Okay, good evening. Hello everyone. Um, it this is the uh board of library trustees meeting at the library uh on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025. I'm going to call the meeting to order
at 6:05 p.m. I'm Amy Paul, chair, and to my right is >> Cindy Mcnot, vice chair. >> Jean Stolo, trustee. Michelle Jones, trustee. Katie McGonagal, library director.
>> Okay, thanks everyone. Uh, we have no public comments. Uh, meeting minutes from November 19th, 2025, our last meeting Larry provided. Has everyone had a chance to review?
Any uh changes we should note? Would anyone like to move that we approve the minutes? >> I'll make a a motion to approve the minutes. >> A second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> Thank you.
>> Uh director's report. Katie. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Um okay, so per usual, I'm going to start with children's highlights. Uh during the month of November, there were 23 programs. There were 501 program attendees. There were 211 reference
transactions in the children's department. And for the passive programming, there were 229 participants for the scavenger hunt, 138 guesses in the guessing jar, and the art activity had 146 participants. Um, the library continues its winter
programming and the children's department's partnership with Pathways for Parents continues to provide many learning and social opportunities for children's children and their caregivers who visit East Law Meadow Public Library. Through this connection, the children's department is now exploring programming options at Northstar
Athletics, which is just across the great. >> Um the picture on the left that you see below you is um what the room is set up at Northstar Athletics. Um that Pathways did a lot to set that up and so that would be a space that the children's
department could then use over there. And so the children's department is working with um Northstar kind of trying to figure out programming offsite. Um the children's department also coordinated the giving tree donation drive with um our community partner all
our kids or AOK um and the COA and park and wreck supported and then also Giftoology across the way also started doing a collection to then add to our collection at the uh for ALK. So that was really great >> and I just wanted to highlight um Mr.
Liam, he comes monthly music with Mr. and Liam and that's usually a big hit with the little kiddos for music and it's just a really fun program. So, um, and that again is one of the pathways programs. For teen highlights, there were nine programs in November. There were 169
participants with those nine programs. There were three passive programs upstairs and 80 teens participated with those. Um, programming for the teen department kept steady during the month of November, working around the professional development and holiday closures. Erica attended the teen summit
virtual conference and identified several programming opportunities from these sessions, including collaborating with the local middle school on a future lunch bunch program. Um, the teen test kitchen, teen spot, and craft afternoons continued to be a hit with the tween and teens. And below you can see some
pictures that Erica shared from the programs. For adult highlights, there were 11 programs. There were 121 program attendees. On the second floor, there were 355 reference transactions. Uh 241 hours of study room use. There
were 25 requests that went unfulfilled. And there were 15 participants with the puzzles upstairs. Puzzles are popular. Uh the adult department offered a wide variety of programming during November, including programs in partnership with the historical commission, the Council on
Aging, and the Board of Health. The historical commission presented on the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The Council on Aging and the Library co-hosted a music and memory presentation, and the Board of Health helped launch our new Library
of Things blood pressure cuff. >> It did like a blood pressure. >> Oh, wow. Huh. Um, other programs included uh the popular cookbook club and their craft programs >> for circulation and technical services.
There were 12,79 items circulated. This is a decrease of a little more than 1,600 items from October, but it is an increase of 63 from the November before. There were 29 new patron card issues. Um, there were 816 items deleted from
the collection and 305 items added to the collection. There were 217 reference transactions at the circ desk. Um, five non- library meeting room uses. Uh, 72.9 volunteer hours and the door count was
7,538. Um, the circulation department has had another staffing change with the full-time library assistant moving out of the state. So, the current opening will hopefully be uh filled soon. Um, the new collection of Blu-rays has grown to 17 items and they are
circulating well. We started this collection to make new movies available to our patrons that are not being released on DVD, which is happening more and more for some of the movies and they're also moving to streaming platforms. So, we're trying to kind of fill that gap by adding Blu-rays. Uh,
the library does have a Blu-ray player in the Library of Things collection that we encourage patrons to borrow. Other additions to the Library of Things collection include a metal detector, a power drill set, and garden hand tools. >> Also, um, during November, the library
partnered with local food banks to collect items of need. The East Law Meadow Food Bank received eight full boxes or shopping bags filled with non-p perishable food items and will continue to collect through December. Um upstairs on the second floor, the magazine shelving has been paired down
and rearranged as there has been a decrease in the physical collection due to increasing cost, publishers discontinuing print versions and availability of titles in Libby. Um so this is going to open up another shelving unit on the second floor for other items.
