Library Board of Trustees

WESTWOOD FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES MEETING DATE: Monday, August 28, 2023 CALLED TO ORDER: at 7:06 p.m. by Dennis Farrell PRESENT: Martha Urbiel (MU), Dennis Farrell (DF), Suzanne Gorham (SG), Bev Karch (BK), Linda Phayre (LP), Frank Zimmerman (FZ), Claudia Gonzales-Doell (CGD), and Chris Montana (CM). SUNSHINE LAW: Read by DF. PUBLIC FORUM: No members of the public were present. MINUTES: BK made a motion to accept the minutes of the July 24 meeting; SG seconded; LP and CGD abstained. The motion carried. TREASURER'S REPORT: CGD presented the treasurer's report and cash management fund. The total of the checking account, cash management fund, and capital account is $252,279.66. A motion to accept the treasurer’s report was made by BK; seconded by LP. The motion carried. The current bills list (7367-7386) was reviewed. A motion to accept the bills list was made by LP; seconded by BK. The motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Strategic Plan Committee. BK shared that the committee is working on the strategic plan and will meet again in September. BOARD MEMBERS TRAINING REPORT: BK spoke about the Digital Equity training and shared that a grant program exists for low income families, providing lower monthly bills and funding toward new computers. BK suggested that the Library may be able to promote the program in the Library for those who may benefit. LP shared that a common theme in a few of the online trainings surrounded the importance of updating policies and ensuring that staff is adequately aware of them and trained on them and they are posted on the website. MU reiterated the importance of consistently reviewing and renewing policies and shared that staff is aware of Library policies and how to respond to public inquiries. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: MU shared that the parking lot flooding problems have been addressed. The Borough provided a more permanent solution. The broken concrete blocks in the Westwood Library Board Minutes August 28, 2023 Page 1 Shy Touba garden area and mason work around the perimeter of the Library are in the process of being repaired. The State Aid check should be received by the Library next week. Several children’s, young adult, and adult programs ran. The ESL program hosted classroom instruction and hosted a tutor training workshop. The program added a second class. BOROUGH LIAISON REPORT: OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: MU shared that the audit was completed. Digital copies will be shared with the Trustees via email. The 2022 salary issue was corrected and will not be an issue in 2023. The Library will support and help promote WestwoodFest. The Friends are planning a handbag auction fundraiser in November. MEETING ADJOURNED: LP made a motion to adjourn; SG seconded. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:29 p.m. by DF. Westwood Library Board Minutes August 28, 2023 Page 2