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Library Minutes | January 16, 2024

4 Municipal Plaza • Monroe Township, NJ 08831 • (732) 521-5000 • www.monroetwplibrary.org

MINUTES OF THE MONROE TOWNSHIP

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

January 16, 2024

ATTENDING:

Members                                                                                 Staff                           

Ben Baum                                         Robert Isaacs                                  Leah Wagner

Lisa Chen                                          Dr. Kelly Roselle                            Karen Klapperstuck                    

Anne Corey                                      Dr. Marilyn Gonyo                        Friends of the Library

Bernadette Yannacci                  Prena Shah                                      Francine Kitts 

                                                                                   

The meeting of the Monroe Township Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:33 p.m. by Leah Wagner, Library Director. The meeting was changed to an online meeting due to inclement weather.

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

It was noted that this meeting was in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The members of the Library Board voted on the slate of officers presented by the Nomination Committee:

President: Benjamin Baum      Vice President: Lisa Chen

Secretary: Prena Shah              Treasurer: Robert Isaacs

There were no nominations from the floor. Bob Isaacs on behalf of the Nominating Committee made a motion to accept the slate as presented. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Leah congratulated the officers and Ben Baum, President, continued the meeting.

MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 12, 2023 MEETING

The minutes from the December 12, 2023 meeting of the Library Board of Trustees were presented.

Dr. Marilyn Gonyo moved that the minutes of the December 12, 2023 meeting be accepted as presented. Prena Shah seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Leah Wagner noted that a few things changed since sending her written report with the Board packet materials. The final punch list items for the Circulation renovations were originally scheduled to be fixed on January 12 but had to be rescheduled to January 17. The Mix and Mingle program also needed to be rescheduled due to the inclement weather and now the first session will be held on February 13.

Leah shared an article that Kelly Palombit wrote for the New Jersey Library Association (NJLA) newsletter. Leah also mentioned that bookmobile circulation increased from approximately 32,000 items in 2022 to approximately 51,000 items in 2023.

Leah has received the draft of the audit but the auditor is still waiting on information from the Township in order to complete the audit.

The Library’s new pickup truck has been delivered and is currently in Hamilton, NJ for the installation of the snowplow and electric lift.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Karen Klapperstuck discussed the final edits to the Technology Policy and Use of Library Space Policy which will be voted on in the Unfinished Business portion of the meeting. Karen also informed the Board that a revision to the Meeting Room Policy will be presented at the February meeting. Recently an incident occurred where an individual reserved the meeting room and then collected donations from attendees to defray the cost of the insurance required to reserve the room and turned away people who had not “donated.” While this is a violation of the policy as currently written, the language about all programs and events must be free and open to the public must be further clarified in the policy. A policy about programming will also be coming to the policy committee and Library Board soon.

Karen shared that all Library Department Heads are currently preparing and discussing performance evaluations with all staff.

Karen is eager to share the 2023 Annual Report at the next Board of Trustees meeting.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Leah Wagner discussed the current financial reports. She noted that there were no additional year end transfers required to close the books for 2023.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Ben Baum asked if any Board members did not wish to continue serving on their current committees. Bob Isaacs asked for a reminder of who is on which committee.

  • Budget Committee: Bob, Prena, Anne
  • Personnel Committee: Lisa, Bernadette, Anne
  • Nominations Committee: Bob, Prena, Unfilled Board position
  • Policy Committee: Kelly, Bernadette, Marilyn
  • Displays Committee: Prena, Marilyn, Unfilled Board position, Francine

TOWNSHIP COUNCIL REPORT

Dr. Marilyn Gonyo reported on items from Mayor Dalina:

Township swearing in ceremonies were held on January 1.  Mayor Dalina and Council members Cohen, Van Dzura and Markel were sworn in.

The Council reorganization meeting occurred on January 3.

Work has begun on the upcoming budget.

The Mayor sent wishes of a Happy New Year to all!

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

Francine Kitts reported that the Friends did not meet in December. The mini book sale and puzzle swap continue to be popular.

The next Friends of the Library meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 23. Francine expects to make an exciting announcement at the February Board of Trustees meeting.

MONROE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR

Dr. Kelly Roselle reported that the planned collaborative visit from author Jarrett Krosoczka had to be postponed and the rescheduled date will be announced. The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for January 17.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Jannat Zaanoun was unable to attend in person. She emailed a report to Leah Wagner. Jannat reported that the High School was back in the swing of things after winter break. Students are in the process of selecting classes for next year.

FOUNDATION

Leah Wagner reported that the next Foundation meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 18.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Karen Klapperstuck presented the revised Technology Policy as reviewed at the November 2023 Board meeting. She noted that the Library attorney reviewed the policy.

Marilyn Gonyo moved to approve the Technology Policy. Anne Corey seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Karen next presented the revised Use of Library Space Policy and Request to Display/Distribute form as reviewed at the November 2023 Board meeting. She noted that the Library attorney reviewed the policy. Marilyn reminded Karen that a note should be added to the request form that the item to be displayed/distributed be attached to the form when submitted.

Marilyn Gonyo moved to approve the Use of Library Space Policy and Request to Display/Distribute Form with the above noted addition. Bob Isaacs seconded the motion. All were in favor.

NEW BUSINESS

Leah Wagner discussed a request from an employee for extended sick leave. The Township normally takes these leave requests to the Council for approval. However, as the Library is separate from the Township, Leah brought the matter to the Personnel committee.

Lisa Chen moved on behalf of the Personnel Committee that full time employee KL’s request for extended sick leave of up to 90 days be granted. No second is needed as the motion was brought from committee. All were in favor.

Leah Wagner presented three purchasing resolutions for 2024:

Whereas the Monroe Township Public Library Board of Trustees wishes to purchase materials from the Baker & Taylor Company,

And whereas the Baker & Taylor Company has established competitive prices with State Contract #A41949,

Now, therefore, does the Monroe Township Public Library Board of Trustees agree to purchase materials from the Baker & Taylor Company in 2024 in an amount not to exceed $250,000.

Whereas the Monroe Township Public Library Board of Trustees wishes to purchase hardware from the Dell Company,

And whereas the Dell Company has established competitive prices with State Contract #A81247,

Now, therefore, does the Monroe Township Public Library Board of Trustees agree to purchase hardware from the Dell Company in 2024 in an amount not to exceed $50,000.

Whereas the Monroe Township Public Library Board of Trustees wishes to contract with LMxAC to provide automation services,

Now, therefore, does the Monroe Township Public Library Board of Trustees agree to contract for automation services with LMxAC in 2024 in an amount not to exceed $122,000.

Prena Shah made a motion to approve the purchasing resolutions for 2024 with Baker & Taylor, Dell Company and LMxAC. Bob Isaacs seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed.

ACTION ON BILLS

Anne Corey moved the payment of the bills with checks #18710 - #18737, in the amount of $339,593.76. Marilyn Gonyo seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed.

OTHER BUSINESS

The next meeting of the Monroe Township Library Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no other business, Bob Isaacs moved to adjourn the meeting. Anne Corey seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Klapperstuck