Call to order. >> 12. >> We need a bigger flag. >> It gets hidden. >> There it is. >> It's the hidden by the camera. >> There we go. Yeah. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Before we start, maybe we should go around the table giving our names.
>> We have two friends from friends. >> I'll start. Don Davidson, trustee >> Mary Teresa Hicks and I'm from Fellow Denise Mcclli and treasurer of FEL Bennett trustee >> Bonnie Stravel library director >> Paulie Fidleberg trustee
>> Pauly Douly trustee Alisa Gilroy trustee Amy Darus this is library director Sue Costa trustee >> okay >> Valerie >> we're all yes >> camera operator extraordinaire
>> there you Go. >> All right. >> Okay. >> Motion to approve the minutes of the 9:29 meeting with the schooling officials. >> Motion to approve. >> Second.
>> Any discussion, corrections? All in favor? >> I. >> Motion to approve the minutes of the October 13th meeting. >> Motion to approve the 13th Second. Okay. Any discussion,
corrections, additions, subtractions? >> All in favor? >> I >> The date of the next meeting, December 10th at 12:00. Everyone okay with that?
>> Great. Any correspondence? Okay. Motion to accept the director's report. >> Motion to accept. >> Second >> discussion.
Anything to add? >> I don't have anything to add unless there's any questions. >> The numbers look really strong for registered patrons. >> I think we're going to get over 100,000 checkouts this year. >> Wow. well on our way. So, we were at 90
I think it was 92,000 for last um FY25 and we're already doing really well beyond that and it's staying pretty steady. So, >> I had a question when I read this um you must have talked about it because it was old business project is on hold. Is that
just a time thing or >> um it's really the the landscape? >> Oh, we're waiting to go forward >> because he didn't like the condition of the trees. >> Okay. All right. a little bit of recommended waiting till the spring and we have nicer options to choose from.
>> Can we go back to the date of the next meeting >> because I'm a dinosaur with my paper calendar and I'm saying it's December 8th. >> Am I wrong? >> Okay. All in favor,
>> it's wonderful how busy you are. >> I know we're fully staffed, so that's even better. >> You're welcome. >> Fingers crossed. >> Yeah, I have a good feeling. >> Oh, yeah. Did you want to mention something?
>> Oh, yes, we have. Yes, we do have our um parttime person started about two weeks ago. Her name is Teresa and she has been a library intern for about 10 years now. We've seen a lot of her and we are very happy to have her. She's doing a great job so far.
>> So, she's mostly going to work. >> That was in here. >> Yeah, that was in there. She's usually work Tuesdays and Fridays. So, you come in on those days. >> Somebody I think was new seemed new to me yesterday. Was it yesterday? No, Saturday. >> She was here Saturday. Yes.
>> Yeah. She has short long hair. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Teresa. >> All in favor of accepting the report. >> I need a motion to accept the assistant director's report.
>> Motion here. >> It's a tag team. >> I switch it out each time. That's okay. >> Somebody's got to do it. >> Anything to add or any questions?
>> Okay. All in favor? >> We're looking forward to that book club. >> Thank goodness. >> Is it an addition two or did it replace one >> edition? Yeah, just another book club. >> Great.
>> That's Thursday, right? There's just at 6 p.m. 7. >> Okay. I sent an email too late to make the printed version. >> Oh, you did? >> It's on the same page as the >> assistant's report. Too late for me because I printed out other stuff
>> which I won't do anymore. And since we have Mary, Teresa, and Denise here, we can get an in-person update from them. And I just want to emphasize to the people watching at home that the library couldn't function the way it does without the friends. We get
is it 90%. >> It's 83%. I did the math. >> 83% of our materials budget comes from the work the friends do >> and 100% of the programming budget >> all comes from the friends. >> And a lot of furniture. including upholstering the seating.
>> Yes, we have a new bench coming in. That was Denise's request, >> possibly a new dropbox. >> Yes, still working on that. Y >> got the outside box moved. >> Yes, we got that moved.
>> So, um you go ahead. >> Treasur is here. I didn't know is going to make it. So, we recently um dispersed $40,000 um to the library for the purchase of materials that is going to be cleaned up in 2026.
