HAMPSTEAD PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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Robert Kuhl, Chairman rkuhl@comcast.net |
Peggy Thrasher, Secretary pthrasher@hampstead.lib.nh.us |
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Emily Reschberger, Treasurer reschberger@yahoo.com |
Dianne Kelly |
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Stacey Richard, Alternate
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Next meeting:
Tuesday, January 19 at 7PM
The Board of Trustees are seeking alternate members.
Director's Reports
December January February
Trustee's Minutes
November December January
The Hampstead Public Library has received a Granite State Reads Grant from The Center for the Book at the New Hampshire State Library for $2359.28. Patty Falconer submitted this grant to establish a Guys Read Field Office at the Hampstead Public Library, in conjunction with the Guys Read initiative (www.guysread.com) which was started by author Jon Scieszka in order to motivate boys to read. The grant will provide funding to have one activity per month during the next year for boys and their fathers (or other adult male) that specifically appeals to guys. Activities have been scheduled for animals, chess, skateboarding, and art. Other possible activities include
woodworking, legos, karate, hockey, and fishing. At each activity we will also offer books related to the subject.
Grant funds will also be used to purchase more materials that motivate boys to read such as graphic novels,
non-fiction books, and audiobooks. We will share information about encouraging boys to read and the programming that we find successful with other area libraries.
We have created a video tutorial that shows our patrons how to use their library card to read Consumer Reports
articles on a computer for free. This is the beginning of our drive to increase usage of our databases. Databases
are easier to access now that we have the 14 digit library card numbers. Consumer Reports was chosen as the first example because it is widely recognized as a valuable resource by our patrons. We will highlight other periodicals over the next couple of months in an effort to teach our patrons what resources are available and how easy they are to use.
In March we will be participating in the New Hampshire Big Read of To Kill a Mockingbird. We have received 50 copies of the book that we can give out to patrons. Both of our book discussion groups will be reading this book in March. We also have a lecture on the time period of the book, a visit from Atticus Finch, and a showing of the movie scheduled. We will have a month long scavenger hunt at the library relating to themes from To Kill a
Mockingbird. The Big Read provides an opportunity to promote a shared experience in the community, and encourages people to share ideas.
Books on the lowest shelves can be difficult to reach. We have placed a low, rolling chair in the Adult Fiction
section that can be used to help people get down to the bottom shelf more easily. Of course, we are happy to help any patron who can’t reach the materials they want, but this chair will help them be more independent.
The Word of Mouth program on New Hampshire Public Radio interviewed Marilyn Johnson, author of This Book is Overdue. This segment talked about how librarianship has changed over the years and what the future of libraries looks like. There were three New Hampshire librarians featured in an audio collage of what today’s libraries are like, and what tomorrow’s libraries will be. One of the featured librarians was Peggy Thrasher. Our selection for this opportunity shows that the Hampstead Public Library is a leader in New Hampshire libraries.
We began replacing library cards with our newly designed cards on December 11, 2009. So far we have given out 816 new library cards. This means that at least 816 different patrons have come into the library, with most of them checking out items. Approximately 300 new cards were issued during the first week, with 150 issued the second week. Our patrons are enthusiastic about the keytags and are pleased that we are moving forward technologically. There was a little confusion about using the new, longer card numbers to access their account on our catalog from home. They do need to use all 14 digits. We started to make that clear when we issued the new cards and publicized the instructions on the catalog web page as well as in our Happenings email letter. Patrons who do not have new card numbers yet can still use their old numbers to access our online resources.
In 2009, we had 6,520 patrons who checked out 67,182 materials including books, DVDs and books on CD. Attendance at our 397 programs (10% more than in 2008) was 6,048, an increase of 33%. Our Meeting and Study rooms were used 1,552 times, an increase of 37%. Our expanded Museum Pass collection was utilized 476 times, 56% more than in 2008. We increased the size of our DVD and book on CD collections, and added Graphic Novels for adults. 914 audiobooks were downloaded to computers or MP3 players (now including iPods!), an increase of 77%. We have 6520 patrons now, an increase of 2% over 2008. Our total collection is smaller by 7%, with significant decreases in back issues of periodicals and books on cassette tapes. Our adult and children’s book collections have also been reduced by weeding, which helps makes it easier for our patrons to find the items they are looking for by making the shelves more attractive and less cluttered. Our website visits are up by 50%.
