All right. Hi everyone. Welcome to the February 9th, 2026 Ruben Library Trustees meeting. Um we are starting with our library consultant. Would you like to introduce yourself and get started? >> Yes, I'm Barbara Freriedman and I will introduce myself a little bit when I get
started over here. Uh but I I thank you for uh rearranging this meeting because I know this is not your usual meeting time and uh thank you for uh being library trustees was a library trustee for a long long time and I know this is
extra and it's a cold night and thank you for being here. Um so I'm going to show you a few things uh just to get started to make sure everybody knows uh why we do this. So, um, first of all, this is this is our
project. Uh, it's not my project. It's not Sam's project. I hope I spelled all your names right. I think I did a cut and paste. I hope. And how come you have seats? Does that make have a does that mean how how long you're you
are? >> Doesn't seem to be zero. No, there are six seats and every board in our town there's like when you go through our website everyone has a seat number for some reason like the board is five individuals it's
five seats or whatever. >> Just very curious. And how is it that you have three K's and two S's and only one David and I would have known for right off the bat that he was David. The rest of you are a turtle puzzle.
>> We need to record a D. >> Yeah. >> Well, and you got to see who was the third S. So, um I just thought it was just >> I think David should have got his first name. >> Yeah, even his middle name is not an S.
Okay, then this is who I am. Um I've been in employed by libraries for 50 years. On the left side are the people that actually gave me money for showing up and on the right side are the people that I've consulted with since 2004.
Um I've enjoyed being a librarian all of my life and um I like to share what I know, but this is this is your town and this is your library. So, I'm I'm looking for you to tell me and I will
put it put it down on paper and submit it to the state. Um, so why why am I here? I'm here here really just to help through the process. Uh, and you know that this is required by the Massachusetts Board of Library
Commissioners. Um, I'd like to help make the Reuben Library the best that it can be, but it is a wild library. You know that, right? I I go to a lot of libraries. You probably go to libraries on your vacations, too. And I I travel a
lot, but this is this is a good library. Um, and three, to make this process as fun as possible because it can be fun. It shouldn't be drudge. It uh you know, you've got great things to work with. And uh that's what I want to hear. I want to hear the goodness. And if there
are some bumps along the way, I want to hear that, too. That's why I gave each of you a little piece of paper. So, if there's something you want to share with me that you don't want to share with the whole group, please uh, you know, put it down on that piece of paper. Or if you have a question that you don't think
that we might have time to explore today, we'll hold it onto it for for another time. So, um, basically, um, we need to make sure your mission and vision statement are accurate. Defining the library's
purpose and future direction. We're going to look at your goals and objects, objectives, uh, specific actionable targets to move the library forward. Um, we really, what I spend most of my time on is the community input. So, we're
going to involve the community members, staff, and trustees to shape the plan. And then after we make that plan, we're going to do an action plan for one year. So, if you haven't done this before, uh an action plan should be submitted every
year. Um so that the state knows that you're moving along. Um and so a strategic plan is a document that sets the goals that the library wants to focus on. And we're doing this for 5 years. Some libraries do it for 3 years
if they're like anticipating a a building project or or some something's really going ary, but uh 5 years is the general. Um it is intended to help the library move towards u meeting its overall mission
and vision and to maintain eligibility for certain grants. Now, uh I'm sure you all follow the news and you know that uh the federal uh money was held up for a long time. Um it is now uh released. So,
uh this is very important that you get on the bandwagon for anything that you want an extra program, an extra um even perhaps an extra staff member to fund that maybe somehow through I don't know
yet what what they're offering, but whatever. um how I see this um as far as the the project going, uh today is our initial meeting, February 9th. I will um
I've um I've bent Sam's ears, so I've got a lot of information about the library and I just did the tour. Um so, but I'm going to do a lot of research on your library and your town and put that on on paper.
Um, so that you can look at it and say, "Yeah, this is right. This is really our town." Or, "No, we don't look at our town like that." I'm working with a a a town in Rhode Island, very small town, Foster, Rhode Island. Um, I put together the initial this is what your town is.
It's a very large land mass, very small population. Um, and you're you're basically a rural town. And they got their backs up. No, we're not a rural town. We're a bedroom town of Providence. So, uh, you know, I
I really want you to say, "No, no, no. You you got it wrong." So, um, but I will put it down on paper so it's easy for you to say yes or no or whatever. Um, and but the the things in blue are the
things that I will be doing. The things in yellow are the things that I'm going to lean on you to do. So enlisting those volunteers for the focus groups and uh and at the bottom the survey by email or and in the library so you can
hand out uh paper copies if you want to. Um the other things um I will develop the focus group questions and and uh have you approve them. Um, I'll meet with as many focus groups as you want me to meet and I will compile all the data
and do a draft. So, um, so here's, uh, that was up in through March. By April 1st, we should have a draft of the strategic plan, including all the research results of surveys, all the focus groups, answers,
photos, all compiled into a nice little um whatever format you want, um Google or Microsoft or whatever. Um and then, um you will be um
you'll review all of those materials. uh and um and start to think about what the action is based on on those uh your mission. And then um your your um
your April meeting should be April 9th, I think. >> Uh it's it's always the second Thursday. >> It's always the second Thursday. And I am free on my free of my commitment. >> Yes. April 9th.
>> In April. Yes. So, so we'll do that presentation on April 9th. That'll be an important meeting. And um then uh by by the 14th, we should have the final plan for your signatures. So
there might may be that's your next meeting, right? Or maybe maybe there's a meeting in between. >> May 14th is the next one. Yeah. Um, so, uh, the strategic plan and the
action plan for fiscal 27, fiscal year 27 is then submitted to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. There's a little link. Um, so Sam will just click on that link and and send all the information with your signatures. And very important for
everybody to buy into it. You see something you don't like, please let us know. Uh because the worst thing is to have this plan go and then have somebody say, "But I didn't get to say." So say
it now, please. Please say it now. Um so any questions at this point? Are you clear? Um I thanks um on the first thing it said you we're going to create an action plan only for
the first year. Um on previous strategic plans I saw that it was planned out for the five years. Oh it this is a this is a five-year plan. >> Sorry the action the actual action the actual little >> but the actual the action plan you can
you can make five years of action plans but you only have to submit one year. Okay. Okay. The every year they they require >> Yeah. Every year by December you're supposed to submit an action. >> Okay. >> Because things change and you really uh
well in you know in the MBLC um literature they they say this this should be a living document. So you really want to visit it. Um I recently had a short stint of being
a trustee again in Ashurnham. um if I sold my house and I had to resign. Um they were the best organized trustees I have ever come across and I obviously work for a lot of libraries. Um they would actually every meeting
they would actually read the trustee handbook one one little section and they would review their action plan which was like wow. Um so I don't expect everybody to do that. But it's not a bad idea. So,
um I I've been impressed by by what they they are are doing. Any other Oh, you have another question? >> Um well, Kimberly, so the project is for a five-year plan, but we just submit it a year at a time. But >> no, no, the whole thing, this is your plan,
>> right? And then but so the the basically you're you're probably going to put statements like we're going to maintain the building, right? But in fiscal 2027 you're going to do a very specific
repair. Okay? are um you're in the in the plan you're going to say we're going to improve a certain portion of our collection like we need more mysteries or something like that. Um but the
action plan will actually be we're going to add 100 new mysteries of burnt authors. You know it's very very specific. >> So otherwise it's very pie in the sky. I've seen plans that say, "Yeah, we're going to be good citizens." You know,
no, I know you're good citizens. That that that's ridiculous. Um, you know, we we really the you know, the framework is to say we're we're recommitting to whatever mission statement we've put in
the past. Uh, and and um obviously in in a building like this, you've done a marvelous job. Um, but um but there's in in a year we can accomplish this these three things, five things, whatever it
is, you know. So, >> can I ask a question? >> Sure. >> Um, looking at those dates. >> Mhm. >> And now I understand how my name is on the current strategic plan >> having not um participated in the process work because I was elected and
yes and so I signed it. It's you need the trustees to sign it. Um, so is that but that's not a concern like any new trustee coming in would they have a chance to review and it's approved beforehand? >> Yeah. May 14th is after our election. That's what the sticky note says. >> Yeah.
