Today is the April 10th, 2026 meeting of the Kushnet Public Library Board of Trustees. We are being audio taped, videotaped, and we do have a quorum. First item on the agenda today is the secretar's report from March 20th. Does anyone have any clarifications or
questions on those minutes? >> Anything? >> All right. Second. >> All in favor? >> I thank you. Moving on to the budget. Um nothing really really um exciting to
report. Um so we have hired a new library technician too. Um and that line um right now uh is start is going back up. Um so going by the director salary we're at se that's where we should be in
the fiscal year. So um right now we're at 69.4 four um and we should be at 76.6. So what that means is there's some flexibility with using that to cover um shifts. Um there will be a lot or has
been a lot of planned vacations uh personal day usage for the end of the fiscal year and to cover um gaps in in the schedule. Um the children's room assistant uh because uh that position is vacant right now. Um that one is
remaining flat at 73.1. I'm hoping that will soon change. Um the operating um I did get um the breakdown of the energy line I've only received
till January and um so it went up. We we're 50% spent. Um, I know that's a little scary because we are way past the 50% of of the fiscal year, but we are entering the warmer months
hopefully. Um, so our bills would be less than they were into November, December, and January and even February or I'm assuming February. I haven't seen it yet. Um, other than that, in total, we are 75.3% spent um, compared to the 76.6 6 where
we are in the fiscal year. So we are doing okay. >> That's great. >> Any questions about the budget? >> 69.47. It should be at what? 76. >> 76.6. That's like my salary line cuz
that is strict and that's where we are in the fiscal year. So we're coming around third base here. >> Back to anybody have any other questions? Okay, I just need a motion to accept the
budget. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I thank you. >> Old business. Uh, we have an update on the children's programming and the progress of hiring a new library tech two, uh, excuse me,
three, which is the children's room assistant. So, I just want to give a really positive update on the children's programming. Although I'm taking on two jobs by doing the children's assistant position in my position, I have been doing story time and I've done two other
craft programs. Um, and I I want to say that the first craft that I did uh in March 28th, we had 32 people show up. So, it was fantastic. We did a pine cone seed a pine cone with bird feeder craft
and um a seed bomb craft. I'm going to repeat the pine cone craft. >> Is that the one with the peanut butter? >> Yes. >> Oh, I thought so. >> Yes. So, uh I did have a sign at the door in case anyone was allergic. I could remove the peanut butter and substitute it with lard. >> No one. It went fine. A lot of people
were loving the smell cuz it just smelled like in here. So, um it was very enjoyable. Well, um I'm going to repeat the pine cone craft when I work uh a t a Thursday night um coming up in late April. Um because that's easy to set up
and if people want to drop in and just it takes literally five minutes to do u and I have the material so I have a lot of fun. Um and then the other craft I did which was last Saturday which was a blast was a grass head. So, it literally
is nylons with grass seed at the bottom at the top and then you fill it with uh pine shavings. Um, and then you water it and it it's like a chia pet if you know outdated u reference now because I don't think kids are aware what a chia pet is.
But we had um 21 people showed up. So, I had a lot of materials and I welcome people to make more than one. So, some were making three to you know five. I'm like go at it. We have this stuff. Um, and I I told him, "Please send me pictures of of what it looks like." Um,
I created an example in mindsets at home. Um, and it's hair is like this and um, my mom and my dad were constantly like watering it and taking care of it, but it's such a silly thing. Um, so it was um, it was wellreceived. So I I'm
happy that we're we're getting people um, in here to do the crafts. Um, regarding story time, I have been I've done two story times. So, my story time, we're doing a letter of the week. So, we're going through the alphabet. So, I've done A and B. And the first week I
had 26 attendees. This week I had 30. So, it was it was amazing. So, you know, keeping that momentum that was steadily climbing um before the children's room assistant left. Um so, I'm out of my comfort zone, but I feel
comfortable now in that uh story telling uh position essentially. So, I just wanted to give you an update on um you know, although we don't have a children's room assistant, we are trying our best to keep up with the programs.
Um and with and we also have our regular things coming up in spring break, too. Um and then that brings me to the new uh the hiring of the new library technician position. So, this week and Monday of next week, I'll be doing second round
I've done second round interviews. So, I'm hoping to have a decision made at the end of next week. Um, so we're we're pretty serious about this. Um, you know, we w I'm not dragging my feet with this because we really need someone in here
before summer. So, I've received I I don't have official number, but I would say over 22 applicants for this position. Um, in the past, it was a little difficult to get people or applications in. So, um, I've
interviewed five. I've I've doing, uh, I'm doing second round interviews for three right now, and I have one more left. So, um, that's what I wanted to say about, um, the update regarding children's programs and where I am with hiring a new
library, a library technician, Brent. Any questions about programs or what I'm doing? >> I'm assuming this 26 is like half the dogs naturally. >> Yes. I mean, I have the breakdowns. >> No, you threw me when you said 32 kids and
>> Oh, sorry. >> Well, yeah. Uh, yeah, it's 32. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> That's still good, though. >> Oh, it absolutely is. >> Yeah, that's right. >> The And then the seed bo the grass head I I did drop it for two hours. I
extended it for another hour um because I didn't realize there was a lot of egg hunts in the area. So there was a lot of Easter activities, but we still received, you know, we still had attendees, but I I had staff out there. I was like, I can do this. >> Why not? >> So I extended it another hour. We
received another group. So good. >> All right. >> Anybody have any questions, thoughts, comments? >> Oh, no. Okay. Uh, moving on to new business. We have a quote on computers. >> Correct. >> And monitors. >> Correct.
