Rockingham Free Public Library
Board of Trustees Draft Minutes
Thursday, September 18, 2025
LOCATION: Rockingham Free Library Meeting Room (upper floor) and Teams (link below)
Click here to doanload a pdf of these minutes
Present: Carol Blackwood, Ginger Driscoll, Margo Ghia, Ginny Massucco, Bonnie North, Martha Rowley, Ian Graham (ex officio)
Absent: Mike Sola
Minutes
1. Call to Order
a. Margo Ghia (6:35)
2. Additions to Agenda for routine administrative matters and/or pressing matters that will require ratification at a future meeting
a. None
3. Public Comment (3 minutes per person)
a. None
4. Approval of minutes from July 17, 2025 meeting
a. Moved by North, seconded by Driscoll, approved unanimously. Motion passed.
5. Smithsonian Institute/Vermont Humanities Exhibition
a. Graham discussed collaboration between the Smithsonian and Vermont Humanities Council that will bring a traveling exhibition to RFPL next summer.
Featuring rural innovation, the library will host the exhibit and related programs for approximately 6 weeks, from early June to mid-July 2026.
6. FY27 Budget
a. Graham announced that he will contact members of the Finance committee (Sola, North, Ghia) to designate a meeting date in October to examine the budget.
b. Graham advised trustees that an extra meeting will be needed in December so that board can vote on budget.
7. Union Agreement Negotiation
a. Graham reminded board that union contract is presently in final year of current 3-year contract, and that any trustee who would like to join negotiating should express their interest to him.
8. Building Update and Needs
a. Graham explained condition of retaining wall on south side of library- a section is leaning into Riverview’s driveway. No imminent danger of collapse, but he will speak to town manager about the possibility of town crew performing the repair spring or summer 2026.
b. Graham discussed replacement of deteriorated RFPL sign on front lawn, which needs repair or replacement. He has spoken to professional sign makers who want to donate a new sign to the library. As design options and details become available, Graham will bring those to board for consideration.
9. Library of Things
a. Graham informed board that a staff member is applying for a $4,000 grant through AARP. The funding would provide programming intended to entice community members (especially those over age 55) to stay engaged and active. Examples of possible programming and associated equipment might include snowshoeing, bird-watching, etc.
10. Grants
a. Graham announced that he and 2 staff members are applying for a $4,000 grant to fund the purchase of one or two e-bikes, depending on the cost.
11. Atkinson Portrait
a. Graham informed board that an anonymous donor wishes to gift historic portrait to the library, and that he will arrange a meeting of the Historical Collections Committee (Rowley, North, Massucco).
12. Other Business
a. None
13. Review Action Items, Propose Agenda Items for Next Meeting
a. Draft budget
b. Next meeting Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
14. Adjourn
a. Driscoll moved to adjourn at 7:19; seconded by North.