>> Oh, >> I was trying to time it for like >> So there'll be a slight transition. >> There's be a slight transition. >> Yeah. Just make sure we have enough time to get that new trustee up and running and so they understand what they're >> and if you want to modify that, go right ahead. I don't I don't care. Yeah. I I
just wanted you to know that takes about this long. There's a big gap between April and and uh May 14th anyway, so you could easily slip in another meeting just to get it out. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Get your signature while >> you want to get into it. >> Well, everybody has ideas. Okay. Um, so here's where I spend most of my time and that is uh putting the focus groups
together and um how I do this and you know if you if you don't like this method tell me how you want it. Um I ask 10 questions approved by the director, the staff and the trustees. Um I do this for 90 minutes. I try to keep it exactly
at 90 90 minutes for every group. uh all answers are recorded and and I list them all in the strategic plan. And the reason I always do that is because I don't ever want somebody come back and say, you know, I was at that focus group and I said this and it
wasn't in the strategic plan. So I make sure everybody's ideas get in there, even though it's a long long list. Um the ideal group is 12 participants, but I've done uh as few as five and as many
as 20. Um I like to see um that it offers the opportunity for everybody to participate. So if you can do a morning, an afternoon, an evening and a Zoom group that kind of hits everybody. Um
not that everybody, you know, has that particular date available, but we try. So mornings are really ideal for seniors and town employees. I really would like you to press town employees that have
some um authority to be there. Um so if you can get your town administrator, you have an administrator. Yes. Um there uh that's great. And parents with kids that are in school that you know happen to have be at home are are ideal for that
group. the afternoon group. Uh, a lot of libraries do not do this. Um, but Athali always had their teenagers. They had a such a great program of of teens and they always uh got a group just for them. Serve them food of course to get
them there. >> Yeah. I I think you have a really um active group because you have such a wonderful um room for them. um college students and those people we we often forget the people that work the night
shift. Often times the people that work night shift or those home care people that actually check out a lot of books because they're reading while they are doing their home care but they don't get a chance to say what they want to say.
um evening groups of course for working people and then town officials and and the the big difference between town employees and town officials uh is in the town officials I'd like to see somebody on the finance board because
they need to know what you do and why you do it and why you need more money. Um, and then the Zoom group for those people that have mobility issues, uh, or transportation issues, we can get them in on a on a Zoom group. Um, I did
Lunberg totally Zoom. It was, uh, co. I don't recommend doing doing that. It was uh um it's so much more fun to do it in person and get everybody going. So,
um, getting all of those people together and combining them all together makes for a a a fun time. Usually, I've I've I'm often complimented by uh people walking out and say, "Well, that was fun." And that's what that's my aim is
to make it fun, but get everybody's ideas down. Uh, and get everybody talking. And I usually serve some sugar. So, or coffee. Um and we'd like to see um at least a few
trustees in there and a few staff members in there but not the whole thing on not your whole board. So amongst yourself decide you know who's going to represent you one or two two of you and one or two staff members all and I never
ever let the director never never. Okay. So, um, I pretty much, uh, went through this whole whole thing. So, we want all ages. We want town administrators, people that make policy, community leaders, uh, get
people from your senior center, active library users, and the hardest group to get, non-users of the library. Um, and because we want to know why they don't use them. And then the other hard group sometimes is the electronic users
because we're we get more and more people that really never step in the library, but they're using those. You can see your numbers, right? >> Yeah. When we were building the library, we had a lot of um surveys that from people that said, I've never stepped foot in the library, but I support it.
Yeah. And and they might I I I run a book club for the senior center and um my lakes two of my ladies never pick up the book. They always get it through, you know, Libby. Um
so any questions? You mentioned um sprinkling the different demographics through focus groups, but for like kids and twins and teens, do you have one exclusively for them or you think they should review? >> Up to you. Um I I
think they're I I've seen um when when teens tend to be with the adults sometimes they don't talk. When they're with their peer group, they talk. Yeah. Yeah. They'll give you I remember one one kid said, "Yeah, but
could we have exercise equipment?" So, I don't know. Well, maybe you could. They didn't. That suggestion didn't didn't go anywhere. >> How many focus groups are we able to do? >> As many as you want. Uh, >> and do you have suggestions for how to reach out to people who are not like our
friends and demographic? You know what I mean? >> Um, well, uh, here's what Lancaster did. They paid paid people. Um they did a random phone book thing uh or or street listing. Uh they randomly
picked people. They called them up and asked them if they would come and they said and if you come we will give you a Barnes & Noble um card. Uh and with the Barnes & Noble maybe you can get >> Silverorn.
Oh, that's your in. Oh, well, that's even that's even better. But and and if your friends at the library can pick up the tamper, that that would be really great. Um so, uh and and you know, you're talking about $10 or something like that. Or you know, and um you know,
some people will say, "Well, you know, I'll come anyway. I'm you don't have to give me a card or whatever." But um you know uh some if if you find difficulty doing that you might want to do that. Um I always serve food and I bring the food
so you don't have to worry about that. Um so you can tell people that there will be food. So if it's in the morning they get breakfast. If it's in the afternoon they get snacks and if they're in the evening it's decaf coffee. So, um you know that's um and usually chocolate
cuz everybody loves to um and that's just to get the D record that you don't know about is that or was the whole they did it for everyone? I don't I it it's been quite a while since it hit Lancaster, so I don't really
remember who they recorded and who they did, but I did like the idea that they randomly selected from the street listing. >> The reason I'm asking is the Perk and Reck did a um basically a survey where they selected
people to send surveys to. They hired a company did the random selection and by population to get the demographics to be the best representative that was paperback system not a focus group where they're coming in and bouncing ideas against
each other. So I didn't know if that >> if you only do focus groups but there might be a survey and an email part does that help you get to the people who may not show up? >> Yes and I I think so. Um but and uh
dropping off the surveys, the paper copy surveys in locations that people frequent uh is a good idea too because you you know um do you have a mailing do you mail out your newsletter to do you
have >> friends do? my friends too. Yeah, >> we used to >> also I just thought I don't know which minutes I was reading or something but someone was going to put their survey in the LL flyer that comes out every month. >> So I don't know if that's something >> it is something would go to everyone in
town. I don't know if they're charging for but that's something possibility. >> What is the LDL? >> Oh L is our electric light. >> Oh yes yes okay. Yes. I've had people put it in in municipal lake and >> it's like page like you might get a
certain >> Yes. And that's ideal and you'll you save yourself the the cost of postage that would be excellent. So that plus you know a um just a a Google survey is perfect. I mean it's it's so easy to do.
You automatically get it all you know a nice Excel chart and everything. So I I would I would highly recommend that. Anything else? So I did what I've uh you've I've already answered this question. Uh so
it's it's what you will accomplish in what it's what will be accomplished in fiscal 27 fiscal year 27. Um so um
and you you know even even if there's one thing that you you know you know is going to take more you know you it's a big project and I can't imagine such a beautiful library I don't
know what you would be a big project but you might have um okay shouldn't need. >> So, um, so it could take, you know, several years, but you but you want to put it at
least getting started in that year. Um, so in in that you're in that um action plan, you're going to put we're going to do a summer reading program. Obviously, you're going to do a summer reading. You've done a summer reading program forever, right, Sam? >> Right.
you're going to probably do something for the 250th anniversary of our United States. U but I realize that your town is 312 years old. So that to to let people know,
especially people that are new to town, wait a minute, we've been here a lot, a lot longer than some people. Um, so you got bragging rights and of course you're going to on November 5th, 2026,
you're going to have this huge anniversary party, I imagine, right? So, I don't know exactly if you've talked about this at all, but you can't get away around it.
