Crandall Public Library

Call to Order

President Caimano called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. Quorum was established.

Public Comment

No public comment.

Correspondence and Press

The Board passed around this month's correspondence and press.

Incident Reports

The Board reviewed this month's incident reports.

Department Reports

Assistant Director

Ms. Forshey gave a staffing update; Justin Sabattis, the new Library Clerk, started on October 17, 2022, and is fitting in nicely; he is working in Technical Services and has taken over Library By Mail. Caitlin Costa is the new Head of Circulation & Technical Services; she will start on November 21, 2022, she has a strong background in cataloging and circulation services, and we are excited for her to start. 

Adult Services

Ms. Boyer discussed the Reference Department programming; eighty-one people attended Antarctica: A Journey to the Southern Ocean - travel photos captured by local photographer; Peter Benoit during his National Geographic Expedition. Reference Librarian; Sharon Berg has begun a series of computer classes to assist people in learning how to use the electronic databases we offer. The first in the series is Get to Know Libby, on November 7, 2022.

Children’s Department

Excused.

Teen Department, F. Toth (written reports)

Development Department

Ms. Barrios reported on the George Takei event held at the Glens Falls High School on October 26, 2022; over 950 people attended, and an after-event survey showed a 98% positivity rate; people loved the program; Mr. Takei was very well received. Mr. Takei, his husband, and his agent were all pleased with the event and the receptiveness of our Community. 

Folklife Department

Mr. DeGarmo gave an update on wrapping up the fall concert series, the continuing Bluegrass Jams (held the first Thursday of the month, October through March), and the line-up for the 2023 concerts. The Folklife Center will be swapping out the gallery exhibits; with a new Shutter Squad Photo Exhibit; and, in January, a new Champlain Canal Story Exhibit to coincide with the Champlain Canal Stories Video Series. The exhibit will grow and morph throughout the year, including inviting local artists to submit their Champlain or Feeder Canal pieces. Mr. DeGarmo requested to save the date of July 25, 2023, for the Folklife Center's 30th. Anniversary Festival in City Park; there will be music, food, storytelling, demonstrations, and more.

Facilities Update

Mr. Dickinson reported that the new roof is holding strong; there have not been any leaks. Stage two is the interior plaster repair and painting. It has been a challenge to find a contractor to repair the plaster. Discussion on different contractor suggestions and resources ensued. Mr. Dickinson is currently working with National Grid to complete a full energy audit of the building. Large-scale building repair issues noted; the twenty-plus-year-old boiler system and the need for a repair analysis of the glass doors at the Glen Street entrance.

Friends of Crandall Library - Friends Representative

Ms. Naftaly informed the Board that the Friends are in a transitional period. The current President, Catherine Schmitt's term end in December, and a new group of individuals from the Friends will be taking over the book sales; they are currently working on the logistics.

Approval of Board of Trustees Minutes: September 28, 2022

Treasurer’s Report, September 2022

Mr. Goralski reported the revenues are 82.8%; as of September 2022, expenses are 65.4%. September is 75.0% of the 2022 budget year. Mr. Goralski explained the budget revisions as outlined in the report.

Approval of Claims Auditor Reports, September 2022

Acceptance of the Claims Auditor Reports for September 2022 bills and payroll; there were no issues in September.

Committee(s) Reports

Personnel Committee

Acceptance of the Full-time Position Resignation of Jennifer Murphy, Library Clerk, effective October 23, 2022. Approval of Jennifer Murphy, Part-time Library Clerk Position, effective October 24, 2022.

Approval of the Provisional Appointment of Caitlin Costa, Head of Circulation & Technical Services, effective November 21, 2022, at an annual salary of $60,361.

SALS

Ms. Shapiro discussed the necessary annual Trustee training and shared where to locate the resources and special events on the SALS website.[1] A session on Robert's Rules of Order was held last week; it was very informative. Ms. Naftaly stated that Ms. Dallas would attend a board meeting next year; her presentation will also count toward the annual training hours.

Director’s Report & Action Items

Ms. Naftaly thanked the Board members who attended the public hearings on the 2023 Budget; held in Glens Falls, Moreau, and Queensbury. The 2022 Annual New York Library Association (NYLA) Conference is currently taking place in Saratoga Springs; Ms. Farrar, Head of the Children's Department, and Ms. Toth, Head of Teen Services, are involved in the conference. We received notification that we were approved for a 2023 American Library Association (ALA) Grant with the Yiddish Book Center about stories of exile; we will be working with the Ukrainian Community in offering book discussions. In January, Ms. Naftaly will go to Amherst, Massachusetts, for training on the program (all expenses paid). Crandall Public Library was selected to be a model tester and research partner in a national grant called Libraries in Community Systems; it will be a three-year process; the Library will receive approximately $4,000 for our participation. Next Wednesday, SALS Director Sara Dallas and ALA President-Elect Emily Drabinski will be touring the Library. Also, next Wednesday, the Development Committee will meet with Dr. Suzanne Blood, the prospective Trustee for the vacant Queensbury position. Ms. Naftaly discussed the action items. 

Approval of the 2023 Holiday Closings.

Board members discussed opening the Library on certain holidays. Action Item a. was tabled until the November 30, 2022, Board Meeting. Ms. Naftaly will discuss this matter with the Department Heads; more information will be forthcoming.

Approval of the 2023 Board Meeting Dates.

Approval to remain open until 8:00 p.m. on December 2, 2022, for the Hometown Holidays and Adirondack Christkindlmarkt Celebration in Glens Falls City Park. (If the event is canceled, the Library will close at the regular time of 5:00 p.m.)

Approval to submit Request for Proposal (RFP) to purchase a vehicle for the Mobile Library.

Old Business

Town of Queensbury Board Trustee Vacancy

Item was discussed during Ms. Naftaly's report.

New Business

No new business was discussed.

Executive Session (if necessary)

No executive session was necessary.

Adjournment