October 7, 2024 Librarian’s report
Personnel – Gretchen is past her probationary period and is doing a good job. She has brought a different style and energy to our children’s programing and it is nice to see. She continues to learn procedures. I started taking vacation time a day at a time to ease into Gretchen working alone. I am now trying to fit my backlog of vacation time in before the year ends.
The SYEP program started off shaky with our worker – after one hour he decided that he did not want to work. They were able to find us another worker who made it through the end of the program. He was not terribly interested in work, but he was helpful on some projects.
3rd Quarter programs – Farm 2 Library. We had good numbers for the Summer Reading Program with 60 signing up. We had weekly story times, and 4 special programs (dreamcatchers, puppetry, scavenger hunts, and a drumming workshop/end party) as part of this. Attendance was good overall. The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County were here answering questions and helping people register to vote in September. Louise Adie put a Forest Fairy Treehouse up for display that will be here through mid-November.
Upcoming programs – Story time resumes in October. We will have a Fairy Houses craft on 10/11, and an All Hallows Read program starting 10/12. There will be a Hands Only CPR Demo on 10/8 in the evening. There will probably be at least one crafter-noon in November, and we will have some type of program during the Hometown Holidays in December.
SALS & Directors’ Council – There is a new law requiring web content to be accessible within 3 years. Jack Scott at SALS is staying on top of this and will help make sure we are in compliance. 211 is a new help line for social services information. It is hoped that as this number becomes known it will take some non-emergency calls away from the 911 system. The Overdrive Committee will be looking at the fee structure for 2026.
Joint Automation Council / computers –My laptop issues have been resolved. For current information on SCP leaving the Joint Automation Council please visit SALS’ website. There is a link with information and a FAQ page under the About Us tab in the Joint Automation Project section.
Friends – The annual book sale in July worked out well. The Friends made $840.15 on the sale. This is $200 more than last year.
Maintenance – The electrician replaced bulbs in the bad unit then came back and swapped out the ballast. A repairman came to look at the elevator & shaft. He made a few adjustments so that things are safe and working fine. He recommends that we replace a part and we should be getting a proposal from the company regarding that. The plumber replaced the faucet in the back. The air conditioners stopped working again at the end of the summer. LaPann’s had planned to check them again in the Fall when the furnace gets checked, so we had them come early. The air conditioning got recharged, but a part has been ordered. Additionally, the furnace needed a part that had to be ordered, so we are waiting for them to finish both jobs.
Other –We have been putting off starting to circulate the fishing equipment in order to have a kick-off program. We are working with the Youth Commission to combine our strengths to do a fishing program using our equipment and their personnel.
Meetings attended in 3rd quarter of 2024 (virtual):
- 7/9 webinar
- 7/16 Farm 2 Library meeting
- 8/20 Directors Council
- 8/22 Directors Council – special re JA/SCP
- 9/12 Youth Services Mtg (Gretchen)
Old Business:
Strategic Plan:
WIFI seating-
Solar component – ?
Signage – We should have a permanent sign for the front of the shelter. It would also be nice to have a plaque thanking our donors.
Trustee Training:
A reminder to check the SALS website for training opportunities. The requirement is 2 hours of training per year. Don’t forget to get your information to me as you complete a training. You have a blank form that you can fill out or you can bring in a printed certificate of completion – just make sure all the relevant information is on it.
JA / SCP
SCP withdrawal from JA
Updated Employee Handbook
Updated Employee Handbook
New business:
2025 meeting dates:
Jan 6 – annual mtg; Feb ?; Apr 7; July 7; Oct 6; Dec 1
Treasurer
Co-treasurers?
Responsibilities:
Bills need to be paid
Quarterly & yearly reports
credit card
Electrician
fluorescent lights / ballasts
Elevator
Waiting for proposal