Library Board of Trustees

TENAFLY PUBLIC LIBRARY MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING March 9, 2020 The Board of Trustees of the Tenafly Public Library met on March 9, 2020 at the Library for its regular Board meeting. Board Members Present: President Patrick Rouse, Vice President Kathleen Cook, Secretary/Treasurer Soon Juhng, David DiGregorio, Martin Gilbert, Shama Haider and Elizabeth Warms. Absent: Mabel Allen and Teresa Austin Staff present: Library Director Julie Marallo and Administrative Assistant Ann Marie Connolly The meeting was called to order at 7:00 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 February 10, 2020. Moved by: Shama Haider. Seconded by: Kathleen Cook. Unanimously approved. Board members approved the Minutes of the Executive Board meeting of February 10, 2020. Moved by: Martin Gilbert. Seconded by: Elizabeth Warms. Unanimously approved. Board members approved of the Special Board meeting of February 27, 2020. Moved by: Martin Gilbert. Seconded by: Soon Juhng. Treasurer’s Report Soon Juhng reviewed with the Board the Library’s financial statements of February 2020. She noted that she had examined and approved the statements and reported that they were current and accurate. A motion was made to approve the amended financial reports. Moved by: Martin Gilbert. Seconded by: Kathleen Cook. Unanimously approved. The Helen Haber Memorial Fund CD account at NVE Bank in Tenafly will mature on April 14, 2020. After discussion 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, State of New Jersey approves of transferring the Helen Haber Memorial Fund CD account at NVE Bank in Tenafly to Valley Bank in Tenafly as a savings account with free accessibility to the funds. Moved by: Martin Gilbert Seconded by: Patrick Rouse Voting as follows: Kathleen Cook – Aye Soon Juhng - Aye David DiGregorio – Aye Patrick Rouse – Aye Martin Gilbert – Aye Elizabeth Warms - Aye Shama Haider - Aye On April 9, 2019, $193.12 was withdrawn from the Haber account by order of the NJ courts as a levy referencing litigation against the Borough of Tenafly. Since this was not litigation with regard to the library, the Library Board will request that the $193.12 be restored to the account. Correspondence Gayle & Harvey Chertoff of Tenafly made a $50 donation in memory of Dr. Elizabeth Stern and Dr. Thomas Jacobs. Director’s Report The Friends are postponing the following Sunday concerts: March 15, Irish Music of Ian Gallagher (not rescheduled yet); March 29, 125th Anniversary of the Tenafly Public Library Birthday Party (postponed to Saturday, June 13); April 5, Tenafly Art and Artists Remembered, curated by Alice Rigney (probably moved to June). The library will close Sunday, March 14 to allow Eastern Building Services to do an 8 hour deep clean of all surfaces of the library. Notices will be sent out to staff and the public. NJ Library Construction Grant Grant Resolution After the budget meeting on March 7, 2020, Ms. Marallo believes the library will get $175,000 to fix the exterior of the building, but it will not be part of the Grant and therefore not matched. The Grant application is due April 6, 2020 and the Borough will not pass a resolution in time for the due date. We also have been unable to get an estimate from the Borough engineer. Without the $175,000 in the Grant, the architect will have to rewrite his portion of the Grant. The Board discussed the proposed Project grant entitled the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act Grant. After discussion the following resolution was passed: The Tenafly Public Library Board of Trustees hereby certifies that permission has been granted to apply for the Project grant entitled the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act for the purposes described in the application in the amount of: $455,000. The Board of Trustees hereby certifies that it intends to provide a portion of the match for the grant in the amount of $280,000; and, The Board of Trustees’ Resolution is contingent upon the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Tenafly’s Resolution to provide a portion of the match for the grant in the amount of $175,000 to complete the total project cost of $910,000. The filing of this application was authorized at the official meeting of the governing body of the Library held on: Monday, March 9, 2020. Moved by: Martin Gilbert Seconded by: Kathleen Cook Voting as follows: Kathleen Cook – Aye Soon Juhng - Aye David DiGregorio – Aye Patrick Rouse – Aye Martin Gilbert – Aye Elizabeth Warms - Aye Shama Haider - Aye President’s Report Library Board President, Patrick Rouse, thanked Library Director, Julie Marallo for the outstanding budget presentation she gave at the Borough Council Meeting on Saturday, March 7, 2020. Board members agreed that her presentation was excellent and showed that she was well prepared and knowledgeable regarding the Library’s financial status and what steps must be taken for the library to continue to best serve the Tenafly community. Old Business Kathleen Cook spoke of the many exciting programs that are being offered for children and adults. The Drag Queen Story Hour was well received and attended, as was Retro storytime, Mr. Chris, and craft classes for adults. New Business Shama Haider was asked by Councilwoman Julie O’Connor if the library had a room that could be used for the census. The Board discussed utilizing part of the McCandless Room for this purpose. The Quiet Study Room is used for ESL, craft classes, movies and lectures during the day. After school the room is occupied fully until at least 5 or 6 o’clock. Shama will speak further with Julie to see what hours she is considering and on what day of the week. Report from the Mayor None Report from the Superintendent’s Alternate David DiGregorio reported that the Tenafly schools are making contingency plans for teaching remotely in the case the schools must close. Citizen’s Portion of the Meeting None Any Other Business Board members expressed their regret that due to personal circumstances, Mabel Allen will no longer be able to serve on the Library Board. Mabel joined the Board in 2007 and has unfailingly expressed in thought, word and deeds her devotion to and love for all things Tenafly Library. Particular to her heart are the art exhibits in the Edna Kawulitzki Gallery. Mabel served as Art Committee Chair and reviewed with care every submission for exhibit. Thank you for your service, Mabel! Adjournment Closed Session At 8:07 p.m. the meeting went into closed session to discuss a personnel issue. Moved by: Martin Gilbert. Seconded by: Patrick Rouse. Unanimously accepted. The Board adjourned the closed session 8:21 p.m. to go into open session. Moved by: Patrick Rouse. Seconded by: Martin Gilbert. Unanimously accepted. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. Moved by: Patrick Rouse. Seconded by: Elizabeth Warms. Unanimously accepted. Respectfully submitted, Soon Juhng Secretary/Treasurer The next regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees will be on Monday, April 13, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Approved: April 13, 2020