July 31, 2025 | RCML BOT Meeting Minutes

RCML BOT Meeting Minutes for July 31,2025
Micheline Bissell called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm
Trustees in attendance: Micheline Bissell, Cynthia Bryant, Dorien Morin, 
Librarian:  Fern Steficek and Selectboard members: Joyce Stevens and Ann Kuendig 

• Changes to the Agenda:  none.  Approved as is by Dorien and Cynthia
  
• Discussion with the Selectboard:  
  
  • Town employee professional development (webinars, seminars, local conference) opportunities.  Current line item in town budget is $500, which is not substantial.  The RCML board of trustees will be adding a budget line item for a March vote to allow our librarian to seek possible conferences that pertain to rural library, small community topics.  
    
  • CIP education:  Joyce and Ann explained how CIP works and how the monies are allotted and used year by year.  The board will be looking to redo its CIP requests 5-10 year plan.  On our current budget, some items are not longer needed &   others were done earlier rather than later.  The board will review and present our new CIP budget in the fall.  All monies spent recently from the CIP came in under budget.  The Town Clerk relayed that monies not spent are rolled into the following CIP year.  
    
  • Joyce and Ann encourages RCML to look into grants, which we already do.
    
  • Ann researched and discussed Elected Trustees vs Appointed Trustees.  The RCML board of trustees will discuss pros/cons at our next meeting.
    
  • Both boards discussed the fact that RCML needs 5 trustees on their board per State law.  We are currently are 3 active and 1 inactive.  Names were brought up and the board will reach out to see if there’s any interest.
    
  • The Select Board left our meeting at 5:14pm
    
• June 19, 2025  BOT meeting minutes submitted by Micheline
  
  • Dorien moved to approve the minutes as is.  Cynthia seconded.  Carried
    
• Treasurer’s report submitted by Cynthia. 
  
  • Due to VT open meeting laws, RCML will purchase a ZOOM subscription that has  no time limit and has audio capabilities.  
    
  • RCML came in under budget by $1700 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
    
  • Dorien moved to accept the report  and Micheline seconded.  Carried
    
• Librarian’s report(6/1/2025 thru 6/30/2025) submitted by Fern & reviewed
  
  • Many speakers are lined up.  Community outreach events well attended, future dates are on the books.  Storytime will be discontinued.  Libby and Hoopla classes were offered and attended (minimally).  Craft night continues to draw 2-3 people. 
    
• Old Business
  
  • Shelves to be installed by 8/28
    
  • RCML survey sent out with tax invoices.  Results should be discussed at Septembers meeting
    
  • July 19 movie (WALL-E) brought in 14 people 
    
  • Library coverage during Fern’s conference(Sept) covered by Beth and Micheline
    
  • July 26 Will Emberly speaker brought in 6 adults
    
  • Fern requested time away 10/30 – 11/7 for family event.  4 personal days.
    

• New Business
  
  • Next Spaghetti dinner will be 10/6/25. 
    
  • There will not be a movie in September.   
    
  • Pittsfield Bazaar will take place on 9/27(9-3).  Discussion took place.  Instead of the silent auction event, the board will look into other fundraising opportunities.  More to be discussed at the August meeting.
    
  • Halloween Event – Cynthia will open the library and books will be handed out.  Fern will order books.  About 50 will be needed
    
  • Can we use the OPEN flag on Mondays/Saturdays to indicate the library is open as not everyone sees the OPEN sign in the front window?  Micheline contacted the Town Clerk and was told this would confuse residents as they associate the open flag with the town office being open.  The Board will look into other options.
    
• The Meeting adjourned at 6:04pm
  
• Next BOT meeting date and time: Thursday, 8/28 @ 4:30pm  (it was 8/25)
  
  • Respectfully submitted by Micheline Bissell