Library Board of Trustees

TENAFLY PUBLIC LIBRARY MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING September 13, 2021 The Board of Trustees of the Tenafly Public Library held a teleconference Board meeting on September 13, 2021 for its regular Board meeting. Board Members Signed-In: President Kathleen Cook, Vice President Soon Juhng, Secretary/Treasurer Martin Gilbert, Teresa Austin, Meena Dogan and Elizabeth Warms. Absent: David DiGregorio, Shama Haider and Patrick Rouse. Staff Signed-In: Library Director Julie Marallo and Administrative Assistant Ann Marie Connolly. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 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 14, 2021. 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 2021. 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: Teresa Austin. Seconded by: Elizabeth Warms. Unanimously approved. Correspondence None Director’s Report In spite of the Covid restrictions, the 2021 Summer Reading Program was a great success. In 2019, there were only 14 middle school participants, whereas this year we had 87 middle and high school participants. Young adult librarian Florence Pao, who has a teenager at home, deserves much credit for her efforts in stimulating the growth of young adult participation in programs all year. 58 teen volunteers donated 298 hours of their time to help with the Summer Reading Program, and 467 readers read 7,147 books. Thanks also to Mayor Zinna for his help in promoting the program with announcements on his Friday calls. The EIFS façade replacement project is good to go. Bids are scheduled to take place in mid-September. Julie Marallo and Board members Teresa Austin, Martin Gilbert and Elizabeth Warms met with Mayor Mark Zinna, Borough Administrator Jimmy Homsi and Borough engineer Andy Hipolit to discuss using fiber cement panels and to request an alternate bid using brick which is easy to clean and will keep animals from breaking through. The Borough will proceed with both bids. Because of the current shortage of construction materials, this project might not take place until the spring. The roof will be replaced in October. It is anticipated that the library will not have to close and disruption to library operations should be minimal, mainly in the form of noise. The Board discussed the present dismal Covid-19 statistics. Julie Marallo spoke with the President of the Friends Marilynn Friedman and to Kathleen Cook about scheduling programs for 2021/2022. It was decided that for the present only outside or online programs would be booked. President’s Report Kathleen Cook reported that her granddaughter loved the Summer Reading Program - both the reading and the beads. The whole program was well done and the enjoyable storytime at Davis Johnson Park was well received by patrons. Old Business Martin Gilbert reviewed the renewal rates for the Wilcox Fund at Valley Bank with the Board. After discussion a motion was made to renew the Wilcox Fund for 12 months at an interest rate of 0.045%. Moved by: Elizabeth Warms. Seconded by: Kathleen Cook. Unanimously approved. New Business The Board reviewed the revised Gifts and Bequests Policy submitted by Library Director, Julie Marallo. After discussion, a motion was made to approve the Gifts and Bequests Policy as submitted. Moved by: Martin Gilbert. Seconded by: Elizabeth Warms. Unanimously accepted. The staff union contract expires December 31, 2021. We are in the process of negotiating a new contract. Report from the Mayor’s Alternate None Report from the Superintendent’s Alternate None Citizen’s Portion of the Meeting None Any Other Business None Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. Moved by: Martin Gilbert. Seconded by: Elizabeth Warms. Unanimously accepted. Respectfully submitted, Martin Gilbert Secretary/Treasurer The next regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees will be on Monday, October 18, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Approved: October 18, 2021.