And um right now in the middle of our membership drive or we have $70,000 in our account. Um, you know, this is just a really over the last 10 years, it's just there's no comparison to what we used to
be able to donate to the library and through our book sales and through the um generosity of our members um we've just been able to give a lot more. I do have to add since I do the um donor box the online keep track of the membership
um the 100 plus donors the number of those have gone up significantly since co we thought we'd see a drop off but we haven't it's just continued to get more and more so that's a large part of um our giving of faith help
>> yeah and this year um when people renew we're actually getting all these little notes on the renewal renewals thanking us and thanking library staff for all the work we do for the to benefit the town and the community. >> So that's >> I think it shows in the library.
>> Yeah. Thanks. Yeah, I think so. >> Are you able to see if the donations are town um like patrons or are they just from everywhere? Anywhere? >> Well, we get a mix, but majority of people are from Westport, but there are
people from Dartmouth, Tibetan. Um, >> sometimes they're summer pe Sometimes they're summer people and they live in Boston or wherever. Yeah. Cambridge. >> Yep. >> Um, yeah. So, it's a mix. >> Yeah, it is a mix. >> Yeah, for sure. >> That that summer group could be a good group. Obviously, they're already
donating, but could tap into they must I would imagine many come to the library in the summertime, but maybe don't get particularly year round. But >> yeah, be a good resource. >> Unlike the Council on Aging, we do not do mass mailing. Um
and you know we had checked into the possibility of doing that. Right now the amount we spend um out of our our entire budget we put probably 92%
of what we get goes into the library. It's only 8% of funds that's for office supplies and just various things like renting the pod for the book sale, things like that. So, that's pretty remarkable. You know, obviously since we're all volunteers and we don't have
to uh fund a space, >> um all of those things make a big difference obviously for a nonprofit. >> Yeah. >> Um so, basically the bottom line is is we have at least $20,000 extra that we could put into something
um at the library. We we would like it to go to something that would be meaningful to our members um you know whether it be seating or whether it be you know something that we that they could relate to that they would use. Um so just for you to be aware of that that we have at least that
amount of money that we could disperse >> hedge together. >> Yes. Yes. Come up with some proposals >> could be more depending on what we end up with at the end of our membership drive. Right. But minimum $20,000. >> And the membership drive is drive is annually, right? It is always in
October. >> It starts in October. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> You know, we we get memberships throughout the year, honestly. And and some of people renew right before the book sale, you know, because you know, that sort of thing. So, it's not I mean, this is >> that,
right? So, that happens. But yeah, it it we get memberships throughout the year, but most of it is during this membership period between October and say January. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But people like you said continue to donate, renew their membership
throughout the year. So, >> and you know, we're always willing to entertain, you know, your questions or anything like that. You know, um as a board, we have a very um I think our board has works really well together. We're a really tight board. I I mean,
I've been on the board since 2015. Um, I was president for six and a half years and treasurer for president and treasurer for like three or four years. I can't remember. But, um, this is probably the best board we've ever had.
>> Just go along with that. Um, I think the point too that you just made about um, coordinating with the trustees. we have this money, these sums of money that we want to um help the library improve and so we'll look to you to give us ideas
and proposals for >> hopefully capital improvement. >> Capital Yeah. And so that we can work together on making, you know, some good things happen at the library. >> And we we have a um our annual meeting is Thursday night at 6:30 and we're
going to have refreshments and it's a very brief meeting. It's just election of officers and and um directors and everyone's welcome to attend. Members, everybody >> and the snacks are always good. >> The snacks are good. I may I may be making cookies.
>> And then Saturday is a program sponsored by the >> Yes. Heart for your mind. >> Yes. It's um called Why So Famous? So the topic um art for your mind is an organization run by Jill Sanford that takes different topics um related to art
um and fine arts and things like that. And so this topic is why so famous you know you see paintings some are just recognizable or iconic and why is that one any better than that one or whatever. So that's what she hopes to help people who attend to understand you
know what what to look at how to look at a piece of artwork and uh see the reason why it's become famous. >> It sounds dry but she's very entertaining >> because we had it we've had it before. >> Yeah. >> And no it's one to two.
>> Thanks. >> Okay. >> We didn't have a motion on your report. >> No we didn't. Sorry. >> I make a motion to accept >> a second. >> Clar's report. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Okay. >> Any updates on safety? Driveway assigned. >> Um I was supposed to look for a sign. >> I can pass that around real quick. That's what I have. >> 24 by 24.
