Larchmont Public Library

Board of Trustees

Minutes of Meeting

Sept. 13, 2023

The Larchmont Public Library Board of Trustees met on September 13, 2023, attended by Library Board Chair Lauren Gottfried, Library Trustees Jill Brennick (JB), Barbara Flickinger (BF), Barbara Liptack (BL), Celeste Sharpe (CS), and Linnet Tse (LT), Village of Larchmont Liaison Dana Post (DP), Town of Mamaroneck Liaison Abby Katz (AK), 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 Trustee Galit Lopatin Bordereau (GLB) was absent.

Library Board Chair LG called the meeting to order at 6:35pm.

Minutes

The Board unanimously approved the minutes for the 7/12/23 Library Board Meeting.

Friends

EB reported on the FOL’s plans for programming in fall 2023. LG thanked the FOL for their hard work and creative programming.

Committee Reports

Finance

Schedule of Bills and Performance Report: The Board unanimously approved schedules of bills  dated 8/9/23 and 9/13/23 and the additional lists of bills dated 8/9/23 and 9/13/23.

Facilities

LE reviewed the findings of Jake Stone, the Mechanical Engineer hired to address issues with the Library elevator.

The Board unanimously approved proposals for 1) $5,000 from the Westchester Library System for the replacement of the Library’s Main Building self-check machine, 2) $7,500 from Citron Brother’s Plumbing for work on the Library’s elevator pit pumps and check valves, 3) $9,250 from Kone Elevator for the removal and replacement of oil in the elevator motor cabinet, and 4) $7,250 from Assa Abloy for the replacement of two overhead automatic door openers.

Following discussion and on the recommendation of LE the Board unanimously approved a grant application to the NYS Library Construction Grant Program for $82,500 for the retrofit of the main building elevator.

Director’s Report

On the recommendation of LE the Board unanimously approved the hire of part time Library Clerks Rita Calandresa effective 9/14 at an hourly rate of $17 and Mukul Rahi effective 9/22 at an hourly rate of $16, and part time Library Page Valentina Cook effective 9/12 at an hourly rate of $15.

LE reported on the addition of the Greenburgh Nature Center pass the Library’s Museum Pass Program, the success of the Summer Reading Game programs for all ages, and the new passive jigsaw puzzle program in the Main Reading Room. LE further reported on upcoming programs including Library card registration programs at the Larchmont Farmer’s Market and Larchmont Day, Banned Book Week Programs including a social media campaign created by MHS interns, bookmarks and a Banned Book Book Group, and a plein air sketching program on the Library lawn. LE updated the Board on building issues including, 1) ongoing elevator repairs, 2) an update to the fire alarm system, 3) the installation of a new public coffee machine, and 4) broken benches on the Library lawn.

Additional Items

Following discussion the Board unanimously approved the annual Service Level Agreement  between the Larchmont Public Library and the Westchester Library System for calendar year  2024.

LE reviewed next steps for committee work on the Library’s Long Range Strategic Plan.

Meeting adjourned at 7:29pm. The next scheduled Board Meeting will be held on October 11, 2023 at 6:30pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Laura Eckley, Library Director