Board of Somerset County Library Trustees
Special Meeting Minutes
Friday, June 24, 2016 10:00 AM Princess Anne Library

Present: John Samus, President; Tom Brice, Board Vice President, George Milbert, Board Treasurer; Ann Smith, Board Member; Marlena Turner, Board Member; Heather Hurst, Board Member; Director Gail Sheldon; Jan Gorely, Administrative Assistant; Absent: Keisha Evans, Board Member; Linda Riggin, President Somerset County Library Foundation

Call Meeting to Order

President Samus called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m.

REPORT ON INTERIM DIRECTOR SEARCH – John Venditta

Mr. Venditta reported that there were several candidates that he considered as candidates for the position of Interim Director: Mark Thomas, Susan Sternberg, and Rachel Stein. His first choice was the former director of Worcester County Library, Mark Thomas. Mark is very experienced, and has a good rapport with his staff. Mark had some reservations but he met with Gail and after their discussion, he decided that he would accept the position if asked. After discussion, President Samus asked for a motion to offer Mr. Thomas the position as Interim Director. The motion was made by Ms. Smith and seconded by Mr. Brice; the motion passed unanimously.

Discussion then turned to what the pay rate would be. Based on the level of experience Mr. Thomas brings to the position, Ms. Turner made the motion of offering Mr. Thomas $50/hr. with a projection of 16 hours per week (some of those hours will be worked from home). ESRL funds will be available to cover this expense.

The Board then discussed strategies of how to go about searching for a new director, salary to be offered, use of a consulting firm, social media, list servers, etc. After much discussion, the following was decided:

1. It was felt that the search should start within the State of Maryland and other local areas, i.e., Delaware and Virginia.
2. The Board will need someone to screen the applications as they come in. John Venditta agreed that he would take on this task for the Board. If no viable candidates are found locally, The next step would be
3. To hire a consultant to take on the task of searching for a director.

Tom Brice made a motion to use John Venditta and ESRL to screen regional applications and if that is not successful, to go to the next step to hire a consultant. Deadline for regional applications is August 9, 2016. Motion was seconded by Ms. Turner and Ms. Smith; motion passed unanimously.

Governance

Since President Samus's term of office will expire on September 20, 2016, a new slate of officers will need to be placed. Ms. Turner moved that the following slate of officers be approved:

President – Mr. Tom Brice Vice President – Ms. Ann Smith Treasurer – Mr. George Milbert

Motion seconded by Ms. Hurst, motion passed unanimously. The new slate of officers will begin their term as of October 1, 2016.

Ms. Sheldon left the meeting at 11:15 a.m.

The Board discussed having a farewell party to thank Ms. Sheldon for all that she has done for the Somerset County Library System. It was decided that Ms. Smith, Ms. Hurst and Ms. Turner will take care of the arrangements and that the party will be held at the new Crisfield Library on Wednesday, July 20th from 5-7 p.m and to ask the Library Foundation if they would pay for the refreshments.

President Samus asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion was made by Ms. Smith, seconded by Ms. Hurst and the meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

Respectfully submitted, Jan Gorely Administrative Assistant