Town of Gilford, NH - LIBRARY TRUSTEES

REPORTS & PROGRAMS: The town budget report was reviewed; we have $196,500 to make it through the year. Spending is in line. Circulation is very high--and a record high for March, at 8,943. A lot of DVDs have been requested, but books still make up the majority of items checked out. Katherine noted our young-adult section is one of the best in the state, as evidenced by the circulation numbers.

As circulation would indicate, Katherine noted the library is very busy, with lots of people there most of the time. Bill suggested that perhaps all the good publicity may be bringing more people into the library. Tracey commented on the positive things she‘s been hearing about our staff, how helpful they are to our patrons.

There were 42 new borrowers in March, which is higher than normal. Only three were deleted. Katherine noted that a ‘purge’ is coming; staff will work to clean up the patron list, and this will be reflected in next month’s deleted figures. Volunteer hours are also up, to 242 – another record for the month for March. Also noted was the gender of borrowers; ours is definitely a female institution- 6440 items were checked out by females, compared to 1228 checked out by males.

The monthly reports were reviewed and the numbers looked good. An increase in requests was noted. The ‘bib’ shows lots of new materials. There were many more items processed and catalogued this month which is also reflected in the numbers.

Polly mentioned this week’s ‘Peanuts’ is honoring National Library Week. It was noted that the only difference between a good library and a bad library is the staff, specifically the person at the front desk-whether they make the patrons feel welcomed or intimidated. Following this criteria, we know we have a good library.

PROGRAMS: As usual, we are offering many programs this month. Foreign Movie night has grown. This group meets at 6:30 and a pot-luck is served, representing the country of the film. The Swedish movie, Song for Martin, is being shown this Friday.

National Library Week will be celebrated by refreshments on Monday, provided by Jane Fernholz. The adult book discussion on Peyton Place will be held next Thursday, the 19^th, at Grace Metalius’s house in Gilmanton at 6:30. We are celebrating Earth Day with James Merkel on April 22^nd. He will be talking about his book, Radical Simplicity. Adults will also be able to craft cards with Paula Green on May 1st, and enjoy a photography workshop with Kevin Sperle on May 10^th. The Knit-Wits continue to meet regularly, as do the Rug-Hookers.

This Saturday there will be a Children’s Book Sale from 10 to 2. Also on Saturday, in light of National Poetry Month, a poetry program for young adults is being presented by Barbara Bald. The students will write and share their own poetry, along with sharing pizza. The Early Release movies have been very popular. Charlotte’s Web is scheduled for this month. There are usually 20 or so middle-schoolers in attendance.

For the younger set, Babylap and Baby Yoga continue to be very popular. Story Time is well attended, and is offered three times a week. Tales for Tails has also been very popular, but sadly, the presenter is moving at the end of June. Polly mentioned there may be someone else who is doing the same sort of program at the Gilford Elementary School. Katherine will let Lisa know. The children also can partake in the after-school crafts classes and book groups for 1^st and 2^nd graders and 3^rd and 4^th graders.

Tasha has been taking many eye-opening photographs at the library at some of the busiest times. She recently took a picture of all the coats – on a day when there were 70 people in the library!

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION: National Volunteer Week is next week. The staff has decided there will be no volunteer party this year. Instead, we will buy a book for each volunteer, with a bookplate honoring their commitment. The staff is also considering presenting the volunteers with candy bars, wrapped in labels picturing the new library. This will be an in-house project.

LIBRARY PROJECT: Bill gave us an encouraging update from the Building Committee. Things are going along well. Jack Lacombe is working on an architectural agreement between the architects and CCI. Everyone agrees that we need to have this contract. Jack Lacombe has proven himself a great asset to the committee – his assurance that we’re on the right track is invaluable, as is his enthusiasm for the project.

Steve Smith is doing the engineering and survey work. In the original drawing, the library was parallel to Potter Hill Road, and sat on an angle with the house. The Church side of the library has now been turned back a bit, so we’ll be looking at more of the front of the library. There were several advantages, one being a better fit for the parking. This change did not incur any added costs.

Also, on the lower level, the area near the front doors and patio will be brought out, to gain about 200 square feet. Jack has been working with Brad Thompson of Northern Design Precast, to design a semicircle here, a sort of small amphitheater with seating. On the road side there will be a radius wall, with the name of the library in engraved lettering. Jack had recently seen something similar, and is working with Brad to create the design.

The garage and apartment are definitely coming down, in order to improve the turning radius and improve traffic flow, as well as gaining four or five parking spaces in the upper parking lot. Bryant Lehr has estimated it will cost about $57,000 to keep the house, with includes upgrading the building and adding a sprinkler system. A new roof will open up the main level. The upstairs is really useless, as it is not load-bearing. Storage of books or office supplies would not be allowed. Saving the house is still under discussion, with questions on its cost-effectiveness.

Space will be provided in the new library for a small gift shop; this will be set apart in that it will be able to be locked when not open. Discussion followed about perhaps adding a small coffee bar, and the problems that may come with that. We do not want food or drinks in the main library. However, the outside patio area could provide a few small tables where people could enjoy a cup of coffee.

Several meetings have been set up. The building committee is scheduled to go before the ZBA on the 24^th of April, the Historic district on the 8^th of May, and the Planning board the 21^st of May. The date for the ground-breaking is scheduled for the second Monday in June, on the 11^th. Realistically, if all goes smoothly, the building may be completed by next February.

FUNDRAISING: The fund-raising plans are still being molded, although the overall plan is fairly well set. The main focus lately has been on creating a packet, which is taking a great deal of effort. Dawn Tinsley has volunteered to work on the artistic side of the packet. Bill agreed the emphasis right now should be on the packet. A letter to those who have paid their pledges in full has been written. It was decided that ‘pledged’ people who haven’t paid will be getting a packet; it will be like starting over with the unpaid pledged donors.

The naming opportunities are still being discussed. Anything over the Gifts level is a naming opportunity. Some things are prenamed from the previous campaign. We need to work on the fund-raising events, from which we have set a goal of raising $20,000.

The Fund Development Plan that Kate created and presented to the Trustees at our last meeting, is still fairly valid. The Trustees should review their copies. Daryl will email the file to all the Trustees.