>> We were thinking of getting two. put one up on the little island that way and then one down before they so they turn in front of the school. >> We get the highway department. >> Nice. I I like that it's red. >> It's It's reflective, too. So,
>> very nice. >> I think we'll >> I don't know if anybody noticed, but the past couple of days the cars have been backing up for the elementary backup here. >> Yeah. Yeah. I don't know why all the >> Well, they used to have two lines to line up in front of the school. Now they're down to one line. So, there's no
room for the cars to go. >> So, they backed up that way and that way again. And plus up to the library. So, if you're leaving the library that time, >> you might have to wait. >> Yeah. >> Sean's usually here around quarter 1 and they're already in line after pickup.
>> There's one van that is there at quarter one >> every day. Yeah, >> I just came in. This car is with people sitting or the the parking lot's full. >> Our parking lot is full >> right now. It is.
>> I just came in. Not parking lots full. People sitting in the car and I can tell you the last week I was here, three buses to drop off kids to play tennis were in our parking lot and one bus tried to back up while kids were
running across. wasn't the sign will help. >> Maybe um when the athletic director talks to schools, they could let them know. >> I mean, Laura would definitely
um help with that. She's been so good. But the athletic director could handle that because she does the scheduling. >> Who wants to contact her? Laura. >> No. Oh, the athletic director. >> Athletic director. >> I'll call her. >> Okay.
>> Where's the athletic director? >> She's new. I don't This is your second year. I don't know who she is. >> I think part of the problem is that the GPS in Google tells everyone to come here for the school. So, if they're Yeah. >> So, if they're, you know, coming from
another school where they don't know, they just assume because the GPS tells them. >> Sure. Right. >> Oh, they come a few. to change that. >> They only come once a year, >> but um maybe put a bee in there on it. >> Yeah, I think the signs should help a
lot though. >> Oh, I I would hope so. >> I'll let you order the signs because they're from Amazon. >> Oh, sure. >> Black Friday's coming up. >> Yeah, maybe we get a discount on them. >> That's all we have for safety. Do you
have um did the guys come in that for the door? >> Not yet. >> Not yet. We have a two issues with the door. One that needs some better weather stripping under the bottom where they slide. You can see daylight under them. >> And the other one they never hooked up the interior handicap. But
>> what was the other one? >> Uh the exit sign right about the hooked back >> and there's a safety light that wasn't >> okay. >> An emergency light wasn't when the guy comes. You can tell about the emergency light. Oh, okay. Yeah. >> And I gave Bonnie the contact
information going forward so she doesn't have to go home. So, >> we kind of forgot about it until the weather got really cold and we went to shut the inner doors and realized that they were not yet. >> How could the stuff not get done?
>> Someone else from the company was supposed to come back and finish that and didn't and we all kind of just forgot about it. >> Do you have access to the video now for the cameras? >> Yeah. speed. Did we send that picture to the officer to get reimbured for the repairs? >> They are supposed to He spoke to the
families and they were going to come pay us, but >> can we determine a dollar amount? >> Yes. Yes, we got um an estimate as to what it would cost to fix that. So, we will see if they show up, but we'll see.
>> And what about the panic buttons? The portable emergency buttons? No. >> Did you talk to him about >> I have talked to him. He wrote it down again. We'll say >> it's tough when he's a oneman show. >> Yeah, we were talking about there's a
couple spots that we might want to get another camera for now that um you know everybody's back and we can see what's happening. Um there are a couple of blind spots that would be >> I think we had trim those bushes on that side too. >> Yes. Yeah, he had something to do. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. I think he had started it over the summer, but he could do that again. >> So, are all the kids back? The ones that were suspended? >> Uh, some of them. We are having a much um easier time this past week with having the kids sign in with their IDs has made a huge difference.
>> Um, some of them are just choosing not to come over because if they're only coming over to cause travel and we know who they are, that takes all the fun out of it. So, that's cut down a lot. And the kids who are coming over who want to, you know, use the library for its intended purpose,
>> they leave a card or something. >> They have student IDs. >> Okay. >> And you're collecting them. >> Mhm. >> Nice. >> And then when they leave >> and then Yeah, they get to come in and out once and then they take their ID and go and instead of running back and forth 17 times. >> I'm glad it's working. >> That's terrific.