Um, and then, you know, a little more mundane, the collection improvements, and that's probably going to come from the staff. You know, they're going to just they're going to say, you know, we got to get rid of those Danielle Steels and D, let let's you let's get some more
diversity in our collection. Those are the kinds of things I've heard, you know. Um, so what needs to be added, what needs to be weeded? I already uh saw that you are up using that bottom shelf and um so it looks like time to do
maybe a major weed um because uh nobody's going to give you more money to expand this library. I know that. center. Um, uh, and, uh, mechanicals, uh, maybe it's just a matter in a new building like
this of replacing, uh, filters or updating the software. Or maybe there's things like these doors that need a little adjustment or, you know, little little things that you want to make a list of. Yeah, you know, we we got the money. It's not a big big project. We
can put put that to work. along in uh in 27 or do the rugs already need cleaning or uh is storage areas tend to be get really cluttered up? Um those are you know they're simple things but you put
it in a planet it seems like imperative that you do it you know it's just like at home you know I'll do that someday you know but um when uh I just moved so when you're moving you got to do it yeah so
um yeah so that's that's my thing and uh any more questions >> so those are all examples of kind concrete manifestations of using. >> Um,
but we also want to have uh like if we do get feedback about what it is that people with these library are interested in and we need to think about action plan items that would >> Yes. Yeah. Yes. How can we attract those
people? I my daughter is extreme. She's always been a reader. She moved to Florida and and formed a book club immediately. She's got 10 people in her book club.
She told me the other day that, you know, you can get those free books from Libby. Are you kidding? You didn't know that, did you? um you know it's just with there's so much we forget as librarians to market
and we've got a lot to market. So, um, think about those kinds of things are really important. And, uh, you know, getting a little thing into a local newspaper, you know, is is really,
you know, worth worth a lot. That, you know, I can zip up that circul even though circulation to envy here. honestly >> but maybe tracking how many new library card holders >> or yes we do measurable like
>> yeah yeah >> well to your point um my husband's like an aggressive we were dating I gave him a book and he was like I have a book and he just recently threw me uh learned
about the library of things >> yes >> oh I get the appeal now so I I feel like that's something that a lot of people don't know Yes. Yes. I just checked out the the giant Jenga to do an example at a meeting and uh and it was very
effective. But I've also checked out the um the the lint thing. Do you have a lint thing? I suggest you get one. You know, cleaning out the your dryer lint and that long little tube. Well, our
library had had one of those and I checked it out and I know in Irving where I I was director um their um library of things is is very concentrated on garden equipment. Um you know >> Yeah, that's a big big
>> wagons and all kinds of things. >> Yeah, I library of things if I had known about it when it's a relatively new thing so would have like had a whole group just for that. Yeah. Yeah. So, uh
that that that is a really, you know, that that thing involved. >> Also highlighting services like my husband has been in this building twice and both times because we needed something notorized. >> Yeah. >> Oh yes. >> So coming to he came to the library to
notary but so you know it's a way to get people in the door. Anyway, >> when I was at the FinCom meeting to present the budget, um, one of the FinCom people came the next day cuz he needed something notorized. He was like, I had no idea he has no not >> and he never been any before. So, >> that's that's right. Would you put that
down on your piece of paper because I'm going to collect those and anything else you mentioned to me, your husband that isn't the non-reader with the Library of Things, um, those will all always all be helpful to me. My, uh, my son-in-law is the non-reader, lives the reader. Um, do
I have any more? No, I have. Thank you. Um, and oh, and that is my email. You think of something tonight or when you wake up in the morning, uh, email me something, uh, look, see you. >> Can you share the slides with us?
>> Pardon me. >> Can you share these slides with us? >> Oh, sure. Sure. It's a a Google Google Slides. Yeah. >> Give you their email address. more for me. Okay. And I'm trying to
pronounce things that you Okay. Is that perfect? Um, that's all I got >> um for the first thing and uh it's a cold night and I don't know if you have
more business but hopefully what is the next >> the absolute next step. >> Well, I saw your timeline so you leave and we have task >> enlist volunteers focus groups
>> enlist. Yeah, that's that's only um >> and so the listing volunteers and finding time. >> Yeah, >> my assumption is that's going to drive a lot of the timeline period. >> Yeah. >> So, are we choosing the date and time
for the focus groups or do you do that? >> Um I think it's better if you choose it because you know your town, but I have some commitments that I can't get out. So, please let me know. >> I'll probably coordinate them there.
>> Yeah. Um, so, um, here's the on my timeline here. Um, so if if you've got ideas right now, um, certainly give them to Sam because we'll, you know, we'll
filter through him. Um and um if you want to do um you know some type of u article for the newspaper or >> there's no newspaper in town. >> There's no newspaper in town.
>> Yeah, we have a town newsletter. >> Use the town's email. >> Yeah, we can use the town newsletter. The their website, their Facebook, social media. >> They have an email. >> Yeah. >> system. Yeah, we I could ask we could do
that. >> You know, I I first, you know, put out we're we're we're doing we're doing some focus groups. Um, you know, be be aware that we're doing them. And then if we can um you know, I'm I'm hoping by uh
the first week of March that we're starting those. So, you've got three three weeks to gather a few people. Um so um you know say say you do four groups that's 40 people you know um you know
you can have more or less but if you had 10 in each group that would be ideal. You have five in each group we'll little will work with it but um you want the most input you possibly can get. We certainly would like to get your husband
who is the nonreader in that group. Yeah. Yeah. Um yeah, I I I think that that um when we get to the questions and a lot of the questions that I have, you know,
by so many different libraries that I've worked with. Um but I'm thinking perhaps we should um you know, start with like all of the services that you have and kind of see who's surprised at what you
know. Um, but that you might want to do that in your survey. You know, which of these services are you aware of? Um, and if you're I can't think of anything that you might be adding uh right now, but if
you thought of something you were adding, you know, which services Well, we did talk we did talk about my pet peeve, which is if if the library was open on Sunday. Yeah, that's something that comes up a lot.
>> Yeah. Um I I happen to uh have worked a lot of Sundays um in Fitsburg and in Irving. And um in Irving, I'll tell you, it's a small town. Um and it is the only
library in quite a few miles that's open on Sunday, and that is their busiest day. Now, Littleton, of course, you know, it's it's not so far to Lemonster. I think I I think I don't know about Actton. Are they open? >> Chford is open on Sundays.
>> Yeah, open Sundays. >> So, you know, so if there's places for people to go, it may not be that that important to to your people in town and it may not change your circulation, which is always our ultimate.
>> Yeah. you know, >> so our surveys a lot what a lot of people say is um it's a lot of moms who say they are their kids have sports on Saturday and so they want to come into the library on Sunday.
>> So but then that is a um usually cost factor. >> Yeah. So, >> right. >> More hours open, more stuff. >> In South for the Sunday hours, but that feels that's an extra layer of work to
>> Yeah. to feel like if you're opening Sunday, it needs to be in my opinion incorporated into your own, >> right? Exactly. >> Yeah. We used to be open on Sundays and we had a sponsor or somebody paid for it and then the money ran out. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Yeah. You put yourself at risk like when the money runs out for people to be upset then you no longer can hold that risk too. So right there anymore. >> Yeah. So you know it's um so those uh you know I can I certainly can
incorporate a question like that and get the answers but um do you want an answer where you're sure you can afford it? you know, you know, that's that's like putting your foot out and then getting
or your hand out and getting it slapped, you know. Um, so, you know, really decide on questions that you really want to know the answers to. Um, I will give you a whole bunch of sample questions to choose from, though.
