Crandall Public Library

Call to Order

President Shapiro called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m. Quorum was established.

Staff Recognition (2022)

Name – Years of Service

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 reported on the very successful Earth Day programs. The Electronics Recycling Event brought in fifteen full pallets of old computer equipment, TVs, DVDs, VCRs, and much more, keeping these items from going into area landfills. The Warren County Master Gardeners Seed Library Grand Opening Program was the second in a series of programs offered throughout the growing season; for more information, visit our website.[1]. The Children's and Reference Departments held a DYI Eco-Friendly Households Products & Projects Workshop; in true zero-waste fashion, the all-purpose cleaner had lemon rind, so Librarian Sharon Berg, who ran the program, took the leftover lemon pulp and made lemonade with it, the Department is discussing holding another workshop due to it being so well received.

Adult Services

Excused; written report submitted.

Children’s Department

Ms. Farrar discussed the school break week; programming numbers were down a little, and Ms. Farrar thinks it was due to the great weather that week; however, the Uncharted Wild Live Animal Program and the Zumba Kids Jr. Program were both well attended. The Children's Department is currently working on preparations for the summer programming, adding additional popular book titles and the summer events calendar. Their school visits will begin in May; they will be promoting this year's summer reading program.

Teen Department, F. Toth 

Written report submitted.

Circulation Services

Ms. Costa relayed that the Circulation Department has been busy and feels with the spring weather, they are seeing an increase in families coming in and children getting their first library cards, which is always exciting. The Department has seen hold item requests increasing, with over 4,300 items in March. At Mr. Antis's request, Ms. Costa will break down the hold item requests by the municipality for next month's report.

Development Department

Ms. Barrios reported that when she was here on Earth Day, helping with the Electronic Recycling Event, a young family came in, and their toddler-age daughter got her very first library card; she was so excited and couldn't wait to show Ms. Barrios her new card, her picture was posted to our Facebook page for the kick-off to National Library Week (with her parent's permission). Ms. Barrios will conclude her report during the Executive Session. 

Folklife Department

Mr. DeGarmo discussed the Through Inland Waters: Champlain Canal at 200 Juried Art Show, hosted by the Folklife Center, in the Friends Gallery through April; thirty-five artists participated with fifty art pieces, including photography, paintings, felted wool art, and more, all inspired by the Champlain Canal. The Department helped host the Saga City Japan Delegation during their visit to Glens Falls; this marks the 35th anniversary of the sister cities' relationship. Mr. DeGarmo reported on the successful concert series, which included outreach concerts at the Salem Courthouse; they are working on plans for the fall concert series. The Folklife Center's upcoming programs include Remarkable, Irresistible Erie, New Audiences for Old Songs, and the Mayfly Film Festival.

Facilities 

Excused; Mr. Dickinson supplied before and after pictures of the plaster repair for the Board pass-around.

Friends of Crandall Library

Welcome to Linda McDowell, our new board meeting representative from the Friends.

Approval of Board of Trustees Minutes: March 22, 2023 

Treasurer’s Report, March 2023

Mr. Barcomb reported the revenues are 62.2%; as of March 2023, expenses are 22.7%. March is 25.0% of the 2023 budget year. Mr. Barcomb stated there were no modifications in March.

Approval of Claims Auditor Reports, March 2023

Acceptance of the Claims Auditor Reports for March 2023 bills and payroll; there were no issues in March.

Committee(s) Reports

Finance Committee

Mr. Barcomb discussed meeting with Ms. Naftaly, Ms. Winters, and Glens Falls National Bank representatives, deciding to move operating funds into a fully insured higher interest-bearing account; the funds are readily accessible when needed.

Joint Finance/Personnel 2024 Budget Meeting

Held on April 18, 2023 

Mr. Barcomb reported on the first preliminary 2024 budget discussion held at the joint Finance/Personnel Committees meeting on April 18, 2023; the next meeting is on May 4, 2023. Ms. Shapiro reported that the Personnel Committee is working on the Director evaluations.

Personnel Committee

Approval to remove Jennifer Murphy, Substitute Library Clerk, effective April 11, 2023.

Approval of the Provisional Appointment of Brittney McCasland, Full-time Library Clerk, effective April 17, 2023, at $30,103/Annual Salary.

Approval of the Permanent Appointment of Justin Sabattis, Library Clerk, effective April 18, 2023.