And due to the looming shutdown of Baker and Taylor and a slowdown of Ingram due to increased demand from these new clients in the holiday season, staff have been redirecting time and funding to other vendors to continue adding to our collection. The purchasers, admin, and tech services have been working
together to ensure more products are coming into the library for patrons to enjoy, including more board games, video games, puzzles. We're getting a new Yodo player and Yodo cards, Vox books, launchpads, and more. >> I know what a Yodo player is. I'll explain that in a second. So, we're
hoping that these items will hit the shelves soon. >> So, do you remember when I brought in the Tony box? >> And it's this box that looks like this, and you put a little figurine on top, and then it plays a story or gives you an activity or something like that. >> So, Yodo is um another player, but it's
it's smaller in size. Um you know, it's this by this. And it looks like almost like a credit card, and you put the credit card in the slot at the top, and then it'll play stories and activities and things like that. So it's it's a comparable product just a different package.
>> Yeah, the Yodo cards are usually more customizable than the Tony's are. So the Tony's are hard to load your own content on with the cards are a little easier to put like different podcasts, stories, music kind of. So they can come preloaded or you can put your own.
>> So do you buy Yodo cards? >> Yeah, yeah, same thing. You buy like the Tony characters, you buy the card. >> Okay. >> Wow. >> So we're got we're getting those for the library. learn about books. >> We can learn. She's good. >> And then the box books are very um
similar to the Wonder books that we have. >> So, it's a it's a physical book that has like a player that's built into it. So, it'll tell you when to turn the pages all up. >> Okay. >> Oh, so they're just kind of different uh >> different brands. >> Brands. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, typically Ingram slows
down in November and December. um which we have that's that's happened the past couple of years. So we're kind of trying to purchase he more heavily from other vendors during that time, but this has been uh
a much more dramatic slowdown because of the shutdown with Baker and Taylor. >> A lot of those libraries are now shifting over to Ingram and so Ingram is bringing on all of these new customers and it's just >> So is Baker and Taylor going out of business? Yeah. >> And there's is there anybody filling that void? Ingram
>> just that >> I'm sure there's Amazon and some other vendors that >> libraries are shifting to but um >> so >> who would have thought >> Yep. So we're just waiting for our books to come in just like everybody else. Um,
so I just added some screenshots just to let you all know that, you know, we try to continue to post to our socials or on our website or share out in our e- newswsletter blasts of just some of the items that we're adding to the collection or things that people might be interested in.
And then just some library news. Um, the library was closed uh to the public for holidays on November 11th for Veterans Day and then the 26th through the 29th for Thanksgiving. Uh the library was closed to the public on November 6 for an all staff training which I told you
about last month. Um the mass library assistant consultant Jane Stimpson came in and led a generative AI training which was really helpful. It was very informative. Um she was really engaging. She did a really great job and I would love to have her come back. Um she also
does presentations and trainings on privacy so I want to have her come back and do one in the spring. Um, so the, uh, kind of moving on, um, I've been continuing the conversations with Creative Library Concepts about our
vision for kind of a redesign of the footprint of the library. So, we've gone through kind of second and third drafts together. Um, and we're really focusing on patron spaces and how to better utilize our space to make it more accessible, more comfortable, more
inviting um, for our patrons because there are some pockets in here where it gets a little difficult because of sound or spacing. Um, so we're just trying to address those needs. We've had really great input from the board, from friends, from patrons, from um, staff,
from other town departments. So, we're always looking for input from folks about like, hey, how do you envision this space? What do you need? How can we help? So, the more input and feedback we get, the better. And so, we're hoping to have a a little bit more of a flexible
>> um vision going forward so that way we can kind of change with what our patrons needs are. >> So, we're moving along on that, which is going really well. >> Um, and then there was a lot of like library kind of building updates this month. So, um, during November, earlier
in November, the staff offices on the first floor became very cold. >> Um, and this cause was identified to be a hole in one of the rooftop units. So, DPW got involved and they were very helpful and they ordered a new part and within a few weeks it came and they got
it installed. And so, now we are back to not having to be bundled up or relocated to other spaces. Um, the heat has more u regulated on the first floor which is great. Um before I move on to professional development, there are a few things uh
other things that I wanted to share that are not in this packet but are in um that are not in my report but are in your packet. So, um, for those of you at home, um, we all attended a library legislative breakfast
at Stores Library in Long Meadow last week. Um, and it was a very invigorating and, um, very thoughtprovoking meeting. There was a lot of discussion about what libraries need across the Commonwealth and um what our patrons need and how we
