May 29, 2024 Minutes

South Londonderry Association Inc.
Board of Trustee Minutes
5 PM Wednesday May 29, 2024


Call to order: 5:02
Attendees: Sunny Wright, Mimi Wright, Sarah Wiley, Pam Abraham, Steve Swinburne, Madeline Helser
Excused: Gale Kuhlberg, Jinhwa Jo

1. Director report-see hard copy and email report from Madeline Helser
   

Additional information:  South Londonderry Free Library are now connected
Summer reading program prizes needed-Mimi to ask for donation at Grandma Millers? Donations from Jakes approx... 50 prizes needed
Email was received to consider Glass negative digitation of the glass collection-free VT State Archives June 20th  (webinar)
Share AC ask on FB.   The 2 upstairs windows are small. Should an outright purchase be considered?

1. David Shade (Trustee candidate) joined the meeting at 5:15p-“Love this place and would like to help” Have not served on a Board before”.   Interior design Co. Fr in law plays guitar at Peru church.
   

III.    Donna Pagnucco (Trustee candidate) joined the meeting at 5:30p- She offered her resume and
Offered to volunteer on Wednesdays.  She suggested Library goals include: Wealth, wisdom, work…enthusiasm and a sense of humor   “Love of books”, a Community Hub for everyone

IV.    Madeline’s request re:hiring a backup substitute so she can go to schools (outreach) and to cover part of her vacation time
Guarantee 3 hrs.  I.e. during the week to free up Madeline for other activities or Saturdays…
Leah Wright is interested $20…to check with availability at least 2 Saturdays (were there any other candidates?)
Madeline offered the value of outreach to preschools ~ Library literacy home.  Busy parents may not have time to read or offered book availability.  Books can be brought to the students; they can use the library on off time. Circle time…

1. The Board discussion both candidates and unanimously voted to offer them a position on the Board.  Trustee information/literature will be emailed.
   

1. Financial Report-see the hard copy from the Bookeeper 
   

Vanguard-can funds be used for Library capital needs? Suggestion that members think how/if we might use it for important projects vs writing a grant.


VII       Fall 2024 grant submission opportunities: The VT Dept. of Libraries Public Facilities
 Preservation for  Small Rural Libraries needing HVAC, ADA, windows) (Sept) and 
Thrifty Attic (Nov)
Pam stated that she would like help with identifying grant opportunities and with the applications. Steve Swinburne suggested hiring a professional Grant writer. Board members will reach out to the community for possible candidates to consider. 
Hunter: 5/28 the Library is in the queue for excavation. Bret Carter will reach out when the date arrives.
ADA: Madeline posted interior signs for anyone to “Ask for assistance/help if needed”
Contractor: needed to evaluate the cost for a first floor restroom prior to grant application.
ADA Timeline to be shared via email.

1. Appeal letter: when is the best time to send it out…All members are to come up with a theme or project suggestion.
   

Upcoming business
Friends of the Libraries group? They are volunteers who help fundraise for nonprofits.

Peru Fair September 28, 2024 and the library will have a table.  To be discussed further
Grant: VT Preservation Trust…Bret at Hunter Excavation update
Huge thanks to Paul Abraham for trail work and Pam Abraham for getting the AC’s installed
Seek a Grant writer….everyone to reach out
Adjourned 6:44p
Next Meeting June______, 2024
Respectfully submitted,

Pam Abraham
Board Secretary