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Hinsdale Library trustees approve minutes, authorize heater purchase and begin strategic planning
Summary
At its Jan. 7, 2026 meeting, the Hinsdale Library Board approved the prior month’s minutes, heard an interim director’s report on staffing and facilities, authorized buying a replacement heater, discussed fundraising and programming ideas, and agreed to move forward with strategic planning.
Hinsdale — The Hinsdale Library Board of Trustees met Jan. 7, 2026, and approved the December meeting minutes before hearing a report from interim director Sarah Welch on staffing, facilities and programming.
Welch told trustees the library still needs to hire additional help, said the food cart program has been successful, and noted recent carpet cleaning. She reported recurring problems with the furnace and said Laureyns or another helper needs to inspect it. Trustee Marge Filkins agreed to arrange assistance. Welch asked the board to approve purchasing a replacement heater, and trustees agreed; the minutes do not record a formal roll-call vote for that purchase.
The board discussed several other maintenance and operations items: Nick continues to work on repairs, a curtain for the entryway remains to be installed, and the library printer is functioning for now. Trustees also considered a raffle as a fundraiser but noted that running a raffle would require filing paperwork with the state; Filkins volunteered to obtain the required forms.
On finance, the board recorded routine expenditures including payment for the carpet cleaner and an "Osvaldo" gift card. Trustees said they will search Wells Fargo records for paperwork tied to the children’s fund. Members noted the upcoming Green Collar project as an item to watch.
In old business, trustees said the Festival of Trees was successful but will be run differently next year and reiterated the need to find someone to manage the library website or provide web design support.
On programming and long-term direction, the board discussed community events such as a Book and Bake Sale, an author visit, summer theater and themed movie nights, and possible partnerships with a local bookstore or other libraries. Trustee David Mickenberg urged the board to develop clear strategy and goals to increase patron visits and to preserve the library’s role in town life. He and others suggested inviting prominent town residents and participants from nearby Peru and Dalton to be involved. Trustee Katie Bolger said she wants to be on a strategic planning committee to define services, survey residents and set priorities.
A motion to adjourn passed, and the meeting concluded at 7:16 p.m. The minutes were signed by Dawn Frissell, secretary.
The board’s next procedural steps noted in the minutes include obtaining raffle filing forms, locating Wells Fargo paperwork for the children’s fund, and forming a strategic planning committee to develop goals and outreach plans.
