Gloucester Lyceum Committee
Special Meeting
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 9 a.m.
Zoom Only:
As the recent amendments to the open meeting law allows, this Committee will continue to hold meetings remotely. Adequate alternative access to the meeting is provided through the zoom link below.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86207455773
Dial in at 646-931 3860 US
Attendance: Julia Brotherton (Chair), Meredith Fine, Stephen Foley, Stan Franzeen, Martha Kurz, Steven Lewis, Douglas Richardson (signed off at 9:15), Leora Ulrich, William Waller, Ann Ziergiebel
Not Present: Rebecca Aliberte
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Call to order
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Proposed Library Bylaws amendment: Lyceum Committee
a. The Committee reviewed the updated draft of the Bylaws.
b. Steven moved to accept the updated draft. Discussion ensued, and consensus was reached, on wording for the history of the Lyceum and the "legacy" aspect. Steven L moved to approve the bylaws with the agreed-upon history language. Martha seconded. The group thanked Meredith for her work. The motion passed unanimously.
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Spring 2026 Programming Discussion: "Celebration of Freedom"
a. Approaching high school for participation: We need to clarify details of the event (the format, the goal, the structure, who the audience is, etc.) before we can approach the high school.
b. Annie proposed a topic of "What Does Freedom Look Like for You?". This sentence would work well with the selection of Norman Rockwell paintings and could be in the center of the diagram. This would give the school a place to start.
i. Meredith suggested that perhaps the Norman Rockwell Museum could offer some support. Meredith will reach out to them.
c. Stephen F will draft a 30 to 50 word explanation of the theme to share with the school. We should include verbiage to ask the music teachers "what does freedom sound like?".
d. Tentative date for the event: Sometime in March.
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November AI event (AI Promise and Peril: A Conversation): Tentatively scheduled for November 14.
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Next Meeting: Thursday September 10, 2026 at 5:00 pm.
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9:30 Adjourn. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted, Tracy Bowen
Motions Summary
Steven L moved to approve the bylaws with the agreed-upon history language. Martha seconded and the motion passed unanimously
Actions Summary
Meredith suggested that perhaps the Norman Rockwell Museum could offer some support. Meredith will reach out to them.
Stephen F will draft a 30 to 50 word explanation of the Celebration of Freedom theme to share with the school.