Richard Sugden Library
Trustee’s Report November 12th and December 10th 2024 Meetings
In attendance:
Cheryl Donahue: Library Director
Katherine Smith: Children’s Room
Mary Anne Slack: Board of Trustees Chairperson
Alyson Russo: Board of Trustees
Marie Norcia: Board of Trustees
Meeting called to order at 12:30pm
Mary Anne made the motion to approve minutes from the October 2024 meeting. Approved.
Children’s Room Notes from November and December 2024:
1. UPCOMING PROGRAMS
A. Community Connections
1. Community Connections held several story time programs for us in October, including a music program with Deb Hudgins. We continue to be on their programming schedule at least twice a week.
2. Community Connections held several story time programs for us in November which are very well attended. They offered Bee Ready, Icky Sticky, Books and Blankies, Kidding Around Yoga, and a music and movement program with Deb Hudgins. We continue to be on their weekly schedule each month.
B. Passive Programming
1. We continue to have many drop-in activities in the Children’s Department
for our patrons to enjoy.
2. We started another community poster where everyone can put a sticker up each time
they visit the library and for each book they return. It will turn into a sticker mosaic
poster.
3. We will draw the winner for the Bluey raffle today.
C. Grades K-10 Programming
1. I am sending out monthly We Read It newsletters for all ages.
2. We held Paws and Pages with Reggie the Italian Spinone, Graphic Novel Book Club for grades 5-8, Magic the Gathering, K-Pop Party, play rehearsal and performance for The Monster Parade, cardboard creations with Ms. Diane, create a rocket with Ms. Marta, Pressed Flowers with Ms. Marta, and Spooky Printmaking.
3. I am in contact with local illustrator Ralph Masiello to lead another drawing demonstration. I am also organizing a fire safety program with the Spencer Fire Department.
4. We will have One Up Games here on December 9th for Family Retro Gaming.
5. I applied for several grants and wrote support letters for summer programming opportunities. I will know by mid-January if we are awarded the grants.
6. We had Magic the Gathering, Graphic Novel Book Club, Victorian Ornament making, Paws and Pages, and Pop-up Card Making in November and the beginning of December.
2. WEEDING/PURCHASING NEW MATERIALS/EDUCATION
A. I am adding new materials to the collection and looking out for any materials that are returned in poor condition to either delete or replace.
B. Marta and I are continuing the shelf cleaning project.
C. I attended the Community Connections Advisory meeting and the Town of Spencer Department Head meeting.
D. Marta attended a cataloging workshop and Teen Summit.
Director’s Report from November and December::
· “Pause” meditation program with Wendy O’Leary continues to be held on Tuesday mornings.
· “Coffee Chat” is held on Monday mornings with attendance of @12 to 20 participants each week. Mary Baker-Wood helped facilitate the conversation at several meetings.
· D. Farmosa delivered items to the homes of patrons unable to visit the library.
· Adult knitting group held on Wednesday afternoons.
· Learn to crochet series for teens and adults held on Tuesdays.
· Let’s Get Cookin’ program for teens and adults held on Saturday, October 12th and November 16tth
· D. Farmosa visited Lincoln Hill Manor on Wednesday, October 16th.
· Writers Unite group held on Monday, October 21st.
· Book discussion group met on Tuesday, October 22nd.
· Local crafters donated hats which are now available to those in need. The hats are located in the lower level hallway.
· C. Donahue attended directors’ meeting at Pearle Crawford Library in Dudley on Wednesday, October 9th.
· D. Farmosa attended an MLS meeting on Monday, October 28th.
· C. Donahue presented the library’s future financial needs to the Board of Selectman on Monday, October 28th.
· LiRo architects met at the library on Wednesday, October 30th to finalize envelope/roof study.
· P. Boria, C. Donahue and M. Baker-Wood met on Monday, Nov. 4th to discuss moving and storage of historical items, library collection and furnishings for the upcoming roof project.
· Writers Unite group held on Monday, November 18th.
· Victorian Holiday Frolic held on Tuesday, December 3rd with over 100 participants.
· The library is collecting socks & underwear for the Operation Undercover initiative.
· C. Donahue attended the Zoom meeting of CWMARS users’ council on Tuesday, November 19th.
· C. Donahue attended the CMLA Zoom meeting on Thursday, November 21st.
· P. Boria, C. Donahue and M. Baker-Wood met at the library on Monday, Nov. 4th and at the Senior Center on Thursday, November 21st to discuss moving and storage of historical items, library collection and furnishings for the upcoming roof project.
· Plumbers repaired the drainage issue in the bathroom on Tuesday, November 12th.
· Guardian replaced a defective computer backup battery on Wednesday, November 20th.
· Power outage occurred on Sunday, November 24th. Fire department was called to silence the alarm which was activated.
· Library closed on Thursday, December 5th due to inclement weather.
· Mary Baker-Wood will serve as consultant if needed during the roof project.
Meeting adjourned at 1:30pm
Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 7th at 12:30