Virtual/Live Ossipee Public Library
Secretary’s Report
June 14, 2021
ATTENDING:
Director, Maria Moulton; Chairperson, Patricia Pustell (virtual family obligation); Secretary, Doris Ann Allenson; Trustee, Carl Tyler, and Jane ter Kuile; Alternate, Roger ter Kuile.
Absent: Lisa Buerk
Roger was raised to voting status in the absence of Lisa Buerk.
The meeting was called to order by the chairperson at 10:15 am.
Secretary’s Report:
The Secretary’s report dated May 10, 2021 was accepted and passed as corrected. Motion to pass was made by Carl Tyler. Second by Patricia Pustell. Motion passed
Treasurer’s Report
Lisa Buerk has taken over duties as treasurer.
A motion to accept the report was made by Carl Tyler a second to the motion was made by Jane ter Kuile. A deposit was made after the report was written. It will be reflected in next month’s report. Motion passed.
Directors Report
ARPA grant was discussed. A motion was made by Roger Ter Kuile to allow the director, Maria Moulton to apply and sign for a grant, complete the application and negotiate with the NH State Library on behalf of the Ossipee Public Library Trustees. A second to the motion was made by Carl Tyler and passed.
A discussion ensued about a charging station for electronics outside of the library. There is accessibility to an outside outlet on the side of the building near the main entrance for those who may need to charge a device.
A review of Library Policies was moved to the next meeting for approval and signatures.
Director’s notes about the ARPA Grant Application:
ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Funds: The NH State Library (NHSL) is applying for the first Sub-grant available to NH libraries through ARPA. This money is channeled through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and must meet certain criteria. The State Library used a formula based on population and poverty levels within the counties of NH to determine how much money would be allocated to each NH library. Our library is receiving $3,164.00 of this money. This first Sub-grant is not competitive but the state library will need to document the use of the funds by each library and make sure they adhere to the goals and activities of the NHSL LSTA 5-year plan and the federal IMLS ARPA funding priorities.
Grant Project Narrative:
The Ossipee Public Library is applying for this grant to purchase granite benches to provide outside seating at the library. We would like to support digital inclusion by giving our patrons a place to sit and access the free Wi-Fi when the library is not open. We also want people to be able to sit outside the library to enjoy fresh air and reading.
We are planning a summer reading program outside in order to welcome children and families back to the library in a safer manner as we move through the end stages of this pandemic. We want to reach the children who have fallen behind in literacy as well as encourage children to read during the summer. We want to provide a safe place for the children to meet this summer and enjoy story time and activities that stimulate learning and fun.
We plan to order the benches now and hope that they will be delivered in June or early July. (We have a planned outdoor 4 H program that begins in June. It would be nice to have the benches by then).
We will use the entire amount of money allocated to our library on the benches. Any additional cost will be paid for through in-kind donations that we have received.
We will know our project is successful when we see people sitting on the benches during programs or any time at all.
A motion was made by Carl Tyler to set aside NTE $4000 to purchase two granite benches for the outside the Ossipee Public Library building regardless of the grant outcome. Seconded by Jane Ter Kuile. Motion passed
The Mount Washington Valley Age Friendly Community will be supplying the library with a garden bucket to lend out. A motion was made by Carl Tyler to join the Age Friendly Community Garden Bucket Program and seconded by Patricia Pustell. The motion passed.
The Summer Reading Program – Tales and Tails is going forward outside the facility on the lawn to help with covid concerns. A discussion ensued about The Friends of the Library making a donation of 50 $10 gift cards for reading success at the end of the program. Patricia Pustell Chairperson and therapy Dog Sadie will participate in the summer reading program.
Date of the next meeting: August 2, 2021 10:00 am
A motion to adjourn was made by Jane ter Kuile and seconded by Carl Taylor. Motion passed.