In December we completed the first phase of our network upgrade by replacing the many, small switches and splitters with three new, state of the art switches. These switches increase the speed of the network significantly and will reduce packet collisions that were making the network unreliable. Network issues do seem to have decreased, though there are still problems to resolve in the future.
In December we completed the first phase of our network upgrade by replacing the many, small switches and splitters with three new, state of the art switches. These switches increase the speed of the network significantly and will reduce packet collisions that were making the network unreliable. Network issues do seem to have decreased, though there are still problems to resolve in the future.
Our new library cards have finally arrived! They sport our snazzy new logo. Our patrons will get two cards with the same new library card number – one the size of a credit card, the other a keytag. It will only take us a minute to switch them from their old card to the new flashy, state of the art card. These new cards are beautiful, but they will also make it easier to access our resources online. We will feature different online resources over the next couple of months, showing our patrons how to access them with their new library card numbers. In the past, they needed to come into the library to get a username and password, and then they needed to remember them! Now they will have their new 14 digit card number that serves as both the username and the password. For the next three months they will be able to access our resources both by the old method and with their new card numbers. After March 15, 2010 they will need to use their new card numbers.
The Hampstead Business Leaders’ Connection has met twice at the Library. This began as one of our Recession Remedy Programs. The goal was to get Hampstead businesses in a room together to figure out how they could help each other be successful. Twenty seven people came to the first meeting, and 16 came to the second meeting. They have decided that they wish to create an organization which will help them to identify and solve problems that businesses face in Hampstead; network; and promote their businesses. The library is pleased to be able to facilitate the creation of this organization that will help to make Hampstead a stronger community.
We have completed upgrading the call numbers and spine labels on the hardcover picture books. The old spine labels had call numbers that consisted of the letter “E” (for Easy)” followed by the first three letters of the author’s last name. The new spine labels are placed so that the author’s full last name is visible on the skinny spine, and the author’s first name is on the spine label as well. The new labels are bigger and bolder. These new spine labels make the picture books much easier to shelve because they are easier to read and contain more information. All of the information needed to properly shelve the book is now on the spine label; we no longer need to look at the book itself to determine the author. Now we just need to teach the three and four year olds how to shelve the books! This project was started in the late spring and has taken many, many volunteer hours to complete. We are very grateful for the myriad volunteers who allowed us to complete this significant project.
TRUSTEE MEETING
Minutes of the Meeting of
January 19, 2009
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:05 pm.
Present were Robert Kuhl, President; Emily Reschberger, Treasurer; Peggy Thrasher, Secretary; Stacy Richards,
Merrily Samuels, Charlene Flaherty, Judi Crowley, Beth Salvi-Hudgins.
1. The minutes of the December 16, 2009 meeting were approved.
2. Treasurer’s Report:
a. The treasurer’s report was approved.
b. In 2009, $4666.49 was spent from the Overdues account and $2800.00 was spent from the Income
Generating account.
3. Physical Plant
3. Physical Plant
a. Windows. Owen has completed painting, and has only a few blinds to install. L&M Construction has
submitted a bid for $450.00 to paint the windows in the stairwells. The Board approved this work.
b. Three ballasts are out on the second floor. BBC Construction will replace the ballasts.
4. Director’s Report
5. Old Business & Misc.
a. Wage and Salary
Ms. Thrasher presented revised job descriptions for Library Director, Assistant Director and
Ms. Thrasher presented revised job descriptions for Library Director, Assistant Director and
Children’s Librarian. One further change was requested for Library Director. Ms. Thrasher will make the change and all of the job descriptions should be ready for approval by the board at the next meeting. The board is interested in reviewing the vacation policy for possible change in 2011.
b. 2010 Budget
There have been no changes in the 2010 Trustee line budget since it was presented to the Selectmen in
There have been no changes in the 2010 Trustee line budget since it was presented to the Selectmen in
November. Changes that will need to be reflected in the 2011 budget include an increase in the subscription rate
for the Wall Street Journal. Ms. Thrasher will research whether the price can be reduced if only the physical paper is included.
c. Director Evaluation Process
Postponed to next month
Postponed to next month
d. Selling a card catalog
A 15 drawer and two 5 drawer card catalogs were sold for $200.
6. New Business
A 15 drawer and two 5 drawer card catalogs were sold for $200.
6. New Business
a. Acceptance of gifts:
The Board voted to accept gifts in the donation jar; and used books, audios & videos from various individuals.
