White background, black text Sally Ploof Hunter Memorial Library The connection point of choice for our community's information, entertainment and social needs. Image: Round seal includes library name and basic image of female holding a book.

Board Meeting Minutes May 26, 2026

Sally Ploof Hunter Memorial Library

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

May 26, 2026

1. Administrative

a. Attendance – Shawn Hunt, Kelly Coon, Jamie Chamberlain, Delores Strife, Sue Ellen Deion, Lori Ames, Julie King, Alicia Bach, Colleen Bowers, Terry Ingersoll

b. Called to Order – @1630 by Sue Ellen Deion

c. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

  •  Accepted: Jamie Chamberlain, Seconded: Kelly Coon

2. Reports

a. President’s Report – President is absent.

b. Treasurer’s Report –

i. Quarterly report by June 2026.

ii. Waiting for a response on the grant from Jefferson County.

c. Statistical Report – Done in June 2026.

d. Community Report

i. Mural Unveiling was held Saturday, May 16, 2026 @ 1200.

1. Low attendance: Shawn Hunt (working), Mary Louise Hunt (working), Chamberlain Family, Colleen Bowers (working), Terry Ingersoll (working), Alicia Murphy and Husband (St. Lawrence County Arts Council event audit).

2. Colleen Bowers (Community Engagement Liaison) is asking for help boosting event attendances by showing up and sharing event information.

                        ii. Dolly Parton Imagination Library Grant

1. Grant submitted.

2. Results due in November 2026.

iii. Dollar General Grant

1.Grant application was denied for $500 toward the Summer Reading Program.

                        iv. New Reading Program- Sally’s Read Aloud Storybook Picks

  1. Replacing the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten.
  2. Includes board books, toddler picture books, preschool picture books and early chapter books.
  3. 90 books in total – list of all books included to track progress and identify favorite authors for further reading ideas.

v. Website- www.sallyploofhunterlibrary.org

1. Overhaul completed.

2. Maintenance and additions will be ongoing.

3. Submit any website errors, issues or suggestions by email for tracking purposes.

                        vi. Upcoming Events

                                    1. BRE Fieldtrips

  • 6/3 – 2 Kindergartens @1000, @1100, and @1200.
  • 6/4 – 3 Kindergartens @1000, @1100, and @1200.
  • 6/15 – 3rd Grade @1330; 6/18 – 4th Grade 10am

2. July 28th is the REV Theatre @1830. (Carthage High School)

3. August 13th is the archeologist presentation @1800.

4.  August 15th is REPCO @1300.

5. Storytime/Toddler Reading Group is every 1st and 3rd Tuesdays @1000.

3. Old Business

a. PTO Policy

i. “New Employment” will reset all PTO options.

ii. 1 year commitment for FT or PT employees for PTO Policy.

iii. When cashing out, employees will get half of their regular pay and capped at 500 hours.

  • Accepted: Jamie Chamberlain, Seconded: Kelly Coon
  • Vote Result: Unanimous

b. Summer Employment for All Employees

i. Need coverage for the following dates: June 3 and June 24-26 @ 1500-1800.

ii. NCLS has not provided a substitute yet.

iii. Potential new part time library clerk to be split between BLR and EVM Libraries.

iv. The library clerk’s rate of pay will be minimum wage.

  • Accepted: Jamie Chamberlain, Seconded: Kelly Coon
  • Vote Result: Unanimous

c. Annual Report to the Community

i. The Annual Report to the Community must be approved by the Board before publishing.

  • Accepted: Jamie Chamberlain, Seconded: Kelly Coon
  • Vote Result: Unanimous

d. Bank Signatures

i. Colleen Bowers will be added as a name that can authorize checks.

  • Accepted: Jamie Chamberlain, Seconded: Delores Strife
  • Vote Result: Unanimous

e. Annual Report to NYS

i. ON HOLD- NYS is behind.

  • Vote Result: Unanimous

            f. Patron Conduct Policy

                        i. Reviewed and accepted updated Patron Conduct Policy.

  • Accepted: Jamie Chamberlain, Seconded: Lori Ames
  • Vote Result: Unanimous

g. AI Policy

i. Addressed and adopted a new AI policy.

  • Accepted: Jamie Chamberlain, Seconded: Alicia Bach
  • Vote Result: Unanimous

            h. Donation Policy

i. Send list of names for donations (memorial) to the family after 1 month.

                        ii. Form a thank you letter to be sent to the donors.

  • Accepted: Jamie Chamberlain, Seconded: Lori Ames
  • Vote Result: Unanimous

4. Executive Session

  1. Executive Session Start @1725
  1. Library Director’s Wage

i. Increase the Library Director’s (Shawn Hunt) wage to $40,000 per year salary.

ii.Working a minimum of 35 hours per week.

iii.Effective July 1, 2026.

iv. To be evaluated annually. Next evaluation May 2027.

  • Accepted: Jamie Chamberlain, Seconded: Kelly Coon
  • Vote Result: Unanimous
  • Executive Session End @1750

5. Adjournment

  1. Meeting adjourned May 26, 2026 @1755
  2. Accepted: Jamie Chamberlain, Seconded: Delores Strife
  3. Vote Result: Unanimous