Library Minutes | December 13, 2022
4 Municipal Plaza • Monroe Township, NJ 08831 • (732) 521-5000 • www.monroetwplibrary.org
MINUTES OF THE MONROE TOWNSHIP
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
December 13, 2022
ATTENDING:
Members Staff
Lisa Chen Jackie D’Angelo (virtual) Leah Wagner
Robert Isaacs (virtual) Dr. Marilyn Gonyo Karen Klapperstuck
Bernadette Yannacci Riya Karnik
Anne Corey Friends of the Library
Francine Kitts
The meeting of the Monroe Township Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:28 p.m. by Lisa Chen, Vice President.
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
It was noted that this meeting was in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 2022 MEETING
The minutes from the November 15, 2022 meeting of the Library Board of Trustees were presented. In the report from The Friends of the Library, Francine clarified that the Friends made $2,595 in memberships, not that the Friends had 2,595 members.
Dr. Marilyn Gonyo moved that the minutes of the November 15, 2022 meeting be accepted with the above noted correction. Bernadette Yannacci seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Leah Wagner apprised the Board of the Union contract negotiations, highlighting some of the Library-related issues and additions. The Union contract has been accepted and will go into effect in January.
Leah informed the Board that the Harvest Market on November 22 had more than 750 people in attendance.
Leah updated the Board on the status of the replacement generator for the Bookmobile. A generator has been located but it has not yet arrived. The Bookmobile staff hopes to be back on the road sometime in January.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Karen Klapperstuck informed the Board about upcoming modernization of Library software to include a subscription to Microsoft 365 in 2023. This will help staff access files, emails and more from any staff computer in the Library and remotely.
Karen updated the Board about increased programming. Jennifer Rojas, who started as Adult Services Coordinator in September has been working diligently to get a full schedule of programs on the calendar for the start of 2023. Ray Shirley, who started as Technology Support and Training Specialist in August, reinstated the popular one-on-one tech help for patrons. Full time Reference staff will also be taking appointments in order to assist more people.
Karen provided news about AARP Tax preparation. Details are still being ironed out with Bonnie Fox, AARP Tax Help Site Coordinator. Appointments will open on January 25.
Also from AARP, the Library received a grant from the New Jersey chapter of AARP to purchase and implement the Reading2Connect program. Kits have been ordered and the staff will be trained. The program is meant to bring older adults living with memory challenges, their families and caregivers into the Library. More details will be presented to the Board after the staff training.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Leah Wagner discussed the current financial reports and said that End of Year Transfers will be presented later in the meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Nominations Committee - Robert Isaacs, chair of the committee, has been in touch with Board members. The slate of officers for 2023 will be:
- President - Benjamin Baum
- Vice-President - Lisa Chen
- Secretary - Prena Shah
- Treasurer - Robert Isaacs
Leah reminded the Board that the election of officers will happen at the January Board meeting.
TOWNSHIP COUNCIL REPORT
Dr. Marilyn Gonyo cheerfully wished the Board Happy Holidays from Mayor Dalina.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Francine Kitts reported that the Friends recently voted on revised by-laws. The new by-laws allow electronic voting and other business to happen between meetings. Francine thanked Dr. Marilyn Gonyo for her hard work on the revisions.
Francine informed the Board that the Friends earned over $2,700 at the Friends Book Sale earlier in December. The Friends also had a table at the sale to provide information about and applications to join the Friends.
Francine also wished everyone a Happy Holiday season.
MONROE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR
Dr. Kelly Roselle was unable to attend the meeting but sent this report:
The December Board of Education meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 14, at 7:00 p.m. in the High School media center.
I wish everyone happy holidays and a healthy new year—see you in January!
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Riya Karnik wished everyone Happy Holidays! She told the Board that this is a stressful time of year for many students with tests/exams, papers and projects due soon. Many Seniors are waiting for college decisions. All the students are looking forward to Winter Break.
FOUNDATION
The Foundation will meet next on January 12, 2023.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Leah Wagner provided an update on the Construction Bond Grant. All of the wiring for the updated fire panel has been completed. The last piece is the new Fire Panel which has still not arrived. The project is very close to completion.
The 2021 Audit was discussed at length at the November Board meeting with the presentation by Gerard Stankiewicz, CPA of Samuel Klein and Company.
Robert Isaacs made a motion to accept the 2021 Audit. Anne Corey seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Leah Wagner presented an updated proposed budget for 2023 highlighting the changes due to the Union contract negotiations and the salary increases for next year. Overall the budget has a 2.04% increase from 2022 to 2023. The budget will be amended in June when the Township reimbursement numbers are updated.
Dr. Marilyn Gonyo made a motion to accept the proposed 2023 Library Budget. Bernadette Yannacci seconded the motion. All were in favor. The budget was accepted as presented.
NEW BUSINESS
Karen Klapperstuck presented an updated version of the Monroe Township Library Personnel and Procedure Manual: A Supplement to the Township Personnel Manual with edits since the last Board meeting printed in red. Karen discussed the substantive changes, most of which are due to the finalized Union contract. A Table of Contents will be added when the document is ready for distribution. A clause will be added stating that the manual will be updated if the Union contract changes and that the manual is superseded by the Union contract.
Bernadette Yannacci made a motion to accept the Monroe Township Library Personnel and Procedure Manual with the addition of the clause that the manual will be automatically updated whenever there is a change to the Union contract. Robert Isaacs seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Leah Wagner presented the Proposed Transfer Year End 2022 as follows:
- $1,102.00 to be moved from AV to Books
- $1,605.00 to be moved from Contractual to Automation
- $2,276.00 to be moved from Photocopy Expense to Printing
- $2,523.00 to be moved from Maintenance Supplies to Supplies
- $3,509.00 to be moved from Contractual to Conference
- $556.00 to be moved from Digital Content to Periodicals
Dr. Marilyn Gonyo made a motion to approve the Year End transfers. Robert Isaacs seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Leah Wagner presented the list of Proposed Library Closing Dates 2023.
Jackie D’Angelo made a motion to approve the proposed Library closing dates for 2023. Robert Isaacs seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Leah Wagner presented the list of Library Board Meeting Dates for 2023.
Jackie D’Angelo made a motion to approve the proposed Library Board Meeting Dates for 2023. Bernadette Yannacci seconded the motion. All were in favor.
ACTION ON BILLS
Bernadette Yannacci moved the payment of the bills with checks #18240-#18274, in the amount of $282,830.21. Jackie D’Angelo seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed.
OTHER BUSINESS
Leah Wagner thanked The Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission and Dr. Marilyn Gonyo for the fabulous Winterfest on December 10.
Leah reminded the Board that the Staff Holiday Breakfast is scheduled for December 15.
Vice-President Lisa Chen wished the Board and those in attendance Happy Holidays!
The next meeting of the Monroe Township Library Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, January 17 at 6:30 p.m..
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business, Robert Isaacs moved to adjourn the meeting. Jackie D’Angelo seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Klapperstuck