The Board voted to accept gifts in the donation jar; and used books, audios & videos from various individuals.
b. Correspondence:
1. Letter of interest in an Alternate Trustee position from Paul Schofield
2. Letter of interest in the vacant Trustee position from Judi Crowley
a. The Board voted to leave the Trustee position vacant until filled by the election in
March in order to maintain continuity during the current negotiations for the Wage and Salary Study. Ms. Richard is able to fill in for the vacancy until the election.
7. Alternate Trustees
a. Mr. Kuhl expressed his appreciation for the interest shown by the candidates for the Alternate Trustee
positions. Ms. Flaherty and Ms. Salvi-Hudgins will either submit letters of interest or let Ms. Thrasher know that
they are not interested in being Alternate Trustees.
8. The Board went into nonpublic session at 8:30 pm under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) [The dismissal, promotion, or
compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges
against him or her]. Board members were individually polled and each member voted yes. The Board came out of nonpublic session at 9:00 pm and voted to seal the minutes.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, February 16, 2010.
The meeting adjourned at 9:01 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
The meeting adjourned at 9:01 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Thrasher, Secretary
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:05 pm.
Present were Robert Kuhl, President; Emily Reschberger, Treasurer; Peggy Thrasher, Secretary; Stacy Richards, Merrily Samuels, Charlene Flaherty, Aileen Wall, and Paul Schofield.
Present were Robert Kuhl, President; Emily Reschberger, Treasurer; Peggy Thrasher, Secretary; Stacy Richards, Merrily Samuels, Charlene Flaherty, Aileen Wall, and Paul Schofield.
Mr. Kuhl welcomed the three visitors who expressed interest in finding out more about being alternate Library Trustees.
1. The minutes of the November 16, 2009 meeting were approved.
2. Treasurer’s Report:
a. The treasurer’s report was approved.
b. 2009 End of year budget. Expenditures through the end of the year are on target.
b. 2009 End of year budget. Expenditures through the end of the year are on target.
3. Physical Plant
a. Windows. Owen has almost finished painting the windows. Ms. Thrasher will need to find a painter with scaffolding to paint the windows in the stairwells.
b. Elevator. Embree Elevator came to resolve the battery issue, but the workman had the wrong work order and instead installed a receptacle. He returned again with the replacement battery, so the elevator will now return to the first floor in case of a power outage. The additional receptacle is unnecessary, but does not cause any problems.
c. Furnace. The first floor furnace on the right side of the building required repairs to the blower and the thermostat.
b. Elevator. Embree Elevator came to resolve the battery issue, but the workman had the wrong work order and instead installed a receptacle. He returned again with the replacement battery, so the elevator will now return to the first floor in case of a power outage. The additional receptacle is unnecessary, but does not cause any problems.
c. Furnace. The first floor furnace on the right side of the building required repairs to the blower and the thermostat.
4. Director’s Report
a. New Library cards are available, with 200 – 300 issued already. Patrons are pleased with the keytags. The staff will use the new cards as an opportunity to educate patrons about the online resources that are now easier to access with the new patron barcodes.
5. Old Business & Misc.
a. 2010 Budget
There have been no changes in the 2010 Trustee line budget since it was presented to the Selectmen in November. Changes that will need to be reflected in the 2011 budget include a doubling of the cost of the Boston Globe and a slight increase in the cost of the copy machines that are leased.
b. Director Evaluation Process
Mr. Kuhl asked Ms. Thrasher to send an email to the trustees pointing out which portions of the Director Evaluation forms from other libraries seemed most pertinent to her.
There have been no changes in the 2010 Trustee line budget since it was presented to the Selectmen in November. Changes that will need to be reflected in the 2011 budget include a doubling of the cost of the Boston Globe and a slight increase in the cost of the copy machines that are leased.
b. Director Evaluation Process
Mr. Kuhl asked Ms. Thrasher to send an email to the trustees pointing out which portions of the Director Evaluation forms from other libraries seemed most pertinent to her.
