Meeting of the Jones Library Inc. and the Town Libraries’ Board of Trustees
February 4, 2016 Goodwin Room 4 p.m.
Members Present:
Austin Sarat, Tamson Ely, Chris Hoffmann, Jon McCabe, Robert Pam
Also Present:
Sharon Sharry, Tina Swift, Lewis Mainzer
Austin called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
MOTION: To approve the minutes of January 7, 2016. Approved 4-0-0
Public Comment: Trivia Night at 6: 30 p.m. tonight
President’s Report:
 Thrilled we have an architect, and a staff, Board and community all concerned with building
renovations.
 If not for Sharon we would not be where we are, so she deserves an enormous amount of credit
for putting this building project at the top of our agenda and bringing her energy and
commitment to it.
 We need to thank her often and make it clear to the public that Sharon really made this project
come together to this point.
Committee Reports:
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Development:
 Following our Sammys event on April 28th in the Mead, there will be a photo exhibit and
reception unrelated to the Library’s event.
 Our event will be from 6-7:30pm in the Mead and from 7:30 to 9pm in the Stirn Auditorium.
 Menu has been decided, music planned and publicity and interviews ongoing; Sharon will
appear on Amherst Media on February 23rd; parking is being planned and the volunteers have
been wonderful.
 28 tickets sold to date; emails and cards have been sent; invitations will go out in March.
 Fundraising Committee is making calls to potential underwriters.
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Building and Facilities:
 The Feasibility Committee met with the architects and John Kuhn on January 29, 2016.
 A building design subcommittee was established and will meet with architects approximately
every two weeks. There are seven members including three Trustees.
 Sharon will check if these subcommittee meetings need to be posted.
 At JCPC this morning Cyndi Harbeson and Matt Berube presented the Digital Amherst storage
and access project.
 Sharon discussed the building project and the JCPC members expressed appreciation for the
detail and timetable she provided.
 Issues of the possible cost of the project, town charts with capital projects estimated and grant
fees for OPM and architects were also discussed.
Personnel, Planning and Policy:
 Need to look at the Library’s Internet policy regarding privacy of public computers used by
patrons.
 Need to review Director’s goals to see if all can be met and what are the priorities.
Investment:
 Despite recent downturn we are still saving money re: past fees paid to management firm.
 Vanguard providing summary and their current situation and long term projection.
 January has been a difficult month and may affect next year’s withdrawal.
Budget:
 Finance Committee heard report on the Library’s FY17 budget request and asked questions
about the endowment.
 Details of endowment withdrawals over time clarified the questions.
Report of the Friends of the Jones Library System: (Lewis Mainzer)
 Friends attended the architects’ presentations in December.
 Shocked to hear that the MBLC views the Jones Library building as dysfunctional!
 Friends are selling tea as a fundraiser.
 Working on fundraising for “Every Child a Reader” program.
 Also looking at other ways to raise funds.
Director’s Report:
 Will be meeting with the Historical Society representatives on Tuesday
 The Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) is still being revised with town counsel.
 Press is inquiring about the project and Sharon will meet with them.
 The Library is functioning very well with new collaborative staff: curator, Cyndi Harbeson, has
brought in volunteers and interns, and the children’s’ librarian, Mia Cabana , is making strong
connections with the community.
 The staff is passionate about their work and they love the Library.
The meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted,
Tamson Ely