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Waterboro Public Library, P.O. Box 308, East Waterboro, Maine / Phone: 207.247.3363 / contact webmaster / contact librarian
Last modified: 1/Jan/2007/
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Library Board Meeting Minutes


Current Library Trustees

Library Board members:

The job description for library trustee is available here.


Library Board Meetings 2006

Board Meeting: Dec. 28, 2006

Members present: Brigit McCallum, Jon Willard, Tom Cyr, Roberta Gallant, and Sherri Johnson. Librarian: Ruth Blake. Absent: Dee Baker.

Minutes from November meeting were discussed. Brigit asked for a correction of the date for the next Friend's meeting. It will be on Jan. 4th, not the 1st. Motion to accept with this edit by Jon. Seconded by Tom. Approved 5-0.

Financial report: Ruth had just received records from the town and will review them with Tom. There was some concern about numbers on certain items and these will need to be cleared up.

Librarian's report: Ruth reported that the electrician has not yet shown up to repair lights. She will look into whether we have to use the town recommended electrician.

Building Committee report: Tom said that they are continuing with the grant-writing process.

Friends report: Brigit reported the Walkathon planning meeting to be held on Jan. 1st. They are also working on the plans for a dance.

Election of Officers: Secretary has been asked to check minutes from earlier years of the Board to discover by-laws created to determine number of Board members required and election of officers. Nomination made for Jon Willard to fill the role of President made by Tom. Seconded by Bobbi. Approved 5-0. Nomination made by Jon for Brigit to fill the role of Vice President. Seconded by Bobbi. Approved 5-0. Nomination to have Sherri continue to be Secretary made by Bobbi. Seconded by Jon. Approved 5-0. The election to the position of Treasurer will be tabled until the January meeting. Motion made by Bobbi. Seconded by Jon. Approved 5-0.

Old Business

  1. Jon has recommended the SPAM program, 'Spam Eater Pro,' at a cost of $25 for each computer. Motion by Jon to buy two copies and test their effectiveness, at a cost of $50. Seconded by Brigit. Approved 5-0.
Motion made by Jon to table remaining Old Business until January. Seconded by Bobbi. Approved 5-0.

New Business

  1. Ruth presented a copy to be reviewed of the Annual Report. A few amendments were made. Tom made a motion to accept the report as amended. Seconded by Jon. Approved 5-0.
  2. Jon made a motion to have personal remote access to the library system to enable him to assist Ruth with the work on Info Center data base. Seconded by Bobbi. Approved 5-0. Tom and Jon will work out the details of how to accomplish this.

Motion to adjourn by Jon. Seconded by Bobbi. Approved 5-0.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 25.

Respectfully submitted, Sherri Johnson


Board Meeting: Nov. 30, 2006

Members present: Tom Cyr, Roberta Gallant, Jon Willard and Sherri Johnson. Librarian: Ruth Blake. Absent: Brigit McCallum, Dee Baker.

In Brigit's absence, a Chairman pro tem was selected. Tom was nominated by Bobbi. 2nd by Jon. Approved 4-0.

A motion was made to approve minutes from October meeting by Jon. 2nd by Bobbi. Approved 4-0.

Librarian's report: Ruth wanted to add that an electrician will be coming to replace/fix non working lights in the building.

Financial Report: We are still missing reports from July, Aug., and October. From our own records everything is on target.

Building Committee Report: A workshop meeting has been planned for Dec. 18th, to focus on grant writing. A mass mailing to patrons was recently accomplished. The focus this next year will be primarily toward finding private donors.

Friends Report: Next meeting to be held on Jan. 1, 2007. A walk-a-thon is being planned for late Spring.

Old Business

  1. The tabled item of the regulation of public computer uses remained tabled.
  2. Problem with excessive spam on library accounts was discussed. Motion was made by Jon to research spam blockers himself and bring a recommendation to the next board meeting. 2nd by Tom. Approved 4-0.
  3. ALA minimal information-keeping policy remains tabled until the policy can be located and reviewed. Ruth will find a copy and forward to all board members.