Um, our public computers are now six years old. Um, the ones that patrons use, the ones that get used for printing, um, they have been a little bit of a troublesome item
in the library. Um, they have been, you know, we we we're doing updates on them regularly. Um but all of a sudden since we went to Cloud9 which is now uh um a web-based version of the software that you use to log into the computers with
your library card and to print when we release print jobs. I won't get into the technical stuff. So I had uh it from sales. So Gina came in and um basically I'm like I asked if they could have a tuna. Look at them. Tell me what's going
on with them. Is this something that is it easily fixed? Is it just because of the the age of the computers that they're not responding well with the the new programs? And the answer is yes. They're at past the end of their life. Um so they were so when Gina was
here last Thursday, um she basically redid them all from scratch quickly. You know, uninstall, reinstall, made all the updates that Windows has to offer. Um, and I was asking I asked Gina, I was like, "Is it faster now?
Patrons have been using the computers since so it's been a week. They're still freezing up. They won't load properly." Um, when I came in here, one wasn't even loading, right? So, I had to hold the button down to restart it. So, they are
they're outdated. In the strategic plan, I have received feedback from surveys and online uh regarding the slow technology. Patrons are getting frustrated with it, freezing on them, not starting. Um
so what in what you have in front of you is a quote that I um reached out to sales to get a quote on four public computers. So the OPEC which is the catalog computer that one can rem remain as it is cuz that doesn't have access to printing and we haven't had any issues
with it. So what you have in front of you is four quotes for four new desktops and monitors. Um the so this is this is run through sales so you know there is some type of discount there. Um the quote is valid
for 14 days. I received this quote on Monday. Um, the thing with the computers is I don't have a timeline of how long it would take if we decide to purchase your computers, how long it would take to get
them in the building and all set up. There is a backlog of um of of Gina setting up all the computers. I couldn't get a date or or months, year. I I I don't know how long it takes. Um
so this is a big purchase. Uh with the monitors um in the installation cost, uh the total would be $5,123.36. Um, I was, uh, one of the first big things I
did or continuing task that was set before I, before Dina left was I purchased the new staff computers using the stock gift fund. Uh, if we decide to purchase these computers, I would like to use the library gift fund because the stock gift fund is for, you know,
building uh, related items. And with that said, I know we're going we're going to have a cost coming up with the the Hbacks outside. Um, so I I I just want opinions or or if you
have any questions or need more clarification on why we need new computers, I'll be happy to answer. Um, so that that's where we are with the computers. If we don't decide to purchase the new computers, um they will
just remain the way they are um slow. Um you know, I've done everything I can to see if they could be fixed. And unfortunately, they're just at the end of their life. And and it's sad because when we did buy them, co happened. So they sat there for like a year with no
one using them and they were brand new. I I remember because it was part-time at the time. Um, but now they're showing their age and um, yeah, that's where we're at. So, I'm gonna open the table here if anyone has any questions or
>> Oh, just one thought. You're lucky to get six years out of public computers. >> Absolutely. >> You really are. >> So, my my question is, what about the second quote? >> Like, so this quote is for the 5100, but
what is the second quote? So the second quote is not including labor. That's >> okay. >> Yes, that's not including including labor. So >> So then do we have to add So is this buying the computer straight
from Dell themselves? >> Uh so sales purchases directly from Dell. Um, so I I'll quickly add this up and it should equal um, so
the towers plus motors plus so 100 installation is yes. So the second quote is just to break down the items from Dell. So it's
not it's without the adapter and the installation cost. >> So it's the it's the desktops and the monitors. >> Correct. >> Equals the total. No. So the subtotal here is just that
they don't I don't have a break. I don't have a total on Dell. In Dell, it just says a subtotal for the towers and then a subtotal for the monitors. And then those two numbers are added to uh the first page for the desktop. And then the
last one is the monitors and then sales added the adapters and the installation cost. >> Okay. >> The one the reason I was just to show you all the technical >> Yep. Okay. >> Components that come with it. Yeah. >> Yes, I got it. Um,
the other thing is if we want to save $363, our monitors are fine. That's just, you know, up to to you. If you want to save, >> you're probably going to get a better resolution of the newer monitors.