Um, and uh I and I'll send those out fairly I mean uh if you start to think of so I put by by next week I'm going to send you those questions and uh you can
you can pick 10 of them 10 because 90 minutes goes awfully fast. So um you know and we want everybody to speak. >> I had one other question about recruiting people for public groups
since I'm the leazison of brownies group. >> So they have a database of people donate to the library. >> Yeah. >> Does it skew your focus groups if we you know rely on that as one of our
recruitment tools or should we rely on that? I I think I you know those are the people that love the library. Shouldn't they have a voice? Yeah. Yeah. I think I think it's it's a good idea to get >> in addition to >> I know. Yeah. And if the you know young
adult librarian can you know enlist the teens that's a pretty pretty easy >> question. How young is too young to do it? I have seen eight-year-olds that could have their their opinion heard. You know, you probably know your people
and um but you know, certainly any 12 12 and up, 12 to, you know, 15. There's a there's a tradition traditionally a group that never uses the library and those are the post college years, the
20s and early 30s, never use libraries. um might might use them more now with with Libby and but you know until people have kids or they you know they're in a certain they have a little more time
away from work they tend not to be especially if they don't have kids breaking down I think there's a little kind of great thing here based on what you had as a list of people we should reach out to and this is >> there's a our problem would be getting too many people I then we'd be like,
"Okay, then we now we have to select a few." >> Um, but just from a and let me know if this doesn't make sense, but town officials and department heads, Sam, you could reach out to that, right? Teens and children would be Megan and Jen. Um, parents in town, town email, friends,
that would also >> Yeah. Yeah. that um that would also get some non-users and some potential seniors, but we could also do seniors by doing something at your center and your Yeah. >> Um I think the hardest people to get I think are going to be the non-users and
then what like you said like the night shift people and the other potentially like how to specifically get those and so that will be my question is how to like what would be our way of kind of finding those folks. I think I think we can probably get the other ones. I I think there needs to be an incentive. I mean, I I I I cared
about Barbara's idea of I don't know people, but I know my husband would would not would he wouldn't he wouldn't he doesn't have the time. It's like I don't just I think you need to be more specific about who you want as the non-user
or there needs to be an incentive for folks who are non-users to come because I just don't see it as being just inviting them isn't going to work right. It's come have coffee. I don't think that's necessarily but there's a specific group of non-use
for the weekend. I don't and I don't know the answer. Yeah. How do we identic about which like Facebook pages we post on that are town based not just the malls but like beyond that there are some library
>> centers on them and I think some would show up. >> I think you would almost need to invite people. Yeah, I do think if we are aware of people who maybe >> I mean I can go back to the people when we were building the library and all that people over
>> Yeah. >> given through this process, but also do we want the library haters or just the people who are like >> I mean I think some of it is they're going to because it's just hard to get to those people. We're going to >> Yeah, like Katrina said, we could put on the towns. I
>> I think we do our best to get the information out there. Yeah, I'm sure there are people that go to the senior center that never stepped in here last time. And I do think if we could get the message out to you see, you know, out over the have a slide in their
>> lobby or whatever inviting people to join. That would be great. >> Um >> I had to talk to Liz and have her find out. >> She might have some suggestions for people who we can ask everywhere. We should use everything.
>> He didn't always do. >> I think he put it on. Yeah. I think that's we don't know who announcing that. It's >> I I think though you still remember the people that were the haters. >> Okay. Uh the best thing
>> best thing they live rentree >> best thing that happened to me after building Irving there was a a lady in the senior center that had her little group, you know, we don't know library blah blah blah.
We open the library. She walks in and she looks at me right in the eye and says, "I take everything back." >> Oh wow. like the the heavens. >> Sam is chasing on high. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, we had someone who had a >> Sam, but I know some of them are.
>> Yeah. We had someone who had a sign at the the comment and now he his name is on one of our study rooms. >> Mhm. >> So, >> so >> those are the people those are the people we want because >> So, we'll put the that list of non-users to to
>> Sam. Is that like a homeschool lady? No Facebook. >> Yeah. So, how can we reach the homes? >> I was going to say >> they come to the they come to the library. >> Yeah. Yeah. And we can even reach out to the people that we won over cuz I'm sure they have friends that are >> Yeah.
>> between our children's librarian and our teen librarian. >> Yeah. >> Both. We might have some very good people to ask specifically about coming in for >> especially some that you might know aren't always rosiest. you know, your grandma and someone decided to speak.
>> I'm sure we have enough kids from teens, but with this kind of community service, maybe. >> Yeah. >> Do you feel comfortable giving it a start? And then if you're like, we're missing this contingent. Who do you know? >> Would that be? >> Yeah, sure. >> Just I want it to be fair. And if we
just ask the people we know, it's not going to be >> Yeah. I want I want a good >> demographic as best we can do. >> To me, it makes sense. a mixture of open invitation flyers like the way we normally recruit and then also specific
you come. Yeah, we would really really like to make sure that we have people just in case over. >> Do you want to do it the other way around? Do you want to do a survey first and then the last question of the survey
says would you participate in a in a girl idea? Well, I don't think so. Have you done that? >> I I haven't done it that way, but it it sounds like maybe that would be a good experiment.
Um I I will send you >> when I've done surveys, I've definitely had people respond that I I don't use the library because I put the survey on the town website, >> right? >> So, if we had a question like that, I'm sure that >> we might get some responses. I'll I'll
send you copies of surveys and you can decide, you know, which way you want to go. Um, >> but it also depends on the date though because a lot of people might be, oh, I'm interested. Then when we say this is the date and time, they're like, oh, okay. So, we need more people that we would need more people. >> Yeah. And if they're interested, you
offer them five times three like five different or three, however many, >> however many you want to do. >> Yeah. >> I do think it's important to let the teens have their own. Definitely and because I I do think there will be some
kids will say what their opinion is no matter what but I don't think every kid is able to learn. >> So do you want to decide now how many groups? So you said you'd like to do a teen group and I assume that is the
afternoon. >> Yeah. You mentioned actually those four times. I don't think that's a bad idea to think of it that way. >> Yeah. So >> so think of four. >> Okay. Okay. So, the morning group, noon, and the evening group. >> And if I mean, Zoom is definitely I
think something we should try for. But if we're finding that, are we doing it like a sign up for a program, Sam? So, we know what's coming or >> Yeah, we could do it that way. Or just if someone else came in too, we could let them come in. But
>> yeah, I haven't spoken to Yes. But we could do it that way too >> if we find Zoom isn't getting participants, which I know sometimes our Zoom program didn't have people who wanted to do it. >> Yeah, we could do it as a signup.
We could either way we could do it. >> Zoom on Sunday. So Sunday That might really bias the >> but could we do a focus group on something hypothetically like it's not the we wouldn't need to be st open >> so and
the folks group doesn't go by the same rules I mean I'm not an elected person so we offer it at any time. There's no, you know, I don't have to advertise it in town hall, but it would be a good idea to do it.
Okay. So, I'll, you know, I'll dribble some information to you. I have your email. >> Yeah. Now, now you're in trouble. Um so you
know with ideas of questions with ideas of of uh surveys uh and uh which with like some suggested uh times. Okay. So, um I always um even though we do 90
minutes, I I think of it in terms of 2hour slots and that's what I charge you for because people tend to talk afterwards to each other and um you know I can't just say go home.
>> You'll filter that information through Sam or to us. >> Yes. Well, do you want Yeah, you can talk to it through me. That was for the slides. Okay. So, you can send >> just the I'm sending you the slides or I
>> Yeah, but I You don't want all of us. You want me to send it to >> Yeah, you can send it to me. >> Yeah. Cuz then they can't respond to me. >> Oh, yes. Of course. Okay. Yes. I'm losing things. I am losing my
political correctness doing this stuff. Yes. Oh my god. I can't tell you how many slipped in those meetings just at the last minute announcing them and uh yeah, I got in trouble once and you had a
meeting and you didn't announce and I said, "But I did, but I did because >> whatever." >> Thank you so much. You're welcome to stay for the rest of our meeting if you feel like it. But >> I think I I think I got enough. >> I got enough.
>> You welcome me. >> We'll continue. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Yes. >> Um correspondence. >> Um >> uh there's no one. >> Um >> has everyone had a chance to look at the minutes from the base? Um any thoughts questions for case?
>> I move to approve the Ribbon Library trustee minutes from the meeting on January 8th, 2026. >> All in favor? >> I treasur.
>> Okay. So MMDT had 425426. The gift fund has $6,4854. The um state aid has $26,813. Building damage has $32,21562. MBLC has $686,44 and believe has $116895
um and the bars month ending value is 1,98,939.19 and that is why >> not we're not Main thing that comes out of our strategic planning process here is how
we're going into action items. Does anyone have any other questions? self treasure support >> friends board that uh Wednesday January 20 made $1,219 $185780 from the book since their last meeting
which two months earlier generating more. Um they share what they thought were exorbitant card expenses in the nation. They were gonna bomb.
>> It is working on there. >> Yeah, they were trying to understand like what the reports about us. What was this actual usage? Thank you. >> Thank you everybody. >> Thank you.
