BOARD OF TRUSTEES Special Meeting Minutes

Corrected and Approved

Tuesday, 17 March 2020  6:00 pm

 

Present:  Elizabeth Geraghty, Jen Call, Marcy Vierzen, Yvonne Howard

By Zoom: Nancy Heckel, Diane Lander

 

OPENING OF MEETING:

The meeting was called to order at 6:03pm by Board Member Call and roll was taken.

Up for discussion was the matter of whether or not to keep the library open in light of what is happening with the spread of the Covid19 pandemic, and, if so, in what capacity. After weighing several factors, including the health of those who work within the library, the Sutton community it serves, information from the NH Library Association, and the NH state government, Board Member Lander made a motion to close down the library and continue curbside and interlibrary loans, and then to close these down if recommended by the AOA (Agency of Administration). The motion was not seconded.

Further discussion ensued regarding the inherent risks of this pandemic, including the risks of personal contact in relation to people and materials entering or leaving the library, the handling of interlibrary loans, curbside pick-ups and deliveries and the use of the library drop box, as well as alternative ways to access library and reading materials (i.e. Overdrive, accessed by a library card, that allows people to access books and magazines on tablets, e-readers, and phones).

Board Member Call made a motion to close the library until the danger of Covid19 passes, with no materials entering or exiting the building until further notice. However, with this said, the staff may continue to work their normal hours if they so choose. Books may continue to be dropped off in the library drop box. Diane Lander seconded this motion. All present (in person and by Zoom) were in agreement of this decision. 

Board Member Call questioned whether the emergency policy of the library should be documented, and Board Member Lander suggested that this be put in as an appendix to the Board by-laws. 

OTHER MATTERS:

Prior to the April meeting, Board Member Vierzen must take her oath at the Sutton Town Offices to be officially sworn in as a Library Trustee. The swearing in at the Town Meeting was not an official swearing in. 

A consensus was reached to meet the first Tuesday of April (Tuesday, April 7, 2020). The following matters were offered as agenda items for the April meeting: Voting for members, emergency policy, bathroom renovation, and who will fill which position for next year. 

Board Member Lander made a motion to adjourn the meeting, and Board Member Call seconded that motion. The meeting was adjourned at 6:26pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Marcy Vierzen