can kind of work together to make sure that we're doing the best that we can with the funds that we have um to meet our our patrons needs and then to request the additional funding that we need to really move us forward. Um, so I have included a another copy for what we
all have received um at the library legislative breakfast, but it is a letter from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Moren Amiot's uh letter to Governor Healey requesting
um putting in the request for the FY27 budget. And then also in this packet there is information about state aid to public libraries. um and why being a certified library is important and how that helps our
communities. Um we did just receive I don't know if I have it in here. Um our library did receive its first installment of state aid funding. So we are certified again for this year which is great. And we received our funding a
couple weeks ago and that has already come in through the town. So that is great. we should get our second um installment of state aid funding in the spring. And then are you able to use those for operational costs and things? >> Yeah. So, there's kind of a wide range
of options for how that funding can be used. Um it can be used for professional development. It can be used for circulating materials. It can be used towards capital for improvements to the building. So, there's kind of a wide range. If I have any questions about
what I can use funds for, um, which I do, I email the MDLC and they get back to me very promptly and they can say, "Yes, you can use it for this, no, you can't use it for that." Um, and I ask them often like, "Can I >> if I purchase this, does this count
towards our minimum required expenditure for circulating materials?" Because we have to spend a certain amount of our budget on circulating materials. And so, they'll also answer questions like that. So, they're really helpful. >> And then the last thing in this little
packet that you have here is information about the Massachusetts Center for the Book and the programming that they do for us across the Commonwealth. And then this I will also plan to share out with the friends. I will plan to share this out with the town like the
manager and um town council um the library staff. And I would like to kind of uh post some of this information around the library as well. And this is also available on the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners website.
And then the next kind of page in our packet here is just more information about that um the call to action that was discussed at the library legislative breakfast that we went to last week when the mass board
of library commissioners was talking about the bills that are going to the house. They have passed in the senate but now they need to go into the house. So, um just to continue to please advocate um the importance of libraries and our communities and what these bills
can can bring to our patrons. Um so, it's um an act regarding free expression or the freedom to read and the ebook bill. So, the freedom to read bill is to help ensure the right to read and protects uh voices and library workers. And then the eBill tries to help with
digital access and digital pricing for libraries because the the cost of ebooks and e audiobooks um is much higher than just an a typical person purchasing that same content. So they're trying to kind of help >> uh try to regulate the pricing for
libraries. So, that's this and we'll go back to um the director's report in a second, but I have some other things that I wanted to share with you that are not here. Um and that's just a couple of updates that the library was working
with the town manager's office and we have gotten some really great grants that have recently come through. So, one of the grants that we got is part of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute digital equity grant. Um, and there's implementation funds that we have
received as a town to hire a digital navigator and a champion for funding. So, the digital navigator um the goal of that role is for them to do um kind of like technology classes here at the
library, at the Pleasant View Senior Center, and at the housing authority. And it will be three different workshop series. So it'll be like a beginner, an intermediate, and advanced here at each of the three locations and then also do
kind of like a train the trainer, two small cohorts of that. So to really try to help with that digital equity in our community, this these programs will be open to everybody. Um, and an exciting addition to that, not only will people get the opportunity to learn from an
expert, but we will also have devices to distribute to those people who participate. So, as part of the grant, we're going to get laptops for those folks that participate, which is really great. >> So, so do you have a time frame for that? >> Um, hopefully in late winter, early
spring, we'll get started on those those programs. But that will be heavily advertised on the library website, on the town website, uh with the housing authority, and with um >> senior center trying to like Yes. So we're going to try to hit the community in different
places in different ways so that they know that this opportunity is there for them. >> And then the other piece of this grant is for a champion for funding. So it's somebody that we can hope that can um research ongoing funding opportunities
to continue us our community us as in the East Lo addressing the digital >> sort of like a grant writer >> kind of. Yeah. Mhm. >> someone to help research the grants and figure out how can we move forward and how can we fund these things >> um that is needed within our community.
