Bill Library  
718 Colonel Ledyard Highway  
Ledyard, Connecticut 06339  
TOWN OF LEDYARD  
Library Commission  
Meeting Minutes  
Gales Ferry Library  
18 Hurlbutt Road  
Gales Ferry, Connecticut 06335  
Chair  
John Bolduc  
Regular Meeting  
Monday, March 16, 2026  
7:00 PM  
Gales Ferry Community Center  
I.  
CALL TO ORDER  
Chairman John Bolduc called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. at the Gales Ferry Community  
Center.  
II.  
ROLL CALL  
In addition, the following were present:  
Carmen Garcia-Irizarry - Town Council Liaison  
Lyndsey Robinson - Assistant Librarian, filling in for the Library Director  
Chairman John Bolduc  
Present  
Treasurer Ralph Hightower  
Vice Chair Rolf Racich  
Recording Secretary Ellin Grenger  
Commissioner Peter Diette  
Commissioner Wendy Hellekson  
Commissioner Gillian Thorne  
Commissioner Cynthia Wright  
Commissioner Elizabeth Rumery  
III.  
IV.  
RESIDENTS & PROPERTY OWNERS COMMENTS  
None.  
MEMBER COMMENTS  
State Senator Osten is moving forward with a proposed bill, with the Mayor's approval, for  
library improvements at both branches. There is no known time frame at this time.  
V.  
1.  
REPORTS  
Treasurer’s Report  
The Treasurer's Report was reviewed.  
Director’s Report  
2.  
Budget: • The Mayor’s proposed budget included a cut that was anticipated; when  
submitting our budget, the number requested was somehow increased, almost  
doubled. Fortunately, we caught the error in our budget work session. His cut brought  
it back in line with our actual request. The work session went well, and the budget  
will be moving to the Town Council.  
Maternity Leave Plans: • I have established procedures and responsibilities for our  
Leadership Team while I am on maternity. The commission has been informed of my  
plans, as well as the Town, library staff, and Friends of Ledyard Library.  
Library News: • In February we took a look at our collections and have made some  
improvements. We are expanding our high-interest nonfiction titles for children,  
updating copies of classics for all ages, and expanding graphic novels for adults. We  
are also expanding our Nintendo Switch collection. In addition, we have  
reestablished our standing order for large print, utilizing Thorndike, which offers a  
much better discount than Ingram (25% vs. 8%). Keep an eye out for new titles at  
both buildings!  
• Speaking of exciting collection news, our Yotos will be available for checkout on  
March 9th! Stacey did an amazing job working with a team of beta testers in  
February, and then developing both video and print instructions for staff on how to  
circulate them. This was incredibly helpful for everyone and I commend her for  
making the information available in multiple formats!  
• I have continued my work on policies/practices and will have materials to share  
with you upon my return from maternity leave. Until then, staff will be proceeding as  
they have been.  
• We are in the process of revitalizing our homebound delivery services. Lyndsey  
and I, with guidance from Christine in HR, are developing a new application for  
delivery volunteers, as well as an updated form for community members who want to  
use the service. Our goal is to create a form that covers the library and volunteer in  
terms of liability, while also making the participant’s form easier to complete. We  
plan to have this in place before April so that the Friends of Ledyard Library can help  
us market the service.  
• Our Marketing team has expanded to include a Paper Marketing Subgroup (Cathy,  
Jackie, and myself) and a Newsletter Subgroup (Erica and myself). Staff have been  
informed of any procedural changes and we look forward to continued success for  
both areas. There is one additional subgroup left to develop, which may not happen  
until my return. Once established, the subgroups will meet periodically to maintain  
brand consistency across all platforms.  
• Weeding projects are still going strong. Our goal is to have the nonfiction  
collection at Bill finished by the time I am back and then coordinate the change in  
shelving before the end of the fiscal year.  
• Seed Library work is underway with a tentative opening during the week of March  
16. Our community has been asking and we are excited to bring back this very  
popular program!  
• We established a Processing Team made up of staff who have consistent hours at  
Bill Library and can support the processing and covering of new books. The team has  
been trained on the current practices and standards, as well as how to prioritize this  
work with their other duties. Erica did a great job hosting the training and creating a  
processing binder that the team can refer to at any time. • We have a new passive  
activity we are offering at Gales Ferry: Pokémon Binders! Kids can visit the library to  
trade cards with the binder. There are rules to follow to keep it fair, i.e., no one can  
trade their valueless energy cards for a holographic rare Charizard. Fortunately,  
Pokémon trades will facilitated by staff, primarily Stacey and Raven. This is a great  
compliment to our Pokémon Club that will hopefully bring kids in outside of the  
program.  
Investment Working Group  
3.  
4.  
No report.  
Friends of Ledyard Library  
Pi Day sale raised approximately $900.00 in one hour and sold out all pies.  
VI.  
1.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Library Commission Special Meeting Minutes Feb. 9, 2026  
Motion to approve the Library Commission Special Meeting Minutes of February 9, 2026.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Ellin Grenger  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Rolf Racich  
SECONDER:  
7
Bolduc Racich Grenger Diette Hellekson Thorne Wright  
AYE  
2
Hightower Rumery  
ABSTAIN  
VII. OLD BUSINESS  
Bill Library Association’s 990 Tax Return  
1.  
Motion to approve $2,400 invoice for 990, the Bill Library Association's Tax Return.  
APPROVED AND SO DECLARED  
Ralph Hightower  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Cynthia Wright  
SECONDER:  
9
Bolduc Hightower Racich Grenger Diette Hellekson Thorne Wright  
Rumery  
AYE  
Any Old Business proper to come before the Committee  
VIII. NEW BUSINESS  
Any New Business proper to come before the Committee  
None.  
IX.  
X.  
NEXT MEETING  
Next Meeting Date: April 20, 2026 at Bill Library.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Mr. Diette moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded  
by Ms. Rumery.  
The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.  
VOTE: 9-0 Approved and so declared  
Respectively Submitted,  
_______________________________  
Chairman John Bolduc  
Library Commission  
DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the  
Town.