01/12 -


LIBRARY BOARD MEETING - to be approved at the next meeting
January 9, 2006
MINUTES

Present: Ed Boutin, Shari Broder, John Creasy, Beth Edmonds, Jane Fox, Bob Lezer, Sheila Nappi, John Slavin, Annee Tara

Excused: Jane Danielson


Minutes from the November 7, 2005 meeting were unanimously accepted.

I. Directorˇ¦s Report
„« Update of wireless connection - Wireless internet access has received positive response from patrons. Publicity has been intentionally minimal. Through school newsletters, Beth will notify parents that wireless access is available at the library.
„« Maine Humanities Book Club update ˇV Currently 10 members have signed up to participate. The group will meet on Thursdays from 2-4PM over the next 5 months to discuss 5 Maine-based books. All resources provided by the Maine Humanities Council.
„« School/Public Library cooperation ˇV Librarians throughout the Freeport schools and town are meeting on monthly basis to discuss A) Connection of public and school library catalogs and B) Develop a ˇ§Community Read Programˇ¨ that would involve middle school students through adulthood.
„« Gifts to the library ˇV Patrons have generously donated to the B.H. Bartol Library. Semi annual acknowledgements are made before the town council.
„« Fundraising ˇV A solicitation letter will go out to prior library donors in late March. The board will develop a database. Annee Tara will coordinate.
„« Budget hearing schedule ˇV Library Board representation will be needed at the April 11, 2006 budget meeting with the town council. Both school and municipal budgets will be discussed.

II. Policy Discussions
„« Art donated to library ˇV Jane Fox will develop a formal policy on how to handle non-monetary items donated to the library. The board will approve at the next meeting.

III. Book Access for Shut-in Patrons - Bob Lezer is coordinating efforts w/ Freeport Community Services and Freeport Elders to provide a service that delivers books to community members (similar to Meals on Wheels Program) . Jane Danielson will provide information about a similar program in Brunswick. Once established, publicity may be in the monthly library column in The Shopping Notes.

IV. Fundraising
„« Anne Tara will make initial contact with Laura McDill to explore her mentioned interest in fundraising for the library.
„« Education Foundation of Freeport(EFF) - Efforts of school and town librarians to coordinate catalogs may require additional financial resources. Grant application may be submitted to EFF to assist w/ project. Due 3/31/06.

V. Clock discussion
„« Winton Scott, original architect who designed the library, suggested a modern clock face to enhance the existing contemporary architectural style of the library. Beth will contact him for specific recommendations and costs.

VI. New Business
„« Annual book sale to benefit the library will be held in April. The librarians will run it w/ support from the board.
„« Beth will e-mail the board a list of upcoming childrenˇ¦s programs


Meeting Adjourned at 7:50 PM. Next meeting will be on Monday February 6, 2006 @ 7PM