So that's very exciting. So that's one grant. And then again the town manager's office um Rebecca Lesie helped with um we applied for five municipal ADA improvement grants and we got all five
which is great. So, we got funding to >> You could have another cookie. >> We got funding for the flooring on the first floor. So, non-carpeted areas, but all of the other hard flooring on the first floor to replace that. >> We got funding to address some of the
sidewalk issues outside the building on this side. >> Um, we got funding to replace the water fountain with a filling station. We got funding to address some of the signage so that we can add raised characters in Braille. >> And then we got funding to purchase an
assisted listening kit for the program room. So if we have presenters or speakers, they will have like a device that they can put on them and then participants can have devices that they can help um listen >> um if if they can't hear everything that the the presenter is saying. So,
>> um, there's going to be a tight turnaround for these grants to get this done, but I'm >> fully ready to make it happen and we're very excited that >> we were selected for these funding opportunities because it's it's it's a really exciting opportunity for our community.
>> Great. Great. And this is based on that report or is this at all related to the report you showed us last time that had the pictures of like the sidewalk not having the right >> slope >> slope you know >> and the spacing in between the sidewalk
is is too far apart. Yeah. So the town did um so the grant that we applied for that Rebecca and I applied for um and again we had input from DPW there was a lot of people that really helped support supported us to get this
grant written um I lost my train of thought. >> So we got the grant and part of that was from the ADA like the accessibility >> that's what it is study. So when we were writing the grant, we had the 2015 uh
transition report and evaluation and but they were also working on the 2025. So we we had the preliminary 2025 report which we referenced both when submitting the grant application. Since then um the Institute for Human Center Design, who
is the outside consulting group that helped with that evaluation and transition plan, they have finished their report and that has been shared out by the town. So that was what I had forwarded you all. Thank you for asking right >> about this is the town's plan. Here are
the different ways that you can read it, you know, on the website linked, you know, social media >> and then they had like a Google form so that you could work, you know, provide additional feedback. >> So we used both of those documents as
well as, you know, just other information in order to apply for those grants. >> Excellent. So, we're trying to tick off >> some of those areas that were identified between those two reports to make improvements. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Wow, that's very cool.
>> Yes. So, we're plugging up. >> Is there anything about with the sound problem? >> That will come later. >> Okay. >> Um other areas >> acoustics. >> Yeah, the acoustics. So, that will come later. Um, there's still a lot of projects that I hope to address
>> before that >> based on the draft that I'm working with with creative library concepts. I don't want to address acoustics or lighting, which both need to be dealt with until I know where things are going to be placed. >> Oh, okay. Makes sense. >> So, if we're shifting >> Yeah, makes sense.
>> Like, we're going to shift some shelving units. >> Yeah. >> And hopefully that will do some sound absorption. >> Yeah, that makes you know, kind of carve out some little pockets. Some of the furniture pieces that we would hope to be able to get um have kind of um
>> sound deadening. >> Yeah. Built into it, so that can help absorb some of the sound. So, I don't want to do acoustics yet until I know where things are going to be. >> Yeah, that makes sense. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, um >> Okay. >> But it's on my It's on my list. It's on
your bucket list. >> It is on my bucket list. >> I knew it was. >> Yeah. So, the the green communities grant that Rebecca and I also applied for to replace the um all the rooftop units and then the electrical and the um software that goes with it.
>> That green communities grant also does have grant opportunities for lighting. >> So, I'm hoping down there that could be something that we could apply for. >> Um but we're not there yet. >> Okay. Yeah. >> So, that's a lot. We're plugging along.
