library so space gets tight uh very quickly. So, we are they are weeding it. Um they pull
anything that hasn't gone out in a certain amount of years or the condition looks icky. I determine if I want to get rid of it and then we've been doing that. um when it gets quieter during the the the days. Um I applied to lo uh six local cultural grants. Um today's
actually the last day, but I submitted them about 3 weeks ago. Not to toot my own horn here. Um so we'll we'll hear from them usually around December to see what gets approved. Um our story time.
So since story time fall story time started we have been receiving uh between 24 to about 18 patrons for just story time. >> Wow. So it's been really wellreceived. Um a lot of new faces uh some regulars
but um story time has been taking off and considering you know school started but you know the little ones who are not in school it gives you know parents a place to come and um and and listen to a story some music. I think there's
dancing involved and a wonderful craft. Um, and then I just want to say that I will be away uh from I'll be on vacation from de uh October 25th through November 8th.
Um, so I won't have access um to email or and um so if there's anything urgent, I will, you know, Sandra will be here. She will be in charge of my absence. Jenn uh Jen will also um be back up for
any of those. You know, hopefully there's nothing. >> I'm hoping. >> Uh so um so yeah, that's um pretty much it for the director's report. Um
I will talk about upcoming programs. Uh so for the rest so this Saturday there is a a drop in Halloween craft where they're making it's these really cool paper lanterns and we bought a bunch of
tea lightss not actual candle of their battery operated lights. Um and we we'll provide some candy and some juice or some snacks. Uh I think Lori will have music going. Um, and then on October
25th, we have a Lego club on Saturday. Our Lego clubs, last the last Lego club we had, I think we had about 14 people. >> Wow. >> Yes. >> Absolutely. >> Um, and then coming into November,
we have, this was just booked. We have a um a program a it's a documentary film. Uh, the women of truth and courage, the widowers of I'm gonna butcher this, but calangri.
It's a film in discussion about widowers um, who were basically shunned from their society. Um, it was showed at the New Baffford Film Festival, which I think takes place at the Wheeling Museum. That happened in in uh, April of this year. So, the friends are
sponsoring this event. Um, and that will take place on November 17th at 2 PM. Um, and that's basically it. The newsletter will go out for November. Um, uh, on maybe on the 29th or the 30th.
Um, so there'll be more items in there. Um, any questions about the director's report or events or programs coming up? >> No, but enjoy your vacation. >> Thank you. Exactly. >> Thank you. [Applause]
All right. I think does anybody have anything else about anything else? All right. Then our next meeting will be Thursday, November 20th at 12:30. >> And we just need a motion.
>> Motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I this October 17th, 2025 meeting of the Kushna Public Library Board of Trustees is officially adjourned. It is 12:30. Thank you.
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