LARCHMONT PUBLIC LIBRARY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MINUTES OF MEETING

JANUARY 14, 2009

The Larchmont Public Library Board of Trustees met on January 14, 2009 at. 6:30 PM.  Present were Board Chair Miriam Curnin, Trustees David Birch, Joan Macfarlane, Maureen LeBlanc, Pamela Tillinghast Dubitsky and John McGarr; Friends of LPL Liaison Harriet Kline,  and Library Director Diane Courtney.  The Board welcomed Marlene Kolbert, who was attending in lieu of Village of Larchmont Liaison Richard Ward.

The minutes of the Board meeting of December 10, 2008 were approved unanimously upon motion of David Birch, seconded by John McGarr.

The schedules of bills dated January 7, 2009 and January 14, 2009 were unanimously approved upon motion by Joan Macfarlane, seconded by David Birch.     

 Ms. Kline reported that, at their meeting the previous evening, the Friends had approved an additional gift of $25,000 for the renovation of the Children’s Room. The decision was not an easy one, Ms. Kline noted, since there has been a 27% decrease in income for the Friends this year, but it demonstrates the Friends’ belief in the importance of the project. The Friends would like to use this gift to name the gazebo for the youngest, although they would choose another if doing so would be beneficial for LPL’s fundraising effort. The Friends also suggested that the gift be used as a matching fund project, but left this decision to the LPL Board. The Board thanked the Friends for their munificence and generosity; this gift brings the Friends’ contributions to the Children’s Room project to a total of $75,000.

Ms. Kline also reminded everyone that the February 1 concert by the Watanabe brothers will be held at 2:00 PM to prevent conflicts with Super Bowl events. She then proceeded to outline the schedule of Friends’ programs slated for the spring.

The Director reported that the Village has received a letter from the Commissioner of Human Resources reminding it that public libraries are designated separate appointing authorities by State Education Law and asking for an updated list of persons authorized to sign transactions for the Library. After consultation with Village Treasurer/Personnel Officer Denis Brucciani, it was agreed that both he and the Library Director ought to named; he has suggested, additionally Village Personnel Clerk Elizabeth Imperato. Upon a motion made by Joan Macfarlane, seconded by John McGarr, the Board unanimously voted that: Denis Brucciani, Diane Courtney and Elizabeth Imperato are hereby authorized to sign transactions for the appointing authority Larchmont Public Library, code LML.

The Board briefly discussed the Children’s Room Renovation and received a current list of related funds, accounts and totals prepared by Linda Ronaghan, Assistant to the Director. It found this list useful and asked that a corresponding list of all expenses paid to date be prepared.

A discussion of the plan to move funds automatically from Capital One accounts to Bank of America accounts when either Capital One fund exceeds a predetermined amount was discussed. The plan was tabled because, in a turnaround, the Capital One interest rates currently exceed Bank of America rates. Accordingly, the following resolution was passed on motion of Maureen LeBlanc, seconded by John McGarr: Resolved: to leave $1,500 in the Fundraising (credit card) account in Capital One, moving the balance to the Capital One Children’s Renovation account. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board received the preliminary budget for 2009-2010. The Library Director explained that she has not yet discussed it with the Village Treasurer, but hopes to be able to schedule a meeting with him prior to the February 11 LPL Board meeting to which he will be invited.

The Board adjourned to Executive Session to discuss personnel matters at 7:55 PM and reconvened at 8:02 PM.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane Courtney
Library Director