Library Board of Trustees

TENAFLY PUBLIC LIBRARY MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING November 18, 2019 The Board of Trustees of the Tenafly Public Library met on November 18, 2019 at the Library for its regular Board meeting. Board Members Present: President Kathleen Cook, Vice President Patrick Rouse, Secretary/Treasurer Martin Gilbert, Teresa Austin, Soon Juhng and Elizabeth Warms. Absent: Mabel Allen, Shama Haider and David DiGregorio Staff present: Library Director Julie Marallo Citizen present: Mayor-elect Mark Zinna The meeting was called to order at 11:07 a.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 October 21, 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 October 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: Patrick Rouse. Seconded by: Kathleen Cook. Unanimously approved. Correspondence Natalie Kavanagh of Tenafly Pride presented the library with a $250 check to be used towards materials and programming of interest to the LGBT community. She has also asked Tenafly Pride members and supporters to take advantage of peer-to-peer fundraising on social media networks to raise money for the Tenafly Library Friends. Director’s Report Julie Marallo provided an update on the squirrel infestation. Since last month’s meeting, the bird spikes had not yet been installed and the tree and holly bush had not been trimmed. A bond ordinance for repairs would not get a first reading before the Council until mid-February. It would be followed by a second reading in March. If the bond ordinance were approved, the project would then be on hold during a twenty-day estoppel period. With this timeline, the library would have to get through the winter with the squirrels. Julie Marallo met with the Borough Finance Director to discuss the need for a bond ordinance to secure the necessary funding to allow her to apply for the New Jersey Library Construction Grant. The grant requires that the municipality match the award dollar for dollar and is supposed to become available in 2020. President’s Report None Old Business Martin Gilbert reminded the Board of Trustees that the Library Holiday Party is on Wednesday, December 11 at 5:30 p.m. The Tenafly Library Friends donate $500 to cover most of the party expenses. New Business Julie Marallo discussed a possible BCCLS embargo of Macmillan ebooks. Macmillan, one of the big five publishers, will permit each library to purchase only one digital copy of each new release. Each copy may only be borrowed by one patron at a time. Additional copies may not be purchased until eight weeks later. This lending model, which only applies to ebooks, not eaudiobooks or print copies, is devastating for libraries. Many popular authors have contracts with Macmillan and all libraries expect to be unable to meet patron ebook demand. At the December 19 System Council meeting, BCCLS directors will vote on whether or not to boycott Macmillan ebooks (not audiobooks or print copies). Report from the Superintendent’s Alternate None Citizen’s Portion of the Meeting Mayor-elect Mark Zinna attended the meeting. After hearing about the squirrel problem, he suggested that the Director and Library Board look into an emergency appropriation to repair or replace the synthetic stucco as soon as possible, since a squirrel infestation impacts public health and safety. Any Other Business None Adjournment The Board adjourned at 12:06 p.m. Moved by: Teresa Austin. Seconded by: Patrick Rouse. Unanimously accepted. Respectfully submitted, Martin Gilbert Secretary/Treasurer The next regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees will be on Monday, December 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Approved: December 9, 2019