Library Trustees Hold April Meeting

Clockwise from top left: Director Deric Wilson, Kara Peterson, Kristi Wiwczar, Nancy Baron, Gwenyth Swain

Library Trustees met remotely on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, with Kara Peterson, Vice Chair, sitting in for Karla Alfred.  Peterson noted that the remote statement, read prior to meetings that have a member attending remotely, had been revised on March 29, 2023, to extend this option for Open Meeting to March 2025. 

Following the Trustee’s approval of the March 1, 2023, meeting minutes, Librarian Deric Wilson presented the Director’s Report.  Among the items presented was an update on the progress toward the MA Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) Building Grants application for 2024. Wilson reached out for proposals, and these are due to him by April 7. He had also sent a letter of intent to apply this week with a support letter from the Town of Holliston. 

The Holliston Neighbors and Newcomers has provided $2175 in grant funding to support museum passes.  Wilson is also working to improve navigation of the Library website. 

The Trustees will revisit the Inclement Weather Policy during their May meeting.  Its Crisis Response Policy will also be revisited following examination of other libraries’ policies and templates. 

Trustees engaged in discussion about how best to show on their website the use of various public meeting spaces. Peterson will send links of other towns to the Trustees for review prior to setting policy.

Wilson presented his suggestion for the Library’s summer hours, and the Trustees requested he gather the perspective of the entire staff before they vote to approve.

In Old Business, Nancy Baron reported, “Staff morale is at rock bottom…Communication with staff is very poor, and it distresses me.”  Wilson articulated ways—including memos, emails, and newsletters— to communicate with staff other than during hybrid (remote) staff meetings. He plans a staff appreciation meeting for May 4.  Trustees suggested more frequent and shorter staff meetings as a way to create more opportunity for communication.

Baron also requested that Wilson step in to aid other staff during busy times.  Trustee Gwenyth Swain said that while collecting signatures for her nomination papers she received many negative comments about the library leadership. Baron concluded, “We want you to succeed. The staff is your greatest asset.”  Wilson said, “I will work on it.”

The meeting adjourned at 8:18 PM.  The Trustees next meeting is May 3, 2023. 

Yvette Cain

1 Comment

  1. Nancy Karis on April 19, 2023 at 10:57 am

    Yvette Cain, Im happy to say that your report of the April meeting of the Library Board of Trustees, along with the actual board meeting, ignited the spark needed to revive the film program at our library.
    The program, which had enjoyed a robust following during the former head librarian’s administration, suffered from covid restrictions, then fell into indifferent management in the following months. Thanks to successful communication between responsive board members and the present head librarian the program is back on track with Maggie Ellis as its enthusiastic conductor!
    Hoping many others will come to enjoy this free entertainment at our Library.

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