6. New Business
a. Acceptance of gifts:
The Board voted to accept gifts in the donation jar; and used books, audios & videos from various individuals.
b. Correspondence:
None
c. Selling a card catalog
The board agreed to sell one of the old card catalogs to an individual. Ms. Thrasher will handle the details.
d. 2010 Holiday Library Closings
The 2010 Holiday Library closing schedule was approved, except that the library will close at 2PM on Christmas Eve both in 2009 and 2010.
e. Review of library closure procedures
To close the library Ms. Thrasher confers with a Trustee, calls staff who are scheduled and sends an email out to staff, trustees, and town hall. WMUR is notified, and the website is updated in three places. Ms. Thrasher will look into whether the phone message can be changed remotely.
f. Overtime / Comp time
Ms. Thrasher will maintain an accounting in 2010 of overtime that is used to assist in budget preparation for 2011.
g. Meeting minutes guidelines
Ms. Thrasher clarified that the meeting minutes must be completed within five business days of the meeting.
h. Timeline for Budget season 2010
Ms. Thrasher was asked to present her first draft of the 2011 budget in August of 2010.
i. New Alternate Trustees
Mr. Kuhl explained the responsibilities of the alternate trustees and answered questions from the visitors. To become an alternate trustee, the individual needs to write a letter of interest to the Board of Trustees. They were invited to return for the January meeting.
The Board voted to accept gifts in the donation jar; and used books, audios & videos from various individuals.
b. Correspondence:
None
c. Selling a card catalog
The board agreed to sell one of the old card catalogs to an individual. Ms. Thrasher will handle the details.
d. 2010 Holiday Library Closings
The 2010 Holiday Library closing schedule was approved, except that the library will close at 2PM on Christmas Eve both in 2009 and 2010.
e. Review of library closure procedures
To close the library Ms. Thrasher confers with a Trustee, calls staff who are scheduled and sends an email out to staff, trustees, and town hall. WMUR is notified, and the website is updated in three places. Ms. Thrasher will look into whether the phone message can be changed remotely.
f. Overtime / Comp time
Ms. Thrasher will maintain an accounting in 2010 of overtime that is used to assist in budget preparation for 2011.
g. Meeting minutes guidelines
Ms. Thrasher clarified that the meeting minutes must be completed within five business days of the meeting.
h. Timeline for Budget season 2010
Ms. Thrasher was asked to present her first draft of the 2011 budget in August of 2010.
i. New Alternate Trustees
Mr. Kuhl explained the responsibilities of the alternate trustees and answered questions from the visitors. To become an alternate trustee, the individual needs to write a letter of interest to the Board of Trustees. They were invited to return for the January meeting.
7. The Board went into nonpublic session at 8:55 pm under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) [The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her]. Board members were individually polled and each member voted yes. The Board came out of nonpublic session at 9:45 pm and voted to seal the minutes.
The meeting resumed at 9:46 pm.
8. New Business (Continued)
a. A patron has asked to borrow the wheelchair in the basement. The Trustees decided that the condition of the wheelchair was such that it should not be loaned.
a. A patron has asked to borrow the wheelchair in the basement. The Trustees decided that the condition of the wheelchair was such that it should not be loaned.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 19, 2010.
The meeting adjourned at 9:48 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Thrasher
Secretary
Peggy Thrasher
Secretary
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:00 pm.
Present were Robert Kuhl, President; Emily Reschberger, Treasurer; Peggy Thrasher, Secretary; Stacy Richards, Merrily Samuels.
Present were Robert Kuhl, President; Emily Reschberger, Treasurer; Peggy Thrasher, Secretary; Stacy Richards, Merrily Samuels.
Visitor comments: None
1. The minutes of the October 20, 2009 meeting were approved.
2. Treasurer’s Report:
a. The treasurer’s report was approved.
b. 2009 End of year budget. Expenditures through the end of the year are on target. We will overspend by $11,140.15 which will be covered by the Income Generating Account ($2440.31), a contribution for the State of NH Moose Plates ($2,179.80), and the Overdues account ($6520.04).
3. Physical Plant
a. Windows. The windows are installed. Owen is in the process of painting them.
b. 2009 End of year budget. Expenditures through the end of the year are on target. We will overspend by $11,140.15 which will be covered by the Income Generating Account ($2440.31), a contribution for the State of NH Moose Plates ($2,179.80), and the Overdues account ($6520.04).
3. Physical Plant
a. Windows. The windows are installed. Owen is in the process of painting them.
