Library Minutes | June 18, 2024
4 Municipal Plaza • Monroe Township, NJ 08831 • (732) 521-5000 • www.monroetwplibrary.org
MINUTES OF THE MONROE TOWNSHIP
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
June 18, 2024
ATTENDING:
Members Friends of the Library
Ben Baum Francine Kitts
Lisa Chen
Anne Corey Student Representative
Dr. Kelly Roselle Jannat Zaanoun
Chris Ryan
Prena Shah Resident
Bernadette Yannacci Allan Marain
Staff
Karen Klapperstuck
Jennifer Slavicek
The meeting of the Monroe Township Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Ben Baum, President of the Library Board of Trustees.
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
It was noted that this meeting was in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
MINUTES OF THE MAY 21, 2024 MEETING
The minutes from the May 21, 2024 meeting of the Library Board of Trustees were presented.
Lisa Chen moved that the minutes of the May 21, 2024 meeting be approved as presented. Prena Shah seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Due to Leah Wagner’s medical leave, there was no report.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR’S REPORT
UPDATES ON ILS MIGRATION
The go-live date for the new integrated library system (ILS) was June 13. Staff at the consortium are working hard on resolving any problems.
Migration Statistics:
51 branch locations
Over 1 million bibliographic records
Over 3.5 million item records
Over 586,000 patron records
22,000 patron holds
LMxAC has changed their name to STELLA due to the number of libraries now participating that are not located in Middlesex County. STELLA stands for Sharing & Technology Enhancing Local Library Access.
DIRECT INSTALL UPDATE
The Council approved the Direct Install project at the June 5 Council meeting. The paperwork has been signed and submitted. We do not have any specific timeline. Harold Klein indicated that he expects it to be a 6-week lead time for materials to arrive.
JOHNSON CONTROLS
The library is required to do a mandatory update of the burglar and fire alarms. The project will be paid for using an existing earmark for Building Improvements in the Improvement Fund. The cost for both upgrades is $27,047.68. The annual service charge for monitoring is expected to increase by approximately $800. The project is not anticipated to be completed until the fall.
35th ANNIVERSARY EVENTS
The evening event on May 17 featuring the Monroe Township Middle School Jazz Ensemble was a lovely event. Over 100 people attended. Everyone enjoyed the concert as well as pretzels, cupcakes and mocktails.
The Foundation’s Golf Outing on June 10 was a success! With 44 golfers and approximately 150 in attendance for the luncheon, the weather was perfect. It is always a pleasure to be able to gather with community members and celebrate our Library.
NEW STAFF
The Library has one new staff member to approve:
- Alexcia Carrasquillo – Part Time Jr. Librarian, Adult Services
FINANCIAL REPORT
No comments.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
TOWNSHIP COUNCIL REPORT
Karen Klapperstuck reported on behalf of Marilyn Gonyo. The Township’s budget was unanimously approved at the last council meeting. There was a slight tax increase, the first time in 4 years. The Township will be celebrating the 4th of July in typical fashion- fireworks in Thompson Park. The Mayor wishes the Library Board to stay cool and enjoy the summer!
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Francine Kitts reported that Friends Board Member Cathy Colquist and herself met with the President of the Sayreville FOL and two of their board members to exchange ideas. They were taken on a tour of the library and went home with notes and photos. They were very interested in the American Girl Doll Program and thanks to Becky Osowski in Youth Services, they left with all the information they needed.
Friend of the Library, Carol Martin, has graciously purchased a new American Girl Doll to add to the collection. The library now has 10 dolls, each of which can be borrowed for a one-week period. The newest doll is Nanea, who hails from Hawaii. A flyer thanking Carol is on the Friends Bulletin Board.
The Friends are gearing up for the Farmers Market where they will have a table of books and jigsaw puzzles. The Friends ask for donations instead of pricing the items. The community is extremely generous.
The Friends Treasurer, Domenica Pavone, presented the budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. It was passed unanimously.
The slate of officers for the July 2024 – June 2026 term have been announced and posted. Voting will take place at the annual meeting on June 25.
MONROE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR
Kelly Roselle reported that High School Graduation will be on June 21 at the Cure Arena in Trenton. The summer program for students with an IEP will begin on July 8. There will be a PAC Board Meeting at the middle school at 6:15 on July 31. The first day of school for teachers will be September 3 and students will return on September 4.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Jannat Zaanoun reported that finals will end on June 19.
FOUNDATION
Karen Klapperstuck reported that the Golf Outing was a success. The Foundation will be scheduling their next meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The 2022 audit is complete and was distributed. There were several questions regarding the report. It was decided that the auditor, Gerard Stankiewicz, would be asked to present the report at the September Board Meeting.
Leah Wagner sent a request for proposals for the 2023 audit to four firms. The library received one response from Suplee, Clooney and Company. The engagement letter from Samuel Klein and Company, our current auditor, and from Suplee, Clooney and Company were distributed for review at the meeting. Karen Klapperstuck advised that Samuel Klein and Company had language in their proposal stating the audit would be completed in 60 days if started by June 30. The cost of the 2023 audit with Samuel Klein and Company was $7,050 and $9,500 with Suplee, Clooney and Company. Ben Baum initiated a vote. Due to cost savings and time restraints the Board voted they would contract with Samuel Klein and Company to perform the 2023 audit. Anne Corey voted no.
NEW BUSINESS
The Board of Trustees discussed the resolution to pay bills in July 2024 and August 2024.
Whereas the Monroe Township Public Library Board of Trustees will not meet in July and August,
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Monroe Township Public Library Board of Trustees does approve the payment of bills in July 2024 and August 2024.
The resolution was accepted
.
The Board of Trustees discussed the hire of a new employee.
Karen Klapperstuck informed the Board that Alexcia Carrasquillo would be working part time in the Adult Services Department as a Junior Librarian. Her start date was June 11.
Bernadette Yannacci moved to approve the hiring of Alexcia Carrasquillo. Lisa Chen seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.
ACTION ON BILLS
Prena Shah moved the payment of the bills with checks #18882 - 18932 in the amount of $297,034.83. Anne Corey seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed.
OTHER BUSINESS
Resident Allan Marain attended the meeting. He expressed to the Board he has been a resident for two years and has a great interest in libraries. He is a member of ALA and if he was not a lawyer he would have been a librarian.
The next meeting of the Monroe Township Library Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17 at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business, Kelly Roselle moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Slavicek