>> Yeah, you are. >> Um, yeah. So, I'm going to go to the last page of the report. Um, professional development. We talked a little bit about some of the professional development uh November 6, but a couple other sessions that staff attended. We're organizing a human
library event in your library. Um, beyond the basics, uh, and unlocking the magic of living. I'm sorry. Beyond the basics, unlocking the magic of living. And then just a little bit about the friends. >> Sorry, can I
>> um a human library event is that just like an in-person event or >> So what a human library is is it's almost instead of placing a hold on an item that you're interested in borrowing, you
place a hold on a person >> and you get their expertise on something. Okay. Yes, >> that's neat. >> Um, so it is very interesting. It's it's >> logistically it's a little more complicated because you have to then
find all of your volunteers that are going to be the experts in whatever field they're an expert in. figure out their availability >> and then >> kind of vet them to make sure that they are the expert. >> Accountant or
>> it could be it could it could be kind of any topic >> and then you have to find the patron that's interested in it >> and then make sure that their schedules match up so you can but if it but when it works it works and it's very interesting. >> Where has it worked? um some of the
larger libraries. >> So this has been done. >> So it's kind of like yes, this is not a new thing, but it would be a new thing for us. >> Yeah. >> But there's potential there. So it's just trying to figure out >> it's all the backend programming basically if so I think it um it's
helpful to learn more before you just launch into something. >> So you sort of get a programmer and then get people who want to >> kind of but I think it's I think is a one-on-one. >> I think it's more one-on-one. >> Yeah, that's what I mean. Yeah. >> So one person might >> or like two people to one person, you
know. So >> interesting. Very very interesting. >> It is. It is. So I think it would be really neat if we could we could get there sometime. >> Good. >> Um so for the friends um the friends are not meeting during the month of December.
Um but I did um forward some emails to the friends about continuing to advocate some opportunities that were coming up, information about the bills and they were on it immediately and contacted their their entire membership. So um they continue to do a great job really
making sure that the word is getting out there. So that was really great. Um but in November they finished their fall raffle baskets and they prepared for Giving Tuesday. They had um social media posts going up weekly in preparation for it. They did a really nice job. They
were reaching out to their membership. We shared out some of their posts. So, they had um hopefully had some good responses for Giving Tuesday. Um and they were also working on their um bake sale that's coming up in February.
And then the last thing I have is that our next meeting will be in January of 2026. Next year. Next year. >> Yeah. >> And we have no other business. I think we have no old business. We're still
waiting on the review of our policy. >> Correct. And I did not I did not start a new policy yet. >> Well, we're ready. When um Thanks. >> When do you do? >> And I don't think we have any other topics, do we?
>> I do have I think I do have one more new thing. Um, the library got a direct phone line. >> Oh, that's very exciting. >> Oh, I put it in my phone already. I other one was so cumbersome. Well, >> cuz you went to the town directory and
then you went to the library and then went through the library directory >> and you were number eight on the town. >> We are number eight on the town. >> I think you should be number one. >> Me too. I was like, who else am I calling in this town? >> Now, who can wait to eight? You know what the >> Now we have a direct line. It's
413-525-5420 and then you'll just go through our directory to get to the department you need. >> Our directory did not change. It's all still the same. Um the town IT department did a fantastic job. They switched to a new uh phone service and
they cut over uh was it last week? >> And that must have been a massive undertaking for them. But it went really well for us and they were fully supportive. They were here like every day. >> Is it working now? It's working >> 90% now. >> We're getting there. We have a lot of
phone lines in our It's shocking how many phone lines. >> No, that's why it was so cumbersome. >> Yes. So, it was a lot of work. I mean, we have four lines that just go into the circulation department, three lines that go into children's department. So, we have a lot of phone lines in the building and they have to be answered by multiple people. So, they've done a
really great job. They got all new phones, like all new devices. It's new answering service. So, they did a really good job walking us through step by step. So, um, so we're very excited. They recommended the new phone line. I didn't even know that was an option, so that was great. >> Yeah.
>> Um, so we have >> calling the town line and hitting option eight will still get you here. >> Okay. But now you can just call direct, which is >> That's great. No, I first thing I did is put that in my phone. >> Me, too. >> Thank you. >> Cut and paste. >> Cut right in there.
>> I feel like I should call the library more often. >> You can now. >> Now I'm not afraid to. and chat with you. I mean, we're friendly. You can call us. >> I know you are. I know. Well, that's great. >> Okay, so that I think now I'm officially >> All right, we officially have
>> I think that's >> um Thank you for taking notes. >> Oh, you are welcome for um >> Larry. >> For Larry. Uh we'll look forward to having him back next month. >> Is he sick? >> And Nancy, too. >> Yeah. >> Um
would anyone like to move that we adjourn? >> I would like to move that we adjourn. There we >> seems to be my job. Okay. >> Um so we will adjourn at what time is that? >> 6:35. >> 6:35.
Um thanks everyone and happy holidays. Happy holiday. >> We agree. >> We agree. >> I I 6:35. Thank