Larchmont Public Library
Board of Directors
Minutes of Meeting
September 23, 2017
The Larchmont Public Library Board of Trustees met on September 13, 2017 at 6:45 p.m., attended by Board Chair Pamela Dubitsky (PD), Trustees Jennifer Conley (JC), Lauren Gottfried (LG), Maureen LeBlanc (ML), Barbara Liptack (BL), John McGarr (JM) and Linnet Tse (LT), Village of Larchmont Liaison Carol Miller, Friends of Larchmont Public Library Liaison Sandy Bernstein (SB), Library Director Laura Eckley (LE), Library Head of Reference Liam Hegarty (LH) and Library Staff Assistant Ryan Madonna (RM). Town of Mamaroneck Liaison Ernie Odierna was absent.
Board Chair PD called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
The Board reviewed and unanimously approved the Minutes of the Board Meeting of June 14, 2017.
Friends of the Larchmont Public Library Liaison Report
SB discussed the upcoming programs sponsored by the Friends, noting particularly that the Friends are planning a “Larchmont Open” miniature golf fundraiser, to be held in the Library February 10-11, 2018. As always, Board Chair PD thanked the Friends for their ongoing support of the Library.
Committee Reports
Schedule of Bills and Performance Report: The Board reviewed and unanimously approved the Schedules of Bills from over the summer, dated 7/13/17, 8/14/17 and 9/8/17. The Board approved the Performance Report dated 9/8/17. The members of the Finance Committee then presented the End of Year Performance Report for Fiscal Year 2016-17, which the Board discussed and then approved.
JM made a motion, seconded by ML, to approve the following resolution, which the Board then passed unanimously:
Resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Larchmont Public Library hereby directs Village Treasurer Denis Brucciani to transfer $126,000 from the Library Fund Balance to the Library Transformation Fund in order to pay invoices related to the Transformation Project, with such invoices ultimately to be funded through New York State grants once they are received.
ML made a motion, seconded by JC, to approve the following resolution, which the Board then passed unanimously:
Resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Larchmont Public Library hereby directs Village Treasurer Denis Brucciani to 1) transfer $21,538.35 from the Library Children’s Room Renovation Fund to the Library Building Maintenance Fund to repay funds transferred in July 2016 to complete window replacement, in anticipation of the receipt of settlement funds, and 2) close all funds and bank accounts associated with the Library Children’s Room Renovation Fund.
Building and Grounds
LE reported that the Transformation Project punch list was completed over the summer. LE further reported that the Larchmont Fire Department completed their annual fire inspection of the building and that minor issues were being addressed.
PD reported on the Library’s progress taking over management of the Village Center, based upon a Document of Understanding signed in May 2017 by Village of Larchmont Mayor Lorraine Walsh, Town of Mamaroneck Supervisor Nancy Seligson and Library Board Chair Dubitsky. PD thanked Director Eckley and Trustee Tse who spent a considerable amount of time over the summer developing a rental policy for the Village Center and Michael P. Coords Activity Room. LT presented the policy to the Board and, following discussion, the Board unanimously approved the Facilities Use Policy, the Facilities Rental Request Form and the Facilities Use Fee Schedule, pending final approval from legal counsel.
Director’s Report
At the recommendation of LE the Board unanimously approved the hires of the following part time employees: Library Clerk Christian Brunson, at an hourly rate of $13.21, effective 9/15/17; Custodian Eduardo Ayala, at an hourly rate of $18.25, effective 8/12/17; and Library Page Alex McGrath, at an hourly rate of $11.00 effective 9/11/17.
LE reported on the success of the Library’s three Summer Reading programs and reviewed a few highlights from the summer including: Children’s Librarian Linnea Moosmann’s “Grow a Pizza“ program, which used produce from her gardening program in Ryder’s Garden; Teen Librarian Kim Larsen’s Teen Summer Reading Game, which over 50 teens actively participated in; Clerk Emily Zenner’s crochet program, which was so popular that it’s been added as an ongoing program for the fall; and, Head of Reference Liam Hegarty’s Solar Eclipse Viewing program, which was the hit of the summer and had over 350 participants.
LE also reported that the ADA bathroom water pressure in the main floor women’s bathroom is scheduled to be repaired in time for the Big Truck and Larchmont Day event on 9/16.
PD reported on plans for the Board to prepare a Strategic Plan for the Library that covers the next 5 years, and noted that the project will begin this fall.
Board Chair Dubitsky adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ryan Madonna
Staff Assistant