Larchmont Public Library
Board of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting
May 8, 2024
The Larchmont Public Library Board of Trustees met on May 8, 2024, attended by Library Board Chair Lauren Gottfried (LG), Library Trustees Jill Brennick (JB), Barbara Liptack (BL), Celeste Sharpe (CS) and Linnet Tse (LT), Village of Larchmont Liaison Dana Post (DP), Friends of Larchmont Library Liaison Ellie Berlin (EB), Library Director Laura Eckley (LE), Head of Reference Liam Hegarty (LH) and Library Staff Assistant Janet Regan (JR). Library Trustees Galit Lopatin Bordereau (GLB), and Barbara Flickinger (BF), and Town of Mamaroneck Liaison Sabrina Fiddelman were absent.
Library Board Chair LG called the meeting to order at 6:34pm.
Minutes
The Board unanimously approved the minutes for the 4/10/23 Library Board Meeting.
Friends
EB reported on the success of FOL’s spring programming season. LG complimented the FOL for their creative programing. EB further reported that the FOL Annual Meeting is scheduled to be held 5/15/24.
Committee Reports
Finance
Schedule of Bills and Performance Report: The Board unanimously approved the schedule of bills and the additional lists of bills dated 5/8/24.
LT presented a preliminary draft of the Library’s Capital Plan. Proposals for consulting work related to the Capital Plan were reviewed.
Facilities
LE reported on facility issues including punch list items for the new Reference Office, the replacement of the hot water heater servicing the main floor rest rooms and repairs made to the Library’s HVAC system. Following discussion the Board voted unanimously to approve a $12,928 proposal from Atlantic Westchester to replace a failed condenser for the rear of the building.
Director’s Report
LE reported on the popularity of the plein air art program with Urban Sketchers,that Ileen Gottesfeld’s book group is once again funded by a NYS Humanity’s Grant, Intro to D&D for tweens has been extremely popular and the highest reference stats ever were for 1600+ requests for eclipse glasses in April. LE further reported that the new museum pass for Stone Barns is already booked out for weekends in June. LE reported on upcoming programs including a return to the Farmer’s Market library card signups, the start of our MHS internship program with two seniors this year, and a new popup book group featuring celebrity bios.
Additional Items
LG reported on a visits she made to multiple libraries during a recent trip to Australia.
Executive Session
The Board voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues at 7:27p.m. The Board voted unanimously to exit Executive Session at 7:55p.m.
The Board voted unanimously to approve management salaries for Fiscal Year 2024/25 and additional compensation for staff related to Fiscal Year 23/24.
Meeting adjourned at 8pm. The next scheduled Board Meeting will be held on 6/12/24 at 6:30pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Laura Eckley Library Director