Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Thursday, July 17, 2025
6:30 PM
LOCATION: Rockingham Free Library Meeting Room (upper floor) and Teams (link below)
Click here to downlaod a pdf of these minutes
Present: Carol Blackwood (remote), Ginger Driscoll, Margo Ghia, Bonnie North, Martha Rowley, Mike Sola, Ian Graham (ex officio)
Absent: Ginny Massucco
Minutes
1. Call to Order
a. Margo Ghia (6:41pm)
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 May 15, 2025 meeting:
a. Moved by North, Seconded by Rowley, approved unanimously. Motion passed.
5. Discussion and Motion: Bylaw Change:
a. Ghia reminded the Board that this is a second required vote to change the Library Board of Trustees Bylaws to reduce the number of Board members from nine to seven and to change nine three-year Board terms to 6 3-year terms and one 1-year term. Motion to accept changes as approved previously and publicly posted by
North, seconded by Sola, unanimously approved. Motion passed.
6. Update: Vermont Department of Libraries Information About Recent Federal Changes to Departments Funding Libraries in the United States:
a. Graham discussed recent updates from the Vermont Department of Libraries about ILMS funding for Vermont; that funding is available through at least September 30, 2026
7. Update: FY25 Budget:
a. Minimal change from previous update; compensation costs have not been updated due to Town’s recent transition to new payroll system. Revenue at 103%; expenses to be determined once payroll is updated, with the expectation that expenses will not exceed revenue.
8. Discussion: Sustainable Libraries Program:
a. Sola updated the Board that RFPL has joined SLI but is not committed to enrolling in the program. Sola, Graham, and Peebles will meet again to determine next steps.
9. Discussion and Possible Vote: Authorization to Loan Objects to BFHS:
a. Graham explained opportunity to simplify the loan of items from RFPL to the Bellows Falls Historical Society for exhibition. Current process is cumbersome and the exception would apply only to time-limited exhibitions at the Canal Street location. Blackwood moved “to authorize the Library Director to make loans from RFPL to the Bellows Falls Historical Society for the duration of not more than
one year and to inform the Board at regular meetings of any items lent.” Seconded by Sola. North abstained; all others approved. Motion passed.
10. Discussion:
a. Acoustical Engineering in Meeting Room: Graham discussed a recent donation of $6,000 from the Dee Foundation to improve acoustics in the upstairs meeting room. Improvements will address problems associated with all meeting sizes, using acoustical panels and amplification.
11. Other Business:
a. Graham discussed a recent offered donation of $10,000 towards the installation of a soundproof space in the library for telemedicine, remote educations, etc. Board indicated its support of the project.
12. Review Action Items, Propose Agenda Items for Next Meeting:
a. Next meeting September 18, 2025, at 6:30pm.
13. Adjourn:
a. Sola moved to adjourn at 7:30; seconded by Rowley.
Posted July 12, 2025