>> Um then they started to to uh a new business item that was a question raised about insurance for the friends and they were hoping to get you know like they were investigating
for the event. They were learning >> just go up the stairs. Yeah, >> they were learning that like one day or whatever insurance they get, they could get full year of insurance where just a
little more. Then they were starting to investigate well that's there's like event insurance general liability. Um there's also once they started talking to somebody working with a company
uh they could get volunteer volunteer liability insurance. for the organization. We started to worry like it's complicated or advice about any of that. So I bring that question back to you
just in case insurance for >> drama boosters has insurance for the board to cover it. So >> yeah, >> um I do not have any questions specifically where they have but we can get that if needed. Well, if if you have
input so Kathy was talking to someone from a agency corporation then they dove into the details of their involvements um and you know the sponsors the major
sponsors out it's just I'm amazed at how organized that group is for a right group they seem planning months having all meticulously organized way they like the
problem and the mes then they were um requesting cookies for the event that just happened on the 7th and Um, I learned that they raised over >> $300. >> Oh, 3,000.
>> What? >> Okay. And then uh they started to um try to determine which street book sale dates in May they were aiming for and then they decided that they to
confer which code national directly to >> May 9th this prom. Yeah, they were avoiding that. It was the weekend before that weekend following mother's and then they reminded us that the ball
sale is October 16th, 18. >> That's it. It's my report. >> Um, >> are there questions I should bring back to them? I can't decide if I should do it under friends report under RG on the scholarship committees update. So I'll
wait till that fun. Okay, >> good. I'll report on everything for that. >> All right, great. Um, anyone have any questions for report? Okay, building updates. >> Um, no issues to report. So
the whole building collapses. advertisements. >> Uh do you have anything on Mike's behalf? >> Um no. >> Uh let's go here. >> Okay. Um I presented the FY27 budget to a joint meeting of the slug board and
finance committee on January 21st. Um the meeting went well. Uh no one seemed to have any issues as far as I could tell. Um um I also attended the director's ILS roundt meeting on January 14th. Um we discussed presentations by the various
ILS vendors. So um we're starting to narrow it down. We hope to vote on it by May and hopefully um after that then we'll start installing. Um most of the systems we're looking at are all browser based. They're not really software. So
um it should be pretty simple and they're all pretty user friendly. So, I don't think it'll be hard for the staff to figure out. Um, staff has started a new Pokemon club, um, which is meeting the second fourth Thursday of every month, and it's pretty
much open to all ages right now. He's trying to just get everybody in and see what happens. Um, Jeff is starting a 20s and 30s game day. episodes, uh, specifically a board game night, a board game day that's aimed specifically at 20 and 30 year olds to try to get them in
the library. Um, that's in a couple weeks on the 21st. Um, Jeff um, also digitized our collection of Wilton High School yearbooks, so they're all um, available online for the most part going back to 1934. Um there were a couple years that
we just didn't have the yearbook so they didn't get digitized but most of them are there. So um that was something that um Jeff learned about at a conference that Boston Public Library offers and so he talked to them and they were able to do it for us for free. So that was
great. Um my certification as a notary expired last month so I was able to get it renewed um now good again for another seven years. We're also working on getting some of the other staff to get um their certifications. I know Abby submitted it and Susan is also working
on thinking about doing it. So hopefully it'll get back up to the five notaries that we used to have. Um the library closed due to the snowstorm and that's 26. Um the seed library will hold its grand opening on Saturday, February 14th.
Um, also, um, today two of the the two school resource officers came in to see me. Um, apparently they are working on a plan on what to do if they ever have to evacuate the school. And so they want to know if they could use the library as a place to bring the kids. So I, you know,
told them yes. So basically the idea would be that they would bring the kids here and then parents could come here to pick them up. I think they're also going to use the senior center. So the parents will go to the senior center to to figure things out and then come here. The kids will be here. So that's the
idea right now. Um also I'm taking this week off. I'm having a minor procedure done on Wednesday and so I'm just going to take the it's nothing too big but just taking a few days off. Um and that's it. The rest is just the stats.
Is there any questions? >> Is this a seed library? We've had a seed library. Is this a new seed library or just annually you do? >> Yeah. So it closes down for part of the year though it's the grand reopening. >> Yeah. Yeah. February. Yeah.
>> Snow. >> Well, you do it inside. Yeah, I mean maybe some budget. >> Yeah. >> Um, any other questions for sale? >> Thanks. >> Sure.
>> Budgetwise, you're on you're on track. >> It looked like it and the Mars going okay. >> Yep. any old business to take. Um, do you want to talk about >> Yeah, I didn't know if it was old or new. It's right in the middle, but we
have a grande scholarship committee. We met at the end of January, I think it was January 26th, um, Chris and Kimberly and myself and Sam and we land over the application and updated a couple things and then and approved it. And um we also
set a new meeting date for March 5th because people are closing the scholarship on April 1st. >> Yes. And we'll announce by April 15 like our window to go through it. But I talked to Sam and we're going to do like the rolling like we did last time. So as
applicants come in, Sam will review and um promotion wise it went out by email from the library and we on social and we talked to some >> Yeah. So also in addition to that I reached out to all of the counselors at the high school and Parker um and I also
reached out to Dr. Harington and also um and this was the part um I asked the friends if they could promote it using their MST. So if you had a chance to follow up with that I'm sure would be no problem but u yeah so um that's where we
are but my plan is to send followup mid March probably and it's open open but we haven't got any >> April 1. Yeah, you won't get anything here. >> Oh, also the class advisor and also the NHS.
>> Okay. Any other old business? >> All right. New business. >> Um, yeah. So, I I sent you guys um the list of programs I'm planning to do for the community read. Um, so this is beyond what I had budgeted for the
the other stuff that we in the $40,000 we ask. So I'm requesting $3,317.30 to cover um programs for the community. >> Did everyone have a chance to look at
the list of items on the book? Um, any questions about those? All right, Patria. All right, so let me show this to you one second.
Um, I move to transfer $3,400 from the second century David Lios Williams fund to the MMDT for the community reads expenses. Hello there. >> Hi. >> Hi.
>> Thank you. >> The next thing I have for new business, this is the month um kind of get into the I think it's March when you start to make like review what your like your what how you did with your goals for the year. Do you your self-evaluation
>> um like March into April I want to say? >> No, it's usually so we do it early for me because the board changes it >> right. >> It's not actually due till like June. Okay. But yes, that's why we um so we need to um nominate a director
evaluation committee so that you can have a smaller group smaller subset of this group to um kind of go over the um same self-evaluation and compare it against goals and things like that and and then bring it back to the the
committee for for feedback. So is there anyone who would like to volunteer to be on the evaluation committee? two to three people. >> Perfect. Sarah. All right. Um I'm also happy to be on that list. Yeah. So, uh Okay. So,
um I can't I don't know. I don't do any I can't move. I'm not really Sarah Jonathan and David to the Sam review committee for director.
I second that. All in favor? Okay, great. >> So that's okay. >> Also, my contract is um going to be up. >> What? >> Yeah, I real I surprised by that, too.
>> Yeah. So, yeah, it's also on here. >> Um >> Yeah. Yeah. So my um contract is expires in June. Um so the the only things that I well I mean obviously you guys can
change it to it but the only things I noticed were um so it says that I get a step increase under my pay. So I the town only goes to 10 steps and in FY27 I reach 10 step 10. So I reached out to Michelle and was like well what happens
after that? Um because also now um the select board voted that benefited employees can get a merit pay but apparently does not apply to contracted employees. So apparently I have to ask for that also. Um and then there's also
the comp compensation study. So I want to know am I even going to be still be a step 10? >> But she couldn't answer me cuz she said they won't know yet. They're still working on that. So she said that would have to be added later if it isn't decided by then and an amendment. So
that was the only thing that I really had >> still continue to be the director here. >> Just one thing. Okay. Just want to check that first. Okay. >> Um >> how long is the contract? >> It's the three years. So yeah, the state requires it every 3 years. Um that
that's one of the Massachusetts laws. Library director has a three-year contract. So, >> and are you comfortable communicating with them about this or do you have to advocate for anything? >> Well, we need to we do the contract. So, >> right, >> that we do want to make sure your contract's currently aligned to other
contracts in town and we worked with Michelle last time to do so, >> right? >> Um, and to update yours because yours was missing pieces that were had been updated in the employee handbook. So, >> right. >> I know you reached out to her, but should we directly commute with her?
>> Yeah, probably. Um, I can give you guys if you don't have the copy of it, I can send you and then tell you the the two changes that definitely have to be made because Yeah. But other than that, >> um, I'm fine with whatever else is in there.
>> Thank you. Yeah. Um, okay. So, and that has to be when is that due? June. >> It ends in June. June. If it doesn't get renewed, then it automatically renews for new year. But >> yeah, we want to make sure you've got everything else set. Yep. >> That sudden death over time.
