Goshen Library Board of Directors

8/19/2026 4:00pm

Present: Dawna Beausoleil, Kristen Durso, Anne Green, Henrietta Horvay, Rebecca Prause, Marianne Arancio Stilson

The Library Board of Directors opened its regular meeting with approval, with corrections, of the minutes from the July special meeting.

Library Director Phillip Armentrout presented highlights from his written Director’s Report. He said he had decided to “hit pause” on the library’s puzzle room until after the start of the school year. He also reviewed library programs held in July and August and previewed an upcoming presentation by Peter Vermilyea.

Armentrout also described a state program that would make used laptops available to residents in need. Circulation statistics were included in his written report.

Board members Marianne Arancio Stilson and Kristen Durso asked about promoting library events through physical flyers and social media. Stilson asked Armentrout to provide her with flyers to post around town and described locations where she has been posting information about library programs.

Durso suggested expanding the library’s social media presence and offered suggestions to Armentrout. She also suggested that the newly formed teen council could assist with social media efforts.

Durso also asked about increasing the availability of titles through the library’s Libby e-book platform. She said e-books are the way in which “most people are reading their books.” Armentrout said he would continue working with the vendor to expand e-book availability while also considering the number of users of the service in relation to its cost.

The Treasurer’s Report was received unanimously.

In her President’s Report, Rebecca Prause welcomed new board member Dawna Beausoleil, who replaced recently resigned Board Chair Patricia Sanders. Prause was subsequently elected president/chair of the Board and Stilson was elected vice-president/vice-chair.

The Board also received correspondence from Town Attorney Kevin Nelligan regarding the use of the Library Fund. Nelligan advised that the funds could be expended only through a town meeting, citing Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-364.

Nelligan also raised a question about the original designation of the funds, writing, “I have some question whether the insurance proceeds should have been placed in a special revenue fund, rather than a reserve fund for capital and non-recurring expenditures.”

Despite that question, Nelligan stated that the funds can only be expended through a town meeting. Prause said she would consult with First Selectman Seth Breakell regarding the scheduling of a town meeting and the language for a motion concerning the funds.

There was no new business or public comment. The meeting was adjourned at 4:41 p.m.