Library Board of Trustees

TENAFLY PUBLIC LIBRARY MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING September 9, 2019 The Board of Trustees of the Tenafly Public Library met on September 9, 2019, at 7:01 p.m. at the Library for its regular Board meeting. Board Members Present: President Kathleen Cook, Vice President Patrick Rouse, Secretary/Treasurer Martin Gilbert, Teresa Austin, David DiGregorio, Shama Haider, Soon Juhng and Elizabeth Warms. Absent: Mabel Allen Staff present: Library Director Julie Marallo and Administrative Assistant Ann Marie Connolly The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. Julie Marallo reported that notices of the meeting had been posted and sent to the media. Minutes Board members approved the Minutes of the regular Board meeting of June 10, 2019. Moved by: Teresa Austin. Seconded by: Elizabeth Warms. Unanimously approved. Board members approved the Minutes of the Executive Board meeting of June 10, 2019. Moved by: Elizabeth Warms. Seconded by: Teresa Austin. Unanimously approved. Treasurer’s Report Martin Gilbert reviewed with the Board the Library’s financial statements of June, July and August 2019. He noted that he had examined and approved the statements and reported that they were current and accurate. A motion was made to approve the financial reports. Moved by: Elizabeth Warms. Seconded by: Kathleen Cook. Unanimously approved. Correspondence None Director’s Report After much analysis to create a fairer distribution of funds, BCCLS has voted to change the Net Plus Policy, and in 2020 it will distribute $2,000 to each of the 62 Bergen County libraries. This will help each library to offset the annual $9,000 fee for the delivery service. Unified loan periods (all items of the same type would have the same loan period and items without reserves would renew automatically) were discussed at the June 27, 2019 System Council meeting. Ms. Marallo discussed with the Board the specifics of this new policy, and the Board was in favor of her voting favorably to accept it. The Board discussed the increased cost, limited availability and restrictions of obtaining ebooks from publishing companies. The American Library Association is working to put pressure on publishing companies. March 25, 2020 will mark the 125 th anniversary of the establishment of the Tenafly Library Association. The Tenafly Library Friends and Board members Teresa Austin and Elizabeth Warms are planning two events to commemorate this anniversary. Sometime in March there will be a “Family Day” at the library with events and refreshments. On April 5 th the Friends will host an adult-only program at $25.00 per ticket that will include wine and cheese and a presentation from Tenafly resident and former Borough Historian Alice Renner Rigney. Tenafly’s art legacy will be discussed and paintings exhibited in a program titled “Tenafly Art and Artists Remembered.” As a result of her research, Ms. Marallo presented quotes from Trinity Cleaning and Eastern Services to come on a regular basis to perform specific cleaning tasks at the library. In comparing services offered and cost, Eastern Services was the most economical choice. The goal is to have regular cleaning and seasonal deep cleaning to include bathrooms, dusting, vestibule and window cleaning. The Board agreed to hiring Eastern Services at an initial cost of $395 per month for once a week cleaning and deep cleaning seasonally at a cost of $995. The Board requested that the weekly cleaning of the Friends Room be added to the monthly cost. President’s Report Kathleen Cook shared an article from The New York Times by Frank Bruni that highlighted the importance of libraries and their emerging position as centers for all citizens to congregate and share with one another. Julie Marallo said she would share the article on the Library’s Facebook page. The Board discussed the importance of having two ideally suited employees at the reference desk, Marcia Literati and Jinwoo Yi , to help all patrons navigate through technology. Old Business The Board discussed changing the time of the Board meetings for October, November and December of 2019. The following resolution was passed:  BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT: the Board of Trustees of the Free Public Library of the Borough of Tenafly, in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, hereby resolves to change the time of the following three Board meetings from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 a.m.: October 21, 2019, November 18, 2019 and December 9, 2019. Moved by: Martin Gilbert Seconded by: Shama Haider Voting as follows: Teresa Austin – Yes Shama Haider - Yes Kathleen Cook – No Soon Juhng - Yes David DiGregorio – Abstain Patrick Rouse - Yes Martin Gilbert – Yes Elizabeth Warms - Yes New Business The Board discussed the 2020 Holiday and Library Board and Foreign Policy Discussion Group meeting dates presented by Ms. Marallo. After discussion the Board approved the dates as presented. Moved by: Martin Gilbert. Seconded by: Patrick Rouse. Unanimously approved. Report from the Mayor. None Report from the Superintendent’s Alternate David DiGregorio thanked Julie Marallo for the efforts the library was making to support the students after school. He asked Ms. Marallo to reach out to him if there was any help she needed with the students. Citizen’s Portion of the Meeting None Any Other Business None Closed Session The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. to closed session to discuss personnel matters. Moved by: Kathleen Cook. Seconded by: Elizabeth Warms. Unanimously accepted. The Board adjourned the closed session at 8:40 p.m. to go into open session. Moved by Kathleen Cook. Seconded by: Elizabeth Warms. Unanimously accepted. A resolution was made to terminate the employment of Library Assistant Clyde Johnson. The following resolution was passed: BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT: the Board of Trustees of the Free Public Library of the Borough of Tenafly, in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, hereby elects to terminate the employment of Library Assistant Clyde Johnson as of Monday, September 9, 2019. Moved by: Martin Gilbert Seconded by: Kathleen Cook Voting as follows: Teresa Austin – Yes Shama Haider - Yes Kathleen Cook – Yes Soon Juhng - Yes David DiGregorio – Abstain Patrick Rouse - Yes Martin Gilbert – Yes Elizabeth Warms - Yes Adjournment The Board adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Moved by: Patrick Rouse. Seconded by: Martin Gilbert. Unanimously accepted. Respectfully submitted, Martin Gilbert Secretary/Treasurer The next regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees will be on Monday, October 21, 2019. APPROVED: October 21, 2019