>> Yes. Could you please send that as my stable? >> Sure. >> Yeah. I was surprised too. I just I just like had it a thought come in my head. I was like, I wonder when is expired. >> Contracts. >> Yeah.
>> So you mean to do >> separate a contract? Well, >> could it be the same group as a whole group? We need to >> review an executive session kind of situation and then present it to them. >> Okay. >> Gives us feedback on it as well. But you
should give us initial feedback so you know things are not aligned to standard. >> Yeah. The only thing would be, you know, whatever happens with um the compensation study and just getting the same thing whatever other staff get like cola.
>> Yeah. I'm curious to talk to Michelle about what happens with contracted employees when they hit stuff. >> Yeah. So, the thing is it's always I've never been here when it hasn't changed. Like there's always been a change to it. So this is the first time where
I don't so it might very well change in June with the compensation study where you >> feel like a proven time or something. Is it coming up on the warrant? >> So they I think because of the budget they don't know what to do. >> So they're being very hush hush about it. Um they they've had it done for a
few months now and every department head meeting Michelle's like um yeah it's done. We're talking about it. But she does like the today the police um chief was like they have to get certification and they need the job descriptions. She was like yeah I can't
just use the old ones. >> Yeah. So for our next meeting, can you please add an executive session onto it? Um, so you'll send us the contract for what you need. >> Yeah, I think someone might need to make sure
you answered it last time. I don't >> But I do know what the question is. >> Yeah, I think someone else should come up. We can see who's available when we don't want Michelle saying after work hour. Should be darker.
>> Okay, cool. That's good stuff. >> Does anyone have any other business besides the contract, which I clearly did not read here? That's just reading this part. Okay. Um, if we're okay circling back to our first agenda item, um,
hold on. I'm just writing my Michelle. So should we come up? This timeline's pretty compressed. So I just want to make sure that we don't leave here and there task that we should be accomplishing and a meeting if we need to meet on some screenings now and March
here in March. So I I want to think of it as all the different groups she talks about and then she'll reach out to them and have like so um so I wish we had her slide but I think we got most of it. Yeah.
>> Um but right so right now I have town officials and department heads, teens and children. Um I would say parents but really like adults um but parents kind of cuz they have the kids, non-users, seniors, the night shift and then homeschoolers some of which there's
overlap, right? And I think that um I mean our our normal like the normal things that we use to reach out for Ray Grande scholarships, we can do the same ones. There's a whole slew of those. But I think it also would help to have direct directly email from Sam the town
officials and the department heads. >> So I'm wondering if like select board though instead of we should directly email them. I'm wondering if someone attending the meeting saying we're starting this process and inviting them all to participate. They shouldn't all participate but they shouldn't all participate. So then they have that conversation with them. We want one or
two of you to participate. >> Yeah. Fred Faulner comes in the library all the time. I could ask him. He's on fin. Yeah. >> Yeah. Do we need the dates before we even ask? >> Focus group. We just need I think when we go to ask people, they're going to want to know when it
and that might just like if we're having a chicken. >> Yeah. Yeah. Because we could probably find a time for like if we had a whole list of people, if we had our like aside from the teams, like the 30 other people that
were looking for besides the team, then we could say these are the times that we have and see if we can like see who can come to which one. >> Well, I can um I can look in as which rooms are available when. That's the other part. We're going to probably have to do it here and it's going to have to
be when the rooms are actually available. when Barb's available >> and when Barbara's available >> rooms Barb people. >> So that's going to be posted on Facebook. How do we get people to say they want to come >> or Well, that's why I was wondering we should use >> we can do a sign up.
>> Yeah. >> And then if somebody wanders in out of blue and just just write them in like >> we have up to 20 people, right? So >> if we're doing any direct communication, would there be a way to say like which do you prefer prefer? So you have to think about doing but the other thing
about doing like old program is that we don't necessarily want everybody right like if we end up with plenty people that look and sound like us that's not representative and we don't want right so like I'd rather I know this is too right I missed the first part of that community
>> yeah that if we end up putting on like say built a mos and we say here's where you sign up to be a part of this focus group that then we might end up with too similar a group >> which is why not sign which is start with certain groups that we're targeting
first before we put it on the Facebook specifically because I think that would but also potentially before we do a date I think to get like as many people raising their hands and then try to figure out like okay who can make it on
this date this date or this date. So I I feel like we're like we're never going to it so we have the right amount of people like I feel like if we try to manage it to that extent it's just not going to come together. I feel like for me it's like if someone asked me to be on a focus group and I can say when and
I can make that date in that time help me sign how do I sign up you know like that's one thing versus me being like oh you're going to come back to me and then I have to say yes again to committing to said >> I agree with you. Yes, I think we should have the three days or whatever like
three dates and times and >> we can also have it doesn't just have to be three. If we have three of these things people can ask her to do two more that'd be great. >> That'd be awesome. >> And I don't think we would get I think because of that then your initial
concern of is it all going to be people who look and talk like us that if we have the numbers that wouldn't be the case. And I do think like having a morning, an afternoon, an evening in the Zoom means that people are already going to be self- selected into one of those. So you're not going to have all the moms are going to go to this one time because
it's just not it's just not I think we're concerned about two different things that I'm not like the time will work itself out. People will come to the times. I'm not worried about the times. I'm worried about getting the good selection of people also, right? And so that's where that's where like I don't I don't want all five select board members
to come or all five income members, right? And that's where I feel it has to be a little more specific message. >> So I think we So again, not all five members of the selection heads like potentially the chairs, but I don't
think the chairs necessarily have the availability at the time we're holding them or the interest to be the ones to be there. I think going in saying we have these slots and we're looking for one or two of you to participate in representation of your >> and they self select
>> and then they can select based on their availability of schedule but we've come to with a personal ask of like will you attend? >> So are we planning on going to every group or department personally asking them? No, but I think I so the town administrator I think needs to be a direct ask and it would be great if
they're in their >> finance director town head can ask. I think again that's a >> the other part is this is a very busy time but all those people >> those people don't come. I would hope
that with a personal ask from Sam to attend and then maybe a follow-up from the chair to attend that that might um entice this town administrator and presenting it in front of the select board. So like then we go to the select board and say we want you here and then he's already got us an invite. So then he knows that it's
like a big deal that if we're asking them and he doesn't show up then that's you know there's strategy there of like trying to get but I definitely think we need the select board. I definitely think we need fincom. There may be other departments that we think we should
and like engage with more. We'll say COA they're right across the road. Is there a way to get Liz in the room and see where we can partner? Um, you can maybe talk about having insight from the department head meetings. Who would it be good to have feedback from within the room? Who are we already engaging with? Who are we not?
>> You know, do we need the police chief? Do we need the fire chief? I don't want to be here. So, I'm going to say no. Um, but you know, all those groups, if we think of it as a we just need one of them at any one of those meetings to come and like participate.
>> Yeah. In that version, we'd already have the date set and be like, can you attempt one of these? We don't need. So, I think that works. >> Don't give them the teen one. We ask Barbara to run a very specific teen one. We still have an acting one, you know, so town and place to make it, but >> yeah,
>> she thought they could do more. She thought they could help, right? That's different from boards too, right? >> Those work, >> but then at least we're giving them the the opportunity to choose from the set. >> I guess that makes I mean that kind of
merges both of the things. The dates are set, but we're handpicking a few people to make sure like can you guys have one of these? >> Yeah. >> And then they they occupy some of the slots, you throw the rest of the slots open when you're trying to populate the rest >> specifically also not all open, right?
Like we want to make sure we have some seniors. We want to make sure we have some schools would be another one like principal or superintendent. Although our superintendent leaving so maybe not. >> But even Megan asking I and reminding like it's for community service or whatever and there'll be food and it's you can get your hours that it
>> for the students are too many middle schoolers versus high schoolers. But >> I'm not actually I think that one probably be most dynamic most full. Yeah, they're already coming here anyway. >> So, first step within maybe this week,
we can try to get hit those um department heads or the departments anyway. Set the date first. >> They need to come first. So, we have dates on time to present everyone. So, we're not asking them twice to the dates come from the room availability. The
room availability and barber's availability. >> Oh, yeah. >> And you're out this week. Somebody text me >> and >> I can do it from home. That's not a problem. I'll ask Mike or something to do it. >> Can we make it so people can sign up so we know who's coming in?