Approval of the Provisional Appointment of Susan Fake, Part-time Library Clerk, effective April 26, 2023, at $16.54/hour.

Approval of the Provisional Appointment of Zachary Reynolds, Full-time Library Clerk, effective May 1, 2023, at $30,103/Annual Salary.

SALS

Ms. Shapiro reminded the Trustees of SALS Annual Meeting on May 15, 2023, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Excelsior Springs Event Center in Saratoga Springs, New York. Any Trustees interested in attending should inform Ms. Naftaly. SALS approved their Cyber Insurance Policy at the April meeting; they recommended all SALS Libraries carry cyber insurance. Ms. Naftaly stated Crandall Public Library purchased cyber insurance; prior to SALS, and it is with a different carrier. Discussion ensued.

Director’s Report & Action Items

Ms. Naftaly asked if any Trustees were planning to attend the SALS Annual Meeting, and she urged them to go this year, especially. Ms. Forshey and Ms. Barrios will represent the Library in Ms. Naftaly's absence. Ms. Naftaly stated she was remiss in not personally thanking Ms. Winters for all of her hard work keeping the Library's finances in order during the March meeting when Ms. Thaisz from West & Company CPAs reported that the 2022 Crandall Public Library Audit was a clean audit with no issues; Ms. Shapiro also thanked Ms. Winters. The Central Library Committee, which includes Trustees from SALS and other SALS Libraries, met on April 18, 2023; the Committee oversees what Crandall Public Library does as a Central Library. They discussed continuing to use state monies received; to fund OverDrive/Libby, Ancestry Library Edition, Heritage Quest Online, and provide specific materials for Interlibrary Loans; for all SALS Libraries. At the Committee's request, we will work with SALS and Niche Academy to offer staff and volunteers how-to training videos for the eResources provided. The Committee will meet again in the fall to review the 2024 Central Library Budget. Ms. Naftaly requested Board approval to discuss taking over a portion of the Mohawk Valley Library System (MVLS) Interlibrary Loans with MVLS Executive Director Eric Trahan; the Board approved, and more information will be forthcoming. Ms. Naftaly reported on the Partnership for Community Belonging; the Library is a representative, along with SUNY Adirondack, Glens Falls Hospital, Hudson Headwaters Health Network, and other non-profit businesses; the focus groups have started, and they are working together to look at our community as a whole; with an ultimate goal of creating a document for area businesses and organizations to share with prospective employees, hoping to help them find belonging and inclusion in the Glens Falls area. The project is still in the beginning stages. The butterfly/pollinator garden in the Park is coming soon.

Approval of the Legal Notices for Trustee Petitions (3-Town of Queensbury, 1-Town of Moreau, and 1-City of Glens Falls.

Approval of the 2022 Crandall Public Library Annual Report.

Approval of professional services fee for Fusion Systems Engineering to do an evaluation of boiler redesign including drawings, plans, and equipment. Cost not to exceed $12,000.

Ms. Naftaly explained the details of Mr. Dickinson's research and information on the boiler system redesign and plans.

Old Business

Trustee Terms Ending in 2023

Trustees up for re-election:  Petitions are due between June 30 and July 13, 2023 (by 3:00 p.m. at the latest).

Dr. Suzanne Blood – Queensbury

New Business

Library Hours

The Trustees discussed the Library's hours, door counts, meeting room use, and patron opportunities, comparing current and pre-pandemic statistics. Ms. Naftaly did note that the use of eResources has increased dramatically, which could be more impactful on the door counts than realized; there will also be additional outreach opportunities with the launch of the Mobile Library Van; Ms. Forshey shared door count statistics. The Board suggested a patron/public survey could be helpful. A review of increasing Library hours in the fall, the 2024 Holiday Closings Calendar dates, and additional opportunities for patrons will be on the agenda at a future board meeting.

SALS Statement on Library Services

Ms. Shapiro shared the  SALS Statement on Library Services; and discussed the American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read Statement; in light of the recent event making headlines at another area Library.

Ad Hoc By-Laws Committee

The Ad Hoc By-Laws Committee members are Ms. Bartlett (Chair), Ms. Shapiro, Ms. Caimano, Ms. Vanderminden, and Ms. Swanson. The Committee will review and revise the current By-Laws of Crandall Public Library adopted on June 27, 2018.

Executive Session

Discuss the 2023 Henry Crandall Award candidates and the possible renaming of the award.

Adjournment