New Business

  1. Policy to upkeep patrons records: There is an on-going system of a yearly review where patrons numbers will be flagged for an update.Non users of several years are being assessed. A new policy of deleting a patrons file after 3 years of inactivity was proposed . A motion to direct the librarians to develop a written procedure to maintain patron data and present it to the board for review, was made by Bobbi. 2nd by Tom. Approved 4-0.
  2. We tabled the election of officers until Brigit could be present. Motion to do so by Jon. 2nd by Bobbi. Approved 4-0.
  3. Ruth discussed frustrations of having several computers operating under different systems. Would like them all to be consistent. A motion was made by Jon to install 'Open Office' for staff computers at this time, for a trial period. If it does not meet staff needs, the issue can be redirected to the board at a later date. 2nd by Bobbi. Appproved 4-0. Tom will install this program.
  4. Web site discussion remained on the table. A motion to create a web site content sub committee to evaluate and recommend changes to the web site was made by Jon. 2nd by Bobbi. Approved 4-0. Sub committee to report back to the board in 6 months.
  5. Members of web site sub committee to include Jon, Tom, Bobbi, Ruth and any other interested persons. Motion made by Jon. 2nd by Sherri. Approved 4-0. Notice will be put on bulletin board to make patrons aware of this opportunity. This committee will meet on Dec. 28th, following the regularly scheduled Trustees meeting.
  6. Annual report is due in Jan. To be discussed at next meeting.
  7. Library Open House will be held on December 9th from 9-3. A special photography workshop will be held at 1:30.
  8. Next meeting to be held Dec. 28th at 7 p.m.

Motion to adjourn made by Sherri. 2nd by Tom. Approved 4-0.

Next meeting: Dec. 28, 7 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Sherri Johnson


Board Meeting: Oct. 26, 2006

Tom Cyr to take minutes in the absence of Sherri Johnson.

Members present: Brigit McCallum, Tom Cyr, Dee Barker, Roberta Gallant, Jon Willard. Absent: Sherri Johnson. Librarian: Ruth Blake.

Motion to approve minutes of last meeting. Motion: Jon 2nd: Tom Carried 5-0-0

Motion to accept the FY 2008 operating and capital budget request of $99,630 as defined in the previous workshop session and as amended. (Ruth to clarify a few text items on various detail pages. Trustees also recommended changing one spending category title from 'Equipment Fund Comp. Maint.' to 'Capital Spending' for clarity. Motion: Jon 2nd: Tom Carried 5-0-0

Public Computers: Contrary to the Library's computer use policy -- 'No patron, or other computer user shall install or use any software not present on the system as configured by the staff" -- some users are modifying icons on the desktop, installing downloaded programs, and changing Internet settings (i.e. changing home page to a pornography site from the waterborolibrary.org page). Discussion concerned what technology fixes may be implemented to solve the problem and/or what changes in operation may help solve the problem. Bobbi Gallant presented a page describing the 'lockdown' program used by the Biddeford library. Tom will investigate this option. Motion to table the discussion, pending research by Ruth on what other libraries are doing, and the distribution of the text of our current Acceptable Use Policy. (Policy document was copied and distributed immediately.) Motion: Jon 2nd: Dee Carried 4-1-0

ALA minimal information-keeping policy: No text of this policy was presented. Motion to table until actual text of a proposed policy is available. Motion: Tom 2nd: Dee Carried 5-0-0

Add bulletin board in Front Hall for Library Use only (in addtion to the current publicly available one): Motion to approve. Motion: Jon 2nd: Bobbi Carried 5-0-0

Excessive spam in staff email accounts: Move to table discussion pending further research and to include spam protection software (or subscription fees) in FY 2008 budget, under Computer Software category (Amount to remain the same, reallocation only). Motion: Jon 2nd: Dee Carried 5-0-0

Meeting date for November 2006: Traditional meeting date falls on Thanksgiving Day. Motion to move regular meeting date to the following Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006, 7 p.m. at the library. Motion: Tom 2nd: Jon Carried 5-0-0.

Adjourn 8:40pm: Motion: Bobbi 2nd: Dee Carried 5-0-0


Board Meeting: Sept. 28, 2006

Introductions and welcomes were made to new board members Roberta Gallant and Jon Willard.

Members present: Brigit McCallum, Tom Cyr, Dee Barker, Roberta Gallant, Jon Willard, Sherri Johnson. Librarian: Jean Rundgren.

Secretary's report for July 27 meeting: Motion to approve made by Dee, seconded by Tom, approved 6-0.

Financial Report: Still waiting for final report for end of fiscal year.

Librarian's report was noted.

Building Committee Report: Tom reported that presentations for the new library have been made to the Selectmen and the local Lions Club. Two public forums were advertised but were not attended. Four areas have been identified to pursue: Grant writing, Major donors, Friends' event-based fund raising, and direct mail.

Friends Report: Brigit reported that fundraising events are being planned, including a Spring walk-a-thon, read-a-thon, Spring dance and a possible auction.

Business

A 5-year Capital Plan (PDF file) was proposed and accepted. A motion to accept the proposed 5-year Capital plan was made by Jon, seconded by Dee, approved 6-0.

A motion to adjourn was made by Tom, seconded by Dee. Approved 6-0.

Upcoming meetings: Oct. 12th, a special meeting to discuss the operations budget, at 7 p.m. Regular trustees' meeting on Oct. 26th at 7 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Sherri Johnson


Board Meeting: July 27, 2006

The beginning of the meeting was dedicated to a proposal for a presentation that Tom Cyr will present to the Selectmen on Tuesday, Aug. 1. Present for this presentation were Brigit McCallum, Jack Seery, Tom Cyr, Dee Barker, Carol Noble, Ruth Blake, Maggie Taylor, Judy, and Sherri Johnson. The Trustee's meeting was immediately following this presentation.

