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Minutes of September 14, 2016 Meeting

Larchmont Public Library

Board of Trustees

Minutes of Meeting

September 14, 2016

The Larchmont Public Library Board of Trustees met on September 14, 2016 at 6:45 p.m.  The meeting was attended by Board Chair Pamela Dubitsky (PD), Trustees Jennifer Conley (JC), Maureen LeBlanc (ML), John McGarr (JM), Barbara Liptack (BL), and Linnet Tse (LT), Friends of the Library Liaison Sandy Bernstein (SB), Library Director Laura Eckley (LE), Head of Library Reference Liam Hegarty (LH), and Staff Assistant Ryan Madonna (RM). Library Trustee Lauren Gottfried, Town of Mamaroneck Liaison Ernie Odierna and Village of Larchmont Liaison Carol Miller were absent.
Board Chair PD called the meeting to order at 6:55 p.m.

The Board reviewed and unanimously approved the Minutes of the Board Meeting of July 14, 2016.

Friends of the Larchmont Library Liaison Report

SB reported that a number of upcoming programs had been scheduled, including programs by author Matt Futterman (9/18), author Sally Weinraub (9/25) and political scientist Andrew Hacker (10/9), and also noted a production on 10/16 entitled “M&M Theater presents: Constellations.”  As always, Board Chair PD thanked the Friends for their wonderful programming and their ongoing support of the Library.

Committee Reports

Finance Committee

Schedule of Bills and Performance Report: Finance Committee members ML, JG and LT and Director LE presented the final Annual Fiscal Year 2015/16 Performance Report, dated 9/9/16. PD emphasized that the Finance Committee and Director Eckley had conducted an extensive and in-depth review of the report prior to presenting it at the September Board meeting. Board members discussed the report and asked a number of questions, after which the Board received the report. In addition, the Board reviewed and unanimously approved the Schedule of Bills dated 8/8/16, 8/12/16, 9/8/16 and 9/15/16. Finally, the Board received the Performance Report dated 9/8/16.

Building and Grounds

Transformation: PD reported that the newly “transformed” Library opened after Labor Day and that members of the Larchmont/Mamaroneck community have responded to the renovation with great enthusiasm, actively using the updated and renewed spaces, including the Technology Commons, the glass-enclosed Reading Room, the conference and tutoring rooms and the Teen Room. She thanked Director Eckley for her excellent work, persistence and patience throughout the renovation, and the Library staff for continuing to provide patron services in the Village Center while the main building was closed. She also thanked Board members for working with Director Eckley to initially envision the renovation, and emphasized that each Board member had played a significant and invaluable role in making the renovation a reality. Finally, she thanked the community for its tremendous support of the project – noting that the renovation was paid for primarily with donations received from nearly 650 individuals and families, totaling $1.5 million – and also thanked State Assemblyman Steve Otis and State Senator George Latimer for their help in securing four NYS grants totaling approximately $272,000. Finally, she noted that a cocktail party for major donors was scheduled for 9/23, and that the Grand Re-Opening (with a ribbon cutting) was scheduled for 9/24 as part of Big Truck Day. LE emphasized that the staff successfully overcame many challenges in moving back into the renovated space and noted that Staff Assistant RM had worked with Library Caretaker Shawn Gray to remove outdated library furniture, much of which was donated to non-profit organizations throughout Westchester County, facilitated by the United Way of Westchester and Putnam. LE also noted that a temporary donor plaque had been installed so that donors could confirm the presentation of their names before the permanent plaque is installed.

Director’s Report

Upon the recommendation of Director Eckley, the Board unanimously approved the promotion of Yvette Gayles to a full-time position at an annual salary of $40,900, effective 8/8/16. LE then reported on the success of the Library’s summer programs, noting that Ryder’s Garden was used for many of the children’s programs, that participation in the teen summer reading program was only slightly lower this year despite the renovation, and that the adult summer reading program was the most successful ever. LE also reported an increase of users for the Museum Pass program over the summer due to increased publicity.
Board Chair Dubitsky adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board will be held on Thursday October 13, 2016 at 6:45pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Ryan Madonna
Staff Assistant

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