>> And if you're going to invest, you know, the >> $4,400, it's certainly worth to me investing the other 364. >> Right. And I should have looked to see what the size is, but if it's 24 in, that is >> it does say.
>> Oh, okay. So, that is >> much bigger than what we have. Now, we have it's >> And they'll still fit in the spaces, right? >> Okay. So, they still fit in the spaces. >> So, what we issue is time. time is I I
mean Dell says three to four weeks and then after that um in the email that sales provided um uh Gina can't provide a exact timeline for when yours would be complete but once she finishes two large orders currently on her workbench the
remaining weight shouldn't be bad. So >> that's too I don't I don't know. >> Plus if you move forward you'll get in the queue and then >> you'll be in line. So then once they come then you'll be all set and then if anyone asks for them you can just you know >> I let them know
>> slow but we'll we're working on it and we've got them on order or whatever. >> Anybody else have any thoughts or questions? >> No. >> All right then we uh what do we think
move forward? >> Technology is important. It's going to cost more. >> Motion we uh accept uh the proposal from sale including the um installation cost
and the adapter. >> Sorry. >> All in favor? >> I All right. And that's going to come from the library >> gift fund. >> Gift fund. Okay. >> All right.
Thank you. There any additional any additional things that are not on the agenda? >> Uh I do not then we'll move right into the director's report. >> All right. Um so the director's report it's just a few you know the regular
items that I do every month. Um I have met the new town administrator Tom. Uh we I attended a mandatory department head meeting on Wednesday um April 1st. Unfortunately, I went in late because I was doing story time. So, I ran over there afterwards and we had a wonderful
lunch there. Um, and then immediately after the meeting, I got an invite to do a one-on-one meeting with Tom. So, I met with him on uh April 7th to just discuss the library. I brought over some our basically what we can patrons, our our calendar, our flyer, and then I just
talked about the internally of of the works of the library. And um >> that's awesome. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. And you know, I did, you know, my one my one thing I said was, you know, I really hope to have, you know, more open communication between the library and the and town hall, right?
>> So, he's he's aware of that. But, um, yeah, absolutely. I really appreciate >> the fact that he reached out and he started on the first. So, so, uh, that was really nice. Um while so the other thing I want to discuss while I was at
the department head meeting I had a text message from a coworker saying that air masters were here. So I called air masters about a week prior trying to explain to them that when they were here in the winter there was a leak and now that the ground is
not frozen, there's no snow on the ground that I want to get this fixed. I want to get this resolved. So he said, "Okay, we'll put it on the board. to have someone call you. So, I'm at the meeting. I get a text message. Ear masters is here. I'm like panicking. Like, what? So, I immediately call the
coworker. He puts Ear Masters on the phone. They're like, "Yeah, we're here to fix the water leak." Like, there's no water leak. I didn't say anything. And you were supposed to, they were supposed to call me um so I could speak to them on the phone, set up an appointment because my schedule's all
over the place. I need to be here when they're here. So anyway, um I explained the situation um and they left sad. They couldn't do anything and I wasn't here. So I need to call them back and figure
out where the miscommunication happened. It doesn't sound like they have notes of the leak. >> Well, it also may be that they just had a place for uh technicians that weren't doing something and hey, let's go. >> Let's go. So, they made it like panic
that there was water in the I'm like, "No, there's there's no water in the children's room. There there was a leak. >> It needs to be looked at and found because this ground was covered in snow." So, I need to go back at my notes and go way back to uh the last time we
were here um before I was director and um find see if I can find the name of the staff member who knew of the league at ear mass was not in the library. So, um, so that's to be continued. >> So, I was trying to be really proactive
about this. So, like, let's get this done because spring's coming. Um, and you know, I know I don't know how much it's going to cost. Um, and that's why this I don't want to use. >> Well, Elizabeth, you you have been proactive. You're just through round one at this point, >> right? >> Yeah.
>> And now you're a detective. >> I know. Like, who was this? I'm going to look at a lineup. Um, so, um, that's I I just wanted to mention that that it is on my mind and I know like right now it does feel a little cold in here, so I'm
wondering why. Um, but I just wanted to say that that to be >> to be I turned it on to put the heat up, but we'll figure it out. >> So, um, that's
>> that's it from the director's report. Um everything else is you know basic uh monthly tasks that I do um you know aside from the doing the dual job right now but um yeah that's it. Any questions
about the director's report uh report anybody? All right. Does anybody have anything else that they'd like to talk about? No. Okay. Then our next meeting will be Thursday, May 14th at 12:30.
And if we have no other business, then we need a motion. Make a motion to >> second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I this April 10th, 2026 meeting of the Kushna Public Library Board of Trustees is officially adjourned. It is 12:25.
Thank you. Heat. Heat.