Members present: Brigit McCallum, Tom Cyr, Dee Barker, and Sherri Johnson. Librarian: Ruth Blake.

Secretary's report for the June 8 meeting. Motion to approve made by Dee. Seconded by Sherri. Approved 4-0.

Financial report: Tom is still waiting for the final expenditures to be noted before determining the final numbers for the year.

Librarian's report: New flat-screen monitors were installed. The new InfoCentre has been installed and the library now has an on-line catalog.

Friends report: The megasale on July 22 brought in $2,862.40, as follows:

Old Business

  1. Discussed the purchase of a printer/copier upgrade that is in the budget. A motion was made by Dee to purchase a Brother MFC-8860DN machine with the needed parts to integrate it into the existing network, with a cost limit of $800. Seconded by Sherri. Approved 4-0.

  2. Further discussion on the content of the WPL website is tabled until the September meeting.

The Sept. meeting will be held on Sept. 21 because of schedule conflicts, instead of on Sept. 28. (There is no meeting planned for August.)

Motion to adjourn made by Dee. Seconded by Tom. Approved 4-0.

Respectfully submitted, Sherri Johnson


Board Meeting: June 8, 2006

Members present: Brigit McCallum, Tom Cyr, Dee Barker, and Sherri Johnson. Librarian: Ruth Blake.

New Business

Motion was made by Tom to allocate remaining funds in budget to capital items as described below:

  1. LCD projector
  2. Two computers
  3. Six LCD monitors
  4. Six battery back-ups with surge protectors
  5. Two computer tables
This motion was seconded by Dee. Approved 4-0.

Discussed the summer schedule. The July meeting will center on approval of web site elements.

A motion was made by Dee that we skip our August meeting. Second by Tom. Approved 4-0.

A motion was made by Dee to adjourn. Second Tom. Approved 4-0.

Next meeting to be held on July 27.

Respectfully submitted, Sherri Johnson


Board Meeting: May 25, 2006

Members present: Brigit McCallum, Tom Cyr, Dee Barker, and Sherri Johnson. Librarian: Ruth Blake.

Secretary's Report for April 27 meeting. Motion to approve by Tom, seconded by Brigit. Approved 4-0.

Financial report: Given by Tom. Reported a quiet month with no budget concerns.

Librarian's report: Ruth spoke of receiving the Narragansett grant for the summer reading program. Process is underway to hire a new library employee.

Building Committee report: Given by Tom. Drawings were shown to board members. These plans have been tentatively approved and are awaiting the final drawings. Looking at fundraising for an estimated cost of $2,250,000. There will be a workshop meeting on June 5th to prepare a presentation for the Selectmen. Next Building Committee meeting will be held on June 19th.

Friends Report: Given by Brigit. Reported that the downstairs has been actively worked on and that she was preparing to clean the rug. The Megasale will be held the fourth Saturday of July.

Old Business

  1. Discussed which of the current web site elements to continue on the new website. In creating a new web site, did we want to recreate a new web index or use a link to the old one? Discussed having a community generated booklist for favorite books within certain topics. Because of time constraints, this discussion was tabled until our next meeting.

New Business:

  1. A motion was made to approve Carol Noble as the new library staff member, should she accept the position. Motion was made by Tom, seconded by Dee. Approved 4-0.
  2. A motion was made by Tom to accept the proposed plans as developed and approved by the Building Committee for the new library. Seconded by Dee. Approved 4-0.
  3. A special date was set for the Trustees to meet for budget decisions. This will be Thursday, June 8th, at 7 p.m. This will be our Monthly meeting for June.

A motion to adjourn was made by Dee, seconded by Brigit. Approved 4-0.

Respectfully submitted, Sherri Johnson


Board Meeting: April 27, 2006

Members present: Brigit McCallum, Tom Cyr, Brenda Pinette, Sherri Johnson. Absent: Dee Barker. Librarian: Ruth Blake.

Secretary's Report: Motion to accept the minutes by Tom. Seconded by Brenda. Approved 4-0.

Financial report: Given by Tom. Found the Building maintenance expenditures to be the result of the work done to meet OSHA requirements.

Librarian's report: Ruth mentioned that outside yard work had been done by several families. The library was finishing up its April Readathon program and will be looking forward to the ice cream social to celebrate its conclusion on May 8th.

Building Committee report: Continued meetings with architect Frank Oliver for schematic design phase. Close to accepting a final design.

Friends Report: Brenda is in charge of basement clean up and restoration. Mega sale is scheduled for July 22nd.