>> Yeah, I can I can set up >> certain people and to the to the point like people are more likely to show up if they said yes, I will come on Tuesday at 3. >> Oh yeah. or whatever as opposed to oh not
right feel like we get my concern is it it would be a good problem if we had to say oh we can't have this many like that would be I think four like >> well you can create a weight list to make another program and
>> and I think you could say max of 20 she said not a big deal but like we could say 20 end up at one and five end up at anywhere and 20 sign were signed up for You could maybe ask people, you know, they like you could we just move it if
we knew who was coming. I've been in alternate focus groups before we wait and I mean yeah, >> you want to make sure there's enough in case somebody does fall out. You don't want to just put 12 and then you end up people dabbing up. So next steps is that
we'll send it to us and then >> um and then we will >> so just stuff >> like or you guys we have two conversations going on and I can't I'm sorry I'm having trouble focusing. So, we got a
question about flyers here. What was going on over here? Whether or not how we're communicating with with these folks like we're like, "Okay, we're having the same conversation at the same places." So, I'm just trying to bring us all into one reality. This first group of people, so the town administrator, >> Sam, you can reach out to Finn can reach
out to, right? Um, Liz, you can reach out too. >> Um, >> I'm questioning whether does the request confirm Sam to the boards or does Sam and the trustee boards. >> It's fine with me to be a part of it. I just don't know. Do we need to go go to
their meetings? >> I'm sure if I ask Fred, he'll he'll do it. Maybe. >> Yeah, >> there's somebody else on >> that. Steve Venudi would probably do it. Um, who else is on there >> again? And it's like that for really
taking the step to attend a meeting put you as a face and a contact. It's an advocacy moment. And so we might not need to rely on Sam to do it and we could say this is the process. We we are the ones doing strategic plan. We are working through this. >> Completely agree. Also I cannot do one
more thing right now. >> We're not chair to chair. We're saying trustee to board. >> Yes. >> Board to board. >> Yes. >> And there are six of us. >> Okay. Maybe Sam can say it so it's not first they've heard of it and then we can bring it to them or you think like eliminate because it should be
but if if Sam has these relationships or you're used to communicating >> I don't think it's a problem for me that just >> I think it's more discretion to >> like we can pull up the calendar and see is anyone able to go to the next level board meeting if not answer it right
there right now. If you want to run with a TV, >> maybe a trustee to >> I think a trustee to the select board, especially if we can get Sam's request to our town administrator beforehand. >> Yeah. Um, okay. If I should be able to
attend that Monday the 23rd select work >> and I can if you can't I cannot even if I even if I wasn't feeling completely overwhelmed I cannot. So that's >> you could have two trustes there. Trust me. >> Yes. Anyone want to join me? Please do.
>> What time is that meeting? >> I think it's usually 6:30. Give me one second cuz I just >> 6:30 in room. I don't mind writing to the schools either. Like I don't know if you feel if
you have a close connection to I I do. Yeah. So I don't doing that. I guess the question is um we can show up to like the select boards just open time and not have to put it on there
agenda too >> or we could invite them ahead of time saying hey do you want us to come as an agenda item or just bring your work? Well, when I when I invite Jim, I can ask him. >> You can ask me. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, I think that takes care of the town like we're going to talk get the
word out of the town officials, teens and children. Megan, uh, she mentioned eight plus. I don't know if Jen knows any particularly precocious. I mean, your kids are a little younger, but um, anyone that she thinks >> Yeah, they'll ask her. I'm not sure. >> Um, one of her notes, but like age group
wise, I bet they have And then if needed maybe like there the nuclear option if it doesn't fill it probably um so those are those two the um senior center when you talk to Liz
>> yeah and then see how we can promote it specifically there. >> Sure. >> Um and then and then there's the bigger question of how do we get to the rest of the folks which is going to be kind of our general throw it out there and see what sticks. So I do think that comes to
a flyer. >> Yeah. A flyer, but some kind of graphic that we page or whatever. Like we need to be able to articulate what we're asking people to do. >> LCTV slide, which probably is also going
to fit on the senior center like >> it's that aspect, right? >> The regular list of things. Um, if anyone knows and I feel like I mean I don't know who knows this or not but like the homeschoolers and the non-users those are I feel like um those would be info. I feel like the librarian know
>> yeah Jennifer knows find out from her I can write all these in an email too but find out from Jennifer but why would just directly ask once we have the dates or what I'm just trying to make a list of what's happening. Yeah.
>> I have a list I can check home schoolage too. It's a little elevated right after middle sex more. >> Um, you could reach out to the folks that have in the back of your brain. >> Yeah, I could reach out to them. Um, and you could ask less too cuz like I'm sure
there are people that go to the senior center that don't come here. >> Yeah, I was going to say I think that by hitting the senior center, putting it in the town newspaper, putting it on LCTV, making sure we're cross-listing all those little pages that are much more broad and not specific like just like
much more of a scope of opinions and >> we can even see like even if you don't go to the library and we want to hear from >> Yeah. And that probably wouldn't be a conflict with spouses. Just to mention that like I've never asked my husband why he doesn't go to the library and I feel like he would share that more in a
focus group and it's not like I work here in a way that he would be conflicted with his response. Like I think we know users that we can bring in contact. >> Isn't there a Facebook group like Littleton something Littleton citizens
or >> Yeah. for us. >> I have a Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But even like the Littleton Trans have a cross-section that we may not or he may not use the library but may not know the
resources we got either >> with a weed wrench and everything. >> So listed little Facebook sites that we can pull that together too. >> Yeah. I think once you have the graphic it's just in charge of who's doing the prosperity. >> Do you need someone to create this
layer? Can you do that? >> I Yes, I'm here to create the floor. Sam, thanks for >> um Sam, I'm happy to join you on emails if you want to have them come from both of us for any of those. I can't like dictate anything as well or
delegate it. you want to delegate too much. Um, okay. I'm gonna write all this up and send it down. You say don't reply to me. I'll write it all if there's anything
obviously reply to me individually like no that's not what we said something play. >> Yeah. And then David can go to France to alert them this and the next >> time they get alert. >> Yeah.
>> They will be busy during the same time goal. So I know >> but actually that's a really good point. So should we try to have a survey available ahead of mini golf? So at least paper >> is that too that might be too tight of a timeline but
>> aren't there people that come to mini golf that never come to the library? Yeah. Yeah. So we could, you know, just >> it's a very least a good place to advertise. >> Yeah. Prominently. >> Yeah. And even have a trustee hanging out. I appreciate like her timeline, but
we don't have to go on our timeline either. Especially cuz right cuz the state does not actually not require >> We actually have like another year before this is even due. >> Yes. >> So >> all right. And I'm not going to feel as much pressure as that felt like right there. >> So we were saying we don't have to sign
this in May. >> Not necessarily. Yeah, >> I I personally feel like May is rushed because we do have a new trustee coming on and I feel like going forward Dave should be a part of this. >> So, how long is the contract with Barbara for like is there a time?
>> There wasn't a specific time that >> she doesn't have any >> I think. >> Yeah, she's paid by the task. She does. Yeah. took like however long it >> I'm just making sure that she's like your board is not moving and therefore this expires you know >> or absolutely understand she would be
like within a year we will complete this process seems reasonable can we find out if you can stretch it to more like 4 months 5 months >> may get out >> if she has any problems if she's like no I have another contract I have to start
right now instead of conflict with it >> yeah little breathing It is a busy time. It does feel like if we can spread the focus groups out between March, April, even some of May. Although May is a very busy time of year for some of our patrons, but not all.
You know, if we're timing it well, then >> but also this is like mostly her doing this. This is not you guys doing this. So like and right, she just needs people. >> Yeah. >> It's not like a you're writing a thing.