4. Director’s Report
5. Old Business & Misc.
a. Wage and Salary. The Board went into nonpublic session at 7:23 pm under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) [The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her]. Board members were individually polled and each member voted yes. The Board came out of nonpublic session at 8:32 pm and voted to seal the minutes.
a. Wage and Salary. The Board went into nonpublic session at 7:23 pm under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) [The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her]. Board members were individually polled and each member voted yes. The Board came out of nonpublic session at 8:32 pm and voted to seal the minutes.
b. New Library Cards
Ms. Thrasher received the library card proof, but some of our scanners could not read the keytag barcodes. She is working with the vendor to increase the clarity of the barcodes.
c. 2010 Budget
The 2010 Trustee’s line budget is down $5,141 (5.05%) from 2009. The Building Contracts line has increased by $300 to cover inspection of the alarms. This inspection is required annually by the Fire Department, but they will cover the cost in 2009.
The Board voted to add an overtime line to the budget. The Wage and Salary study found that the Assistant Director and Children’s Librarian are not exempt from overtime. Periodically, there is a need for each position to incur a small amount of overtime, specifically for the Summer Reading Program, Book Sale, and Trustee meetings. The new overtime line will include four hours a month for each position.
Ms. Thrasher received the library card proof, but some of our scanners could not read the keytag barcodes. She is working with the vendor to increase the clarity of the barcodes.
c. 2010 Budget
The 2010 Trustee’s line budget is down $5,141 (5.05%) from 2009. The Building Contracts line has increased by $300 to cover inspection of the alarms. This inspection is required annually by the Fire Department, but they will cover the cost in 2009.
The Board voted to add an overtime line to the budget. The Wage and Salary study found that the Assistant Director and Children’s Librarian are not exempt from overtime. Periodically, there is a need for each position to incur a small amount of overtime, specifically for the Summer Reading Program, Book Sale, and Trustee meetings. The new overtime line will include four hours a month for each position.
6. New Business
a. Acceptance of gifts:
The Board voted to accept gifts in the donation jar; and used books, audios & videos from various individuals.
b. Correspondence:
None
c. Director Evaluation Process
Ms. Thrasher will forward a collection of Director Evaluation forms from other libraries to the Trustees. It was agreed that extending the process over several months would give everyone more time to do a thoughtful evaluation.
d. Memorial Funds
Three of the memorial funds held by the Trustees direct the library to purchase books with the interest they generate. This year the interest on these funds is insufficient to purchase a book. The board voted to purchase one book for each fund, with the balance paid for by the Clark Funds.
e. Time Sheet Process
Ms. Thrasher will tighten up the process involved in getting employee and Trustee signatures on time sheets to guarantee that all time sheets will be submitted to the town correctly and in a timely fashion. There have not been any instances of paychecks being delayed.
f. Parking Lot Improvement
Ms. Thrasher reported that the Road Agent’s 2009 Budget continues to contain funds that could be encumbered for Library parking spaces, but that no decision as to whether those funds can be used for the library will be made until the end of the year.
g. Filling the vacancy on the Board
A letter was received from Dianne Kelly informing the Board of her resignation. Ms. Thrasher will publicize the need for new Board members and the Board hopes that candidates will step forward soon.
a. Acceptance of gifts:
The Board voted to accept gifts in the donation jar; and used books, audios & videos from various individuals.
b. Correspondence:
None
c. Director Evaluation Process
Ms. Thrasher will forward a collection of Director Evaluation forms from other libraries to the Trustees. It was agreed that extending the process over several months would give everyone more time to do a thoughtful evaluation.
d. Memorial Funds
Three of the memorial funds held by the Trustees direct the library to purchase books with the interest they generate. This year the interest on these funds is insufficient to purchase a book. The board voted to purchase one book for each fund, with the balance paid for by the Clark Funds.
e. Time Sheet Process
Ms. Thrasher will tighten up the process involved in getting employee and Trustee signatures on time sheets to guarantee that all time sheets will be submitted to the town correctly and in a timely fashion. There have not been any instances of paychecks being delayed.
f. Parking Lot Improvement
Ms. Thrasher reported that the Road Agent’s 2009 Budget continues to contain funds that could be encumbered for Library parking spaces, but that no decision as to whether those funds can be used for the library will be made until the end of the year.
g. Filling the vacancy on the Board
A letter was received from Dianne Kelly informing the Board of her resignation. Ms. Thrasher will publicize the need for new Board members and the Board hopes that candidates will step forward soon.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, December 15, 2009.
The meeting adjourned at 8:57 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Thrasher, Secretary
The meeting adjourned at 8:57 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Thrasher, Secretary
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