Friends March 4, 2026 Meeting

March Meeting Minutes

Call to Order

Sue Collins Called meeting at 7:03 p.m.

YA Librarian’s Report

Jennifir Huston

• Past programs sponsored by The Friends: Souls Speak Alchemy Box
  which has been rescheduled to April 18th due to weather.
• February programs: Teen Maker Workshop: Winter Edition – 5
  attendees, Crafty Teens: Button Art – 6 attendees
• March programs: Teen Take & Make: Art Magnets featuring images
  of art stolen from Gardner Museum: March 9th, Sumingashi Printing
  w/ Water Lily Designs: March 12th.
• Tinker Tank Update: Three appointments were made: Cricut, Cricut
  Mug Press & Heat Press. A generous patron is donating a brand new
  Cricut Mug Press and Cricut Mugs to the Library.
• Summer Reading planning has begun. Reaching out for prize
  donations for summer reading: Xtreme Craze, R1 Indoor Karting &
  Monster Mini Golf. Prizes The Friends will sponsor: Vlogging Camera,
  Robotics with LED eyes building kit, Karaoke Machine, & ShiZap
  building block game.

Children’s Librarian Report

Emma Brelsford

• February Break Friends Sponsored Programs:
• Scott Martell Magic Show – 70 attendees
• Cricut Mug Press – 12 attendees
• Upcoming Friends Sponsored Programs:
• 3/13: Water Lily Designs- Lippan Tea Light Holder Craft
• 3/7 Mini Canvas Art Class
• Amazon purchases: Mini Canvases, Extra mugs for Cricut Mug Press
• program, a very popular program! World Cup Event Decorations,
• Butterfly hatching enclosure, Storytime pull along toys
• Update: Booking programs and performers for summer.
• 8/1 Teddy Bear Picnic from 11-12. Actively looking for a band!

Approval of February Minutes

After making corrections to Book drive and Legislative breakfast dates, Betsy asked for a motion to accept minutes

Treasurer’s Report

Katherine Howard

• Transferred remaining funds for Librarians $6000 see report
• Income remains steady. $4400 revenue
• Goal of memberships $7000.
• Donations $300 general from Colleen’s work.
• Book shop $178 strong contributor to our income
• Spending $ to build up Ed O’Leary collection
• Constant contact renewed
• Met for the By Law changes. If passed then the budgeting will be
  moved up. Libby prefers to have Friends budget to approve in
  November or in January meeting.
• Sue feels that November would work best for having budget,
• Sue makes motion to accept Feb Treasures Seconded by Margi
• Katherine spoke to Bernadette who agreed to do the Audit 2025.

Director’s Report

Libby O’Neill

The Friends sponsored these February programs for Adults:

• 2/7 Soul Speak Alchemy (however due to inclement weather, this
  program has been rescheduled to April 18th)
• 2/28 Snowy House Luminaria with Pop Up Art School: 12 attended.
• 3/31 The Community Reads Author event is already half full!
• All other Community Reads programs and the field trip to the Isabella
  Stewart Gardner Museum are full!!
• Thank you to Mo and Sharon White (from the Painted Fox Art
  Gallery) for organizing the March Community Reads Art exhibit.
• And thank you to Mo and Betsy for helping hang the exhibit for the Art
• Thief! It looks amazing!
• March 16th Logo committee to vote on the new logo. Trustees to vote
  on it at their April meeting. Friends can then decide if they would also
  like to adopt the new logo at their May meeting.
• The Friends are sponsoring two concerts in March. These concert are
  always so popular.
• The Seed Library kicked off this week-and people are already
  checking out seed.
  

Trustee Report

Kevin Penders

• Legislative breakfast rescheduled, Kevin, Paul and Libby will attend.
• Kevin complimented Libby, Emma, and Jenniifr for their great job with
  the Community Reads programs.
• Library budget at AD COMM next week. Libby on Capital
  Improvement for Teen plans. Continuing to work on new Website.
• Two Trustee seats open: Joyce Parlapiano and Kevin Penders.
• Jonathan Clark and Adam Jenkins have pulled papers.
• Kevin Penders has been on Trustee Board for last 15 years!
• Katherine to attend Trustees March meeting.

Membership

Colleen McManus

• 147 memberships for 2026, 128 memberships in 2025 by March meeting.
• In 2024 we had 144 memberships by March meeting.
• 52 paid in 2025 (Nov/Dec)
• 43 paid in January
• 52 paid in February which includes 4 new memberships’
• Colleen to pull the winner of the drawing next week and will share info
  with the board. She shall take a photo of winner with bag of books for
  the Newsletter.

Newsletter

Bernadette Thie

• Next Newsletter is coming out in April. President’s letter is due April 1st to Bernadette.
• Zoo Passes usually go on sale on website in March. Katherine to purchase zoo passes.

Book Shop

Margi Rossetti

• Getting lots of donations and many children’s books.
• Matt hasn’t visited since after first of year.

Book Sale

Lesleyann Foster

• Publicity documents have been prepared, modifications made and will send off to Ray Craft Press. Shall touch base with Betsy Buckland about the number of items usually purchased.
• Publicity done for the Books Sale. Lesleyann will be staggering the
  social media.
• Asks Betsy Lorusso to schedule a pick up by Bay State Books for the
  Monday after Book Sale.
• Booksalefinder.com has been updated with our new address.
• 15 new volunteers have been added to sign up Sign Up Genius. Sent
  out Sign Up Genius late this afternoon for the March 21st Book Drive.

Old Business

• Sue is very impressed with the 5 member By Law Committee. The
  Committee’s next meeting is 3/18 @ 6:00 pm in the Fuller room.
• FOBL Calendar to be updated.
• Zoo Passes: Katherine will talk with Libby and Rene about purchases
  of tickets.

New Business

• High School Pops Advertising: $75 check to be given. Lesleyann will
  notify them that we will be sending check.
• Motion to accept Kirstin Stone as Member at Large Board Member.
  

Adjournment

Respectfully submitted by:

Betsy Lorusso
Secretary