So right. >> Yeah. So >> well those of us who can attend the focus group as one or two >> right >> we can like David did such a great job doing the meet and greet something like that for the focus group so we can spread the minds just
right. Anything else for us? I'll try to get something out. Um, >> so I guess the question I have for Barbara is she's going to send us questions. We're going to respond. >> Um, but we can't pick dates that are too close to before that process is
complete, too. So, we've got like a we need her, we need the dates before we can ask, but we might need a little more time to make the questions that what we want. So, >> yeah, this is that everything she gave us was just examples. So, it's not set in stone. So, it's
>> And if we don't have trouble finding the 10 questions that we like, >> she's making the questions. >> She's giving us a menu. >> Yeah. Right. Right. >> But we have to be selective. >> We put that in a survey.
>> Yeah. >> For us. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Or something. >> Yeah. We can bring Yeah. >> Yeah. Do we need a subgroup who's focused on this piece that process?
>> Maybe not yet. >> Well, I'm thinking the questions like everyone gets a survey and they get back. Somebody still has to go through that and compile it in a time. >> So, if no one's assigned that task, I'm sure with anything that's data, I'm good with happily.
Um, but you >> it's one thing to compile it. It's then the next thought process of like does this actually reflect what we want to get back in all this? >> Yes. >> So a single person filing. Yes. But like it's I'm more concerned about the do
these we had the process. We all fed into it. But does this really capture what we want to get out of this? So do we want to have a subcommittee for strategic planning? I'm thinking I mean I do think we all need to be
active participants and that's that's what I'm concerned about. >> Do you want to help or maybe put it that way? >> Yeah, I think we'll all probably have our pieces that maybe those become more defined
>> next week. It feels like no focus group should probably convene before the earnings. >> Definitely not. >> But we should maybe not even go to on the 23rd because that's too early is what I'm trying to get at. So take it off the calendar. We'll look at the
first one in March. >> Yeah. >> And let's get the let's get stuff ready like the flyer >> like emails like let's get that stuff ready. So get the questions together, >> the date, the communication scheme together and >> yes, let's go have a communication plan
>> ready for the next meeting dates. >> Yeah. Okay, that feels better. Um, and I'll start I'll start a document with communication. You guys need to talk about anything. I don't know if we're allowed to add to a document.
document like a Google doc to comment on it or is that form? >> No, this form of >> you can you can say this is the plan and at the next meeting we're expecting >> Yes. >> Katrina's in charge of a plan for how to create the board. >> Right. Right.
>> But Sam is going to write an email to >> and look at dates. I go a >> but we bring it to the next meeting for discussion >> and perhaps share ahead just so everyone has it. >> Sure. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay, there has a draft fire
>> fired. >> Well, just talking. >> Okay. All right. I'll pull something together within um you'll get the dates for our next meeting. We will um finalize a communication plan. >> Sounds good. >> And then we can go on it once.
>> Yeah. So, I mean, we're not holding focus group until after the ending up challenger, >> which this bleeds into trusty business, but I'm not here on the 12th or going to spring training because the kids have no school on Friday the 15th, but it's possible to either join by Zoom or let
you know I'm happy to help. Like, just sign me up for whatever. >> We're going to have like our next meeting is 12. >> Yeah. >> Like, we're probably not going to do a focus group the next weekend. But that'll be a good timing in terms of
how they start to ask guests. Um trying to figure out >> and we could possibly have survey paper survey. So it looks like in terms of making sure we hit the select board or TA
either the first meeting after the select word calendar is March 23rd the first word meeting after that feels late. Yeah. Well, >> they don't have one on the same. >> They have one on. >> So, there's one on the 23rd. They have
one on the 9th and one on the 23rd of March. >> Maybe the night we can at least give them a heads up. >> Yeah. We should know what dates. >> We'll have dates by then. Yeah. >> And we'll be >> good enough. >> Yeah. And then we can say like we'll be reaching out to you
with an email. >> Yeah. March 14th is the next time my head is going to be empty. Not empty, but at least like that's March 14th, I should say. Then I'll be able to take on more days again until >> I can go to the psych meeting of the
night. >> I can part of the communication plan. 6:30. >> Yes. Yes. And I'm probably more likely to do this. It's the last HRC meeting. I might be a few minutes late but I I
can start it. Okay, perfect. Maybe I hold off on this. Okay. Um, anything else before we start? We didn't do trust one game and then we're back 48 hour
like we're So, because of me, Susan is maxing three tickets per bingo card. >> Apparently, like I filled a bingo card and so I got eight tickets and she's like, I didn't think about what happens if someone filled a card. I'm like, Susan, always think about someone's going to fill a card cuz I'm going to
fill a card. So, I've had multiple failed cards, but now I only get three tickets. >> So, yeah, I'm I'm like doing really well with the winter reading thing. Are you going to stop reading because you only can get three tickets? And I check out something from the
library of things because that's a library and I check out snowshoes and I have gone to snowsho a few times. >> Super fun. >> So I was talking to a friend about books coordinates cuz every book that I mentioned he was
like and every like oh yeah I read it. It's very it's very funny. So we're now we join each other on good readads but there's no way we're reading those goods. So I can say that they get those dates for these information sessions now and
everybody forg and at the first meeting there was a woman there right at you know starting she was ready and I was I have to look out for anything she talked Sarah got there a few minutes later and
she was almost done >> pretty much by that. But >> did you get her information? >> She spoke to me. She said her name's Dragon something >> and uh >> and she was really um interested in the
work and she was just intimidated without sending signatures from strangers. But that was that was going to be the hardest barrier of the histo. Yeah. And that is not the first time I've heard that. >> Yeah. >> And I told her all the things I did.
Not because you got opportunity, but I said people in the little cable office were so happy to let me film three minutes and put it up so I could introduce myself to voters. >> And you don't have to do that either, >> especially if it's not contested. >> And then there's a there's a candidates
night you can go and they send you. >> Yeah. You know that's a low threshold to nice. >> Yeah, there are opportunities. There's we have another one coming up on Thursdays. >> Yes. >> Okay. We had one tonight but no one attended >> um and Sam will repost for the Thursday
when we'll do crossing. Hoping to get some new >> Yeah. It would have been our meeting. >> So it is this Thursday. >> Yes. >> Yes. At 6:30. No. Yeah, that was our meeting.
Four time four or five. >> I'll look at the email. I'll figure that out. Or >> I think it's 4 to 5. >> Uh, it's 4 to 5:00 p.m. on the 12. >> Okay. >> And is that upstairs? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. I feel like that's a little
just when the lever is open, you're not someone's not purposefully having to come by organic, right? >> So, it gives it a different vibe for sure. So we'll cross post that one and see more eyes. Is that the last one?
>> So I do think we might need to broaden our outreach pastor social groups to see if anyone's interested. >> Yeah. >> I can't remember. Well, when you post it on Thursday, we can we can post it on the little and places. But yeah,
>> yeah, we'll cross the thing. But that will also let people know that. >> I just I texted my friend who's she's a very good friend, but we're not in the same social circle because she had mentioned before that maybe someone
in their neighborhood or something. >> Sam, is that something um in terms of an opening on the board? like just know that there will be >> one. Is that something we can announce on like the email >> library email? >> Yeah, sure.
>> So maybe this last one we can >> I think I did send it out. >> Feel like you might have >> Yeah, I did send that out with the um back sending again. >> Yeah. So let's see where we are. I think that little word that you have
here. >> Where else can you >> I'll be collecting signatures and I'll just start asking everyone to be so easy. You just need to reg. >> When's the deadline to pull papers?
>> March. >> Yeah, March 28th. >> Okay. >> The deadline is the same deadline as submitting. >> You can you can take out papers up until the moment when the >> was March 25th last. >> Yeah, it's March 23rd is the deadline
for it to be submitted. I think they it will probably be the week before that they Well, this is not the same date, but Yeah, we have a month. Yeah. Yeah. >> So, I have to say my daughter was looking for one more hour volunteer time
for NHS and she's on the library committee. So, she reached out for me to go off like so that mailing that I always do. Can I can I do that? I handed her the mailing. It was kind of nice to see a independently done mailing by a high schooler which I
oversaw to make sure she didn't mess it up but she did a good job. I was like this is mail merge. Let's talk about habit mail. >> I know right. She learned a new skill but she also was like this is the best hour of
volunteers. >> And then I reminded her they need go they need volunteers. I don't know if they've had the volunteer. >> No, I'm assuming that's >> when if you'd like I can share it with NHS and tell them to share it via me.
>> They can get it to them unless they have a direct >> although it is super always jealous. >> Okay, >> move to move to. >> All in favor? I