Bill Library

718 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Library Commission

Gales Ferry Library

18 Hurlbutt Road

Gales Ferry, Connecticut 06335

Meeting Minutes - Final

Chair

John Bolduc

Regular Meeting

7:00 PM

Monday, August 18, 2025

Bill Library

CALL TO ORDER

The Meeting was called to order by Chair Bolduc at 7:00p.m.

II.

ROLL CALL

In addition, the following were present:

Ambrosia Lavallee,Library Director

Carmen Garcia,Town Council Liasion

III.

IV.

RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS

None

PRESENTATIONS / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

None

MEMBER COMMENTS

Committee Member Wendy Hellekson informed us that the Preston Town Library is looking for

a librarian

VI.

REPORTS

Treasurer’s Report

Because there was no activity in July for any account there was no Treasurer's Report.

Director’s Report

Ms.Lavallee presented the Director's report

Library news:

1. Staffing Updates

• Stephanie Akers has resigned from her position as Library Associate due to health reasons.

• Amanda Marcelynas, a Ledyard community member and library patron, will begin training as a

new Library Associate on August 13.

• Sarah Desormier will return to the Ledyard Library as a substitute-only staff member.

2. Legislative Compliance - Bill No. 1271

• Requires updates to the Collection Development & Maintenance Policy, Library Display &

Program Policy, and Materials Review & Reconsideration Policy by Oct 1, 2025.

• Drafts are underway, with updates to the Collection Development and Materials Review

policies already completed.

3. Programming and Events

• Summer Reading had 330 registrations and 2,300+ adventures logged.

• Fall programs planned include:

o Bookbinding workshop

o Victorian tea event

o “Dying to meet you” Funeral home presentation

4. Collection Development & Weeding

• Transitioning primary book ordering to Ingram to address B&T vendor delays; staff feedback

mostly positive, final assessment pending.

• Nonfiction weeding underway at both branches

5. Social Media

• Drue has significantly improved social media presence, contributing to increased program

attendance.

• Assistant librarians note patrons have mentioned they learned about recent events via Drue’s

cross-posting on community pages.

6. Annual Report

• Preparation progressing steadily.

7. Building

• Public works ripped out the weeds from the side of Bill, and planted Wild Flower seeds.

MOTION to lower the number of monthly Hoopla checkouts from 4 to 3.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

John Bolduc

RESULT:

MOVER:

Rolf Racich

SECONDER:

Investment Working Group

Sal Tocco from Janney reviewed the performance of the Bill Association accounts for the second

quarter of 2025. He discussed the managers of each account and the top holdings for each accoun

While the Russell 1000 Value was up 4.89% year to date the combined Janney Funds were up 6.2

The Working Group is satisfied with the results.

Consortium Working Group

Motion to disband work group.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Rolf Racich

RESULT:

MOVER:

Ralph Hightower

SECONDER:

Friends of the Ledyard Library

The Friends book sale is August 23 to September 6. Please volunteer to assist them in this

fundraising effort that benefits the library.

Report from the Library Director’s Assessment Committee.

Wendy provided an update but no formal report read at this time.

VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Approval of meeting minutes..end

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

RESULT:

Ralph Hightower

Elizabeth Rumery

MOVER:

SECONDER:

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

Any old business proper to come before the Commission.

NONE

IX.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion to update the Donations & Gift Policy.

As a general rule, monetary gifts under $250 that are not donated for a specific purpose will be

deposited in the Library Commission Special Fund. Monetary gifts of $250 and over or any

monetary gift donated as a result of an annual appeal that are not donated for a specific

purpose will be held by the Bill Library Association in a separate professionally managed

account and used for areas of highest need at Bill or Gales Ferry Library as determined by the

Library Commission in consultation with the Library Director. Gifts donated for a specific

purpose will be deposited in the Library Commission Special Fund.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Ralph Hightower

RESULT:

MOVER:

Rolf Racich

SECONDER:

NEXT MEETING

Next Commission to be held September 15, 2025 at 7:00pm, at the Gales Ferry Library

XI.

ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Wright moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Ms. Hellekson