Old Business

  1. Expenditures for a new catalog program will be $995. Tom moved to delete Spectrum web catalog software in Capital Equipment budget and purchase Spectrum Information Center software as quoted. Seconded by Brenda. Approved 4-0.
  2. Brenda presented her resignation from the Trustees Board in consideration of becoming a voting member of the Friends. Motion to accept by Sherri, seconded by Brigit. Approval unanimous.
  3. Discussed programming ideas. Ruth will look into a program to reach out to those unable to get to the library. Discussed a future program in tax help with Tom. This will be finalized later in the year. Two workshops in composting will be held. May 10th at 1 P.M. and May 17th at 7 P.M. Tentative site to be at the library, depending on numbers signed up for the program. This summer there will be a reading program for the children, and book groups will continue. There will be a class in Mahjongg and possibly a geneology workshop.

New Business

  1. Town meeting results. Town approved our request for $10,000.
  2. Discussed Yapping Yorkies, a collaboration of local libraries sharing resources and discussing roles of the Trustees. We would be interested in initial informational meeting.
  3. Web site discussion about trustee oversight of current contents areas. Tom presented sample pages for trustees to review for further discussion next meeting.

Motion to adjourn by Tom, seconded by Brenda. Approved 4-0.

Next meeting to be held May 25th

Respectfully submitted, Sherri Johnson


Board Meeting: March 23, 2006

Members present: Brigit McCallum, Tom Cyr, Brenda Pinette, Sherri Johnson. Absent: Dee Barker. Librarian: Ruth Blake.

Secretary's Report: For January 26th meeting. (No meeting was held in February.) Motion to accept the minutes by Brenda, seconded by Brigit. Approved 4-0.

Librarian's report: Discussed and accepted.

Financial report: Found the Building Maintenance YTD expenditures are seriously over budget. We need details from the town as to where this money has gone.

Building Committee report: Meeting with the architect on Monday, March 27th.

Friends Report: A sub-committee has been formed to look into cleaning the basement and making it an appropriate meeting place for the increased programming at the library. A book sale was held in March that brought in $471.00.

Old Business

  1. An 'Info Center' demo was being held on March 24th. Also being considered is 'Alexandria.'
  2. Permission is given to use a previously executed FAQ page. We will discuss this at a later date when we are ready to install it.

New Business

  1. In basement clean-up, we will need to approve any plan that the Friends deem appropriate. Trustees did a walk-through of the intended project area and discussed different options.
  2. Library Programs: Discussed different programs that might be of interest to the community.
    • Brigit is planning a workshop on composting.
    • A game night is being planned for May 8th at 6:30 p.m. to coincide with the ice cream party in honor of the April read-a-thon. A sign up sheet will be posted.
    • Other suggestions were a movie night, tax help coordinated by Tom, maybe a genealogy workshop.

A motion to adjourn was made by Tom, seconded by Brigit. Approved 4-0.

Next meeting to be held on April 27th.

Respectfully submitted, Sherri Johnson


Board Meeting: Jan. 26, 2006

Members present: Brigit McCallum, Tom Cyr, Dee Barker, Sherri Johnson. Absent: Brenda Pinette. Librarian: Ruth Blake.

Secretary's Report: A motion was made to accept the minutes from the Nov. 21, 2005 meeting by Tom, seconded by Dee. Approved 4-0.

Librarian's report: Discussed meeting of OSHA requirements with new exit signs and emergency lights installed. Difficulties with snowplowing, an hours and work list to be established to solve the problem.

Financial report: Reviewed; currently on budget.

Building Committee report: Progressing. Some discussion of building size ongoing.

Friends Report: Book sale held in Dec. brought in a profit of $317.00. Discussion on response to the Appeal Letter. Corrie Sweeney is the new Treasurer. Currently preparing for the Cabin Fever Book Sale in March.

Wireless service: Tom will post information for users on the new library web page.

New Web site: Discussed the new web site and the time frame for producing an online catalog. Discussed Capital purchases to facilitate priorities.

Library Trustees Activities: Book groups, book binding repair, evening reading session and technology were all emphasized.

Motion to Adjourn made by Dee. Seconded by Tom. Approved 4-0.

Next meeting will be held on Feb. 23, 2006.


Waterboro Public Library Board of Trustees Job Description

Mission Statement of the Waterboro Public Library Board of Trustees: The mission of the Waterboro Public Library Board of Trustees is to direct or advise in governing the library in accordance with procedures relating to the library's status as a Town of Waterboro department.

Expectations and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Volunteers serving on the Board of Trustees are expected to participate in the following responsibilities:

  1. Attend ten of twelve monthly meetings.
  2. Assist in developing a library budget.
  3. Contribute to the development of policy and policy review.
  4. Participate in fund-raising activities.
  5. Aid the librarian in the development of goals for service and operation of the library.
  6. Become aware of current library standards and trends.