Crandall Public Library

Call to Order

President Shapiro called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. Quorum was established. 

Public Comment

Library patron Robin Neil addressed the Board on behalf of fellow patrons who are upset that some staff members do not greet patrons upon entering the building with a 'Good Morning' or 'Good Afternoon'. Ms. Shapiro thanked Ms. Neil for bringing the matter to their attention; the matter will be shared with the Library Director upon her return. 

Correspondence and Press

The Board passed around the correspondence and press.

Incident Reports

This month's incident reports will be available at the March meeting.

Ms. Forshey discussed the increase in general nuisance activities/incidents; Ms. Forshey wanted to wait for Ms. Naftaly's return before sharing the incident reports with the Board. The Glens Falls Police Department will do occasional building walk-throughs at the request of Ms. Forshey; we are seeing incidents occurring during morning hours before security staff begin their shift. Discussion ensued. The Board will review the incident reports and discuss the increase at the March meeting.

Department Reports

Assistant Director

Ms. Forshey reported the New York State Annual Report is complete and has been submitted to SALS; approval of the report is under action items. Ms. Forshey explained the report details, including that the Library use statistics are up across the board from 2023; however, they remain below the pre-pandemic numbers, except for electronic materials and resources, which have seen a large increase in numbers. Meeting room use has decreased by approximately 50%; Ms. Forshey believes people have stayed with Zoom options set by the pandemic, and Zoom meetings tend to have better attendance. Ms. Shapiro shared that these statistics appear to be the trends at all libraries. Ms. Forshey is pleased with the numbers and does not see anything in the report that is a cause for alarm, offering a well done to the staff, who help make the Library great. Ms. Forshey thanked Ms. McDowell and the Friends for the staff's Prognosis: Murder - A 90s Murder Mystery Party held on February 16; everyone had a great time.

Adult Services

Ms. Boyer reported the Department just wrapped up the 25th Annual African American Film Forum in partnership with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and with some assistance from Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) member television stations WGBH Educational Foundation (Boston, Massachusetts) and WMHT (Eastern New York and Western New England). The attendance was fantastic, with 212 participants for the four documentary screenings; there was a fifth screening in conjunction with the Children's Department. Adult Services is preparing for Women's History Month in March, the Spring Film Forum, and solar eclipse programming, which includes handing out eclipse glasses (while supplies last). The total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024.

Children’s Department

Ms. Farrar reported that the Department has added more evening programming for working families, with the monthly Romp & Run Program offering obstacle courses, bean bag toss, and other physical activities, and the Children's Ukulele Program in partnership with the Folklife Department. Ms. Farrar discussed the February school break week programming, which included the African American Film Forum for Kids: The Little Mermaid and WMHT Public Television's Clifford the Big Red Dog Birthday Party. The Department is working on their April lineup and preparing for the solar eclipse.

Teen Department - Frieda Toth (Written Report)

Circulation Services

Ms. Costa explained that the Circulation Department was very busy last week with over 900 holds; it is great to see the increased patron activity, and they are always happy to see the increase in families. Ms. Costa compared January 2022 to January 2023, revealing increased numbers in all areas. The Circulation Department has seen over 800 lost books returned in 2024 and over 4,000 lost books returned in 2023. The Library went late-fines-free in 2023; all of the returned books went back into circulation.

Folklife Department

Mr. DeGarmo stated that the Learn to Play the Ukulele Program is up and running and explained the program details and the participation numbers, which include a waiting list of thirty children. Mr. DeGarmo discussed the Hammer Dulcimer Workshops; the Department held four beginner classes in the fall, which were all full; they are working with instructor Dan Duggan to offer more classes this coming fall. The Department had very successful programs with the Rockwell's Models and the Bluegrass Jams. The Sutter Squad Exhibit, with reception, is tomorrow night. The new Shutter Squad class has started, there is an upcoming Feeder Canal Talk in March, and in two weeks, the Spring Music Concert series starts; the flyer was included in the Board pass-around. 

Facilities 

Mr. Dickinson gave an update on the Boiler Replacement Project; the plans are in place for the ductwork, plumbing, and electrical. Fusion Systems Engineering DPC is finalizing the language for the bid and has submitted rebate applications for the project. The bid goes out next week to approximately ten contractors from the Glens Falls to Albany area, with a March 28, 2024, bid opening date (time to be announced).

Friends of Crandall Library

Ms. McDowell reported the Friends are busy organizing the book donations received and preparing for the next book sale, which is on Friday, April 19, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Ms. Ziegler should have the book sale signs and bookmarks ready next week.

Approval of Board of Trustees Minutes: January 24, 2024

Treasurer’s Report, January 2024

Mr. Barcomb reported that revenues are 36.7%; as of January 2024, expenses are 7.2%. January is 8.3% of the 2024 budget year. Mr. Barcomb stated there were no budget modifications in January. Ms. Thaisz from West & Company CPAs will discuss the 2023 Audit details with the Board at the March board meeting. Ms. Shapiro stated it was a clean audit.

Approval of Claims Auditor Report, January 2024

Acceptance of the Claims Auditor Report for January 2024 bills and payroll; there were no discrepancies in January.

Committee(s) Reports

Members of the Personnel, Ad Hoc Policy Review Committee, and the Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee discussed details of the recent meetings held. The January 31, 2024 - Ad Hoc Policy Review Committee Meeting Minutes and the February 6, 2024 - Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee Meeting Minutes will be available at the March meeting.

Personnel Committee

William Smolinski Jr., Computer Help Desk Technician I, declined Appointment on 01/31/2024 - Appointment approved at the January 24, 2024 Board Meeting. (Intended start date was 02/06/2024.)

Approval of the Permanent Promotion of Cynthia Maguire, Librarian II, effective February 1, 2024.

Warren County Civil Service - State Exam #73731 - Local Exam #31020

Approval of the Permanent Appointment of Michael Johnson, Cleaner, effective March 6, 2024.

Approval of the Probationary Appointment of Emily Lewis, Part-time Library Clerk, effective February 20, 2024, at $17.20 an hour.

Warren County Civil Service - Local Exam #21016.

Removal of Susan Fake, Part-time Library Clerk, effective 02/16/24.

Warren County Civil Service - Local Exam #21016.

SALS

Ms. Shapiro relayed nothing to report this month; the discussion at the last SALS meeting was a nonpublic topic.

Director’s Report & Action Items

Ms. Forshey reported in Ms. Naftaly's absence.

Ms. Forshey explained maintaining the day-to-day operations in Ms. Naftaly's absence; Ms. Naftaly is due to return on Monday, March 4, 2024. Ms. Forshey stated there are two action items for approval.

Action Items

Permission for Todd DeGarmo to attend the 40th annual New York State Folk Arts Roundtable in Schenectady from April 29 to May 1, 2024. This year’s meeting will bring together professional folklorists from all over New York and New Jersey. At a total cost, including travel, hotel, and meals, not to exceed $500.00.

Approval of submission to SALS for the final review of the 2023 NYS Annual Report.

Old Business

No bids were received in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) to hire an architectural and/or engineering service for evaluation of our facility's strengths and weaknesses and to craft a Crandall Public Library Facilities Plan. The RFP will be reissued, expanding the search.

The RFP will be reissued and published on March 14, 2024, with April 11, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. submission deadline. The additional direct mailing includes twenty-one firms from Glens Falls, Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, and Albany.

New Business

Ms. Caimano shared some interesting Library history details from Maury Thompson's Crandall Library History – Defending Fiction Blog, posted on the blogging platform called Medium. Mr. Thompson has multiple Crandall Library history posts.[1]

Executive Session 

No executive session was necessary.

Adjournment