Library Trustee Meeting
Richard Sugden Library
Trustees’ Report
August 8, 2023
In Attendance:
Cheryl Donahue, Director
Katheryn Smith, Children’s Room
Mary Anne Slack, Chair
Alyson Russo, Trustee
Marie Norcia, Trustee
Jeff Bridges, Town Administrator
Meeting was called to order at 12:28 p.m.
Alyson made a motion to approve minutes from last meeting.
Marie seconded. Motion approved.
Maryanne made a motion to approve LiRo proposal. Alyson
seconded. Motion approved.
Maryanne made a motion to update our patron behavior
policy. Remove the policy regarding no photo/video allowed.
Alyson seconded. Motion approved.
Children’s Room:
*Community Connections held Kids Yoga and Books and
Blankies story time programs in July. They also joined us for
several events at Powder Mill Park.
*Drop-in activities continue in children’s dept.
*Deb Hutchins led a Music and Movement program at Powder
Mill Park. We also hosted Music at the Blissful by Evan Hallor
and The Charmings (storytelling princesses) at the park.
*We Read It newsletter goes out monthly.
*We postponed Pumpernickel Puppets until October due to
rain.
*Katie has held Teen Advisory Group monthly.
*Big Truck Day was hosted by the Spencer Highway Dept. with
Police, Fire, Highway and EMS participating.
*Diane Johnson led two programs for teens (Funky Wall Art &
decorating masks). She is interested in doing more programs
in the fall.
*We had a martial arts program at the Town Hall presented by
Mass Capoeira.
*Katie led the annual Are You Smarter than a Librarian Quiz
Show for teens with Cheryl and Amy.
*August 8th Out of the Ark will present live animals at the
Spencer Fish & Game.
*Amy led Crafty Wednesdays this summer (will continue
through August).
*Katie has been talking with Spencer Police and Fire Dept. to
arrange safety presentations for patrons.
*Katie has been communicating with the Town Hall and Pine
Grove Cemetery to try and secure a venue for the Haunted
Walk this year.
*Sewing program and Dungeons and Dragons will start up
again this fall.
*Katie attended a cataloging webinar on creating Brief Records
on July 26th
*Katie and Cheryl attended a webinar on How to Fight Book
Bans and Stand Up for the Right to Read with author Ashley
Hope Perez on August 2 nd .
Director’s Report:
*Pause meditation program is held Tuesdays with Wendy
O’Leary.
*”Coffee Chat” held Monday mornings with 12 attendants each
week. Mary Baker Wood helped facilitate the conversation at
several meetings.
*Wednesday morning weekly neighborhood strolls began July
5th . We visited The Spencer Fair Grounds, Mechanic Street,
Main Street and Friendly Ass Farm.
*Thursday watercolor painting series with Deb Kirk began on
July 20th .
*Denise delivered items to homes of patrons unable to visit the
library.
*Jazz trio “Whisper Not” preformed at the American Legion on
July 17th .
*Drumming circle for all ages was held at Powder Mill Park on
July 13th and August 1st and the Town Hall on July 27th .
*Adult book discussion group met on July 25th .
*Story Walk (funded by Cultural Council), “Gregory the
Terrible Eater”, was set up at Thibault’s Country Store. Free
books were distributed to families.
*Cheryl completed ARIS state report and submitted on July
18th .
*New staff member, Bill Belisle started working on July 8th .
BUILDING UPDATES:
Weatherization was completed on July 6th.
Next Meeting is September 5th at 12:30.