HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-10-BOLT-minTrustees of the Cary Memorial Library
Executive Board Meeting
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
12:30 PM
Cary Library Genealogy Room
Attendees:
• Trustees: Jill Hai, Barbara Callaghan, Sarah Carter, Karen Thomashow, Joe Pato (arrived at 12:33 PM)
• Staff: Koren Stembridge, Laura Bernheim, Cathie Ghorbani, Alissa Lauzon, Susan Lusk
Call to Order (12:32 p.m.) —Jill Hai, Trustee Chair
Public Comment — None
Secretary's Minutes — Motion to approve the minutes from June 4, 2025, by Jill Hai. Second, by Barbara
Callaghan. Unanimous vote.
Administrative Updates —
• Director's update
o Staff Changes — Laura Harrington is the library's new Teen Services Manager and Hannah Frazee
as new Programming Librarian.
o Intellectual Freedom — Following the growing number of court cases around the country that
are related to free speech. One case recently determined that library collections are
"government speech" though this case is likely to be appealed. The future of the Institute for
Museum and Library Services remains uncertain, and more impacts will trickle down to the
states.
o Koren will attend the Private Library Safety Summit in Hartford, CT.
o Lower Level Renovation Update:
■ Per Mike Cronin, we are looking at a Thanksgiving date for moving. Mike states that the
primary reason for the delay is the ceiling as -built plans from 2004 were incorrect. The
project remains on budget within contingency. In two weeks, Mike is expected to give a
new update from the contractor.
■ Meyer Moving Company has only one foreman who is adept at handling our size move
and this could push us into January.
■ Also waiting for the furniture ordered to arrive.
■ Jill Hai questioned if the mover was the holding facility also and this was confirmed to be
so. The most important order to arrive is the shelving but if this arrives before the
move is scheduled, we can put it in storage.
■ Community not happy with the delay but we can direct them to surrounding libraries for
the interim.
New Business
FY25 Library Statistics —Laura Bernheim
o Circulation remained steady despite construction. Teen collection use went up. AD only went
down slightly. CH went down, which is understandable due to construction. and went up and
we expect the numbers to keep increasing. Door -To -Door deliveries were at 317! Shout out to
Heather Vandermillen! Program attendance decreased only slightly as both AD and CH staff we
adept at finding alternate programming either by using off-site locations or partnering with
other organizations in town.
• Photography & Filming Policy update
o Updated to reflect that if an individual is not following our photography policy, they maybe
escorted from the grounds. All commercial projects need director prior approval to film and/or
take photos. Jill Hai moved to approve the updates to policy. Karen Thomashow second.
Unanimous approval.
• 2026 Holiday Closures Memo
o Jill Hai moved to approve dates as presented. Second Barbara Callaghan. Unanimous approval.
• 2% Endowment distribution ($40,848)
o Jill Hai moved to approve the 2% distribution. Sarah Carter second. Unanimous approval.
Old Business
Draft timeline for the LICA/Trustee proposal - Rabbi Karen Thomashow
o Per Karen Thomashow, input is needed on the LICA timeline. She established a working group
of members of the Lexington Interfaith Community Association to discuss LICA's involvement in
identifying role in helping identify clergy to serve on the Library Trustees. This proposal will be
brought to the Executive Board in December 2025 and the Full Board in February 2026.
o Koren Stembridge has reviewed bylaw changes by the library:
■ Will need to send revised bylaws 10 days in advance to the Full Board. Koren will work
with the town attorney on that process.
Jill Hai suggested this might be a good time to see if there are additional bylaws changes
needed.
o Jill Hai stated no vote is needed at this time.
Announcements
None
Vote to Adjourn - (1:21 p.m.) Motion to approve by Jill Hai. Second, Karen Thomashow. Unanimous approval.