>> So yeah, the first week went really, really well and it's not taking too much um time for the staff or anything. It's fine. >> I saw Dan out there the other day. >> Yeah. Um, so yeah, this is the last week for them to hopefully bring in because we still if somebody is not aware of the
policy still we give them the paper but they can come in, you know, for the day still. Um, so this is kind of the final week that we want everyone who is planning to come in to have their signed forms. >> Now going forward, are they just going to stop the desk? We are we still going to stop them coming in? >> Um, they're just we're telling them to
just come around to the desk um the that other door um near my office. They come in there and line up and drop off their IDs. And >> so, so far so good. >> Yes. >> Wow. That's a major problem solved.
>> It is. It's a huge relief for the staff. So, >> personnel Bonnie gave the personnel news >> committee hasn't met >> new business holiday hours. >> Yes. >> Okay. request that we um close the
Saturday after Thanksgiving. The town is closed the Thursday and Friday. So, we would like to have the Saturday for the library staff. >> That's the 29th, Friday. >> Yes. Yeah. The town itself is closed Thursday, Friday. >> And it's a half day on Wednesday. >> And a half day on Wednesday. Yeah. That's all through the town, but since
we're on Saturdays, >> it's a nice long weekend. >> It is. It's very nice. We've done it the past two years and we've had no complaints that people wish we were open on the Saturday. So, when we were open, there weren't a lot of people here. >> Well, that was it. We found nobody comes in, so it's no point.
>> Yeah. >> How about December? >> Uh, that is uh the way the days work. We'll be open the town will be open Friday, so we'll be open Saturday, too. >> You You'll be open Friday. >> Yeah.
>> It's um Wednesday. Christmas Eve is a Wednesday, so we'll have the half of the day. We close Christmas Day on Thursday. And then um all of the town offices and us will open on Friday and we'll be open Saturday. And the same thing for New Year's this year,
but next year it should work out maybe. >> Yeah. >> Huh. Okay. I think we need a motion to a motion to accept the holiday hours. I make a motion. >> Any more discussion? All in favor?
>> I >> I >> Okay. Any old business? Okay. >> I uh was at least the other day and they always ask if you want to your receipt. >> Yeah. >> And people say no. >> Yes.
>> So I have started saying to people, gee, we made $4,000 with receipts at the library last year. And they look at me. I said, "The library?" And I said, "There are other organizations in town." And I said, "You should save
your receipts and turn them in to somebody." >> Yeah. Preferable to the library. >> So someone said to me, "Oh, $4,000. So that means $40,000 was spent." I said, "No, >> it's 400,000." >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> And they were pretty amazed. I said, "And we're one organization." And the other thing I mentioned is that people say lease doesn't donate but they do big time >> and that is financially rather than supplies.
>> Yes. >> And Mary Teresa just put something on our blog thanking Lee's thanking Bos Bank thanking Patricia Blue McDonald for supporting the library. >> That's right. >> But I find if you tell people they might
listen. Yes. >> Should we send a thank you note with a picture of the carpet deboss? >> Um, >> we're going to put it in the newsletter. >> We are okay. >> It was It was um >> We asked for 50, we got five.
>> We got seven. >> Seven. >> Yes. >> That's the way to do it. >> Well, we we learned how to do things differently the next time. Oh, >> I think our timing was off as we were
towards the end of the cycle of giving grants out. So, >> yeah, we just got ours for the newsletter and they actually gave us a little bit of extra money because they had it left over. >> We don't ask for a whole lot from them because we just, you know, it's like $80 each newsletter, which doesn't sound
like a lot, but you know, um, every little bit makes a difference. Well, if we had asked for 15 or 20 rather than asking for 50, we may have done better. >> You know what I'm saying? Because five is such a small percent of what you're
looking for, >> right? Well, we will we will put I mean, you know, a photograph of the carpeting in the next newsletter which comes out in January and we so it was partially funded by Bay Coast Bank. How did you fund the rest of it? Uh >> the rest was a donation from the estate
of Richard Anderson. So, we need to put that in there as well. So, we will do that. Yeah, we'll do that. So, and then they what I do is every time we produce a newsletter, I hand carry a copy of it to the Westport branch and hand it to them. >> Nice. Nice. >> Oh, that's nice. >> I copy your last newsletter to the lady
that does the grants. >> Oh. Yeah. Yeah. I always point out that their ad is in there because the you when you get a grant, they're always asking, "Well, how are you going to, you know, um >> publicize >> what we do?
Good. Good. Anything else? >> Motion to adjourn. >> Motion to >> 12:25. Everyone in favor. Bye.